An unprecedented geological discovery has occurred in northeastern Hunan Province, China. The largest deposit of exceptionally high-quality gold has been discovered , estimated to be worth approximately 1,000 metric tons of ore, representing a value of nearly $83 billion. This discovery surpasses South Africa’s known ore reserves and could redefine the global mining landscape in the coming decades.
The discovery that will change global mining
The Geological Bureau of Hunan Province revealed that this deposit is located at a depth of 2 kilometers in Pingjiang County. Through a 3D model, researchers predict that the reserves could extend to a depth of 3 kilometers , opening up new prospects for the extraction of this highly sought-after resource .
This outstanding quality deposit contains up to 138 grams of gold per metric tonne of ore. This figure is particularly impressive, as high-quality gold is usually found in lower concentrations of this metal in conventional deposits. This discovery is notable for its magnitude and for the purity of the gold found .
How does this discovery affect the global market?
The impact of this discovery could extend beyond China’s borders. While the Asian country already dominates the world market with more than 2,000 tons of gold reserves , this new find could further consolidate its position. With a mining industry that contributes around 10% of global production, China could see a significant increase in its resources available for extraction and global trade.
In addition, the increased supply of gold could have an impact on global prices, which are already steadily rising due to the growing demand for this precious metal in times of global economic uncertainty.
China leads global mining with the largest gold deposit
This discovery also opens up a range of possibilities for the future of mining in China . Projections indicate that the coming years could see an increase in gold extraction , especially if estimates of new reserves at greater depth are confirmed. Likewise, technological advances in mining extraction and prospecting processes could allow for more efficient use of these deposits.
As the discovery continues to be evaluated, the global geological community continues to watch with great interest for new techniques and strategies that could be employed to maximize the economic and environmental benefits of the find.
So far, China has the largest gold reserve in the world. Source: 92 News HD
While this discovery in China is impressive, it is not the only recent gold-related breakthrough. From the discovery of the largest gold nugget in England, mentioned on CNN Styles in March, to studies on the formation of gold through seismic activity, gold remains an invaluable resource. Scientists are also exploring new ways to manipulate this metal, such as the creation of goldene , a breakthrough that could have significant technological and scientific implications.
Follow us on social networks and don’t miss any of our publications!
YouTube LinkedIn Facebook Instagram X TikTok
Source and photos: Science Alert