In a groundbreaking geological discovery, China’s Hunan Province has unveiled what may be the largest and richest gold deposit ever found, containing an estimated 1,000 tons of high-grade gold ore.

According to Science Alert, geologists found 40 gold veins at a depth of 2 kilometers in Pingjiang, with 3D models suggesting the reserve might extend down to 3 kilometers. The value of this colossal find is estimated at 600 billion yuan, or around 83 billion USD, surpassing South Africa’s renowned “South Deep” mine (estimated 900 tons).

Gold Visible to the Naked Eye

Geologist Chen Rulin reported that several rock cores showed visible gold, with assays indicating up to 138 grams of gold per metric ton — an exceptionally high grade compared to the global high-grade threshold of just 8 grams per ton.

Has the World Reached "Peak Gold"?

While experts debate whether the world has reached "peak gold" — the point at which finding new economic reserves becomes extremely rare — this discovery proves that significant untapped reserves may still lie hidden beneath the surface.

A New Golden Era: 2D Gold "Goldene"

In a separate scientific leap, researchers in April succeeded in synthesizing a new two-dimensional form of gold, dubbed "Goldene", which consists of a single atom-thick layer and exhibits unique physical properties compared to its 3D counterpart.