Geologists discover massive gold deposit buried in central China

Geologists in Pingjiang County, Hunan Province, central China, have uncovered one of the largest gold deposits in recent times.

Buried more than two kilometers underground, the Hunan Geological Bureau estimates the reserve holds over 1,000 metric tons of gold—valued at roughly 78 billion euros (around 600 billion yuan), Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

This discovery marks a significant milestone for China’s resource extraction industry, combining advanced exploration technology with the lure of vast mineral wealth. The Wangu gold field, at the centre of this find, is now considered one of the richest untapped gold veins globally.

Over 40 gold veins have been identified, extending to depths of up to 3,000 meters. Initial exploration at 2,000 meters revealed about 300 tons of reserves, with deeper drilling uncovering even more abundant deposits. Some ore samples showed gold concentrations as high as 138 grams per metric ton, an exceptionally high grade for modern large-scale mining.

“Many drilled rock cores showed visible gold,” said Chen Rulin, an ore-prospecting expert with the bureau, underscoring the deposit’s extraordinary quality. The visible gold, usually seen only in smaller samples, highlights the site’s exceptional richness. Analysts have begun comparing Wangu to the world’s most productive mining sites.

This breakthrough was made possible by cutting-edge surveying techniques like three-dimensional geological modeling, enabling precise targeting of gold-rich zones. Liu Yongjun, deputy director of the bureau, revealed that additional gold veins have been found around the deposit’s edges, suggesting the site may be even larger.

Economically, the discovery positions Hunan Province as a major player in China’s gold mining sector. Development of the Wangu field could spur extensive investment in mining and regional infrastructure.

Environmental concerns are rising, given the risks of deep mining, such as land subsidence and water contamination. Authorities stress that mining will proceed under strict regulatory oversight. Experts note Wangu’s development may set a global example of balancing industrial ambition with environmental responsibility.

By Naila Huseynova