New Delhi: India’s neighbours, China and Pakistan, have recently unearthed massive gold reserves, potentially adding billions to their economic prospects. These discoveries could significantly impact the global gold market and regional economies.
China’s Gold Boom
China, already the world’s largest gold producer, struck gold twice in recent months. In November 2024, the country discovered a 1,000 metric tonne gold reserve in Hunan province, valued at a staggering Rs 6.91 lakh crore ($82.9 billion). Just two months later, in January 2025, China found another 168-tonne deposit across Gansu, Inner Mongolia, and Heilongjiang provinces, further solidifying its dominance in the gold industry. With these discoveries, China continues to maintain its edge as a global gold powerhouse, controlling 10% of the world’s gold output.
Pakistan’s Gold Jackpot
Pakistan, too, has reported significant gold discoveries. Punjab’s Mining Minister, Sher Ali Gorchani, recently claimed that the Attock region holds 2.8 million tolas of gold, valued at 700 billion Pakistani rupees. Additional gold reserves are believed to exist at the Sindh-Kabul river confluence, with unauthorised excavations prompting government intervention. Pakistan’s Geological Survey estimates 1.6 billion tons of gold reserves, primarily in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, yet extraction remains minimal at 1.5–2 tons annually. However, the Reko Diq project in Balochistan is expected to boost annual production to 8–10 tons in the next decade.Also Read: Pakistan Hits Jackpot with Rs 600 Billion Gold Reserve – Enough To Revive Country’s Economy?
Economic & Global Impact
These massive discoveries could reshape regional economies and influence global gold prices. China’s growing reserves bolster its financial security and geopolitical leverage, allowing it to dictate global gold markets. Pakistan’s discoveries, if efficiently extracted, could help stabilize its struggling economy, potentially improving forex reserves and reducing dependence on external loans. However, geopolitical tensions and inefficient mining infrastructure could limit Pakistan’s ability to fully capitalise on its gold wealth.These gold finds mark a significant moment in the region’s economic trajectory, with China strengthening its position and Pakistan hoping for a financial breakthrough. Whether these reserves translate into long-term economic benefits remains to be seen.
