The Yunnan geological department recently discovered a world-class gold deposit in Dongchuan, known as the capital of copper for its rich copper resources. Geologists estimate that the gold deposit holds a total reserve of 155 tons.

With three years of exploration and 38 million US dollars of investment, geologists have now drilled 193 holes in the deposit, the drilling depth totalling 74,000 meters. The deposit is divided into eastern and western parts, each stretching 7 kilometers and 15 kilometers respectively. Most of the exploration work is now focused on the western part. Geologists have made 67 drilling holes there in an area covering a distance of 3.2 kilometers. In this area, scientists have found 155 tons of first-class gold ores. Scientists¡¯ prudent estimation gives the total gold resources as 300 tons.

Right now, scientists are carrying out a feasibility research on the deposit. In the next three to four years, the gold deposit is expected to produce 10 tons of gold every year, and it can be exploited for 20 years.

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