Frank Reith discovered that bacteria may be responsible for the formation of gold nuggets in mines!
Dr Reith’s research has shown that bacteria play a significant role in the formation of secondary gold grains.
His study of gold grains from the Tomakin Park and Hit or Miss gold mines in southern New South Wales and northern Queensland, respectively, led to a series of discoveries, which showed that specific bacteria present on these gold grains precipitate gold from solution.