If you just happen to be planning on searching for gold – which is in high demand at the moment judging by current prices – any time soon, then a new tool from Gold Maps Online, which uses Google Earth Maps, may just give you a helping hand.

According to product-reviews.net, the service uses a variety of KML files, which help highlight the areas that gold is currently being found. This map can be viewed in near real-time, because gold mining claim holders have to pay an annual fee to maintain ownership.

Unfortunately the maps are not free, but the Google Earth Blogs do explain a few options available. It appears that you can try the tool for free with a sample map, which gives you an idea of how to use it as well as what you can expect with the full version.