The World’s Largest Gold Mines
Based on Gold production for 2020, we have compiled a list listing the 10 Biggest Gold Mines around the globe.
Although there are slight differences between lists from different sources and the results listed below belong at the top.
K = 1000
1. Muruntau, Uzbekistan. 2000 k oz
Muruntau is an open-pit mining facility located in Uzbekistan. It is a major operation that spans 3.3km, 2.5km wide, 600m deep and has a total length of 600m. The state-owned company Navoi owns and operates it. Production for 2020 is estimated at 2 million ounces. The mine is still in its infancy and the company estimates that it could produce 150 million ounces of gold over the next few decades. It is a significant contributor to the country’s GDP and has a large amount of its products exported to Europe, Russia, and other countries.
2. Carlin, USA. 1665 k oz
The Carlin mine is located in Nevada USA and has been around since 1965. The mine continues to produce and covers an area as large as a city. The mine is controlled by Carlins and Barrick. The Carlin Trend, a unique geological feature that produces so much Gold, is the primary reason it can produce such high levels of Gold. The mine is 56km long. This mine produced 1.65 Million ounces Gold in 2020. The last year has seen a slight decrease in production, mainly due to exploration and Covid.
3. Olimpiada, Russia. 1200 k oz
Olimpiada can be found in a region known for its Gold production. Polyus started producing Gold at this Gold mine in 1996. This mine produces more than half of the Gold Moscow has. It has the ability to produce large quantities of ore and three processing plants that can recover the Gold from approximately 13 million tonnes of ore per year.
4. Pueblo Viejo, Dominican Republic. 903 K oz
The Pueblo Viejo Mine is located 100 km north-west of Santo Domingo, the capital of Mexico. This mine, which is a joint venture Gold Mine with Barrick & Newmont, produced 9 million ounces last year. It was put into commercial production in 2018. The primary source of the mine’s Gold is from Oxide deposits located within Monte Negro or Moore.
5. Grasberg, Indonesia. 848 K oz
The mine also produces copper. This Gold mine, which is located in the Papua region of Indonesia and managed by Freeport –McMorans, employs 30000 people. A Dutch geologist discovered the mine and gave it the nickname Ertsberg, which means Ore Mountain. It also boasts the highest Gold mine at 4100m above sea level. This mine is still among the top 10, but production is decreasing annually, from a peak of 3.5million ounces in 2001.
6. Cadia East, Australia. 823 K oz
This underground mind is Australia’s largest Gold mine. It consists of two mines: Cadia East underground mine and Ridgeway underground mine. Newcrest owns and operates it. Its gold production for 2020 was estimated at 8.23 million ounces.
7. Kibali, DRC. 808 K oz
It was impossible for any African country to not be in the top 10. Anglo Gold also owns another Barrick Gold Mine. 10% of the facility is owned by the state. The mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo lies 210km from the Ugandan border. Like all joint ventures, this mine is also a State partnership. This mine will continue to produce more Gold, with 8 million ounces of gold produced in 2020. It is a significant contributor to the local economy.
8. Cortez, USA. 799 K oz
Another large-scale gold mining operation is located in Nevada USA. Located in Lander, Eureka County, 120 km south from Elko. This facility, along with many others large facilities, includes the South Pipeline that is open-pit mines and Cortez Hills that is underground and open-pit mining. This joint venture is part of Barrick and Newmont. The mine will produce large amounts of Gold each year. It was established in 1969. The mine is estimated to have 145 million ounces of Gold reserves.
9. Lihir, Papua New Guinea. 772 K oz
The island’s Gold mine is located approximately 900km from Port Moresby, the capital of the country. It is situated in the New Ireland Province. The large Gold deposits can be found in an area called Luise Caldera, which is an extinct Volcano still producing Geothermal activity. This mine, which will produce 7.7 million ounces of gold in 2020, will remain in the top 10 for a very long time.
10. Loulo Gounkoto, Mali. 680 K oz
Barrick, who own 80% of the facility, and the State of Mali which control 20%, will continue to be there for many years. This is a significant contributor to the local economy, with 6.8 million ounces. Most of the Gold she produces is exported to global markets. It lies close to Senegal’s border and runs alongside the Faleme River.
This list shows that Barrick Gold is the dominant miner of large-scale gold deposits around the globe.
This list also included other Gold mines, which I will be adding to as time permits.
Biggest Gold Mines in Ireland, 2020 Gold Bullion Ireland
