Annual Gold and Silver Production by Country per the US Geological Survey

US Geological Survey statistics for annual world gold and silver production are shown below.  China and Russia are top producers of gold and silver.  Pundits typically ignore gold sourced from China and Russia because their central banks supposedly purchase all domestic production.  That assumption may be true.  But, it is good to know the significance of Chinese and Russian production.  Would they ever lease their gold?  in exchange for Taiwan, perhaps?

Gold World Mine Production and Reserves: Reserve data for Brazil, Chile, Ghana, and Peru were revised based on information from the respective country Governments. Mine Production 2011 2012e Reserves7 United States 234 230 3,000 Australia 258 250 7,400 Brazil 62 56 2,600 Canada 97 102 920 Chile 45 45 3,900 China 362 370 1,900 Ghana 80 89 1,600 Indonesia 96 95 3,000 Mexico 84 87 1,400 Papau New Guinea 66 60 1,200 Peru 164 165 2,200 Russia 200 205 5,000 South Africa 181 170 6,000 Uzbekistan 91 90 1,700 Other countries 640 645 10,000 World total (rounded) 2,660 2,700 52,000 World Resources: An assessment of U.S. gold resources indicated 33,000 tons of gold in identified (15,000 tons) and undiscovered (18,000 tons) resources.8 Nearly one-quarter of the gold in undiscovered resources was estimated to be contained in porphyry copper deposits. The gold resources in the United States, however, are only a small portion of global gold resources. Source: US Geological Survey: Mineral Commodity Summaries 2013 page 67 SILVER World silver mine production increased to a new record of 24,000 tons as a result of increased production from mines  in China, Kazakhstan, and Mexico, as well as increased recoveries from mines in Indonesia and Peru. Production  also increased in Australia because of the start up of the Wonawinta Mine (lead-zinc) in New South Wales and a  major expansion for the Mount Isa (copper-lead-zinc), which was processing ore from the newly opened Lady Loretta  Mine (copper) in Queensland. In 2012, the Sindesar Khurd Mine (lead-zinc) in India was estimated to have produced  70 tons more of silver than it produced in 2011. Overall, domestic silver production declined, with the temporary  closure of Lucky Friday Mine, ID, in January 2012, the leading domestic primary silver mine in 2011. The mine was  ordered closed by the Mine Safety and Health Administration after an accident and rock burst at yearend 2011 that  led to a buildup of material in the Silver Shaft, the primary access to Lucky Friday. Production was expected to  resume in early 2013. Output also fell at Bingham Canyon Mine, UT (copper-molybdenum), at the Mission Complex,  AZ (copper-molybdenum), and at the Midas Mine, NV (gold). Some of the output losses were partially offset by  production gains at the Rochester Mine (primary silver) and at the Smoky Valley Common Operations (gold), both in  Nevada. World Mine Production and Reserves: Reserve data for Chile were revised based on new information from Government and industry sources. Mine production  2011 2012e Reserves United States 1,120 1,050 25,000 Australia 1,730 1,900 69,000 Bolivia 1,210 1,300 22,000 Canada 572 530 7,000 Chile 1,290 1,130 77,000 China 3,700 3,800 43,000 Mexico 4,150 4,250 37,000 Peru 3,410 3,450 120,000 Poland 1,170 1,170 85,000 Russia 1,350 1,500                               NA Other Countries 3,600 3,900 50,000 World total (rounded) 23,300 24,000 540,000 Source: US Geological Survey: Mineral Commodity Summaries 2013 page 147 http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/mcs/2013/mcs2013.pdf