The gold industry has released new guidelines for bullion miners under pressure to disclose the real economics of producing an ounce of metal, feeding a debate over the sustainability of many gold mines in a sector battered by falling prices.
How Gold Bullion is Made

5
A worker wearing heatproof suit carries a gold alloy bar in a workshop of Altyntau gold mine extraction factory.

6
A just melted gold alloy bar is seen in a workshop of Altyntau gold mine extraction factory.

7
An armed guard stands guard as gold alloy bars are seen at Altyntau gold mine extraction factory.

8
Controlled explosions raise dust inside Altyntau open pit gold mine outside northern Kazakhstan's town of Kokshetau.