How to Use Bleach on Gold Ore to Remove Gold | Sciencing
Gold is an almost non-reactive metal, but halogens — chlorine, bromine, fluorine and iodine — can dissolve it. Chlorine is the cheapest and lightest product that can achieve this. Bleach is the chemical compound sodium hypochlorite. When combined with hydrochloric acid, the mixture produces chlorine that dissolves gold from gold ore.