World's largest gold reserves: The world's largest gold reserves have been found in China. This can make the countries of the world including America and Russia sweat. According to government media, a huge gold reserve in central China is estimated to contain 1,000 metric tons (1,100 US tons) of high-quality gold. The Geological Bureau of Hunan province has confirmed this discovery in Pingjiang County located in the northeastern region of the province. NDTV quoted Chinese government media as saying that with an estimated value of 600 billion yuan, which is about Rs 6,91,473 crore, this could possibly be the world's largest gold reserve, which is more than the 930 metric tons found in South Africa's South Deep Mine.

The initial discovery found 40 gold veins at a depth of 2 kilometers, containing about 300 metric tons of gold. Advanced 3D modeling suggests additional reserves exist at greater depths, possibly reaching up to 3 kilometers. The discovery has significant implications for China's gold industry, potentially boosting the country's mining and economic capabilities.

According to Mining Technology, the largest known gold deposits in the world before the discovery of the Chinese gold deposits were:-

• South Deep Gold Mine - South Africa
• Grasberg Gold Mine - Indonesia
• Olympiada Gold Mine - Russia
• Lihir Gold Mine - Papua New Guinea
• Norte Abierto Gold Mine - Chile
• Carlin Trend Gold Mine - USA
• Boddington Gold Mine - Western Australia
• Mponeng Gold Mine - South Africa
• Pueblo Viejo Gold Mine – Dominican Republic
• Cortez Gold Mine - USA

According to NDTV, the bureau's gold ore-prospecting chief Chen Rulin said that several drilled rock cores showed obvious gold, adding that a tonne of gold ore at a range of 2,000 meters contains a maximum of 138 grams of gold. The bureau's vice head Liu Yongjun said new ore prospecting techniques such as 3D geological modelling were used at the Wangu gold field. Liu said gold was also found during drills around the site's peripheral areas, leading to promising prospects.