Archaeological discoveries

Where does most of the world gold and diamonds come from?

Most of the world's gold and diamonds come from mines located in various regions around the globe. Here is an overview of the major gold and diamond-producing countries:

1. Gold:

- China: China is the largest producer of gold in the world, accounting for approximately 11.5% of the global gold production in 2021. Major gold-producing regions in China include the Shandong, Hebei, and Inner Mongolia provinces.

- Australia: Australia is the second-largest gold producer globally, contributing roughly 10% of the world's gold output. Western Australia is the primary gold-producing region in the country.

- Russia: Russia comes in as the third-largest gold producer, accounting for approximately 9% of the global supply. Major gold mining regions include the Krasnoyarsk Krai, Irkutsk Oblast, and Magadan Oblast.

- United States: The United States ranks as the fourth-largest gold producer, contributing around 6% of the world's gold. Major gold-producing states include Nevada, Alaska, and South Dakota.

- Canada: Canada is another significant gold producer, accounting for roughly 5% of global gold production. Major gold-mining regions are located in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia.

2. Diamonds:

- Botswana: Botswana is the world's leading producer of diamonds by value. The country is home to the renowned Jwaneng diamond mine, known for its exceptional quality diamonds.

- Russia: Russia holds the second position in global diamond production, primarily due to its operations in the Sakha Republic (Yakutia). The region is famous for producing large, high-quality diamonds.

- Canada: Canada takes third place in diamond production. The country's diamond mines are mainly located in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

- D.R. Congo (Democratic Republic of the Congo): The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a major diamond producer, despite challenges with artisanal mining and conflict diamonds.

- Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe is another significant player in diamond production, particularly known for its alluvial diamond deposits.

It's important to note that the production of gold and diamonds can fluctuate over time due to various factors such as market conditions, geological constraints, and political stability in the regions mentioned above.