A vast gold deposit with reserves exceeding 1,000 tonnes has been discovered in Hunan Province, central China, as confirmed by the Geological Bureau of Hunan Province on Thursday, Xinhua reported. The Wangu gold field in Pingjiang County is at the center of the discovery, with geologists detecting over 40 gold veins within 2,000 meters underground, holding approximately 300 tonnes of gold.
The overall reserve, which extends to depths of 3,000 meters, is estimated to be worth 600 billion yuan ($83 billion). Chen Rulin, an expert with the Geological Disaster Survey and Monitoring Institute, highlighted the richness of the find, stating:
Many drilled rock cores showed visible gold.
The expert noted that the ore from the 2,000-meter range contained up to 138 grams of gold per tonne.
Gold production has long been a cornerstone of China’s mining industry. As the world’s largest gold producer, China accounted for roughly 370 tonnes of gold mined in 2023, contributing significantly to global supply. Key mining regions include Shandong, Henan, and Inner Mongolia, where reserves and advanced mining technologies have made the country a leader in gold extraction.
The breakthrough in Hunan was achieved using advanced mining technologies. Liu Yongjun, deputy head of the bureau, revealed that methods such as 3D geological modeling were key to detecting the gold veins. Signaling opportunities for further exploration, Liu added:
Gold was also found during drills around the site’s peripheral areas, unearthing promising prospects.
This discovery underscores the immense potential of the Wangu gold field and marks a significant step in modern mineral prospecting techniques.
This deposit bolsters Hunan’s prominence as a vital contributor to China’s gold reserves and reflects the success of applying innovative technologies to resource exploration. With additional promising signs in nearby areas, the region is poised for further development, enhancing the nation’s leadership in global gold production.