The possibility of finding gold in rivers and mountains has been attracting prospectors and miners for millennials. While theoretically, every stream contains some gold particles, only a handful of places yield enough gold to make the activity profitable. However, with the rising price of gold, it is worth knowing what the countries yielding the highest potential are.
The 17 best places in the world to find gold are the ones surrounding the most prolific mines. These include locations in South Africa, Australia, Indonesia, Canada, Japan, and Papua New Guinea. States in the US, like Alaska, Nevada, and South Dakota, are also extremely productive.
Check out what are the most gold-producing locations in the world below.
Table of Contents
South Dakota, United States – Homestake Mine
The Homestake Mine in South Dakota is situated just off the city of lead. It has been known for decades for being the deepest and most extensive mine in the world. Founded in 1877, the mine was in operation for over 125 years and has produced a cumulative amount of gold, surpassing the record of 40 million troy ounces (almost 1250 tonnes).
The famous mine stopped operating in 2002, then became an underground laboratory. The mine’s history is one of the fascinating ones of the Gold Rush that hit America from the end of the 1840s.
In 1877, George Hearts claimed a portion of land as extensive as 10-acre for $70,000. Then, through a series of acquisitions, the mines expanded exponentially, covering an impressive 8,000 acres.
While the rough history of the mine left a trace of violence and murder in the area, the Homestake grounds become the cradle for experiments in particle physics. Many discoveries took place on the ground or through the experiments conducted here. These tests then continued until 1994 and gained Raymond Davis Jr. the Nobel Prize in Physics.
In 2007, after the mine stopped operating, the Deep Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory (DUSEL) was founded at the heart of the tunnels and approved by the National Science Foundation.
Even if the mine is no longer producing gold, the surrounding grounds are still hit by prospectors and gold hunters. While here, make sure you hold all the necessary permits to enter and prospect in the area.
Johannesburg, South Africa – Witwatersrand Basin
The Witwatersrand Basin near Johannesburg in South Africa is one of the richest gold-bearing grounds ever discovered, but it is not as known as several locations in America. Scientists have estimated that over 40% of the gold mined so far comes from this location.
However, the resources of this goldfield have been exploited over time. Indeed, while in 1970, South Africa produced almost 80% of the global gold, which dropped to less than 8% in 2009.
The discovery of the mine happened, thanks to George Walker, an Australian miner, in 1886. As the prospectors made public his discovery, the largest gold rush in history took place, giving birth to Johannesburg. Indeed, ten years after the initial discovery of the Basin, Johannesburg had become the largest city in the country, suddenly welcoming a massive influx of foreigners and prospectors.
While this location is not suitable for recreational prospectors, the mine is still produced today. Moreover, new technologies and innovations are implemented regularly to explore the site further.
Indeed, the mining of these grounds happens through the creation of underground tunnels. These today span for over 500 miles (800km) in length and are over 2.4 miles (3.8km) deep. The work conditions in the mines are extreme. Yet, the innovations implemented are allowing miners to explore the mine’s surroundings further.
Indonesia, Irian Jaya – Grasberg Mine
While Indonesia has never been a significant contestant in the several gold Rushes happening around the world, it had reported a 23%increase in gold production only in 2018. Indeed, the development of one of the largest mines in the world – the open-air Grasberg mine – has produced an additional 36 tonnes (over 1 million troy ounces) of gold in one year.
Today, the mine produced over 40% of the country’s output, and it is managed in cooperation with Freeport-McMoRan, a Phoenix-based company. The foundation of this innovative mine has created almost 20,000 jobs across the nation. Additionally, it has forced the government of Indonesia to revisit the current taxation and environmental policies.
The mine’s location, in Eastern Indonesia, is extremely inaccessible and hard to reach, even with the right means and tools. Moreover, the mine is at a staggering 14,010 ft (4226m) above sea level, on the Irian Jaya mountains.
While works in the previous miles started as early as 1967, no innovations were brought to the location until more recent years. Indeed, located deep in the jungle, the mining site was considered inaccessible, and roads had to be built for workers to access the site.
Kalgoorlie, Western Australia – The Super Pit
The Fimiston Open Pit, informally called the Super Pit, hosted the largest open-pit mining operations until 2016. While another mine then surpassed it, the Super Pit remains one of Australia’s most extensive mines.
Located in Kalgoorlie in Western Australia, it is over 600 meters deep, 3.5km (2 miles) long and 1.5km (almost 1 mile) wide. These impressive sizes make the mine visible from space and indicate how extensive the operations in this mine are.
Initially, the mine was constituted by several underground tunnels rather than just a pit. These tunnels were extended throughout several locations, giving birth to smaller, scattered mine sites such as Brown Hills, Chaffers, Hainault, Oroya, and Paringa. Later, the mines agreed on a unification project that led to the creation of this larger open-pit mine.
The surrounding town of Kalgoorlie came to life when the Super Pit mine started to attract an increasing number of prospectors, around 1893. Naturally, after the opening of the site, the area has seen a huge Gold Rush that inflated the population of Kalgoorlie to over 200,000 inhabitants. Today, the people of the town have decreased, yet most of the jobs and income is still related to the mining business.
Watch the video below to learn more about this mine.
Nevada, US – Carlin Trend
Located in northeastern Nevada, the 40 miles (64 km) Carling Trend or Carlin Unconformity is an area famous for its unique geology formation. Indeed, the rich mine remained undiscovered for hundreds of years because it does not present the same pattern that can be found in similar sites across the world.
Usually, the presence of gold veins in deposits is visible through naked eyes – which brought to the uncovering of several mines in Nevada. However, in Carlin, the veins cannot be perceived in the same way, and the deposits become popularly known as “invisible gold.”
The formation of this specific type of geological formation derives from the fact that dissolved gold is deposited in sediments so fine that it can barely be noticed through a microscope. Unfortunately for prospectors, these particles are still too small to be retrieved through traditional gold prospecting strategies such as gold panning or sluicing.
However, in 1961, several years after the first Gold Rushes in Nevada, geologist John Livermore, set off on the exploration of the area today known as the Carlin Trend. While this was the first instance in which such fine gold was discovered and mined, similar trends later appeared in locations in Macedonia and China.
While gold prospectors can pan and sluice for gold in several locations across the state, the gold mining industry in Nevada is still led by this incredibly rich and unconventional mine. Today, the Carlin Trend accounts for just under 80% of the total gold produced in the United States.
California, United States – Gold Country
Sheltered by the several peaks of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California, Gold Country is one of the richest, most gold-producing areas in the world. Here the first Gold Rush in the state happened from 1848 and continued through several years.
After the first discoveries, over 300,000 prospectors and pioneers headed over to the site, hoping to find gold and strike rich. While Gold Country has changed radically since then, visitors can still gain valuable insights regarding what was life like during those days.
Aside from hosting some of the most productive mines in the State, Gold Country is today famous for its extensive museums and historical value. Prospectors can visit the historic town of Coloma, where some of the buildings are still preserved. Additionally, the Gold Discovery Museum lets you understand the dynamics of the 1850s Gold Rush in California.
After the tour, both adults and kids can try panning for gold in some of the most famous California locations, in which gold can still be found after many years. However, there are other activities visitors should not skip, such as walks, hikes, canyoning trips, and camping.
A second, brief Gold Rush happened here in the 1970s just after the price of gold peaked. Today, several mined are in operations, with methods such as deep tunnels and open-pit mining. However, most of the resources that attracted the first prospectors in the area have been exploited over the years.
Peru – Yanacocha
Yanacocha is one of the major gold mines in the Northern Highlands in Peru and the fourth-largest one in the world. While the region surrounding the mine is one of the poorest of the country, the mine has yielded just under 1 million troy ounces (31 tonnes) of gold in one single year (2014).
The open-pit mining operations that take place here extend for over 251sqare km (almost 70square miles), and the company is a joint venture supported by several international corporations.
There have been several political and economic battles between the owners and other corporations. Today, while the grounds surrounding the mine could be gold-bearing, it is almost impossible for prospectors to access the area safely and legally.
However, the Andes Mountains that cross the country are thought to be among the richest, most gold-producing locations in the world. The gold deriving from the lodes on these mountains is often transported across the country. This happens through the action of rivers and streams, as well as other natural forces.
In particular, several artisanal miners in the Peruvian Jungles prospect for gold illegally in some of the tributaries to major rivers. While these are only small-scale operations, the workers undertake significant health risk during such activities.
Yukon Territory, Canada – Dawson City
Aside from being at the core of the famous Klondike Gold Rush, one of the most attractive features of Dawson City is that it is still widely accessible for all prospectors. The community that still lives here is committed to preserving the historical past of the region while making it convenient and enjoyable to visitors and prospectors alike.
While here, prospectors can immerse themselves in the unique feel of the town or try their hand at prospecting in one of the richest areas in the world. Here you can pan for gold in several locations that are allocated for public use. Of course, some permits might be necessary, depending on where you wish to set up your operations.
If you prefer to learn more about the gold mining history of the area, head to one of the several operating gold mines in the area. These are accessible to most tourists after paying a small fee at the entrance. You can join other visitors on the daily tours that will take you at the heart of the tunnels.
The Klondike Gold Rush started later than several others across America, only beginning at the end of the 1890s. However, starting from that year, over 100,000 prospectors began a journey that would take them to Dawson City – yet only 30,000 made it to the destination.
Back then, the journey to this remote location was perilous and would require you to be perfectly fit and healthy. Instead, today, the town put all of their efforts into creating a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere in which visitors can try their hand at panning and learn more about the history that shaped the Yukon as we know it.
Papua New Guinea – Lihir Island
The Lihir Gold Mine is one of the largest ones in Papua New Guinea, and it is located in Lihir, in the New Ireland Province. Managed by Rio Tinto until 2005, the mine then passed to a new ownership system, the Lihir Gold. The Australian Newcrest later acquired Lihir Gold, taking the production of gold in the area onto the next level.
A thorough upgrade of the systems and technologies used in the mine started in February 2008. The development continued throughout the years, making the mine one of the most technologically advanced today. The Australian company had foreseen a rapid growth of the gold yield, which was set to increase over 240,000oz (6.8 tonnes) per year. Today, over 4,500 employees are working on the mine round the clock, making it more accessible and productive.
In terms of the geology of the Island, Lihir boasts three volcanic calderas and several mafic volcanic rock formations, making it a unique area to mine for gold. Geothermal activity is still present today across the island, in calderas, where it is possible to notice natural hot springs.
While initially discovered during an exploration in 1983, the production of gold did not begin until late 1997. Several logistical problems slowed down the establishment of facilities and structures, yet the mine kept evolving.
While the environmental impact of mines and mining operations is not unknown, this particular mine has plans to use the active geothermal energy deriving from underground to fuel the activities there.
Japan – Hishikari Mine
Japan might not have yet experienced a Gold Rush, such as in specific locations in America. However, the country is among the richest on the continent. In particular, the Hishikari Mine in the province of Kagoshima is believed to have reserves as extensive as 8 million oz of gold.
While historically, the gold in Japan strictly derived from two major mines, the scenario in the country was drastically changed in 1981 by Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. The company discovered one of the largest ore deposits in Isa – the site that today is named Hishikari Mine.
Aside from the sheer quantity of gold that started emerging from the grounds under this mine, what truly impressed the first explorer was the incredible quality of the gold recovery. Today, the gold retrieved here is unique in the world and among the most sought-after ones.
The reasons behind the quality of the Hishikari Mine derive from the unique geology of the grounds. Over the years, the country’s magma and volcanic activity have deposited veins of quartz, in which gold can be found.
New lodes and mining sites are still discovered in the areas surrounding the mine today.
Alaska – Fairbanks
Located on the Chena River, the city of Fairbanks in the heart of Alaska is the evidence of the 1902 Gold Rush that changed the state forever. While several hundred prospectors headed here during the Gold Rush, not all the resources in the area have been exploited, and gold can still be found in most sections of the rivers and creeks in the area.
On your prospecting trip, if you prefer to stay within your comfort zone and visit an existing mine, sites such as Gold Daughters can help you understand the history and geology of the area better. Of course, you will also have the chance to try your hand at panning and benefit from the instructions of expert trainers.
However, Alaska holds attractive experiences for the prospectors that prefer to enjoy the natural surroundings by themselves. Indeed, a short drive away from the main town is Nome Creek, one of the most beautiful wilderness areas in the region. Located at the heart of Alaska’s White Mountains, this small creek yields incredible gold panning and prospecting opportunities.
Additionally, while here, gold hunters can also enjoy one of the several hiking trails that cross the parks or decide to camp in the middle of nature. The area that surrounds Fairbanks and Nome Creek, even if mined for years, still yields incredible results that all gold panners and prospectors will appreciate.
Before setting off on your trip, it is worth keeping in mind that not all areas are accessible or free to prospectors. Getting in touch with the relevant department can help you prospect in all safety and legally.
South Africa – South Deep Gold Mine
While not the most extensive one in the world, this mine is by far the most productive one. Located just off Johannesburg, South Deep’s tunnels reach a depth of almost 3km (1.8 miles) under the surface, making it one of the deepest mines.
At the end of 2018, the reserve of gold produced by the mine was a staggering 32.8 million troy ounces (995 tonnes). Since the mining started in 1961, the mine has changed management and name several times during the years. However, today, the site is one of the richest in the world, and it is part of the largest Witwatersrand Basin, already renowned for its incredible potential.
Eastern Siberia, Russia – Olimpiada Gold Mine
While not as popular as the several mines scattered across the US, this is considered the fourth largest mine in the world and the largest of Russia. Located in a district of Krasnoyarsk Krai region, this is the largest mining operation undertaken in the country.
This gold-bearing site was initially discovered in the early 1970s. However, the developments in the Olimpiada Gold Mine did not begin until 1986. Larger-scale mining operations only began in 1996, when the potential of the mine became clear. Today, this open-pit site has a gold reserve larger than 32 million ounces (995 tonnes) of gold, without considering the other gems and minerals extracted in the area.
Nevada – Cortez Gold Mine
The Cortez Gold Mine, in Nevada, is one of the most gold-producing ones of the state. Located only 100km away from Elko, it is today entirely operated by Barrick Gold. The impressive reserves of the mine include over 8.7 million troy ounces (270 tonnes) of gold.
While still in operation, the mine was initially founded in 1969. The site has developed through the years to boast both open-pit operations and tunnel mining strategies. Today, the mine is among the most important ones in the state, yet it has been struggling with fighting the environmental impact that such extensive operations have caused on the land and water resources in the state.
Chile – Norte Abierto Gold Mine
Initiated by a joint venture of several companies, this mine has not yet started to produce gold. Indeed, while the reserves of gold held here are estimated to be over 23 million troy ounces (715 tonnes), the open-pit project is still at its early stages.
Located in the remote Atacama Region of Chile, the Norte Abierto gold mine boasts two major deposits situated over 12 km (7.5 miles). The mission and vision of the company behind this initiative are to enrich the surrounding communities creating several job positions and resources.
Western Australia – Boddington
Contending the record for the largest gold mine in Australia with the Super Pit, the Boddington mine has always been part of the history of Western Australia. After the operations in an open-pit environment started in 1987, the mine has been put under maintenance from 2001 to 2009. When the operations resumed, the mine was given a life expectancy of over 20 years.
The Boddington gold mine is now in continuous development through several investments that companies have dedicated to the project.
Dominican Republic – Pueblo Viejo Gold Mine
Located not far from the beautiful Santo Domingo, this mine is not yet among the most popular ones.
However, the site’s surroundings have been explored in the past years due to the high potential it yields. Indeed, the gold resources in the area derive from two oxide deposits in the proximity of the mine. These are Monte Moore and Negro. Several other deposits scattered around the primary mine justify the reasons for extending and enlarging the mining operations in the area.
While yielding impressive quantities of gold per year, the Pueblo Viejo mine is relatively recent, as the operations and commercial production of gold in the area only started in 2013. However, experts have estimated that the site will continue to produce gold for over 25 years. While this site is not among the most accessible ones for prospectors and gold panning activities, the area’s potential should not be underestimated.
Conclusion
Finding gold through a pan or sluice box is undoubtedly one of the most exciting activities to try. However, most of the deposits discovered during the initial Gold Rushes have been exploited, which has encouraged prospectors to look for new opportunities.
Today, several mining sites across the world yield incredible quantities of this precious metal per year. Studying where these mines are, it is possible to understand whether there are opportunities for prospectors in the surroundings. However, in some cases, specific pieces of equipment and permits are necessary for such locations.
