US Gold Production Sinks by 128,602 Troy Ounces in 2013

Mineweb reported that according to the US Geological Survey, preliminary 2013 US gold production numbers indicate that the country put out 7,426,822 troy ounces of the yellow metal last year. That’s 128,602 troy ounces less than the country’s 2012 output.

Worldwide, gold production rose by 3 percent last year.

As quoted in the market news:

Gold was produced at about 50 lode mines, a few larger placer mines (all in Alaska) and numerous smaller placer mines in Alaska and in the western states. The USGS estimated that 1,140 persons were directly employed in U.S. gold mining, down from 1,673 persons in 2012.

Commercial-grade fine gold came from about 24 producers, the USGS estimated.

Estimated domestic uses were electrical and electronics, 38%; jewelry, 36%; official coins, 19%; dental, 55; other, 2%, said the agency.

Click here to read the full Mineweb report.