Silver-tongued scientists talk gold

SILVER tongued delegates will talk nothing but gold in Limerick next week.

Scientists, chemists and other experts from all over the world will gather at the University of Limerick (UL) to discuss using gold for purposes other than jewellery.

New technical applications of the precious metal will be explored. These will include the use of gold in drug manufacturing and in the removal of poisonous gases from the atmosphere.

‘Gold 2006’, sponsored by the World Gold Council, opens at the UL on Monday with 300 delegates from countries including, Japan, Australia, America, South Africa as well as most countries in the EU.

A spokeswoman for UL said: “The World Gold Council event is supported by a range of industrial companies involved in the production and use of gold, and will include a total of 134 oral presentations”.

Dr Mary Cahill of the National Museum in Dublin will address delegates on the subject of ‘Irish Prehistoric Gold’ outlining the evolution of methods in the production of gold items.

Dr Richard Holliday of the World Gold Council, said ‘Gold 2006’ is a continuation of a series of highly successful, global events which began in 1996 in Hanau, Germany.

He said: “The World Gold Council believes that by supporting research into the role gold can play in new technologies, it will help to raise awareness of its unique properties and boost industrial demand for gold in the long-term”.