đ What Was Discovered at Shadan
#BTCVSGOLD #BinanceBlockchainWeek #Gold #Irannews $BTC According to multiple media reports and confirmation by the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Trade of Iran, a new gold-bearing vein has been discovered at Shadan.The estimates for the new deposit are quite large: roughly 7.95 million tonnes of oxide gold ore, plus about 53.1 million tonnes of sulphide gold ore. In total, that is around 61 million tonnes of ore on this new vein.Because of this discovery, Shadan has now been officially re-classified among Iranâs major gold reserves.
âď¸ What the Different Ore Types Mean
Not all ore is equal â understanding the difference between âoxideâ and âsulphideâ ore helps grasp the scale and difficulty of whatâs ahead.
Ore TypeWhat It MeansOxide ore (â 7.95 M tonnes)This type of ore is generally near the surface and âweathered,â making it easier and more cost-effective to process. Techniques like heap leaching or simple cyanidation often work. That means this portion could potentially be tapped relatively quickly, offering faster returns. Sulphide ore (â 53.1 M tonnes)Sulphide ores are deeper, harder, and more complex to process. Extracting gold from sulphide ore typically requires more advanced metallurgy: flotation, pressure oxidation, roasting, or other intensive methods. This means higher cost, more infrastructure, longer development â but also very substantial long-term potential.
So in effect: the oxide ore gives a âlow-hanging fruitâ opportunity (cheaper and faster to process), while the sulphide ore represents long-term wealth â if Iran can build the needed infrastructure and processing capacity.
đ Why This Discovery Matters
The size of this find is significant. If the ore quality (gold concentration per tonne) is decent â and thatâs a big âifâ at this point â Shadan could become one of Iranâs largest single-mine gold assets. Some insiders now list it among the countryâs âmajor gold reserves.âFor Iranâs economy, this is potentially a strategic boost â especially given the economic pressure from inflation, currency volatility, and international sanctions. Reportedly, authorities view increased gold reserves as a buffer or financial safeguard amid broader economic stress.The discovery may also trigger new investment in mining infrastructure (roads, processing plants, workforce), which could stimulate regional economic activity, local employment, and industrial growth around South Khorasan.
â ď¸ Whatâs Not Known â And Why We Should Stay Cautious
Ore grade unknown: The announcements give tonnes of ore, but not how many grams of gold per tonne â a crucial factor. Without grade/assay results, we donât know how ârichâ the ore really is. Big tonnage does not necessarily mean high gold content.Recovery / extraction feasibility uncertain: Especially for sulphide ore, processing may require advanced metallurgy, heavy investment and technical capacity. Whether Iran will proceed with full extraction, and how cost-effective it will be, remains to be seen.Timeline unclear: The government has only announced a âdiscoveryâ and reserve estimate. It hasnât yet released a detailed mining plan, production schedule, or expected output volume. That means even in best-case scenarios, actual gold production might take years.
đ What This Could Mean for Iran & the Global Gold Market
If Shadan reaches large-scale production, Iranâs share in global gold supply could rise â possibly reducing pressure on gold imports (or increasing gold exports), depending on policy.This find might encourage further exploration in Iranâs âgold beltâ â the regions already known for mineral deposits â meaning more discoveries could follow.For Iran domestically, improved gold output + strengthened reserves may help stabilise parts of the economy, support the national currency and provide some insulation against external pressures.