South Africa Drops to Third in World Gold Production

Global gold mine production grew by 6% in 2009 to a six-year high, but South Africa— once the largest producer in the world— saw its production levels fall by 5% and consequently to third place behind China and Australia in the league table of gold producing countries, according to figures released by precious metals consultancy, GFMS, which analyses production levels in all producer countries.

Although still short of production peaks reached in the early years of the decade, GFMS forecasts that mining output will grow again in 2010, as new mines increase production, outweighing the declines in more mature producers like South Africa and the United States.

Despite the decline in South Africa, which was the nation’s smallest decline in 5 years, output in the African region overall grew by 4%. Four of the world’s top ten global output increases came from the region, led by a doubling in output in Burkina Faso.

The South Africa picture was mixed. Several accidents which necessitated closures hit production, but some mines showed their first gains for many years.

Internationally the fastest growing output figures were posted by Indonesia, Tanzania and China. World output was 2,553 mt in 2009, compared with 2,409 mt in 2008. This 6% increase in mine production was far outstripped by a 26.6% increase in the supply of old gold scrap to a record high of 1,541 mt.

As featured in Womp 2010 Vol 02 - www.womp-int.com