Gold in them thar hills: China’s mineral search proves its weight in precious prospects

Authorities again announce huge findings of gold veins across different Chinese regions, with the help of big data and powerful computing

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China has stepped up investment in the search for critical mineral resources in recent years, striking gold in the process. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Published: 3:48pm, 20 Jan 2025

China says gold discoveries surpassing 168 metric tonnes (5.93 million ounces) have been made in multiple mining areas, marking the second official announcement of newly unearthed gold reserves in as many months.

The new deposits were discovered across several goldfields in northwest and northern China, according to Sunday’s report by the state-owned China News Service, citing the China Geological Survey (CGS), a division of the Ministry of Natural Resources.

A total of 102.4 tonnes were identified in Anbali, Gansu province; plus 41.3 tonnes in Hadamengou of the Inner Mongolia autonomous region; and 24.3 tonnes in Tahe Baoxinggou, Heilongjiang province.

The discoveries came amid China’s latest mineral-exploration undertakings funded by the central government, focusing on 24 existing large-scale gold resource bases while utilising advanced technologies such as big data and powerful computing, according to the CGS.

In November, geologists uncovered massive gold reserves surpassing 1,000 tonnes at the Wangu gold mine in Pingjiang county, Hunan province, which was estimated to be worth about 600 billion yuan (US$82 billion).

China has stepped up investment in the search for critical mineral resources in recent years, with a 2021-25 development plan calling for greater efforts to bolster domestic mineral reserves and production.