Chinese scientists discover gold-rich deposit with record concentrations in the Pacific Ocean
The ocean holds untold riches, but until recently they remained almost out of reach. Technology is changing that: deep-sea vehicles and precise sampling methods allow us to look where no human has gone before. Yet with opportunity comes responsibility — for fragile ecosystems, for the balance between extraction and preservation of the marine environment.
In August, during an 18-day oceanographic expedition in the western Pacific Ocean, Chinese scientists discovered a large high-quality mineral deposit on the seabed. Using equipment they developed, the research team identified an ore field in the western Pacific containing ore bodies with exceptionally high concentrations of gold and silver, preliminarily confirming its potential as a large-scale polymetallic sulphide deposit.
"We conducted large-scale preliminary exploration using an autonomous underwater vehicle, and then used our developed deep-sea manned visual sampler for detailed study and precise sampling," said Song Shiji, deputy director of the Institute of Ocean Engineering at Tsinghua University. Song added that before this expedition, team members had conducted more than 10 preliminary surveys in the area and discovered dozens of high-temperature hydrothermal vents. These vents are located at depths of 700 to 1,500 metres, and the fluid temperature at their orifices reaches a maximum of over 315 degrees Celsius, indicating high hydrothermal activity.
Based on earlier research, the team precisely identified a new large-scale hydrothermal field on the seabed within the basin through careful study and on-site sampling. The associated hydrothermal sulphide deposits consist of three large conical ore bodies. Preliminary tests and analysis conducted in the onboard laboratory show that the ore body mainly consists of important economic minerals such as chalcopyrite, pyrite and sphalerite. The maximum gold content reaches 15.4 ppm, and the maximum silver content is 1,271 ppm. Their average concentrations are significantly higher than in terrestrial deposits.
"A concentration of 15.4 ppm is equivalent to 15.4 grams of gold per tonne of ore. Similarly, the silver concentration reaches 1,271 ppm, which is equivalent to 1,271 grams of silver per tonne. This gives the deposit extremely high mining value and significant economic importance. In addition, in the extreme environment of the seabed, there are biological communities and genetic resources of great scientific importance for studying life processes under extreme conditions," Song said.
As reported by CCTV+, the discovery by Chinese scientists marked an important step in the study of deep-sea resources. It not only confirms the potential of the western Pacific as a promising region for polymetallic sulphide extraction but also underscores the need for further research and international cooperation for the responsible development of marine resources.
