A recent discovery in Central China has unveiled a massive gold deposit in Pingjiang County, Hunan Province. The Geological Bureau of the province has confirmed that the deposit contains approximately 1,000 metric tonnes of high-quality ore, valued at around 600 billion yuan (Rs 6,91,473 crore). This finding could potentially make it the world’s largest gold reserve, surpassing the 930 metric tonnes found in South Deep Mine, South Africa.
Preliminary explorations have revealed the presence of 40 gold veins within a depth of 2 kilometers, holding an estimated 300 metric tonnes of gold. Advanced 3D modeling suggests the possibility of additional reserves at greater depths, potentially reaching up to 3 kilometers. This discovery is expected to have significant implications for China’s gold industry, potentially boosting the nation’s mining and economic capabilities.
Chen Rulin, an ore-prospecting expert at the bureau, mentioned that many drilled rock cores displayed visible gold, with a tonne of ore in the 2,000-meter range containing a maximum of 138 grams of gold. Liu Yongjun, the vice head of the bureau, highlighted the use of new ore prospecting technologies such as 3D geological modeling at the Wangu gold field. Gold was also discovered during drills in the peripheral areas of the site, indicating promising prospects for future exploration.
According to Mining Technology, some of the largest known gold reserves in the world prior to this discovery include South Deep Gold Mine in South Africa, Grasberg Gold Mine in Indonesia, Olimpiada Gold Mine in Russia, Lihir Gold Mine in Papua New Guinea, Norte Abierto Gold Mine in Chile, Carlin Trend Gold Mine in the USA, Boddington Gold Mine in Western Australia, Mponeng Gold Mine in South Africa, Pueblo Viejo Gold Mine in the Dominican Republic, and Cortez Gold Mine in the USA.
These mines represent the most significant natural gold reserves identified worldwide to date. The new gold deposit in China has the potential to reshape the global gold industry and position China as a key player in the mining sector.
