Tucked away in the remote, arid steppes of Kazakhstan lies a recently discovered treasure trove of gold and copper: Steppe Gold. For centuries, precious metals and minerals have been found in the rolling hills of Kazakhstan, but this find has captivated the minds of geologists and miners everywhere. The site is a once-in-a-lifetime gold-mining opportunity – and for the rest of us, a fascinating story to tell.
The gold was discovered in 2019 when geologists from Canada’s Centerra Gold and the Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation conducted an airborne magnetic and gravity survey of the area. They noticed an anomalous area of higher density near the town of Kuranakh, and upon further investigation, realized that this area is rich in gold and copper deposits. Steppe Gold was born.
The site holds potential for great riches. It is believed that there are a total of 1.5 million ounces of gold at Steppe Gold, which is expected to yield 6 to 9 million ounces over the next 20 or so years. This is quite significant for a mining operation; by comparison, the world’s largest gold mine, South Deep in South Africa, only yields 1.8 million ounces per year.
Beyond the financial rewards, the discovery of Steppe Gold has also produced a wealth of scientific knowledge. It may reveal more about the formation of Earth and the origin of precious metals, thanks to its rather secluded location in the middle of the Eurasian Steppe.
Steppe Gold is also receiving a great deal of attention due to the fierce debate that has arisen over who will actually benefit from the gold. The Kazakh Government has stated that it does not want to sell off the gold; rather, it would prefer to keep it as part of the Kazakh national heritage.
This has caused a great deal of dissent among locals, as the country is quite poor and in need of money. It is unclear what will happen next – but whatever the outcome, it is sure to be interesting.
As news of Steppe Gold continues to spread, so too does the hope that it will lead to a wealth of knowledge and a brighter future for Kazakhstan and its people. Whether or not this becomes a reality remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Steppe Gold is an exciting and unique discovery that will captivate the world.
