A huge gold deposit has been discovered in central China, containing an estimated 1,000 metric tons of gold ore, valued at around 600 billion yuan (US$83 billion).
This discovery, announced by the Geological Bureau of Hunan Province, could be the largest gold find ever, surpassing South Africa’s South Deep mine, which holds an estimated 900 metric tons.
The deposit is located in the northeast Hunan county of Pingjiang, where 40 gold veins were found at a depth of 2 kilometers (1.2 miles). Initial estimates suggest these veins alone may hold 300 metric tons of gold, with 3D modelling indicating reserves could extend to a depth of 3 kilometres.
Chen Rulin, a prospector for the Bureau, stated, “Many drilled rock cores showed visible gold.” Core samples from the site suggest every metric ton of ore could contain as much as 138 grams of gold, a high level of quality compared to typical high-grade ore, which contains more than 8 grams per metric ton.
This discovery adds to China’s dominant position in the global gold market, with reserves exceeding 2,000 tons in 2024. As gold prices continue to rise amid global uncertainties, the find has sparked further speculation about the world’s untapped gold reserves.