Top 10 of the largest gold mine in the world
This article presents the ranking of the 10 largest mines and gold deposits in the world as well as operators mining companies.
The composition, characteristics and properties of gold make it a popular metal through the world. Extracting gold ore requires large facilities and many mining companies have exploited gold deposits to make the biggest gold mines in the world. Here they are :
10. Boddington gold mine, Australia
| Location | Perth, Australia |
| Production in 2011 | 741.000 ounces |
| Operators | Newmont Mining |
The Boddington gold mine is an open pit mine. Mainly extracted are gold and copper. The mine was in operation from 1987 to 2001. Its operation was resumed in 2010.
9. Kalgoorlie gold deposit
| Location | Kalgoorlie, Australia |
| Production in 2011 | 750.000 ounces |
| Operators | Barrick Gold, Newmont Mining |
The Super Pit gold mine, located in Kalgoorlie deposit is a gold mine opened sky. It measures 3.8 km long, 2 km wide and 400 m deep. It is the largest gold mine open pit, Australia. The World’s Job approximately 550 people.
8. Lagunas Norte gold mine
| Location | Santiago de Chuco, Peru |
| Production in 2011 | 770.000 ounces |
| Operators | Barrick Gold |
Lagunas Norte is a gold mine, the largest of Peru. The gold reserves of the mine are estimated 5.8 million ounces of gold.
7. Tau tona gold mine
| Location | Carletonville, South Africa |
| Production in 2011 | 792.000 ounces |
| Operators | AngloGold Ashanti |
Tau Tona is an underground mining. With 3.9 km deep, is the deepest gold mine in the world. With its output of 15 tons of gold per year, it is one of the gold mines of South Africa’s most profitable. The mine was built by the Anglo American Corporation, which drilled the main well depth of 2 km in 1957. The Tau Tona name means « great lion » in the local language.
6. Vaal river gold deposit
| Location | Klerksdorp, South Africa |
| Production in 2011 | 831.000 ounces |
| Operators | AngloGold Ashanti |
The Vaal River gold deposit is an underground operation, located at the confluence of the Vaal River and Rietspruit rivers, and near the Bloemhof dam.
5. Veladero gold mine
| Location | San Juan, Argentine |
| Production in 2011 | 957.000 ounces |
| Operators | Barrick Gold |
The Veladero gold mine began production in 2005. The gold open pit mine has significant resources of gold and silver. Its gold resources are estimated at 10 million ounces.
4. Goldstrike gold mine
| Location | Eureka and Elko county, Nevada, United States |
| Production in 2011 | 1.088.000 ounces |
| Operators | Barrick Gold |
Gold Strike is both a gold mine open pit and underground. Strike Gold is the largest gold mine in North America.
3. Yanacocha gold mine
| Location | Catamarca, Pérou |
| Production in 2011 | 1.293.000 ounces |
| Operators | Newmont Mining, Buenaventura, Banque mondiale |
The Yanacocha gold mine in Peru is a gold mine open pit, the largest gold mine in South America. Archaeological evidence suggests that mining was developed between the second and the eighth century AD.
2. Cortez gold mine
| Location | Elko, Nevada, United-States |
| Production in 2011 | 1.421.000 ounces |
| Operators | Barrick Gold |
The Cortez gold mine is both an open pit and underground mine. It is characterized by its strong land easement, making his concession 2800 km2.
1. Grasberg gold mine
| Location | Papua, Indonesia |
| Production en 2011 | 1.444.000 ounces |
| Operators | Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold |
The Grasberg mine is the largest gold mine and third largest copper mine in the world. It includes both an open pit and underground mine. Its reserves are estimated at 2.8 billion tonnes, with a grade of 1.09% copper, 0.98 grams / tonne gold and 3.87 grams / tonne silver.
