Beneath the surface of a few countries around the world, there lies an extraordinary share of the planet’s most important mineral wealth. These reserves help to do a whole host of things, such as powering cities, building infrastructure, manufacturing technology, and even producing food.

Some nations have an incredibly massive reserve of certain minerals due to their location. Geology, climate, ancient oceans, volcanic activity, and millions of years of natural change have shaped where these resources are found. So, which countries boast the biggest reserves?

Gold: Australia

Australia holds about 20% of the world’s listed gold reserves, largely because ancient geological belts (especially in Western Australia) preserved many large deposits that decades of exploration have steadily expanded.

Gold is prized for jewelry, investment, and electronics. Australia mines mainly for export, while domestic refiners and manufacturers turn smaller amounts into bullion and finished products.

Imran Najeeb wrote: