Core Viewpoint - A recent study suggests a method for mass-producing gold from mercury using nuclear fusion, which could potentially make the transformation from mercury to gold a reality in the near future [3][12]. Group 1: Methodology - The proposed method utilizes high-energy neutrons released during deuterium-tritium fusion reactions to convert mercury-198 into gold-197 [3][10]. - The process involves three steps: neutron capture by mercury-198, transformation to an unstable mercury isotope (mercury-197), and spontaneous decay to gold-197 [8][10]. - The neutron capture step is feasible due to the energy of the neutrons produced in the fusion reaction [10]. Group 2: Technical Requirements - The nuclear fusion reactor must have the capability to breed tritium, which is scarce on Earth, necessitating a special "breeding blanket" made of lithium and neutron-multiplying materials like beryllium or lead [5][6]. - The inclusion of mercury-198 in the breeding blanket is essential for the proposed gold production process [6][8]. Group 3: Production Potential - The theoretical calculations indicate that a 1 gigawatt (1 GW) fusion reactor could produce approximately 2 tons of gold annually [12]. - The transition from mercury-197 to gold-197 occurs rapidly, with a half-life of about 64 hours, suggesting a significant potential for gold production [12].