Beijing, November 14, 2025 – In a landmark announcement that underscores China's intensifying push for mineral self-sufficiency, the Ministry of Natural Resources revealed the discovery of the Dadonggou Gold Mine, the nation's largest single gold deposit since the founding of the People's Republic in 1949. Located in the northeastern province of Liaoning, the site boasts proven reserves of 1,444.49 metric tons of gold embedded within an estimated 2.586 billion metric tons of ore, with an average grade of 0.56 grams per ton. This "super-large, low-grade" open-pit deposit, classified above the 720-meter elevation line, has already cleared preliminary economic feasibility assessments, paving the way for potential rapid development.
The revelation, made public on Friday through state media outlets including China Media Group (CMG) and Xinhua, marks a historic breakthrough in domestic geological exploration. Officials hailed the find as a model for future "short-cycle, high-quality" mineral surveys, achieved through an accelerated 15-month exploration timeline that involved nearly 1,000 technicians from the state-run Liaoning Geological and Mining Group. This efficiency contrasts sharply with traditional prospecting efforts, which often span years, and reflects Beijing's strategic investments in advanced technologies like 3D geological mapping and deep-earth scanning. The deposit's vast scale—spanning an area suitable for open-pit mining—positions it as a potential world-class hub, rivaling established giants like the Jiaodong Gold Mine in Shandong Province.
At current market prices hovering around $2,700 per ounce—or approximately 115,000 yuan per kilogram—the Dadonggou reserves could be valued at over $166 billion, injecting a significant boost to China's economy and global standing in the precious metals sector. Gold prices have surged more than 50% year-to-date in 2025, driven by a confluence of factors including a weakening U.S. dollar, escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and Ukraine, and robust central bank purchases—particularly from emerging markets seeking to diversify away from fiat currencies. China's People's Bank of China (PBOC) has been at the forefront of this trend, adding 5 tons to its holdings in January alone, elevating gold to 5.9% of total foreign reserves.
This discovery arrives at a pivotal moment for China's resource strategy. As the world's largest gold producer—output reached 377.24 tons in 2024, up 0.56% from the prior year—the country still imports substantial volumes to meet domestic demand, which hit 985.31 tons last year, with bar and coin purchases jumping 24% year-on-year. Prior to this find, China's proven gold reserves stood at 3,203.77 tons as of 2023, trailing leaders like South Africa (estimated at over 5,000 tons) and Australia. The Dadonggou deposit alone eclipses South Africa's South Deep Mine, the previous record-holder with 930 tons, potentially catapulting China toward the top of global reserve rankings.
The exploration odyssey began in early 2024, amid a broader national campaign to accelerate mineral prospecting. Under the Ministry's directives, teams deployed cutting-edge geophysical surveys and drilling operations across Liaoning's mineral-rich Liaodong Peninsula, a region historically known for iron and coal but increasingly probed for precious metals. Preliminary assessments in September hinted at nearly 1,500 tons, but Friday's confirmation refined the figure to 1,444.49 tons, solidifying its status as an "ultra-large" asset. Despite the low ore grade—typical of large-scale porphyry-style deposits—the uniformity of the mineralization makes it "easy-to-mine," experts note, minimizing processing complexities and environmental risks associated with high-grade, deep-vein operations.
Geological context adds intrigue to the find. The Dadonggou deposit formed during the Mesozoic era, linked to tectonic activity along the eastern margin of the Eurasian Plate, where ancient subduction zones concentrated hydrothermal fluids rich in gold. Its open-pit viability above 720 meters (2,362 feet) promises efficient extraction, with initial phases potentially yielding hundreds of tons annually once operational. However, authorities have withheld precise coordinates, citing strategic sensitivities—a move sparking online speculation about proximity to sensitive border areas or existing infrastructure.
This isn't an isolated triumph. China's 2024-2025 exploration blitz has unearthed multiple high-profile deposits, including over 1,000 tons in Hunan Province's Wangu Goldfield—another "supergiant" contender—and 40 tons in Gansu, alongside 168 tons across northern sites in January. These efforts, backed by a 2023 Ministry re-evaluation that added over 1,200 tons in associated minerals, align with President Xi Jinping's emphasis on "resource security" amid U.S.-China trade frictions and supply chain vulnerabilities exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Vice Minister Xu Dachun emphasized in September that such breakthroughs could foster "world-class" mines, enhancing economic resilience and reducing import dependence.
Economically, the implications ripple far beyond extraction. Development could generate thousands of jobs in Liaoning, a rust-belt province grappling with industrial decline, while funneling revenues into green energy transitions—gold mining byproducts like silver and copper are vital for solar panels and EVs. On global markets, the news triggered a modest uptick in gold futures, with analysts from Goldman Sachs and UBS forecasting sustained highs into 2026, potentially above $4,300 per ounce if inflation persists. Yet, challenges loom: Environmental advocates warn of water contamination risks in the arid northeast, urging adherence to Beijing's "ecological red lines" policy. The low grade also demands advanced, energy-intensive refining, though state subsidies could mitigate costs.
Internationally, reactions have been swift. The World Gold Council described the deposit as "aspirational yet transformative," cautioning that full verification could take years. In mining hubs like Johannesburg and Perth, executives eye partnerships, while U.S. analysts ponder impacts on dollar hegemony—China's gold stockpiling could accelerate de-dollarization trends in BRICS nations. Social media buzz, from X posts by @globaltimesnews to industry watchers, amplifies the excitement, with hashtags like #ChinaGoldRush trending.
As drilling rigs hum at the site—captured in CMG footage showing vast earthmovers against Liaoning's rugged terrain—the Dadonggou discovery symbolizes China's geological renaissance. It not only fortifies national reserves but redefines the narrative of "peak gold," challenging notions that the world's yellow metal bounty is waning. For a nation navigating economic headwinds and great-power rivalry, this glittering vein offers a tangible edge in an uncertain world.
