NEVADA — Nevada mines account for bulk of U.S. production

Gold output from all mines in the United States in 1996 was 10 tonnes more than the 319 tonnes produced in the prior year.

The bulk of the production came from open-pit, primary gold mines in Nevada. At present, less than one-fifth of gold produced in the United States is generated at underground operations, though this is expected to increase in coming years.

Canada replaced the United States as the lowest-Cost major producer last year, largely because the switch to underground mining in the United States has increased the overall cost of producing an ounce of gold.

The United States was the third-largest gold producer in the world last year, behind South Africa and the former Soviet Union. Canada and Australia took fourth and fifth spots, respectively.

Barrick Gold (ABX-T) and Newmont Gold (NGC-N) together account for almost 40% of total output in the United States. The major operations of both companies are situated in Nevada’s Carlin trend.