Kazakhstan Ranks 15th Globally in Gold Production
Kazakhstan ranked 15th among the world’s largest gold producers in 2025, with output totaling 82.4 tons, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Production declined by 5.4% from 87.1 tons in 2024, while global output increased by 2% to 3,800 tons, EnergyProm reported on Oct. 21, citing the World Gold Council.
China remained the world’s largest gold producer at 384.3 tons, followed by Russia with 345 tons, Australia with 293.2 tons, Canada with 213.3 tons and Peru with 208.9 tons. Together, these five countries accounted for 37.9% of global production. Kazakhstan’s share was approximately 2.2%.
Ghana ranked sixth with 187.3 tons, followed by the United States at 157 tons, Uzbekistan at 125.4 tons, Mexico at 113.5 tons and Indonesia at 104.2 tons. Ghana recorded a 21% increase in production, while Indonesia’s output declined by 24.8%.
Across the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), gold production reached 592.5 tons in 2025, up 1.2% year on year and 6.6% compared with 2020. Uzbekistan recorded the strongest five-year growth, increasing output by 25.2% and accounting for approximately 68.5% of the region’s total production increase.
Data from Kazakhstan’s Bureau of National Statistics show a different production measure. Output of unwrought and semi-manufactured gold, including gold powder, decreased by 4% to 127 tons in 2025, compared with 132.3 tons a year earlier. Refined gold production fell by 4.2% to 71.2 tons from 74.3 tons. The differences between national and international figures reflect variations in methodology and product classifications.
The decline continued in January–September 2026. Production of unwrought and semi-manufactured gold and gold powder fell by 11% year on year to 84.7 tons, while refined gold output decreased by 11% to 47.7 tons.
At the same time, gold-bearing ore extraction increased by 9.4% to 30.5 million tons during the first nine months of 2026. However, gold-bearing concentrate production declined by 16.9% to 197,800 tons. In 2025, gold ore extraction fell by 6.2% to 39.2 million tons, while concentrate output decreased by 26.4% to 307,400 tons.
According to the USGS, global gold reserves were estimated at 66,000 tons in 2026. Australia held the largest reserves at 13,000 tons, followed by Russia with 12,000 tons. Kazakhstan’s reserves were estimated at 2,300 tons, accounting for approximately 3.5% of the global total. These geological reserves are distinct from gold held by central banks as financial assets.
Photo credit: National Bank of Kazakhstan
