Gold is a precious metal with a long history. Throughout the centuries, it has been treasured by societies around the globe and has been used to make coins, jewelry, and other items. Gold is also a key part of the global economy and is a valuable commodity that is an important indicator of market conditions.
With gold being prized for its value and beauty, it’s no surprise that countries around the world are major producers of the metal. In 2019, the world’s leading producer of gold was China, followed by Australia and Russia. A decade later, the global rankings have shifted and new nations have emerged as major producers of the precious metal.
According to the World Gold Council, in 2023, the largest gold producers in the world are expected to be China, Australia, Russia, the United States, South Africa, Peru, Canada, Mexico, India, and Indonesia. Together, these countries are expected to produce over half of the world’s gold production.
China, the world’s leading gold producer by far, is expected to produce 448 tons of gold in 2023, dwarfing other leading producers. This is a significant increase from the 345 tons of gold it produced in 2019, showing the tremendous growth that the Chinese gold mining industry has experienced in the past few years.
Australia is expected to come in second place with a total production of 266 tons of gold in 2023. This comes as no surprise, since Australia has long been a major gold producer and Australia’s gold mining industry is now booming.
Russia, the world’s third largest producer of gold, is expected to produce 192 tons of gold in 2023. The nation’s gold mining industry has been rapidly expanding in the past few years and it is likely that it will remain a major player in the global gold production market for the foreseeable future.
The United States takes fourth place on the list, with a projected total production of 145 tons of gold in 2023. While the U.S. has long been a major gold producer, its gold mining industry has been in a period of decline in recent years. That said, its estimates for 2023 still make it a key producer in the global gold market.
South Africa is expected to be the fifth largest producer of gold, with a projected total of 145 tons in 2023. This should come as no surprise, as South Africa has a long history as one of the leading gold mining nations in the world. Additionally, South Africa’s labor costs are much lower than many other developed nations, making it an attractive destination for gold miners.
Peru, Canada, Mexico, India, and Indonesia round out the list of the world’s largest gold producers. Each of these countries is expected to produce up to 90 tons of gold in 2023. From Latin American nations like Peru and Mexico to the emerging gold mining nations in Asia, these countries will play a key role in the global gold market in the years to come.
While many of the world’s largest gold producers have remained relatively constant over the past decade, the rankings of other leading gold producers has changed significantly. As these nations continue to increase their gold production, the global gold market is likely to continue to experience shifts in the years to come.