Gold mine production volume in Africa 2011-2021

The total gold mine production in Africa amounted to 680.3 metric tons in 2021. This figure represents an increase of roughly 0.5 percent in comparison to the previous year.

The African gold mining industry

The production of gold worldwide has been generally increasing since 2010, reaching an estimated 3,000 metric tons in 2022. Africa is the third-largest gold producing continent in the world, and has gold mining activities in more than 21 of its countries. Ghana, one of the world's leading countries in gold production, and the second-largest producer in Africa, produced approximately 90 metric tons of gold in 2023. The first gold mines in Africa were, however, discovered in South Africa in 1886. Gold mining is a major source of employment in South Africa, and was once the largest part of the South African economy.

What is so special about gold?

Gold is a naturally occurring transition metal. It is a soft and dense precious metal that is the most malleable out of all metals. Gold has many uses, including its well known primary use in jewelry. Gold's special properties are considered valuable in jewelry manufacturing, which include high luster, yellow color, and tarnish resistance. For industrial uses, gold is very valuable in electronics. Gold acts as a highly efficient conductor that can carry currents and avoid corrosion. It is also used in connectors, connecting wires, and connection strips. It is also used in the medical industry, in treating conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and in radiation therapy for certain cancers. Gold is mined using various processes, including panning, sluicing, and dredging. The purity of gold is measured in karats, in which 24 karats is equivalent to 100 percent gold.