Ghana Overtakes US To Become Sixth-Largest Gold Producer
Ghana has ascended to sixth position among the world’s largest gold-producing nations in 2025, displacing the United States after recording a historic output of 185 tonnes, the Ghana Chamber of Mines has announced.
The elevation marks a structural shift in the global mining hierarchy, with Ghana now trailing only China, Russia, Australia, Canada and Peru. Director of Analysis, Research and Finance at the Chamber, Christopher Nyarko, disclosed the new ranking during an interview on Channel One TV’s The Point of View.
Mr Nyarko attributed the leap to increased domestic production coupled with a contraction in US output. “Last year, Ghana overtook the US, but traditionally, we’ve always been number seven,” he said. He noted that technical challenges in Nevada, a principal US mining jurisdiction, contributed to the decline in American production, creating the opening for Ghana to advance.
The milestone was underpinned by record domestic production of 5.94 million ounces in 2025. In a significant development, small-scale mining accounted for 52.38 per cent of total output, surpassing the large-scale sector for the first time in Ghana’s century-long commercial mining history. The Chamber relies on independent global datasets to compile rankings, though Mr Nyarko acknowledged that variances persist in reporting for leading producers such as China, Russia and Australia.
The achievement carries considerable implications for Ghana’s fiscal and foreign exchange dynamics. Gold remains a primary export earner and a key buffer for the cedi. Industry projections indicate further expansion in 2026, with national output forecast between 6.1 million and 6.7 million ounces, suggesting that Ghana may consolidate its position if current trends persist.
With small-scale operations now the dominant contributor, policymakers face the dual imperative of formalizing the sub-sector and ensuring environmental and regulatory compliance while capturing its economic upside. The new ranking affirms Ghana’s strategic importance in the global gold value chain and sets the stage for renewed investment discourse around sustainability and value addition.
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Author: Korkor Anumu
