China discovers major gold and silver deposits in Pacific Ocean

Chinese researchers have discovered a significant gold and silver deposit on the western Pacific seabed. The discovery was made during an 18-day expedition aboard the research vessel Xiang Yang Hong 10, involving a joint team from Tsinghua University, the Qingdao Institute of Marine Geology, and Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

The deposit consists of three large, cone-shaped mineral structures formed around an active high-temperature hydrothermal system. Preliminary laboratory analysis of ore samples indicates precious metal concentrations significantly higher than those typically found in terrestrial deposits. Specifically, gold concentrations reached up to 15.4 grams per tonne, while silver concentrations reached approximately 1.27 kilograms per tonne.

The ore bodies are primarily composed of sulfide minerals, including chalcopyrite, pyrite, and sphalerite. While scientists have not yet established the total tonnage or commercial value of the entire deposit, preliminary assessments suggest the polymetallic sulfide resources could reach the scale of a world-class seabed deposit.