2 New Massive Volcanic Calderas Full of Gold and Silver Were Just Discovered in Australia

Two massive ancient calderas — the Bara Creek and Three Hills calderas — have been discovered buried beneath central New South Wales. These Permian-age volcanic giants, hidden for nearly 290 million years, were uncovered through seismic and geophysical surveys near the Bowdens Silver Deposit. Their preserved structures offer major insights into Australia’s volcanic history and reveal incredible mineral potential, including silver, gold, lead, and zinc. This discovery could reshape mineral exploration across the region and rewrite part of the continent’s deep-time geological story.