China discovers world’s biggest gold deposit

A groundbreaking discovery in China has unveiled what could be the largest gold deposit on Earth, with estimates suggesting it contains around 1,000 metric tons of high-quality gold ore. 

The announcement has sparked widespread interest, as such a monumental discovery has the potential to significantly impact global markets, local economies, and future mining strategies, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

Located in a region already known for its mineral richness, the deposit has proven to be far more abundant than previously imagined.

Early assessments suggest that the deposit meets the criteria of a “supergiant” find, a designation given to gold resources that extend not just into millions, but potentially billions of ounces—surpassing some of the world’s most well-known gold reserves.

Chen Rulin, a senior prospector at the Geological Bureau of Hunan Province, has been closely involved in studying the site.

Not all gold deposits are classified as supergiants. These rare and exceptional deposits form under unique geological conditions, which allow gold to accumulate in concentrations far greater than those found in typical mines, where gold content is usually much lower.

China's newly discovered gold reservoir is estimated to be worth up to 600 billion yuan (around US$83 billion).

The find is already being compared to other prominent gold reserves, potentially surpassing the 900 metric tons believed to be contained in South Africa's renowned South Deep mine. The Geological Bureau of Hunan Province has confirmed the discovery of 40 gold veins stretching roughly 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) beneath the surface.

These veins resemble thin threads of precious metal, winding through ancient layers of rock. Initially, the Wangu gold field was thought to hold around 300 metric tons of gold. However, 3D modeling indicates there could be even more gold deeper within, at a depth of about 3 kilometers, suggesting that the true scale of the deposit may extend well beyond early estimates.

Prospector Chen Rulin from the bureau notes that many drilled rock cores revealed visible gold, further supporting the potential of this extraordinary discovery.

By Naila Huseynova