Mining

PERSPECTIVE: Canada No.7 among global gold producers

At 2,700 tonnes, the total amount of gold from all the world’s producers hit a new high in 2011, according to figures from the U.S. Geological Survey. The previous high was 2,600 tonnes in 2001.

By Canadian Mining Journal Staff July 24, 2012 At 5:01 pm

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Mining

Commodities

Gold

At 2,700 tonnes, the total amount of gold from all the world’s producers hit a new high in 2011, according to figures from the U.S. Geological Survey. The previous high was 2,600 tonnes in 2001.

Of last year’s 2,700 tonnes, only 110 tonnes came from Canada. Our country has never been the world’s largest gold producer, but at least our output increased from 2010. However, the relatively small size of Canadian gold reserves probably means that we will never be the world’s No.1 gold producer.

		World gold production (tonnes)
Rank			2011	2010	Reserves
1		China	355	345	1,900
2		Australia	270	261	7,400
3		United States	237	231	3,000
4		Russia	200	192	5,000
5		South Africa	190	189	6,000
6		Peru	150	164	2,000
7		Canada	110	91	920
8		Ghana	100	82	1,400
9		Indonesia	100	120	3,000
10		Uzbekistan	90	90	1,700
11		Mexico	85	73	1,400
12		Papua New Guinea	70	68	1,200
13		Brazil	55	58	2,400
14		Chile	45	38	3,400
		Other countries	630	559	10,000
	< /td>	World total (rounded)	2,700	2,560	51,000

Just because Canada is a mid-ranked gold producer is no reason to feel deflated. What Canadians do, and better than almost any other country, is create the techniques and methods that allow mining to be carried out in a responsible and sustainable manner. We lead the world in corporate social responsibility, mine safety, environmental responsibility, and many more skills that are applicable to all types of mineral production, not just gold.