How much more gold lies undiscovered?

Sindujaa D N
Gold reserves play a significant role in global economics and trade, with various countries stockpiling gold for stability and security. As of the fourth quarter of 2023, the united states leads the world in gold reserves, boasting a substantial 8,133.46 tonnes of gold. Following closely behind, germany holds the second position with 3,352.65 tonnes, while italy secures the third spot with 2,451.84 tonnes. india, with its 803.58 tonnes of gold reserve, ranks among the top gold-holding nations.

Despite these vast reserves, the question arises: how much gold is left on Earth? According to estimates by the American Geological Survey, there are approximately 50,000 tons of gold reserves yet to be mined beneath the Earth's surdata-face. To date, around 190,000 tonnes of gold have been extracted through mining efforts. Notably, the Witwatersrand Basin in south africa stands as the largest source of gold globally, contributing to 30% of the world's total gold production. Moreover, Nevada, USA, is home to the world's largest gold mine.


Scientists have speculated that the Earth's core holds a staggering amount of gold, theoretically capable of covering the entire planet with a 4-meter thick layer. However, reaching such depths remains an insurmountable challenge, as human technology has not advanced to the point of exploring the Earth's core.


As for india, it ranks ninth globally in terms of gold reserves, boasting 806.7 metric tons of gold. Remarkably, India's gold reserves have been steadily increasing over the years. From a modest 357.5 metric tons in 2001, India's gold holdings have more than doubled by june 2023. If this trend continues, india has the potential to ascend to the top five gold-holding nations in the coming years, as per reports from the World gold Council.

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