Johann Hunt
The allure of gold has captivated us for centuries. Despite the passage of time since the iconic 1849 Gold Rush, this precious metal continues to hold significant value and impact the global economy. Here are the 15 states that top the charts with their abundant production, untapped resources, and impressive gold reserves.
Nevada
Did you know that in 2016 alone, Nevada churned out 5,467,646 ounces of gold? Despite being nicknamed the “Silver State” due to the 1859 Comstock Lode silver discovery, it’s gold that makes Nevada truly shine. With 200 million ounces of gold and 100 million ounces in reserves, Nevada is the U.S. leader in gold reserves and the fourth-largest global producer.
Colorado
Gold first made its appearance near what we now know as Denver during the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush in 1858. While those early finds were more like pocket change, the real jackpot came a year later with major discoveries in the Central City-Idaho Springs area. Fast forward to today, and Colorado’s gold mining is still going strong, dominated by the Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mine near Colorado Springs.
Idaho
The Boise Basin, discovered in 1862, became a top gold-producing area with 2.9 million troy ounces, mostly from placers. Meanwhile, the French Creek-Florence and Silver City districts kicked off their own gold rushes in the 1860s, each producing about 1 million troy ounces. Even today, Idaho’s rich history of gold prospecting means millions of dollars worth of gold are still waiting to be found.
Montana
Montana’s gold story begins with the discovery of gold placers at Bannack, sparking a rush to Virginia City (1863) and Helena and Butte (1864). Today, active hard rock gold mines like the Montana Tunnels mine and the Golden Sunlight mine keep the region’s gold mining legacy alive. With 10 million ounces of gold and an additional 3 million ounces in reserve, Montana’s gold mines are evidence of the territory’s rich mining history.
South Carolina
In 1827, the Haile deposit in Lancaster County was uncovered, which led to the extraction of at least 257,000 troy ounces of gold until 1942, when the mine was shut down. It, however, reclaimed its status after reopening in 2007. Gold in this area formed in a slender rock belt stretching from Virginia to Alabama, with most mines found in Chesterfield, Lancaster, and York Counties. The Palmetto State is a goldmine—literally!
South Dakota
South Dakota’s gold scene is anchored by the Wharf mine in Lead, an open-pit heap leach operation run by Coeur Mining, which produced 109,000 ounces of gold in 2016. The Black Hills, celebrated for their storied mining past, lead the province’s gold production, owning around 6 million ounces with another million in reserve. This region’s rich deposits were vital to the growth of nearby cities during the Black Hills Gold Rush.
Oregon
Gold mining in Oregon is centered in two main regions: the Klamath Mountains in the southwest and the Blue Mountains in the northeast. Since the early 1900s, over 4 million ounces of gold have been mined in Oregon, with small-scale operations around the Applegate and Rogue rivers. Today, Baker and Grant Counties in the northeast remain rich in mining history and continue to produce much of the province’s gold.
New Mexico
The region’s gold story began in 1828 with discovery in the “Old Placers” district of the Ortiz Mountains, Santa Fe County. This find quickly led to a nearby lode deposit. By 1877, two prospectors near Hillsboro struck gold again. The territory flaunts 36 mining districts with placer gold deposits dating back to the first gold rush in the western U.S. These deposits had production possibly occurring 200 years earlier by Pueblo Indians and Spaniards.
Wyoming
In 1842, gold was discovered in the South Pass-Atlantic City-Sweetwater district, now part of Fremont County, sparking intermittent mining until a major vein was found in 1867. The finding triggered a wave of prospectors rushing to the area and the growth of South Pass City, Atlantic City, and Miner’s Delight. Now, Wyoming holds about 1 million ounces of gold resources and 400,000 ounces in reserve despite smaller-scale operations compared to other areas.
Washington
Gold was first discovered in 1853 within the Yakima Valley’s placer deposits. By the mid-1930s, annual gold production was around 50,000 troy ounces, a respectable haul. Presently, Washington still holds over a million ounces of gold! Small-scale miners continue to flock to the Swauk and Liberty mining districts, where more than 10,373 locations have been documented.
Georgia
Georgia produced an impressive 871,000 troy ounces (27,100 kg) of gold from 1830 to 1959. Such abundant resources have played a key role in boosting the state’s economy, with over 8 million ounces in total. The Georgia Gold Belt, known for its rich deposits, positioned the eastern U.S. as a prime gold-finding region. White, Lumpkin, and northern Cherokee counties, in particular, were hotspots for these valuable discoveries.
Texas
Everything’s bigger in Texas, including the legends of lost gold mines. The Heath Mine and Babyhead district in Llano County and the Central Texas Mine in Gillespie County all tell tales of hidden riches. Rumor has it that there is lost gold of the Guadalupes that is yet to be discovered. While Texas isn’t the first place you think of for gold, the Llano River and West Texas hold their fair share of golden secrets.
Michigan
The Ropes Gold Mine, northeast of Ishpeming in Marquette County, has an illustrious history. Active from 1880 to 1897 and briefly revived from 1983 to 1989, it yielded around 29,000 troy ounces of gold. Michigan’s total gold output stands at over 1.5 million ounces, with rivers and creeks across the territory whispering secrets of more discoveries. We recommend a road trip to find out!
Utah
Located southwest of Salt Lake City, the Bingham Canyon copper mine produced 192,300 troy ounces of gold in 2013 alone! Over its lengthy history, Bingham Canyon has churned out over 23 million ounces of gold, making it one of the top gold producers in the U.S. And guess what? In 2022, a gold strike in the ghost town of Eureka brought the Tintic Mining District back to life.
Tennessee
Placer gold was discovered on Coker Creek in 1827 at Monroe County, Tennessee, starting quite the gold rush. This area alone produced about 9,000 troy ounces (280 kg) of gold. But that’s not all—around 15,000 troy ounces (470 kg) of gold were extracted from the massive sulfide copper ores in Ducktown, Tennessee. Altogether, the area proudly claims over 90,000 ounces of gold.
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