Australia has become the world’s second biggest gold producer, after its gold output rose 14% in the fourth quarter last year.
Total gold production rose to 62 metric tons in the three months to December, according to Surbiton Associates Pty. The full-year output increased 3% and reached 227 tons.
“The increase in Australian gold output in the December quarter was assisted by the long-awaited opening of the giant, re-developed Boddington operation,” commented Sandra Close, director of Surbiton Associates.
Australia is now second in the world after China, a country with an output of 314 metric tons last year.