Australian gold production may be beating records but it is still second to the Chinese. Despite a 17% increase in 2010 compared to the 2009 gold production in Australia, China was still reported as the number one producer of gold in the world.
Australia produced 266 tonnes of gold in 2010 to 341 tonnes produced by China. The United States is slated to come in at the third position with an estimated 240 tonnes of gold production, in fourth position is South Africa with a 200 tonnes gold production.
The steady rise of gold prices have seen a number of mines ramping up operations in the recent years. With a record high price for gold at $1,430 per ounce in November 2010 gold production has seen a revival worldwide. As per Surbiton Associates director Sandra Close Gold remains one of Australia’s top export earners.
The outstanding producers of gold last year in Australia were the Boddington mine located south east of Perth. Owned by Newmont Mining Corp the mine production rose considerably. Integra Mining Ltd's Randalls mine and Regis Resources Ltd's Moolart Well operation, both in Western Australia also added to the national total. The largest gold producing mine for 2010 was the Super Pit closely followed by the Boddington mine, both located in the western Australia.