Archive · 22 Dec 2025
China Discovers Asia's Largest Undersea Gold Deposit
China has found a big gold deposit underwater near Laizhou.
This makes Laizhou very important for gold in China.
China is already the biggest gold producer in the world, but this new find makes it even more important.
They have been spending a lot of money to find new minerals, and this is one of their biggest discoveries.
They found another big gold deposit last month too.
This helps China have more gold for making things and trading with other countries.
China discovered its first underwater gold deposit near Laizhou, Shandong, described as the largest in Asia.
Laizhou's total proven gold reserves exceed 3,900 tonnes, accounting for 26% of China's overall reserves.
China is the world's largest gold producer, having mined 377 tonnes in 2023.
The discovery follows another major gold deposit found in Liaoning province with 1,444.49 tonnes of reserves.
China has invested heavily in geological exploration, discovering around 150 mineral deposits since 2021.
- Who
- China
- What
- Discovery of Asia's largest undersea gold deposit
- When
- Not specified
- Where
- Near Laizhou, off the coast of Yantai, Shandong
- Why
- To increase gold reserves and production
- Location
- Near Laizhou, off the coast of Yantai, Shandong
- Total Proven Gold Reserves in Laizhou
- 3,900 tonnes (137.57 million ounces)
- Percentage of China's Overall Reserves
- 26%
- China's Gold Production in 2023
- 377 tonnes (13.3 million ounces)
- Investment in Geological Exploration (2023)
- 115.99 billion yuan ($16.47 billion)
- Total Spending on Mineral Exploration (2021-2023)
- 450 billion yuan
- Number of Mineral Deposits Discovered (2021-2023)
- 150