BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) is one of the world's largest mining companies.
This ASX 200 giant is best known for production of iron ore and metallurgical coal to support global steelmaking.
It also claims the title as the world's biggest copper producer, supplying a metal with mass industrial applications and a key role in the energy transition.
Beyond that, the 'Big Australian' owns nickel assets in Western Australia and is advancing a vast potash project in Canada.
However, gold is one metal the ASX 200 mining titan is not typically known for.
But a newly released global ranking of major gold projects has put BHP shares in the spotlight.
Here, research by Mining.com has ranked BHP's colossal Olympic Dam operation in South Australia as the second largest gold project on the planet.
It holds a stunning 65.6 million ounces of contained gold with an in-situ value estimated at about US$275 billion.
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Giant polymetallic system
Olympic Dam is one of largest mining complexes in existence, with nearly 700 kilometres of underground roads and tunnels.
However, it isn't purely a gold project.
It is polymetallic and contains several valuable metals that can be mined economically.
More specifically, Olympic Dam is already recognised as the world's largest uranium deposit and fourth largest copper deposit.
And Mining.com's analysis now ranks Olympic Dam as the second largest gold project worldwide.
That said, copper remains the primary revenue driver at Olympic Dam with uranium, gold, and silver contributing substantially smaller amounts.
BHP recently announced plans to spend $840 million in growth projects at Olympic Dam as it looks to boost its copper output.
Which other ASX 200 mining stocks made the top 20?
Curiously, few of the world's biggest gold projects are controlled by ASX 200 mining companies.
For instance, at the top of the list sits Canadian firm Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd (TSX: NDM).
Its Pebble project in Alaska contains nearly 70 million ounces of gold.
However, BHP shares make the list once again thanks to its joint venture with another Canadian outfit, Lundin Mining Corp (TSX: LUN).
Here, the partners are advancing the 22.3 million ounce Filo del Sol project located along the border of Chile and Argentina.
Like Olympic Dam, Filo del Sol is polymetallic and primarily known for its copper endowment.
Nevertheless, it is still classified as the 8th largest gold project globally.
Newmont Corporation CDI (ASX: NEM) also features thanks to two joint ventures partnerships with Freeport-McMoRan Inc (NYSE: FCX).
The duo's Nevada Gold Mines collaboration clocks in as the 13th largest gold project in the world, with more than 20 million ounces of contained gold.
And the pair's Norte Abierto project in Chile ranks 15th with nearly 20 million ounces of contained gold.
