Where is Gold Mined Most in Turkey and in the World?
Where is gold found? It is not possible to give a single answer to the question. Although gold mining is done in many parts of the world, certain regions and countries stand out in gold production.
Gold Production in the World
Gold mining around the world is dominated by a few large countries. Countries that are leaders in gold production attract attention with their production amounts and reserves.
China: China, which has been the world‘s largest gold producer for many years, produces an average of 350-370 tons of gold annually. The largest gold mine in the country is located in Shandong province. The country is also one of the world leaders in gold demand. For this reason, it offers a significant amount of gold to both the domestic and international markets.
Australia: It ranks second in the world with annual gold production of 300-350 tons. The state of Western Australia is particularly rich in gold mining. Areas such as Kalgoorlie are known worldwide and are home to large gold mines.
Russia: It is the third largest gold producer in the world with approximately 300 tons of gold production. There are large gold reserves in the Siberian and Ural regions of the country. Russia is also one of the countries with large amounts of gold reserves and is increasingly using these resources.
United States: The United States produces approximately 180-200 tons of gold annually. Nevada is the nation‘s largest gold mining state. Here is located the world-famous gold deposit called Carlin Trend. States such as Alaska and Colorado are also among the important gold production centers.
Canada: Producing an average of 200 tons of gold annually, Canada ranks at the top of the world rankings. The Ontario and Quebec regions of the country are home to major gold mines. Canada is also known for its environmentally friendly mining practices.
In addition to these countries, South Africa, Peru, Mexico and Indonesia are also among the important countries in world gold production. Gold mining contributes greatly to the economies of these countries and supports the local workforce.
Gold Mining in Turkey
Türkiye is one of the countries with a rich potential in terms of gold mining. “Where is gold mined in Turkey?” The question can be answered especially as Western Anatolia, Inner Aegean and Black Sea regions.
Kütahya - Gediz: This region, which has Turkey‘s largest gold reserves, is also one of the places where gold production is most intense. Gold deposits in Gediz have a large share in the country‘s annual gold production.
Balıkesir - İvrindi: One of Turkey‘s largest gold mines is located here. Mining activities in the İvrindi region provide a significant portion of the country‘s total gold production. İvrindi gold mine attracts attention with its technological infrastructure.
Çanakkale - Biga: Çanakkale‘s Biga peninsula is also an important region in terms of gold mining in Turkey. Mining activities carried out in this region make great contributions to the economy of Çanakkale.
Uşak - Kışladağ: Kışladağ, Turkey‘s largest gold mine, attracts attention with its annual gold production of 13 tons. Kışladağ mine constitutes a large part of Turkey‘s gold production capacity.
Erzincan - Çöpler: Erzincan‘s Çöpler region is one of the other important places where gold mining takes place in Turkey. Çöpler mine is known for its high-quality gold production, and the reserves in this region will play a critical role in Turkey‘s gold production in the coming years.
Gold Mining Methods
“Where is gold mined?” Another important factor that determines the answer to the question is the mining methods used. Gold mining is done by two main methods: open pit mining and underground mining:
Open Pit Mining: This method is used in the exploitation of gold deposits spread over large surface areas. Open pit mining is preferred in regions where gold deposits are close to the surface. It is widely used in countries such as Australia and Canada where large deposits exist near the surface.
Underground Mining: It is a preferred method in regions where deeper gold deposits are located. In this method, miners extract gold by following the veins underground. Although underground mining involves more risks and costs, higher quality gold can be obtained with this method. Many gold mines in Russia and South Africa are operated using this method.
Modern mining techniques enable the detection of underground gold deposits using advanced technology. Geophysical devices, magnetic scanners and drilling techniques are commonly used methods to detect where gold is located.
Turkey‘s Gold Potential
Turkey‘s gold reserves are estimated to be around 6,000-7,000 tons. With its potential, Türkiye is among the countries expected to make further developments in gold mining. Turkey‘s total gold production in 2022 was 38 tons. Production is expected to increase to 45 tons annually. The increase in gold production makes positive contributions to Turkey‘s economy and foreign trade balance.
Gold Prospecting and Environmental Impacts
Although gold mining has great economic returns, it also attracts attention with its environmental impacts. Chemical substances and environmental degradation released during gold mining can cause serious damage to nature. Therefore, modern mining technologies are constantly being improved to minimize environmental impacts.
The answers to the questions where gold is mined and where gold is most mined point to important mineral deposits in different geographies both in Türkiye and around the world. While Western Anatolia and Central Aegean regions stand out in Turkey, China, Australia and Russia are leaders in gold production in the world. Gold mining will continue to have great value in the coming years with its economic returns and strategic importance. You can visit the AgaKulche website to learn more about gold and other precious metals and to access quality gold products.