Huge gold-laden rocks found in Australia

Miners in Western Australia have unearthed huge gold-encrusted rocks estimated to be worth millions of dollars in what geologists are calling a once-in-a-lifetime discovery


Beta Hunt Mine: More than US$11m worth of high grade gold extracted in just four days
Kalgoorlie
Perth
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Esperance
Albany
200km 120 miles

AUSTRALIA
Canberra


Largest specimen
Weight: 95kg
Gold: 2,440 ounces
Value: $3 million

Second-largest
Weight: 63kg
Gold: 1,620 ounces
Value: $2 million


Beta Hunt: Mined primarily for nickel since it opened in 1973

Gold found about 500m underground in rocks otherwise made of quartz

Most gold in Western Australia is processed into gold bars before being sold to Perth Mint, but Beta Hunt owners plan to send largest specimens to auction as collectors’ items


TOP TEN GOLD PRODUCERS
(2017, tonnes)
China		Reserves: 2,000	440
Australia	9,800		300
Russia		5,500		255
U.S.		3,000		245
Canada		2,200		180
Peru		2,300		155
S. Africa	6,000		145
Mexico		1,400		110
Uzbek.		1,800		100
Brazil		2,400		85


Sources: RNC Minerals, USGS, ABC 
Picture: CNW Group/RNC Minerals 
© GRAPHIC NEWS