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Nevada is the largest gold producer in the U.S., with nearly 4 million ounces mined each year, about 75% of the national total. It’s gold mine production leads the country, but states like Alaska, California, Colorado, and Arizona also remain active.
With prices high and reserves deep, gold continues to shape these regions just as it did nearly 200 years ago, while also fueling demand from gold IRA companies.
Key Insights
Nevada produces nearly 4 million ounces of gold annually, accounting for 75% of total U.S. output.
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Alaska’s gold output reached nearly 850,000 ounces in 2024, up 60% from the previous year.
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Colorado’s Cripple Creek & Victor Mine has produced over 29 million ounces of gold to date.
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California produced 153,600 ounces of gold in 2023, with over 87,800 ounces from the Mesquite Mine.
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Arizona’s gold production totals over 16 million troy ounces, largely from copper byproduct mining.
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Gold Mining in America: Key Stats to Know
Gold has been part of American history for nearly 200 years. In 1852, during the peak of the California Gold Rush, miners found $81 million worth of gold, which is about $3.2 billion today. People are still searching for gold across the western U.S., especially in rivers and public lands.
The Gold Rush began in 1848 when a worker at Sutter’s Mill in California found gold in the water. That discovery led to a major migration west and helped shape the country’s economy.
Today, most gold comes from large mining operations, not individual panning. These mines are mostly in the western states, where the land is rich in minerals. Gold prices have stayed high in recent years, and at nearly $65 per gram, it remains a valuable resource.
Top Gold-Producing States in the U.S.
Nevada
Nevada is by far the top gold-producing state in the U.S., accounting for nearly 75% of the nation’s total gold output. In 2023, the state produced around 4 million ounces of gold. Most of this comes from large-scale mining operations like the Carlin Trend, Cortez, and Goldstrike mines, some of the most productive in the world.
These mines are part of Nevada Gold Mines, a joint venture between Barrick Gold and Newmont Corporation. Together, they form the largest gold-producing complex in the United States. While industrial mining leads the way, Nevada also allows recreational gold hunting.
On public lands like Rye Patch State Recreation Area near Lovelock, hobbyists still try their luck with metal detectors or dry-washing methods.
In the late 1800s, the Rye Patch Mill produced over $1 million worth of gold and silver before shutting down in 1877. Today, the area is a 2,000-acre state park, where visitors search for gold flakes and nuggets, some with rare chevron patterns.
With over 54 million ounces in proven and probable reserves, Nevada remains a leader in the gold industry, contributing a significant amount of gold to global gold production. For both large-scale gold miners and hobbyists, the state continues to offer unmatched opportunities.
Alaska
While Nevada leads in scale, Alaska stands out for the richness and variety of its gold deposits. In 2023, Alaska produced around 728,000 ounces of gold, worth approximately $1.4 billion at an average price of $1,940/oz.
- Fort Knox (Kinross Gold): 290,652 ounces
- Pogo Mine (Northern Star Resources): 279,427 ounces
By 2024, gold output rose to nearly 850,000 ounces, valued at $2 billion, a 60% increase from the previous year. Gold prices surged past $3,000/oz in early 2024, up 35% from the start of the year.
At Fort Knox, sales rose 64% year-over-year, supported by ore shipments from the nearby Manh Choh mine and strong market prices. Other mines, like Kensington near Juneau, also saw major gains. Operator Coeur Mining reported a $40 million revenue increase at Kensington alone due to higher gold prices.
Gold remains the backbone of Alaska’s mining industry, making up roughly half the total value of all minerals produced statewide, including coal, gravel, and sand.
Colorado
Colorado ranked third in U.S. gold production in 2023, with 172,000 ounces mined.
The majority came from the Cripple Creek & Victor Mine, which has produced over 29 million ounces to date and remains the state’s primary gold source.
While industrial mining continues, recreational panning is allowed in areas like Cache Creek, where the Bureau of Land Management manages over 70,000 acres.
The site was once home to a commercial mine that operated for over 50 years before closing in 1911. Today, non-motorized mining is permitted for hobbyists, with small fees and environmental guidelines in place.
California
California produced 153,600 ounces of gold in 2023, ranking just behind Colorado. Over 87,800 ounces came from the Mesquite Mine in Imperial County, which has yielded more than 5 million ounces since 1986.
Other key producers include the Briggs Mine in Inyo County, which peaked at 96,141 ounces in 2001. Small-scale mining remains active in the Sierra Nevada foothills, especially the historic Mother Lode region.
Historically, California’s gold output peaked in 1852 with 3.9 million troy ounces, rising to 5.9 million ounces by 1853 during the Sonora rush. Production fell sharply after 1865 but briefly surged to 1.4 million ounces annually from 1939 to 1941 due to rising prices.
Today, hobbyists still pan in places like the American River and Auburn State Recreation Area, where only basic gold pans are allowed. Seasonal snowmelt continues to reveal small gold deposits in riverbeds.
Arizona
Arizona’s total gold production capacity is estimated at over 16 million troy ounces (498 tonnes). The Moss Mine, which opened in 2018 in Mohave County, is the state’s newest dedicated gold mine, with an expected output of 45,000 troy ounces per year.
Historically, gold mining in Arizona dates back to 1774, when Spanish missionaries began placer mining in the Quijotoa Mountains. The La Paz Gold Rush in 1862 and later discoveries in towns like Oatman, Bullhead City, and Katherine contributed significantly to early output.
By 1959, Arizona’s gold districts had produced over 2 million ounces, including 366,000 ounces from Vulture Mine in Maricopa County. These are figures often cited by the World Gold Council and tracked by leading gold mining companies like Gold Fields, which continue to assess the region’s long-term potential.
Bottom Line
The United States remains one of the world’s top gold-producing countries, led by Nevada, which accounts for nearly 75% of national output with 4 million ounces annually.
States like Alaska, California, Colorado, and Arizona also contribute significantly, with total U.S. production reaching hundreds of tonnes each year. While many of these regions rely on industrial-scale mining, public lands still offer opportunities to pan for gold ore.
Globally, countries like Australia, Russia, Canada, Indonesia, and South Africa compete closely, with massive gold reserves and some of the largest gold mines, including Grasberg in Indonesia and operations by Barrick Gold in Nevada and abroad.
As demand for this precious metal continues to grow, especially in times of economic uncertainty, these rich gold deposits ensure that the U.S. will remain a major player in global production for years to come, supporting both industrial use and investment options like gold IRAs.
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Link Here - NS Energy Business. Top five gold mining states in the US profiled. Published June 11, 2020. Evaluated May 14, 2025.
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