Global gold mine production increased steadily from 2010 to 2023, marking a 29% overall rise despite temporary setbacks in 2019 and 2020

Key Takeaways:

  • Global gold production rose from 2,830.80 tonnes in 2010 to 3,646.07 tonnes in 2023.
  • The most significant year-over-year growth occurred between 2012 and 2013, with an increase of over 178 tonnes.
  • A temporary decline in production was recorded in 2019 and 2020, reflecting pandemic-related disruptions.
  • Production recovered quickly post-pandemic, reaching a record 3,646.07 tonnes by 2023.
  • Over the last fourteen years, gold mine output grew at an average annual rate of approximately 2%.
  • Growth from 2021 to 2023 was more moderate compared to earlier years.

The global gold mining sector has shown steady and resilient production growth over the past fourteen years. From 2010 to 2018, the industry experienced consistent year-on-year gains, adding about 826 tonnes of new production.

This upward trend was briefly disrupted in 2019 and 2020 when production dropped to 3,598.61 tonnes and 3,483.53 tonnes, largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the industry recovered strongly, achieving new production highs by 2023.

Source:

Metals Focus; World Gold Council

Period:

2010-2023
HTML code to embed chart
Want a bespoke report?
Reach out
Click to copy HTML embed code
Tags
Related Insights
The top 15 countries accounted for 68.8% of global gold production in 2023, with four African nations among the leaders
Key takeaways:
  • China led global gold production with 378.16 tonnes, representing approximately 10.4% of global output.
  • The top five producers (China, Russia, Australia, Canada, and the United States) collectively produced 37% of the world’s gold.
  • African nations showed remarkable strength, with four countries in the top 15 (Ghana, Mali, South Africa, and Burkina Faso).
  • Ghana led Africa in gold production and ranked 6th globally, producing 135.11 tonnes in 2023.
  • China, Australia, and Russia together produced nearly 1,000 tonnes of gold, accounting for 27.3% of total world production.
The average gold production in Africa between 2010 and 2023 was 840.59 tonnes, reaching a record high of over 1,000 tonnes in 2023
Key Takeaways:
  • Africa's gold production grew steadily from 621.78 tonnes in 2010 to 1,003.98 tonnes in 2023.
  • The continent experienced an overall increase of 61.5% in gold output over the 14 years.
  • The continent saw consistent year-on-year growth, with only minor declines in 2020 and 2022.
  • 2023 marked the highest production level in more than a decade.
  • The average annual growth rate in gold mine production over the period was approximately 4%.
ECOWAS countries (525.55 tonnes) led Africa’s gold production in 2023, with more than half of the continent’s production
Key Takeaways:
  • Ghana led the continent in gold production in 2023, producing 135.11 tonnes, 13.5% of Africa’s total.
  • Four countries (Ghana, Mali, South Africa, and Burkina Faso) each produced over 95 tonnes, together accounting for 443 tonnes or 44.1% of the continent’s output.
  • West African countries dominated the rankings, with eight nations from the region among the top 15 producers.
  • The West African countries in the top 15 combined contributed 525.55 tonnes, more than half (52.3%) of Africa's total gold production.
  • South Africa ranked third in Africa with 104.29 tonnes.
  • Burkina Faso ranked fourth while contributing almost 10% of Africa’s gold production.
Africa led global gold production in 2023 with over 1,000 tonnes, contributing more than 27% of global output
Key Takeaways:
  • In 2023, Africa was the world’s leading gold-producing region, with a total output of 1,003.98 tonnes.
  • Asia followed with 661.30 tonnes, representing 18.1% of the world’s gold output.
  • The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) produced 570.90 tonnes, making up 15.7% of the global total.
  • North America and Central & South America contributed 485.17 tonnes and 542.13 tonnes, respectively.
  • Oceania was a key producer with 343.29 tonnes, or 9.4% of global output.
  • Europe contributed the least, producing only 39.30 tonnes, which is about 1.1% of the total.
  • Altogether, global gold production reached 3,646.07 tonnes in 2023.
Gold surges 67% in 15 months, climbing from $1,985 to a record $3,323
  • Gold hit its trough at $1,985/oz in February 2024, marking the low before an uninterrupted rally.
  • After a spring consolidation, gold surged past $2,500/oz in September 2024 (peaking then at $2,546), signaling broadening investor demand.
  • The metal first cracked the $3,000/oz threshold in March 2025 when it reached $3,026, underscoring accelerating momentum.
  • That rally culminated in a new record of $3,323/oz in April 2025, a 67.5% gain from the February 2024 low.
Egypt accounted for 43% of Africa's crude steel production in 2023
In 2023, Egypt, South Africa, Algeria, and Morocco dominated Africa's steel industry, accounting for 88% of the continent's production. Egypt led the charge, contributing 43% of Africa's total steel output. Despite this, Africa's 23.92 million tonnes only make up 1.26% of global production.
POPULAR TOPICS
SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
Get periodic updates about the African startup space, access to our reports, among others.
Subscribe Here
Subscription Form
A product of Techpoint Africa. All rights reserved