Gold is a precious metal that has been highly sought after for centuries due to its rarity, beauty, and versatility. According to Reed Cagle, it is found in many parts of the world, but some areas are more affluent in deposits than others.

One of the most abundant sources of gold is in the Earth's crust. It is often found in rocks and soils and is most commonly extracted through mining. The world's largest gold mines are in Russia, the United States, Canada, Australia, and South Africa.

Another source of gold is in rivers and streams. Gold particles are deposited in riverbeds and banks as water erodes rocks and soils. This is known as placer mining and is often used for prospecting gold deposits in a given area.

Gold can also be found in ocean water, but the quantities are minimal and difficult to extract. There have been efforts to extract gold from seawater, but it is expensive and inefficient.

The concentration of gold in the Earth's crust varies depending on location, but it is typically found in concentrations of 5 to 10 parts per billion. However, in certain areas, such as the Witwatersrand Basin in South Africa, the concentration of gold is much higher, making it a prime location for gold mining.

Gold is also found as nuggets and flakes in underground veins and deposits. This type of deposit is called a lode deposit and is formed by the precipitation of gold from mineral-rich solutions that are introduced into cracks and fissures in the Earth's crust.

In addition to mining, gold can also be recovered from electronic waste, such as old computer components, cell phones, and televisions. The recovery of gold from e-waste is becoming increasingly important as electronic waste continues to grow globally.

In conclusion, gold is found in many parts of the world, including the Earth's crust, rivers and streams, ocean water, and underground veins and deposits. The largest gold mines are in Russia, the United States, Canada, Australia, and South Africa, but gold can be found in smaller quantities in many other areas. The recovery of gold from electronic waste is also becoming a vital metal source.