6 Mountains in Indonesia That Hold Gold, Much of Which Has Yet to Be Extracted

INTERNATIONAL, RBTVDISWAY.ID - Indonesia is known as a country rich in natural resources, including gold, which is spread throughout the archipelago.

This wealth is not only hidden deep within the earth, but also within towering mountains.

Several mountains in Indonesia are even nicknamed "gold mountains" because they hold large gold reserves, both those that have been explored by mining companies and those still managed traditionally by the local community.

This article will review a list of gold mountains in Indonesia, from giant mines in Papua to artisanal mining areas in Kalimantan.

1. Mount Grasberg in Papua

The story of the Grasberg mine began in the mid-1930s when Dutch colonialists discovered copper deposits in the glaciers of the Jayawijaya Mountains, Papua.

Mining operations began in 1972, but the mine was largely depleted by the mid-1980s.

It wasn't until 1988, when PT Freeport Indonesia (a subsidiary of Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc.) began exploring additional deposits in the area, that they discovered the potential for significant profits.

Estimated to hold gold ore reserves worth USD 40 billion, the Grasberg mine has achieved mythical status, earning the title of the largest and most profitable gold mine ever.

BACA JUGA:Travel Routes to Gold Sites in South Sulawesi Still Buried in the Forest

2. Mount Botak, Maluku

The gold at Mount Botak first came to public attention around 2011, when local residents discovered gold grains in the barren hills of Dava Village, Waeapo District, Buru Regency.

This discovery quickly spread by word of mouth, attracting thousands of miners from across Indonesia to try their luck.

This surge in artisanal miners drastically transformed Mount Botak into a dense and uncontrolled traditional gold mining area.

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