There are locations on the west coast of South America, in Australia, and in the California internal desert where fresh water is practically unavailable. It has been found that precious metal dissolution can be accomplished in sea water or in strong brine provided the leaching environment is adjusted to compensate for the buffering characteristics of the brine solvent and equipment is built to stand this corrosive environment. Unprotected mild steel construction cannot be used. Merrill-Crowe zinc dust precipitation is the most logical recovery method for the gold in saline environments since carbon absorption has proven to be ineffective in strong electrolytes. Any data on the successful use of carbon absorption under saline conditions would be welcomed by the authors.