A second nugget was also found, weighing almost 60kg and worth an estimated $2.7 million
The owner of an underground mine believes he has found the biggest gold nugget in recorded history.
Weighing a whopping 90kg, the stone is estimated to be worth about £2 million.
It is thought to contain about 2300 ounces of gold and took three people to lift it when it was discovered in western Australia.
The nugget was found about 500m underground at the Beta Hunt gold mine near Kambalda.
A second – also very large piece- was uncovered, weighing almost 60kg and worth an estimated $2.7 million.
Henry Dole was the first to spot the gold nugget
It was a rare find, experts have said
Huge gold-crusted rocks unearthed in Australia
Two giant gold nuggets were found
Driller Henry Dole, who is responsible for the amazing find, said he’d never seen anything like it in his 16 years in the profession.
“As I was drilling it, you could see the gold shavings coming out of all the holes and I thought ‘there’s something here’,” he told News.com.au.
“And then after we fired it and I came in the next day and washed it all down, it was just everywhere.
The nugget was found about 500m underground at the Beta Hunt gold mine
Gold in quartz at the Beta Hunt mine
The find was said to be rather uncommon
RNC Minerals chief executive Mark Selby said it was a one in a lifetime moment.
He also said the find was uncommon at a time when miners are producing gold at lower grades.
It is understood the gold specimens found could go to auction.