The Indus River, one of the oldest and longest rivers in the world, has recently unveiled a golden secret. In the Punjab province of Pakistan, near Attock, locals are believed to have discovered gold mines, attracting widespread attention. Experts estimate the gold to be worth approximately 600 billion Pakistani rupees, a staggering amount equivalent to $2.13 billion USD.
If verified, this discovery could bring immense economic benefits to the region and potentially reshape the country’s financial landscape.
According to the Nav Bharat Times, the gold found in the Indus River is believed to have originated from the northern mountains of Pakistan, specifically the Himalayas. This process began millions of years ago when the collision of tectonic plates formed the mountains, causing erosion and releasing gold particles into the river.
Illustration of alluvial gold mining in a riverbed.
Carried by the swift waters of the Indus, these particles eventually settled in the riverbed. This natural process, known as alluvial gold mining, results in the accumulation of significant amounts of gold in specific areas of the river.
Various media outlets report that the Attock district is believed to hold gold across a 32-kilometer stretch, estimated at 32.6 tons of gold, worth 600 billion rupees.
As news spread, locals began mining the riverbed, largely through illegal means. The Nav Bharat Times reports that the government is taking action to halt these illegal mining activities. Officials within Pakistan’s Ministry of Mines and Minerals are also hindering efforts to explore and extract this resource, instead focusing their attention on zinc mining.
With an estimated value of 600 billion rupees, this newfound asset could help alleviate some of Pakistan’s financial challenges, including public debt. If mined responsibly, this gold mine could also stimulate the local economy.
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