Ghana rises to sixth-largest gold producer globally after record 2025 output

Ghana has ascended to the sixth position among the world's leading gold-producing nations in 2025, marking a significant increase in production. The country yielded 185 tonnes of gold that year, surpassing the United States in global rankings, a shift previously attributed to traditional seventh-place Ghana. This change was primarily driven by a decline in US production, coupled with the substantial rise in Ghana's output, according to Mr. Nyarko, Director of Analysis, Research and Finance at the Ghana Chamber of Mines.

Mr. Nyarko attributed the decline in US gold production to technical challenges faced in Nevada, one of the leading gold-producing regions in the country. He noted, "Last year, they ran into some technical issues. So production for the country as a whole dropped. And of course, given the dynamics in Ghana, we saw Ghana displace the United States."

The Chamber of Mines recorded a record-breaking 5.94 million ounces of gold in 2025, with small-scale mining contributing to 52.38% of the total production, a first in Ghana's over 100-year history of commercial gold mining.

Ghana now ranks behind China, Russia, Australia, Canada, and Peru, though the order can vary depending on the source of the data. Mr. Nyarko highlighted the ongoing debate among countries vying for the top spot, stating, "Even depending on the kind of source of your data, there’s always some tension between Russia, China, and Australia, in terms of who is the largest producer." The Ghana Chamber of Mines anticipates further growth in Ghana's gold production in 2026, with projections ranging from 6.1 to 6.7 million ounces.