BUSINESS: MINING, DRILLING and QUARRYING

List: Top Ten Biggest Gold Producing Countries by Tonnes produced

Date: 2007

Source: GFMS - Gold Survey

Base: All countries Mining gold measured by recoverable gold content of ores and concentrates

Notes: World gold production declined by 1% in 2007 compared to previous year, fresh supply being hindered by global shortage of mining professionals and equipment. China showed a 12 per cent increase year-on-year and supplanted South Africa as the world's number-one producer - a position it had held for over 100 years, partly in response to tougher safety controls. Australia also leapfrogged the USA in ranking, becoming the third biggest gold producer in 2007.

Please note we have figures for 1997 Rankings - Top Ten Gold Mining Countries derived from data via World Bureau of Metal Statistics, which make an interesting comparison.