<P> In 1877, two prospectors collected float in the area of the future Opportunity Mine near Hillsboro, New Mexico, which was assayed at $160 per ton in gold and silver . Soon, ore was discovered at the nearby Rattlesnake vein and a placer deposit of gold was found in November at the Rattlesnake and Wicks gulches . Total production prior to 1904 was about $6,750,000 . </P> <P> In 2007 all gold production in New Mexico (13,000 troy ounces (400 kg)) came as a byproduct of copper mining from two large open pit mines in Grant County . However, two primary gold mines are being readied for production: the Northstar mine in Rio Arriba County, and the San Lorenzo Claims mine in Socorro County . </P> <P> North Carolina was the site of the first gold rush in the United States, following the discovery of a 17 - pound (7.7 kg) gold nugget by 12 - year - old Conrad Reed in a creek at his father's farm in 1799 . The Reed Gold Mine, southwest of Georgeville in Cabarrus County, North Carolina produced about 50,000 troy ounces (1,600 kg) of gold from lode and placer deposits . </P> <P> Gold was produced from 15 districts, almost all in the Piedmont region of the state . Total gold production is estimated at 1.2 million troy ounces (37.3 tonnes). </P>

Where is the most gold found in the us