ANT and termite mounds have gone from pesky to goldmines.

The CSIRO says the insects are stockpiling gold in their mounds, becoming Australia's smallest and most numerous mining prospectors.

Bridging the gap ... ants and termites could hold the clue to uncovering new gold deposits. Credit:Ben Stubbs

They carry the gold from underground up into their mounds and also accumulate metals in their bodies.

The CSIRO's Aaron Stewart said the mounds could hold the clue to uncovering new gold deposits.