Which one of the following world deserts is especially known for its rich reserves of gold and other minerals?

Introduction / Context:
Deserts are often associated with extreme aridity, but many of them are also rich in mineral resources like copper, gold, uranium, and nitrates. Questions on world geography frequently test knowledge of which natural resources are found in which regions. This question asks you to identify which of the listed deserts is particularly noted for its rich reserves of gold and other minerals, thereby connecting physical geography with economic resources.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The deserts listed are Atacama Desert, Thar Desert, Arabian Desert, and Mongolian Desert.
• We are to select the desert known for especially rich mineral reserves, including gold.
• Standard world geography facts about mineral rich deserts are assumed.
• Gold, copper, and other metallic minerals are a key focus.

Concept / Approach:
The Atacama Desert, located mainly in Chile, is renowned as one of the driest places on Earth, but it is also extremely rich in mineral resources, especially copper and other metals, including gold. It has some of the world's largest copper mines and important gold deposits. The Thar Desert in India and Pakistan has some mineral and oil resources, but it is not as globally famous for gold reserves as the Atacama. The Arabian and Mongolian deserts also have resources, but the Atacama stands out in standard references for its mineral wealth.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the Atacama Desert in Chile and parts of Peru is one of the richest mineral regions in the world. Step 2: Remember that large scale copper mining (for example, Chuquicamata mine) and gold mining occur in and around the Atacama region. Step 3: Compare this with the Thar Desert, which, although resource bearing, is not widely recognised internationally as a leading gold rich desert. Step 4: Note that the Arabian Desert and Mongolian Desert also have minerals, but are not specifically described in mainstream geography texts as especially rich gold bearing deserts. Step 5: Conclude that Atacama Desert is the correct choice based on its widely known mineral wealth.

Verification / Alternative Check:
A quick verification is to recall that Chile is one of the world's leading copper producers and that many of those mines are located in the Atacama region. Along with copper, this area has deposits of gold, silver, and other metals, making it a prime mining zone. Standard school and competitive exam materials often highlight Atacama as a desert rich in minerals, in contrast to others where such emphasis is lower. This repeated association in study material confirms that Atacama is the desert being referred to in the question.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Thar Desert is wrong because, although it contains some mineral resources and potential for oil and natural gas, it is not internationally famous mainly for gold reserves. Arabian Desert is wrong because its economic importance is more strongly linked to oil and natural gas fields rather than gold mining. Mongolian Desert (which may refer to regions such as the Gobi) is wrong because it is better known for coal and other resources, not specifically for rich gold deposits in the way Atacama is.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes choose Thar Desert simply because it is a familiar desert in the Indian context, or they may pick Arabian Desert due to its association with oil wealth. Another pitfall is assuming that all large deserts are equally rich in minerals without recalling which specific combinations are stressed in textbooks. It is helpful to memorise a few key desert resource pairs, such as Atacama with copper and gold, Sahara with oil and gas, and so on, to avoid confusion in exam questions.

Final Answer:
The desert especially known for its rich reserves of gold and other minerals is the Atacama Desert.