Hundreds of mining corporations seek for gold in dozens of nations, making gold mining a world business. But where are the biggest gold mines on the planet?
The 10 mines producing gold in 2021 are shown within the infographic above, which includes data from S&P Global Market Intelligence and company reports.
The ten largest gold mines on the planet are positioned in nine countries in North America, Oceania, Africa and Asia. In 2021, they produced roughly 13 million ounces of gold, representing roughly 12% of world gold production.
Of the 13 million ounces of gold produced in 2021, Uzbekistan and Indonesia accounted for 3.8% of world gold production. These countries have the second and third largest mines on the planet, respectively.
The state-owned Muruntau mine in Uzbekistan produced just below 3 million ounces of gold, making it the second largest open-pit mine on the planet. Muruntau accounts for over 80% of Uzbekistan’s total gold production.
In 2021, just two other mines – Grasberg in Papua, Indonesia and Olympiad in Russia – produced greater than 1 million ounces of gold. Grasberg is the third largest gold mine on the planet, in addition to one among the biggest copper mines on the planet. Olympiad, which is owned by Russian gold mining tycoon Polyus, has gold reserves of about 26 million ounces.
Mythical status from Grasberg..
The Grasberg mine was discovered within the mid-Nineteen Thirties by Dutch colonists who discovered copper riches within the glaciers of Jayawajaya Mountain in Indonesian New Guinea. Mining began in 1972, but by the mid-Nineteen Eighties the mine was mostly exhausted.
It was not until 1988, when PT Freeport Indonesia (a subsidiary of Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc.) began exploring other deposits in the realm, that it realized it might be a really successful location.
The Grasberg mine, with gold ore reserves estimated at $40 billion, has achieved the mythological status of the biggest and most dear gold mining mine on the planet. But does Grasberg still deserve his prized title?
Grasberg’s position because the world’s largest gold producer was not without its challenges. Several mines all over the world have tried to compete with the mega mine, including South Deep in South Africa, Lihir in Papua New Guinea and Muruntau in Uzbekistan.
Source: VisualCapitalist.com, MiningDigital.com
