China has announced the discovery of what is being described as Asia’s largest offshore gold deposit in the East China Sea. The discovery was made off the coast of Laizhou City in Yantai, Shandong Province, close to the Jiaodong Peninsula, a region already known for its rich gold resources. This finding has gained attention because it significantly increases China’s known gold reserves and highlights growing offshore mineral exploration efforts.
According to reports from Chinese state media, the newly discovered undersea gold deposit has pushed the total gold reserves of the Laizhou region to more than 3,900 tonnes. This figure is reported to account for around 26 percent of China’s total national gold reserves. With this update, Laizhou has become the largest gold reserve holder and the top gold-producing region in the country.
Despite the scale of the announcement, official reports have not specified the exact size of the offshore gold deposit itself. The available information focuses on the combined gold reserves of the region after the discovery rather than providing a separate estimate for the undersea reserve.
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Offshore Gold Discovery Near the Jiaodong Peninsula
The discovery was made beneath the seabed near the Jiaodong Peninsula, one of China’s most important gold-rich areas. The region has a long history of gold mining and is already home to several major land-based gold deposits. The offshore find adds a new dimension to the area’s mineral profile.
Undersea gold exploration is more complex than land exploration. It involves advanced geological surveys and detailed studies of the ocean floor. The discovery near Laizhou shows that gold exploration in China has expanded into offshore areas, reflecting broader exploration activity.
The location of the deposit is especially significant because Laizhou City has long played a central role in China’s gold industry. With the inclusion of offshore reserves, the region now holds the highest concentration of known gold resources in the country.
Reports emphasize that the combined reserve figure of over 3,900 tonnes places Laizhou ahead of all other regions in China in terms of gold reserves and production. However, authorities have not yet released technical details related to the offshore deposit, and the amount of gold beneath the sea remains undisclosed.
Other Major Gold Discoveries Across China
The offshore gold discovery comes alongside several other major gold findings reported across China. In November, the Chinese Ministry of Natural Resources announced the discovery of a super-large, low-grade gold deposit in Liaoning Province in northeastern China. The deposit was estimated at 1,444.49 tonnes, making it the largest single gold reserve discovered since the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949.
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In another development, authorities in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region reported the discovery of more than 1,000 tonnes of gold reserves in the Kunlun Mountains. This area is known for its difficult terrain, making the discovery notable.
China is currently the world’s largest producer of gold ore, with annual production reaching around 377 tonnes. However, despite its high production levels, China still ranks behind countries such as South Africa and Australia in terms of total gold reserves.
Since 2021, China has increased investment in mineral exploration, including gold. This effort has taken place during a period of rising global oil prices and reflects a growing focus on gold security and domestic resource development. The offshore discovery near Laizhou is part of this broader push to identify and secure mineral resources within the country.