China’s gold reserves could see a significant boost with the discovery of a massive deposit in Hunan Province. Geologists have identified over 40 gold veins in the Pingjiang area’s Wangu gold field, estimating a total reserve of around 300 tons at depths of up to 2,000 meters.
According to the Geological Bureau of Hunan, the potential gold reserves at this site could extend down to 3,000 meters, with an estimated total of over 1,000 tons. This discovery could hold an economic value of approximately 600 billion yuan (US$83 billion or Rp. 1,323 trillion).
Exploration expert Chen Rulin from the Geological Research and Monitoring Institute of Hunan noted that many rock cores from drilling showed significant gold content, with one tonne of ore containing up to 138 grams of gold at a depth of 2,000 meters. The implementation of advanced technologies, such as three-dimensional geological modeling (3D), has been key in the exploration of the Wangu gold field.
Further drilling in surrounding areas has revealed promising indications of additional reserves, offering hope for the continued development of one of China’s largest gold mines.