As gold prices in India touched a record Rs 1.22 lakh per 10 grams this week, global attention has turned to the world’s largest producers of the precious metal. The World Gold Council (WGC) has released its annual list of the top ten gold-producing countries for 2025, and the results show a major shift in global mining power. (AI-Generated Image)
Despite being one of the largest consumers of gold, India does not feature in the list of top producers, highlighting its continued dependence on imports to meet domestic demand. (AI-Generated Image)
According to the WGC, China retains its crown as the world’s top gold producer, contributing over 10% of global output with an impressive 380.2 tonnes in 2025. (AI-Generated Image)
Provinces such as Shandong, Henan, and Jiangxi remain the backbone of China’s mining operations, supported by significant investment in both domestic and overseas gold assets. (AI-Generated Image)
Russia, despite facing political isolation and sanctions, secured the second position with 330 tonnes of gold, driven largely by its reserves in Siberia and the Far East. (AI-Generated Image)
Australia followed in third place with 284 tonnes, thanks to the output from Western Australia’s vast mines and a stable regulatory framework that continues to attract global investment. (AI-Generated Image)
Canada claimed the fourth position, producing 202.1 tonnes, mainly from the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia. Meanwhile, the United States, with its rich deposits in Nevada, ranked fifth with 158 tonnes. (AI-Generated Image)
Among emerging economies, Ghana stood out as Africa’s largest gold producer, ranking sixth with 140.6 tonnes. The government’s reforms to formalise small-scale mining and attract foreign participation have strengthened its position on the global map. (AI-Generated Image)
Mexico (7th, 140.3 tonnes) and Indonesia (8th, 140.1 tonnes) also maintained their dominance, the latter bolstered by the world-renowned Grasberg Mine in Papua, one of the largest gold mines globally. (AI-Generated Image)
Peru, despite ongoing political instability, managed to secure the ninth position with 136.9 tonnes, while Uzbekistan, driven by state-run Navoi Mining, rounded off the list at number ten with 132 tonnes. (AI-Generated Image)
Notably, South Africa, once a global gold powerhouse, has dropped out of the top ten entirely, a reflection of declining ore grades, rising production costs, and labour unrest in recent years. (AI-Generated Image)
While global gold production continues to shift eastward, experts note that India’s absence from the list underscores its paradoxical status.(AI-Generated Image)
