Gold, the most sought-after of all precious metals, is acquired throughout the world for its beauty, liquidity, investment qualities, and industrial properties. As an investment vehicle, gold is typically viewed as a financial asset that maintains its value and purchasing power during inflationary periods.

Gold has a long and fascinating usage history in a diverse range of industries and applications. In each of the applications it is used, gold provides an outstanding performance due to its unique properties of being one of the most malleable and ductile metals with high melting point and easy recyclability. Gold is a material of choice in medicine and dentistry as it is biocompatible. In recent years it has emerged as a key nanomaterial. Global demand for gold is cantered on four primary categories: jewellery, investment, central bank reserves, and technology.

Risk management is of critical importance for gold value chain participants, such as mining companies, processors, companies dealing in gold and gold products, jewellers, and even governments which rely on the proceeds of bullion consumption and trade. Modern hedging techniques and strategies, including market-based risk management financial instruments, such as gold futures, can improve efficiencies and consolidate competitiveness.