Bullion dealer SD Bullion analyzed data from the United States Geological Survey to rank the United States on the strength and size of its gold deposits.
Released on Tuesday, the study looked at all locations throughout the United States where gold ore has been found, or otherwise produced as a commodity.
California takes the top spot in the study with 66.59 gold locations per 1,000 square miles. Presently, there are 10,373 locations where gold is either found or produced. This is more than four times the amount of locations in second place Washington.
Kore Mining Ltd. (TSXV: KORE) (OTCQX: KOREF) is one such producer operating out of Washington. It operates the Imperial Gold Project in Imperial County, focusing on advancing this open-pit heap leach gold project.
Washington ranks second on the list, recording 34.17 gold locations per 1,000 square miles. Although it only has 2,271 locations where gold has been found or is currently being produced, Washington’s smaller land area of 66,455 square miles results in its high ranking, securing second place.
Meanwhile, mid-tier producer Calibre Mining Corp. (TSX: CXB) (OTCQX: CXBMF) owns the Golden Eagle project, an exploration-stage gold deposit located in Ferry County. They are actively conducting drilling and resource development activities.
Oregon ranks third with 31.41 gold locations per 1,000 square miles. The state has identified 3,015 locations where gold has been found or is currently being produced across its 95,988 square miles.
Unlike Washington, which has ongoing gold mining operations, Oregon currently lacks large-scale active mines. However, Paramount Gold Nevada (NYSE: PZG) is seeking to develop the Grassy Mountain Gold Mine in eastern Oregon’s Malheur County. This project is currently undergoing a permitting process with relevant state and federal agencies.
An aerial view of Calibre Mining’s Pan Mine in Nevada. Image via Calibre Mining.
Nevada is home to one of the largest mines in the world
Nevada ranks fourth with 30.91 gold locations per 1,000 square miles. Spread across its 109,781 square miles, Nevada has identified 3,393 locations where gold has been found or is currently being produced. Known for its desert landscapes, Nevada’s gold mining activities significantly contribute to its economy, making it a key player in gold production and discovery in the United States.
However, Nevada is home to the biggest gold companies in the world despite its relative low ranking compared to the top three. Barrick Gold Corporation (TSX: ABX) (NYSE: GOLD) and Newmont Corporation (NYSE: NEM) (TSX: NGT) operate the Nevada Gold Mines (NGM) megaplex. NGM has one of the biggest gold mining operations in the world.
Idaho ranks fifth, recording 28.44 gold locations per 1,000 square miles. The state has identified 2,350 locations where gold has been found or is currently being produced within its 82,643 square miles. Idaho is the third smallest state in land area, following Washington (66,455 square miles) and just behind Utah (82,168 square miles). The state’s mountainous terrain has historically attracted prospectors due to its rich mineral deposits.
U.S Gold Corp (NASDAQ: USAU) operates the Challis Gold Project, located 20 kms SW of Revival Gold Inc.’s (TSXV: RVG) (OTCQX: RVLGF) Beartrack-Arnett Project.
Arizona ranks sixth with 17.40 gold locations per 1,000 square miles. The state has identified 177 locations where gold has been found across 113,594 square miles.
One established gold company operating in Arizona is Arizona Metals Corp. (TSX: AMC) (OTCQX: AZMCE). This company owns both the Kay Mine Project and the Sugarloaf Peak Gold Project.
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Colorado takes seventh place
Colorado takes seventh place with 14.89 gold locations per 1,000 square miles. Gold exists within 1,543 locations spread out over the state’s 103,642 miles. The Rocky Mountains in Colorado have been a hotspot for gold mining since the mid-1800s. It’s home to companies like Newmont with its Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mine.
Montana ranks eighth with 13.21 gold locations per 1,000 square miles. Gold has been found or is presently produced in 1,923 locations where across 145,546 square miles. Peloton Minerals Corporation (CSE: PMC) (OTCQB: PMCCF) operates the Silver Bell and St Lawrence Project in the state. It possesses one patented mining claim and 24 un-patented mining claims covering approximately 620 acres.
Alaska has the second-highest number of gold locations in the US with 5,264. However, its vast size of over 570,641 square miles pushes it down to ninth place in density with 9.22 gold locations per 1,000 square miles. Hecla Mining’s Greens Creek Mine in Alaska produces primarily silver with some gold as a byproduct.
Utah snags the tenth spot with a density of 7.46 gold locations per 1,000 square miles. There are 613 known gold locations within Utah’s 82,169 square miles.
The Kennecott Copper Mine, operated by Rio Tinto Group (ASX: RIO) (LON: RIO), yields some gold alongside copper, but isn’t a dedicated gold mine. Both states have exploration and development companies targeting gold, but no large-scale gold mining operations are presently operating.
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U.S. Gold Corp and Calibre Mining are sponsors of Mugglehead news coverage
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