BEIJING, Oct 2: A prospecting team of Chinese police have discovered an estimated 156 tons of gold ore deposits in the northwestern province of Gansu that are potentially worth 1.8 billion dollars.

A division of the Chinese People's Armed Police Force engaged in gold exploration and production discovered the deposits in Wenxian County, the Xinhua news agency said.

Sixty-six gold ore veins were found inside the Yangshan mining zone covering an area of 288.8 square kilometres.

Xinhua did not say why the armed police was prospecting for gold.

Hong Kong gold prices closed higher on Thursday at 411.20-411.70 dollars an ounce, compared to Tuesday's close of 409.80-410.30 dollars. The market was closed on Wednesday and Friday due to holiday. -AFP