Gasoline doesn't conduct electricity very well so exposed wires/connections will not lead to short circuits
Corroded connections would effect fuel level sender as that's a resistance sender
16 ohms Empty tank
160 ohms Full tank
Corrosion causes higher ohms so gauge would show higher level than true level, or make gauge stay on full all the time
Gold plating on contacts does resist corrosion but its a very thin coating
If you have ever seen a picture of the Grand Canyon then you have seen what a fluid(water) can do to any "coating"(the earth) over time
Gasoline is a fluid and does slosh around in the tank, so..................coating can be worn off in places exposing the base metal which will corrode
And yes the copper wire as well