A former US enemy has made a historic gold find: China rubs its hands together over new border “golden land”

Vietnam has discovered 110 mineral mines, 40 of which are gold mines, in northwestern parts of the country near its borders with Laos and China. It is estimated that there are at least 30 tons of gold, worth billions of US dollars if Vietnam manages to extract all of it.

The discovery is part of the Tay Bac Project, or Northwest Project, an intensive mining study launched in 2017 that covers more than 100,000 square kilometers of northern Vietnam with the aim of identifying new mineral reserves. In addition to gold, minerals such as silver, copper, and antimony have been found.

Most of the discovered mines are located in the mountains of northern Vietnam, but also in the center of the country. Specifically, there are eight new deposits in the provinces of Bac Kan and Tuyen Quang, five in Lai Chau, four in Thanh Hoa and Nghe An, three in Lang Son and Cao Bang, two in Ha Giang and Yen Bai, and one in Dien Bien.

There are several gold mining companies in Vietnam, such as Vietnam Minerals Corporation (Vimico), the largest gold producer, which extracts one ton of gold per year. Vimico produces 1,143 kg of gold in 2022, 973 kg in 2023, and 852 kg in 2024. This year, it estimates it will extract 911 kg and 1,020 kg in 2026. The discovered mines contain around 30 tons of gold.

All data from the Tay Bac Project has been digitized and will be integrated into a database that will facilitate consultation and information sharing among authorities. “This is an important foundation for the comprehensive digital transformation of the geological sector, which will enhance natural resource management and attract investment for sustainable excavation,” explained an official from the Vietnam Geological and Mineral Department.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.