One of the world's largest gold deposits has been discovered in the Andes
On the border between Argentina and Chile, beneath the Andes mountain range, geologists have discovered a massive deposit of copper, gold, and silver that could become one of the largest in the world. According to preliminary estimates, the deposit contains approximately 907 metric tons of gold, up to 13 million metric tons of copper, and nearly 18,600 metric tons of silver.
At the same time, mining these resources could have serious environmental consequences. Environmentalists are already warning that large-scale development of the deposit in this mountainous region could cause significant damage to nature. Geologists are also assessing whether it is even possible to access these reserves efficiently and safely.
The study is based on data from more than 400 additional exploration wells. It found that the deeper layers of the deposit contain significantly more copper than previous studies had indicated.
Specifically, according to estimates by Lundin Mining, there may be up to 13 million metric tons of copper, about 907 metric tons of gold, and nearly 18,600 metric tons of silver underground.
The company’s CEO, Jack Lundin, called Filó del Sol one of the most important discoveries in the mining industry over the past 30 years.
Experts noted that this deposit could play a significant role in the development of “green” energy. Copper is essential for the production of electric vehicles, wind turbines, and power grids, while gold is used not only in jewelry but also in telecommunications, the aerospace industry, and electronics.
Extraction may prove to be extremely challenging
Despite the vast mineral reserves, extracting them will pose a serious challenge. The deposit is located at an altitude of about 5,000 meters above sea level in the Atacama Desert. Due to the thin air and harsh climatic conditions, workers may suffer from altitude sickness, and transporting machinery and equipment will prove extremely difficult.
In addition, environmentalists fear that large-scale mining could harm the fragile high-altitude ecosystems of the Andes.
Environmentalists Sound the Alarm
Representatives of environmental organizations emphasize that the project could threaten the glaciers, which are Argentina’s main source of fresh water.
According to the environmental organization Fundación Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (FARN), about 70% of the country’s drinking water comes from glaciers.
Another problem is the enormous amount of water required for mineral extraction. According to FARN, one of Argentina’s largest mines uses about 25 billion liters of water annually—more than a third of the annual consumption for 500,000 residents of the region.
This was reported by Popular Mechanics.
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