New Delhi: In a gleaming testament to geological fortune, China has unearthed yet another colossal gold trove — a deposit surpassing 1,000 tonnes nestled in the majestic Kunlun Mountains of Xinjiang province.
This marks the third such blockbuster discovery within the year, following similar windfalls in Liaoning and Hunan, and it shatters preconceived notions about the nation’s untapped mineral wealth.
Spanning 87 gold-rich zones, the discovery boasts six prime sites ripe for extraction within the top 300 metres, as pinpointed by teams of expert geologists. What elevates this revelation is its sheer scale: unlike global precedents capped at mere hundreds of tonnes, this vein rivals the heft of entire nations’ reserves, compelling a rethink of China’s estimated 3,000 tonnes of unmined gold — barely a quarter of Russia or Australia’s hauls.
The breakthrough owes much to Beijing’s ramped-up investments in exploration and cutting-edge technologies, mirroring successes in Africa’s resource hunts.
Beyond bullion, it fortifies China’s grip on critical minerals like lithium, uranium, rare earths, oil, and natural gas, bolstering its dominance in the global supply chain.
As of October 8, China’s official gold reserves stand at a formidable 2,279.56 tonnes — threefold India’s 876.18 tonnes recorded in March — securing it the fifth spot worldwide, with gold comprising five per cent of its foreign exchange kitty.
India trails at seventh, holding 9.3 per cent in bullion. Echoing ancient lore from “The Classic of Mountains and Seas”, which hailed Kunlun as a mythical treasure trove, this modern strike underscores enduring allure.
With winter’s chill approaching, these glittering depths promise to fuel economic resilience, yet they also ignite debates on sustainable mining amid geopolitical tensions.