MDF Global MDF Global
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Graphic: China leads global gold production

Bar chart showing top gold producers worldwide.

China remains the world’s largest gold producer, delivering more than 380 tonnes of the precious metal in 2024. 

According to data from the US Geological Survey, Russia ranks second with 330 tonnes, while Australia secures third place with 284 tonnes, reinforcing its position as one of the world’s most significant gold-producing nations.

Canada produced 202 tonnes in 2024, making it the fourth-largest producer globally, followed by the US with 158 tonnes. Ghana, Mexico, Indonesia, and Peru rounded out the next tier of producers, each contributing between 137 and 141 tonnes.

Uzbekistan produced 129 tonnes in 2024, while Mali recorded 100 tonnes.

South Africa, once the dominant force in global gold mining, produced 99 tonnes, placing it behind several newer gold-producing nations. Burkina Faso and Kazakhstan also featured strongly, delivering 94 tonnes and 87 tonnes, respectively.

Further down the rankings, Brazil produced 84 tonnes, followed by Sudan with 74 tonnes and Guinea with 68 tonnes. Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, and Tanzania completed the top 20 list, producing 66 tonnes, 58 tonnes, and 52 tonnes, respectively.

Global gold production

Combined gold production from the top-ranked nations reached 3,661 tonnes in 2024, underscoring the scale and importance of the sector to the global economy.

The ranking excludes smaller producers, which collectively contributed an additional 233 tonnes.

Australia’s strong performance reflects the ongoing strength of its gold sector, supported by a pipeline of established operations and exploration projects across Western Australia, New South Wales, Queensland, and other key mining regions.

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Written By Bruno Venditti
Bruno Venditti’s work on mining has been featured by POLITICO, the World Economic Forum, the U.S. Congress, and Vanity Fair, and shared by figures including Elon Musk. As a correspondent in Brazil, he covered natural disasters, military operations, and the arrest of President Lula. He is based in Vancouver, Canada.