Kitco looked at gold output in Africa in Q1 2021 and ranked the top 10 domestic gold mines based on reported quarterly production.
Based on publicly reported data, Kitco estimates that gold mining industry in Africa produced 3,325 koz of gold in Q1 2021, which was virtually in line with 3,316 koz of gold produced in Q1 2020.
Barrick’s Loulo-Gounkoto mine in Mali was the Africa’s largest gold mine in Q1 2021. Gold production at Loulo of 193 koz for the first quarter of 2021 was
10% higher than in Q1 2020, mainly due to higher grade ore processed as well as increased throughput following a girth gear replacement.
Jointly owned by Barrick and AngloGold Ashanti, the Kibali mine in the DRC sits second with gold production of 192 koz for the first quarter of 2021, which was 5% lower than in Q1 2020, resulting from lower grade ore processed, partially offset by increased throughput.
B2Gold’s Fekola mine in Mali is third with 125 koz of gold mined in Q1 2021. Compared to the first quarter of 2020, gold production at Fekola was lower by 24% (38,923 ounces) as a result of the planned significant waste stripping and lower mined ore grades, as Phases 5 and 6 of the Fekola Pit are developed during the first half of 2021.
Gold production at the Africa’s fourth largest Tarkwa gold mine in Ghana, owned by Gold Fields, decreased by 4% to 123 koz in Q1 2021 from 127 koz in Q1 2020 due to lower realised yield because of higher volumes of stockpile processed in Q1 2021.
AngloGold Ashanti’s Geita mine in Tanzania, the fifth biggest gold operation in Africa, produced 114 koz of gold in Q1 2021, a 16% decrease compared to 135 koz produced for the same period last year. Tonnes treated were lower due to the SAG mill reline and pinion alignment. This decrease in production was further impacted by a 10% decrease in grade, resulting from lower-grade ore mined from the underground operations.
The complete list of the top 10 biggest gold mines in Africa in Q1 2021 can be found on the chart.
Top 10 biggest gold mines in Africa in Q1 2021
