There’s gold in them thar hills—and two regions of central Newfoundland are starting to see the economic benefits.

Marathon Gold is in the process of developing a gold mining operation at its Valentine Lake property near Millertown, which Norm Mercer of the Prospectors Association says will be one of the country’s largest gold mining operations once construction is completed in the coming year.

He says it will be the largest gold mine in Atlantic Canada, with first gold expected in the first quarter of 2025.

In the meantime, Mercer says there is another discovery near Appleton that is creating great opportunity in the region.

He calls it one of the country’s most significant and richest gold discoveries, right by the Trans Canada Highway just west of Gander.