The electronics sector currently uses 9% of the global gold production (265 tonnes), worth around $US14b per year. The gold used in connectors alone is valued at around $US700m, so a 20% thinner coating would deliver a saving of $US140m, or an increase in durability for high performance gold applications in harsh environments. High gold prices are growing interest in Cirrus Dopant™ hardened gold for connectors, providing long life with a thinner plated gold layer. Nano doped gold coatings are 20% harder and more wear resistant compared with a coating twice as thick.