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List of Top 10 Largest Gold Mines in the World

Last Updated : 29 Feb, 2024
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The top 10 largest Gold Mines in the World are Nevada Gold Mines, Grasberg, Olimpiada, Boddington, Kibali, Pueblo Viejo, Lihir, Loulo-Gounkoto, Canadian Malartic, and Detour Lake. These top 10 largest gold mines in the world represent some of the largest and most productive mining operations globally.

These mines in various countries, including Australia, the United States, and Russia, collectively produce millions of ounces of gold annually. Operated by major mining companies such as Newmont, Barrick Gold, and Polyus, these mines utilize advanced technologies and mining methods to extract gold from vast reserves.

In this article, we will cover the top 10 largest gold mines in the world, along with their annual production.

About the Top 10 Largest Gold Mines in the World

Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and atomic number 79. It belongs to the transition metals group and is located in period 6 of the periodic table. Gold is known for its distinctive yellow color, malleability, and resistance to corrosion, making it highly valuable for use in jewelry, currency, and electronics. The mining of gold creates an economic impact that extends to job creation, government revenues, and local community development. Environmental stewardship and social responsibility are key priorities for these mines, ensuring sustainable and responsible mining practices for the future.

Also Read: List of Top 15 Gold-Producing Countries in the World

List of Top 10 Largest Gold Mines in the World

The top 10 largest gold mines in the world are as follows:

Gold Mines

Annual production in Ounce

Nevada Gold Mines

3,311,000

Muruntau

2,990,020

Grasberg

1,370,000

Olimpiada

1,184,068

Pueblo Viejo

814,000

Kibali

812,000

Cadia

764,895

Lihir

737,082

Canadian Malartic

714,784

Boddington

696,000

Largest Gold Mine in The World – Nevada Gold Mines (NGM)

Nevada Gold Mines (NGM) is a joint venture between Barrick Gold Corporation (61.5%) and Newmont Corporation (38.5%). NGM operates multiple gold mining complexes in Nevada, United States, including Carlin, Cortez, Turquoise Ridge, and Phoenix.

  • It is one of the largest gold-producing complexes globally, with 3,311,000 ounces annual production.
  • NGM utilizes both open-pit and underground mining methods to extract gold from various ore bodies.
  • NGM has a substantial economic impact on Nevada, contributing to job creation, government revenues, and local community development.

Second Largest Gold Mine in The World – Muruntau Gold Mine

The Muruntau Gold Mine, located in the Kyzyl Kum Desert of Uzbekistan, is one of the largest gold mines in the world. Here are some key details about the Muruntau Gold Mine:

  • The Muruntau Gold Mine is operated by Navoi Mining and Metallurgy Combinat (NMMC), which is a state-owned Uzbek mining company. NMMC is one of the largest gold producers in Uzbekistan.
  • Muruntau is known for its significant gold production. It has been estimated to produce around 2,990,020 ounces of gold annually, making it one of the world’s largest gold-producing mines.
  • The mine is an open-pit operation, where gold is extracted from the ore using conventional mining techniques. Muruntau is considered one of the largest open-pit gold mines globally.
  • Muruntau is believed to have extensive gold reserves, contributing to its status as a major player in the global gold mining industry. The exact size of its reserves may vary based on ongoing exploration and development activities.
  • The Muruntau Gold Mine is of significant economic importance to Uzbekistan. Gold mining contributes substantially to the country’s economy and export revenues.

Third Largest Gold Mine in The World – The Grasberg Mine

The Grasberg Mine, located in the Papua province of Indonesia, is one of the largest gold and copper mines in the world. Here are some key details about the Grasberg Mine:

  • The Grasberg Mine is operated by PT Freeport Indonesia, a subsidiary of Freeport-McMoRan Inc., which is an American mining company.
  • It produces 1,370,000 ounces of gold annually.
  • The mine is renowned for its vast reserves of gold and copper. It holds some of the largest recoverable copper and gold reserves in the world.
  • The Grasberg Mine utilizes both open-pit and underground mining methods to extract the ore. Open-pit mining is predominant for copper mining, while underground mining is mainly used for gold extraction.

Fourth Largest Gold Mine in The World – Olimpiada Gold Mine

Olimpiada Gold Mine is located in the Krasnoyarsk region of Eastern Siberia, Russia. The mine is operated by Polyus, the largest gold producer in Russia and one of the top gold mining companies globally.

  • Olimpiada is one of the largest gold mines in Russia, producing 1,184,068 ounces of gold annually.
  • The mine utilizes both open-pit and underground mining methods to extract gold from various ore bodies.
  • Olimpiada has extensive gold reserves, contributing to its status as one of the most significant gold deposits in Russia.
  • Ore from the mine is processed using conventional methods such as crushing, grinding, and gravity separation to recover gold.
  • The mine has a significant economic impact on the Krasnoyarsk region and Russia as a whole, providing employment and contributing to government revenues.
  • Polyus implements environmental management practices to minimize the impact of mining activities on the surrounding environment, including water management and rehabilitation efforts.

Fifth Largest Gold Mine in The World – Pueblo Viejo Gold Mine

Pueblo Viejo Gold Mine is in the Dominican Republic, an island nation in the Caribbean. The mine is owned by Barrick Gold Corporation and Newmont Corporation, two big companies that mine gold.

  • Pueblo Viejo is a very big gold mine. It digs up a 814,000 ounces of gold every year.
  • It digs gold from the ground using machines. Some of the gold is found deep in the ground, so they have to dig deep holes to get it.
  • Many people work at Pueblo Viejo. They operate the machines, dig the gold, and make sure everything runs smoothly.
  • The mine helps the Dominican Republic by providing jobs and money. It helps the country’s economy grow.
  • Pueblo Viejo tries hard to take care of the environment. They do things like planting trees and cleaning up after mining.

Sixth Largest Gold Mine in The World – Kibali Gold Mine

Kibali Gold Mine is in the northeastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, a country in Central Africa. The mine is owned and operated by Barrick Gold Corporation, a big company that mines gold.

  • Kibali is a very big gold mine. It produces 812,000 ounces of gold every year.
  • Workers at Kibali use big machines to dig gold from the ground. They also use explosives to break the rock and get to the gold.
  • Many people work at Kibali Gold Mine. They operate the machines, drive trucks, and do other jobs to help get the gold.
  • Kibali helps the Democratic Republic of Congo by creating jobs and bringing in money. It helps the country’s economy to grow.

Seventh Largest Gold Mine in The World – Cadia Gold Mine

Cadia Gold Mine is in New South Wales, Australia, a country known for its beautiful landscapes and wildlife. The mine is owned by Newcrest Mining, a big company that digs up gold and other minerals.

  • Cadia is a big gold mine. It produces 764,895 ounces of gold every year, which is used to make jewelry and other things.
  • Workers use big machines to dig up gold from deep underground. They also use chemicals to separate the gold from the rocks.
  • Many people work at Cadia. They operate the machines, dig the gold, and make sure everything is safe.
  • The mine helps Australia by creating jobs and bringing in money. This helps the local community and the country’s economy.

Eight Largest Gold Mine in The World – Lihir Gold Mine

Lihir Gold Mine is situated on Lihir Island in Papua New Guinea. The mine is owned and operated by Newcrest Mining Limited.

  • Lihir Gold Mine is one of the largest gold mines in Papua New Guinea and one of the top gold-producing mines globally.
  • It produces 737,082 ounces of gold annually.
  • The mine utilizes both open-pit and underground mining methods to extract gold from the ore bodies.
  • Lihir Gold Mine has substantial gold reserves, ensuring its long-term viability and production.
  • The mine employs a significant workforce, comprising both local and expatriate workers, involved in various aspects of mining operations and management.
  • The mine contributes significantly to the economy of Papua New Guinea through job creation, revenue generation, and infrastructure development.

Ninth Largest Gold Mine in The World – Canadian Malartic

Situated in Malartic, Quebec, Canada, the Canadian Malartic mine operates in the Abitibi mining district, known for its rich mineral resources. The mine is jointly owned by Agnico Eagle Mines Limited and Yamana Gold Inc., two prominent mining companies with operations globally.

  • Canadian Malartic is one of the largest gold mines in Canada and contributes significantly to the country’s gold production. It produces 714,784 of ounces of gold annually.
  • The mine employs both open-pit and underground mining methods to extract gold from the ore. Open-pit mining is the primary method, involving large-scale earthmoving equipment to access the gold-bearing ore.
  • Canadian Malartic has substantial gold reserves, supporting its ongoing production and economic viability. Continued exploration efforts aim to extend the mine’s life and identify new ore bodies.

Tenth Largest Gold Mine in The World – Boddington Gold Mine

Operated by Newmont Corporation, Boddington is one of the largest gold mines in Australia and the world, producing 696,000 ounces of gold annually. The mine also produces significant amounts of copper as a by-product.

  • It utilizes large-scale earthmoving equipment and advanced processing techniques to extract gold from the ore. Boddington’s extensive gold reserves support its long-term production, and ongoing exploration efforts aim to further extend its mine life.
  • The mine has a substantial economic impact on Western Australia, providing employment opportunities and contributing to government revenues.
  • Environmental stewardship is a priority at Boddington, with measures in place to minimize impacts on the surrounding environment and rehabilitate mined areas.

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Conclusion – Largest Gold Mines in the World

Gold mines play a important role in our world. They are where gold is found and dug up from deep within the Earth. These mines provide valuable jobs and contribute to our economy. However, they also bring environmental challenges that need careful attention. Despite this, gold mining remains important for our society, as gold is used in jewelry, technology, and as a store of value. We need to balance the benefits of gold mining with protecting our environment and supporting local communities.

FAQs on Largest Gold Mines in the World

Which country is the largest gold mining country?

China is the largest gold producer in the world.

Where is the richest source of gold in the world?

Macassa underground gold mine, Ontario, Canada is the richest source of gold in the world.

What is the largest gold mine in the world?

The Grasberg Mine in Indonesia is the largest gold mine in the world.

Where is the Muruntau Gold Mine located?

Muruntau Gold Mine is located in Uzbekistan.

Who operates the Olympic Dam Mine?

BHP Group operates the Olympic Dam Mine in Australia.

What country is home to the Pueblo Viejo mine?

The Dominican Republic is home to the Pueblo Viejo mine.

Which company owns the Yanacocha mine?

Newmont Corporation owns the Yanacocha mine.

What is the main method of gold extraction at the Cortez Mine?

The main method of gold extraction at the Cortez Mine is Both open-pit and underground mining methods.

Who operates the Super Pit in Australia?

The Super Pit is operated by Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines (KCGM) operates the Super Pit in Australia.



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