North Korea is a mineral-rich country. While coal and iron comprise the largest deposits, the country is believed to have reserves of more than 200 mineral types, including zinc, gold, copper, magnetite, tungsten, graphite, and lead, as well as non-metallic minerals, such as magnesite and limestone. Estimates suggest that the country’s mineral resources are worth trillions of dollars. 

The Komdok region is believed to hold the world’s second-largest deposits of magnesite and is rich in lead and zinc, and to a lesser extent, gold and silver, leading some to call this area “Kumgol” (gold valley), “Tonsan” (mountain of money), and “Paekgumsan” (white gold mountain). Located in South Hamgyong Province, approximately 40 kilometers north of the port city of Tanchon and nestled within the Puktae-chon Valley, dozens of mines are arrayed around three major mining complexes: Komdok (Kumdok)/Ryongyang, Taehung, and Tonsan. 

These complexes cover a north-to-south distance of over 30 kilometers along the Puktae River and include the Pukdu and Muhak branch mines, the Taehung Youth Hero Mine, the Paekbawi Mine, the Kumgol Mine, the Komdok mines, the Ryongyang mines, the Tonsan Mine, and a number of smaller mines. 

However, the region’s economic potential has largely gone unrealized for several reasons, including historical mismanagement of resources, outdated mining equipment and practices, an arcane and inadequate infrastructure, and seasonal flooding, all of which have hampered production. Moreover, North Korea’s continued pursuit of nuclear weapons has brought about heavy international sanctions on the country’s exports, limiting access to global markets. 

While mining has continued, there has been little evidence of efforts to improve the region’s infrastructure or to increase output over the past decade, aside from post-flooding repairs and recovery. 

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