Gold has always been a precious metal throughout human history. For millennia, humans have mined gold and employed it in jewelry, commerce, and as a means of holding wealth. Even today, it remains vital for the global economy, with the top gold producing countries playing a key role in meeting demand and shaping the international gold market.
Each year, nations produce hundreds of tonnes of gold, and this output significantly affects markets worldwide. In 2024, China produced the largest amount of gold followed by Russia and Australia. These three nations collectively produce about 994.2 tonnes of gold and account for a substantial proportion of the overall global gold supply.
Key Takeaways
- China is the largest producer of gold in the world, producing over 380 tonnes in 2024. This makes it the single biggest gold producer in the world.
- China, Russia, and Australia are the world’s biggest gold producers, together supplying nearly 1,000 tonnes of gold.
- Several African countries, including Ghana, Mali, and South Africa, produce a large amount of gold every year.
World’s Top Gold Producer Countries
The following table indicate the top gold producing countries in 2024. The figures are based on data from the World Gold Council and Metals Focus.
| Rank | Country | Gold Production (Tonnes) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇨🇳 China | 380.2 |
| 2 | 🇷🇺 Russia | 330 |
| 3 | 🇦🇺 Australia | 284 |
| 4 | 🇨🇦 Canada | 202.1 |
| 5 | 🇺🇸 United States | 158 |
| 6 | 🇬🇭 Ghana | 140.6 |
| 7 | 🇲🇽 Mexico | 140.3 |
| 8 | 🇮🇩 Indonesia | 140.1 |
| 9 | 🇵🇪 Peru | 136.9 |
| 10 | 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan | 129.1 |
| 11 | 🇲🇱 Mali | 100 |
| 12 | 🇿🇦 South Africa | 98.9 |
| 13 | 🇧🇫 Burkina Faso | 94.4 |
| 14 | 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan | 87 |
| 15 | 🇧🇷 Brazil | 83.7 |
| 16 | 🇸🇩 Sudan | 73.8 |
| 17 | 🇬🇳 Guinea | 68 |
| 18 | 🇨🇴 Colombia | 65.8 |
| 19 | 🇨🇮 Côte d’Ivoire | 58 |
| 20 | 🇹🇿 Tanzania | 51.8 |
Source: World Gold Council and Metals Focus
1. China 🇨🇳
China has dominated the world as the biggest producer of gold for decades, and in 2024 it mined over 380 tonnes of gold. This is more than any other country in the world. China’s gold production occurs in various parts of the country, with Shandong, Henan, and Inner Mongolia as the primary mining locations.
Besides gold mining, China is also a significant consumer of gold. Gold is purchased by individuals in China for jewelry, investment, and even the central bank holds gold in its reserves. Therefore, China is not only the largest producer, but also one of the largest consumers of gold.
2. Russia 🇷🇺
Russia is the world’s second largest gold miner, producing about 330 tonnes of gold in 2024. Russia is endowed with natural resources and has been mining for centuries. Russia’s gold is mainly produced in Siberia and the Far East regions.
In the past few years, Russia has been focusing on more gold production. Gold gives Russia a constant source of revenue, particularly when it faced global sanctions or other economic challenges. It also fortifies Russia’s foreign reserves and plays a significant role in its economy.
3. Australia 🇦🇺
Australia accounted for approximately 284 tonnes of gold in 2024, which ranks it third in the world. Australia is home to several of the world’s largest and most renowned gold mines, including the Kalgoorlie Super Pit and the Boddington mine.
Gold mining is one of Australia’s key industries and contributes much to the country’s economy. Since Australia boasts advanced mining technology and calm political conditions, its gold output has remained very strong for decades.
4. Canada 🇨🇦
Canada is the fourth-largest gold producer in the world, with around 202 tonnes of gold extracted in 2024. Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia are the top gold-producing areas of the country.
Canada’s most valuable mineral export and a significant source of foreign revenue is gold. Due to Canada’s stable economy and rich land resources, it has established itself as one of the world’s most dependable and significant gold-producing countries.
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5. United States 🇺🇸
United States produced approximately 158 tonnes of gold in the year 2024 and ranked as the fifth largest producer globally. Nevada is particularly significant since it accounts for most of the country’s production.
Gold mining has been the dominant industry in the U.S. for over a century. Although production levels are lower now than before, the United States is still a significant producer of gold in the global market. Gold continues to play a key role in U.S. reserves and its place in the world financial system.
Other Significant Gold Producers
Other nations also significantly contribute to the gold industry. The biggest gold producer in Africa is Ghana with over 140 tonnes in 2024. Indeed, Ghana has surpassed South Africa, previously the dominant figure in gold mining in Africa.
Mexico and Indonesia also yielded comparable quantities of gold, indicating that gold mining is both in Latin America and Southeast Asia. Peru is another significant producer of gold, mining almost 137 tonnes of gold in 2024.
In Africa, nations like Burkina Faso, Mali, and Sudan are gaining prominence in gold mining as well. This indicates that gold production is dispersed over several parts of the globe, not just a few nations.
Conclusion
Gold remains a very valuable and significant resource in the global economy and the top gold producing countries play a big part in supplying it and influencing the market. In 2024, China remained in the top ranking as the world’s largest gold producer, with Russia and Australia coming in second and third places, respectively.
The top three gold producers are China, Russia, and Australia, and together with Canada and the United States, they supply a large share of the world’s gold market. At the same time, other countries in Africa, Latin America, and Asia are also contributing more and more to gold production. Together, they show how gold mining is a truly global industry.
