KOTA KINABALU: What was thought to be gold discovered at a road construction site in the poverty-stricken Pitas recently has been confirmed to be just ‘fool’s gold’, or pyrite.

       State Minerals and Geosciences Department acting director Webster Wong said a thorough inspection by their team of experts confirmed this on Thursday (Nov 11).

       "Our officers only found pyrite," he said, thus bringing an end to days of speculation and excitement among many Sabahans.

       However, pyrite is a type of crystal used to make accessories as well as jewellery and is also used for spiritual purposes, among others.

       As such, social media users who believe the experts have been urging those nearby to just bring these stones home if they come across them, and those who have managed to dig some out before the area was cordoned off, to keep or sell them.

       Many also refused to believe that these stones were only pyrite, and claimed that some of those who had gone to the goldsmiths for clarification were apparently told that they held real gold in their hands.

       Nevertheless, authorities are warning those who still wished to encroach into the cordoned off areas to dig some of these stones out to not do so.

       "Digging at the hill slopes could cause erosion, so please do not do so," Wong said.