It is often enlightening to see how much we can learn from looking at ‘top 10’ rankings – for example, to understand the dynamics of a global industry such as gold. The infographics below put some of the most important characteristics of today’s global gold market into context. The 10 Largest Gold-Consuming Countries China comes through with flying colours as the largest consuming country in the world. It constitutes almost a third of global consumer demand (just slightly over 1,000 tonnes in 2015) according to the World Gold Council. This is consistent with China’s power in the metals market across the board. India is close behind, at 864 tonnes. 10 Largest Gold-Producing Countries in the World As the largest gold consuming country, China is also ranked largest among the top 10 countries in terms of production, according to the US Geological Survey. China produces about 16% (or 490 tonnes) of global output. This is understandable, because China’s gold mining industry is working very hard to fill domestic demand. However, this rate of consumption has depleted China’s reserves, which now stand at only about 3% of the global total. The World’s 10 Largest Mines The top 10 gold mines in the world provided about one third of global production in 2015. No one is dominant enough to drive the market. However, two majors, Barrick and Newmont, each have three mines in the top 10. Barrick and Newmont each produce roughly 30% of total production in the top 10. No Chinese mine makes the list. World’s 10 Largest Gold Mining Companies The total production of the top 10 companies makes up about 30% of global gold mine production; the industry is not particularly concentrated. These traditional international gold companies have grown mostly by acquisition over decades to rise to the top. China’s major gold companies are growing very quickly and have been making international acquisitions since the turn of the century. It seems inevitable that Chinese gold companies will make it to the top 10 in the near future. (Written by Sandy Chim, President and CEO, Century Global Commodities Corporation)