What gold mining belts are there in Mongolia?
Scrubber Trommel
Mongolia possesses abundant gold resources, with numerous potential gold mineralization and gold-bearing belts identified throughout the country. According to various geological reports, Mongolia boasts 17 gold-bearing belts, with total gold reserves estimated at 2,100 tons. Seven of these belts are designated as high-potential: the North Kent, Bayankhongor, Khangai, Jid, South Kent, Ulgit, and Urgamar belts. The gold deposits and potential economic mineralization sites in these areas primarily occur in gold-sulfide-quartz and gold-quartz formations.
Distribution Characteristics of Major Gold Belts 1. North Kent Gold Belt: The North Kent Belt is one of Mongolia's most important gold belts, spanning the Central, Selenge, and Bulgan provinces, with a total length of 400 kilometers and a width of 30-100 kilometers. The belt is bounded to the north by the Bayangol Fault and to the south by the Yoro Fault. Based on the characteristics, content, and geological environment of the gold deposits, it can be subdivided into five zones: Zamal, Yoro, Boluo, Caidam, and Cele. This region is well-researched geologically, and the majority of gold mining activity is currently concentrated there. Notable large-scale gold deposits include Naryn Tolgoi, Sugigtai, Boluo, and Benbat. Gold deposits in this belt are primarily hosted within quartz veins and sulfide mineralization, offering relatively favorable mining conditions.
The red dots are primary gold deposits, and the orange dots are placer gold deposits.
3. The Jide gold belt is located in the northernmost part of Mongolia near the Russian border. Due to dense forests and inconvenient transportation, the exploration level in this area is relatively low. This belt is composed of various volcanic rocks, sedimentary rocks, metamorphic rocks, intrusive rocks, and rock veins. Gold mineralization mainly occurs in quartz veins, skarns, quartzites, and sulfide zones, often accompanied by silver and copper mineralization. In addition, some gold bearing tungsten, molybdenum, and lead zinc mineralization were also discovered. Although there is great potential for resources, the level of development is relatively low due to infrastructure limitations.
4. The South Kent gold belt is located in central Mongolia and has better economic and geographical conditions compared to other gold belts. This belt is widely distributed with volcanic sedimentary rocks, sedimentary rocks, and metamorphic rocks, invaded by Paleozoic and Mesozoic granites. This belt can be divided into four gold bearing areas: Baljiguole, Trerji, Mordot, and Zhanqiwulan. Baljikule District is a direct extension of the Russian gold belt; There are multiple placer gold deposits in the Terlergi district, some of which were mined between 1902 and 1910; The Mordot area is characterized by gold bearing quartz veins and sulfide veins, and is also known for tin tungsten mineralization; Zhanqiwulan District has been engaged in sand and gold mining activities since 1990.
5. Other important gold mining belts, the Ulejit Belt, are located in the South Gobi and Central Gobi provinces, with limited water resources and fuel supply, resulting in a lower level of economic development. This belt is composed of sedimentary rocks, volcanic sedimentary rocks, and volcanic rocks, and has a promising prospect for discovering primary gold deposits. The Hang'ai Belt is distributed along the Hang'ai Mountains, spanning across the provinces of Houhang'ai, Qianhang'ai, and Zabuhan. In recent years, multiple large placer gold deposits have been discovered in the valleys, such as Hafchagate, Erte, Zongsordotte, and Barensdotte valleys. The Ulgamar Belt is an important gold potential area in western Mongolia, with geological features similar to the North Kent Belt, but with relatively low exploration levels. The main challenges facing the development of gold resources in Mongolia include: weak infrastructure in some areas, inconvenient transportation, limited water resources, and restrictions on mining activities. In some areas, the exploration level is insufficient, and the balance between environmental protection and mining development is not balanced. However, with technological progress and increasing international investment, the development potential of gold resources in Mongolia is enormous. Especially mature mining areas such as North Kent and Bayanhongor, as well as the less explored Jide and Ulgamar belts, may become important sources of global gold supply in the future. The government is promoting the sustainable development of the mining industry by improving mining regulations and infrastructure.
