As a subject matter expert in geology and precious metals, I can tell you that the majority of the world's gold is found within the Earth's crust. However, it is not evenly distributed. Gold is typically found in rocks, veins, and alluvial deposits. The largest gold deposits are often associated with areas that have a history of volcanic activity or regions where there has been significant geological activity, such as mountain ranges or ancient riverbeds.

The largest gold reserves are located in countries such as South Africa, Australia, Russia, China, and the United States. South Africa has been a historically significant source of gold, with the Witwatersrand Basin being one of the most productive gold regions in the world. Australia is also known for its substantial gold reserves, particularly in Western Australia.

In addition to these terrestrial sources, scientists have also discovered that there is a considerable amount of gold in seawater, although the concentration is extremely low, making extraction currently unfeasible.

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Located in South Africa, the Witwatersrand Basin represents the richest gold field ever discovered. It is estimated the 40% of all of the gold ever mined has come out of the Basin. In 1970, South Africa's output accounted for 79% of the world's gold production.read more >>