The Worlds Leading Gold Companies

Everything you need to know, including stats, facts, and financial outlooks, about the top 21 gold mining companies

Gold mining is big business. The industry is a billion dollar a year commerce with copious amounts of future output. And while there is hundreds of companies every year that venture in to gold mining, very few of those succeed, if any. It takes an extraordinary amount of financial backing along with the resources and know-how to make it in the industry.

As the biggest names in the industry along with a ravenous appetite for gold, here is everything you need to know about the top 21 gold mining companies.

1. Barrick Gold Corporation (TSE:ABX) (NYSE:ABX)

When it comes to gold mining companies, there is simply no one bigger than Barrick Gold Corporation. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, the company operates 26 gold mines around the globe and has four regional business units located in Australia, Africa, North America and South America. With a vision to be ‘the world’s best gold mining company’, Barrick is right on track with expectations.

2013 Revenue: $12.5 Billion

Active mines: 26 operating mines in Nevada, Australia, Montana, Canada, Peru, Argentina, Chile, Papua New Guinea, Dominican Republic.

CEO: Jamie Sokalsky

Employees:  20,034

2014 Outlook: 6.0-6.5 million ounces of gold

2. Newmont Mining Corporation (NYSE:NEM) (TSE:NEM)

US based Newmont Mining is the second largest gold producer in the world. The company is engaged in the acquisition, exploration, and production of gold and copper properties around the world, including U.S., Australia, Peru, Indonesia, Ghana, Canada, New Zealand Mexico. Newmont is the first gold company to be a part of the S&P 500 Index and Fortune 500. The company has long been rumored to be in talks with Barrick Gold Corporation for a possible merger deal.

2013 Revenue: $8.3 billion

Active mines: 15 (Australia, Ghana, Indonesia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru and United States)

CEO: Gary J. Goldberg

Employees: approximately 32,000

2014 Outlook: 5,000 - 5,350 Kozs, Kt of gold

3. AngloGold Ashanti (NYSE:AU) (GSE:AGA) (JSE:ANG) (ASX:AGG)

Headquartered in South Africa, AngloGold Ashanti is the third leading gold producer in the world. Formed in 2004 by the merger of AngloGold and the Ashanti Goldfields Corporation, the company has 21 operations in 11 countries, including U.S., Tanzania, South Africa, Namibia, Mali, Guinea, Ghana, Brazil, Australia and Argentina.

2013 Revenue: $5.7bn

Active mines: 21 operations in 11 countries

CEO: Srinivasan Venkatakrishnan

Employees: 66,434

2014 Outlook: 550,000 - 600,000 ounces of gold

4. Newcrest Mining Limited (ASX:NCM) (PINK:NCMGY)

Newcrest Mining Limited is an Australia based gold producer with mining operations in Australia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and Cote d’Ivoire in West Africa. Although the company’s history dates back to 1921, the company official became Newcrest Mining Limited in 1990 is the largest gold mining company in Australia. The company’s current operations include Cadia Valley Operations, Telfer, Gosowong, Lihir, Hidden Valley and Bonikro.

2013 Revenue: A$3.8B AUD

Active mines: 7 sites of operation

CEO: Sandeep Biswas

Employees: approximately 16,000

2014 Outlook:  2.0 - 2.3 million ounces of gold

5. Kinross (TSX:K)

Kinross Gold is a Canadian-based gold mining company with mines and projects in Brazil, Canada, Chile, Ecuador, Ghana, Mauritania, Russia and the United States. Formed in 1993 after merging with three companies, Kinross Gold engages in the production, acquisition, exploration and development of gold bearing properties. The company employs approximately 8,000 people worldwide.

2013 Revenue: $4.3 billion as of 2012

Active mines: 9 in North and South America, Russio and Africa

CEO: J. Paul Rollinson and Ruth G. Woods

Employees: 9,000 as of 2012

2014 Outlook:

6. Goldcorp Inc. (TSX:G) (NYSE:GG)

Founded in 1954 by Robert Ross McEwen, Goldcorp Inc. specializes in exploration of gold and other minerals around the world. A Canadian company, Goldcorp has operations in Canada, Mexico, the United States, and Central and South America with projects including Cochenour, Eleonore, Dee JV/South Arturo, Pueblo Viejo, Cerro Negro, Cerro Blanco, El Morro, Noche Buena and Camino Rojo.

2013 Revenue:

Active mines: 11 in US, Canada, Central America, South America and Mexico

CEO: Charles A. Jeannes

Employees: Over 16,000 worldwide

2014 Outlook: 176,000 – 184,000 ounces of gold

7. Yamana Gold (TSX:YRI, NYSE:AUY)

Yamana Gold is one of the youngest and leading gold producers in the world. Based in Toronto, Canada, the company engages in gold production, exploration activities and land positions with operations in Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Mexico and Colombia. Yamana has seven operating mines which include: Chapada, Jacobina and Fazenda Brasileiro in Brazil, El Penon and Minera Florida in Chile, Gualcamayo in Argentina and Mercedes in Mexico. The company was founded in 2003 by Peter J. Marrone.

2013 Revenue: 1.84 Billion

Active mines: 7 mines in Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Mexico and Colombia

CEO: Peter Marrone

Employees: 9,300

2014 Outlook:  Budgeting production of 1.4 million GEOs at a lower cost structure.

8. Gold Fields Limited (NYSE:GFI) (JSE: GFI)

Gold Fields Limited is the fourth largest gold mining company in the world. Formed in 1998 and headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, the company owns and operates eight mines in Australia, Ghana, Peru and South Africa. Gold Fields is primarily engaged in underground and surface gold mining with an extensive array of global programs aimed at gold exploration and development.

2013 Revenue: 27,901

Active mines: 8

CEO: Nicholas Holland

Employees: 39,740

2014 Outlook: 176,000 – 184,000 ounces of gold

9. Agnico-Eagle Mines Limited (TSX:AEM, NYSE:AEM)

Founded in 1953 as Cobalt Consolidated Mining Company, Agnico-Eagle Mines Limited is Canadian-based gold producer that operates through four segments: Canada, Europe, Latin America and Exploration. The company has gold mining operations in Canada, Mexico and Finland, and exploration activities in Canada, Europe, Latin America and the United States.

2013 Revenue: nearly 2 billion in 2012.  They produced 1,099,335 ounces of gold in 2013

Active mines: 7 mines in Canada, northern Finland and northern Mexico

CEO: Sean Boyd

Employees: 5,500

2014 Outlook: They expect to increase production by 16% and produce 1,275,000 ounces.

10. Polyus Gold International (MCX:PLZL)

Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Moscow, Russia, Polyus Gold is the first Russian company to make our list. The company is the largest gold producer in Russia with operating mines and projects n five major gold mining regions of Russia – the Krasnoyarsk territory, the Irkutsk, Magadan, Amur regions, the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), as well as in the Republic of Kazakhstan, Romania and Kyrgzstan. Polyus Gold holds the world’s third largest gold reserves with over 90 million ounces of proven and probable gold reserves.

2013 Revenue: 2.6 billion

Active mines: 6 in Russia

CEO: Pavel Grachev

Employees: over 10,000

2014 Outlook: Expecting to produce 1.58 and 1.65 million ounces of gold.

11. Harmony Gold Mining Co. Ltd. (NYSE:HMY)

Harmony Gold Mining Co. Ltd. is a South African gold mining and exploration company. Founded in 1950, the company engages in gold mining and related activities, including exploration, extraction and processing. The company is the third largest gold mining company in South Africa with operations in Australia, Canada, Papua New Guinea and South Africa. Harmony holds interest in a number of mines including Doornkop, Kusasalethu, Phakisa, Hidden Valley, Target, Tshepong, Masimong, Bambanani, Unisel, Joel, Kalgold open pit, Phoenix surface operations and Waste rock dumps surface operations.

2013 Revenue: $2.66 Billion

Active mines: 13

CEO: Graham Briggs

Employees: 36,000

2014 Outlook:

12. Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold (NYSE:FCX)

Founded in 1987, Freeport-McMoRan is a leading international mining company specializing in copper, gold and molybdenum mining. Headquartered in Arizona, the company operates through five segments: North America Copper Mines, South American Mining, Indonesia Mining, Africa Mining and Molybdenum Operations. The company’s profolio of assets includes the Grasberg mining complex, the world’s largest copper and gold mine in terms of recoverable reserves; significant mining operations in the Americas, including the large scale Morenci/Safford minerals district in North America.

2013 Revenue: 21 million

Active mines: 15 in North America, South America, Europe, Africa and Indonesia

CEO: Richard C. Adkerson

Employees: 29,700

2014 Outlook:

13. Eldorado Gold Corp (NYSE:EGO) (TSX:ELD)

Eldorado Gold Corp is a Canadian-based company that owns and operates gold mines. The company specializes in exploration, development, production and reclamation of gold properties with operations in seven mines throughout Turkey, China, Greece, Brazil and Romania.

2013 Revenue: 624 million

Active mines: 7 in Turkey, Greece, China and Brazil

CEO: Paul N. Wright

Employees: over 7,000

2014 Outlook:

14. Sabina Gold & Silver Corp (TSX:SBB; OTN:SGSVF)

Sabina Gold & Silver Corp. is a precious metals company engaged in acquisition, exploration and development of mineral resource properties. The company has three operating mines in Canada. On January 17, 20012, the company acquired 100 percent of the Newman-Madsen project by purchasing Premier Gold Mines Ltd’s 50 percent interest. The company is adamantly working to becoming a mid-tier gold producer. Sabina Gold & Silver Corp. was incorporated in 1966 and is headquartered in North Vancouver, Canada.

2013 Revenue: N/A

Active mines: 3 in Canada

CEO: Rob Pease

Employees: N/A

2014 Outlook: N/A

15. Pilot Gold Inc. (TSX:PLG)

Pilot Gold, Inc. is a gold discovery and exploration company, which is engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties. It has interest in the TV Tower and Halilaga projects in Turkey, and the Kinsley Mountain project in Nevada. The company was founded on November 18, 2010 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

2013 Revenue: 2.3 billion

Active mines: 7

CEO: Matt Lennox-King

Employees: N/A

2014 Outlook: 12 additional projects in the pipeline in turkey, Nevada, and Peru.

16. IAMGOLD Corp (NYSE: JAG)

Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, IMGOLD Corp is a mid-tier gold mining company with exploration efforts in copper, gold, silver, niobium, diamonds and zinc. The company has operations in West Africa, South America and in Canada provinces of Ontario and Quebec. Its gold projects include Essakane, Rosebel, Westwood, Mouska, Niobec, and Cote. IMGOLD Corp was founded in 1990 by William D. Pugliese and Mark I. Nathanson.

2013 Revenue: 750 million

Active mines: 6 in Canada, South America and Africa

CEO: Stephen Letwin

Employees: 3,000

2014 Outlook: Reduced costs by $100 million in 2013 and are continuing to look for further reductions next year.

17. Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A. ADS (NYSE: BVN)

Compañía de Minas Buenaventura SAA is engaged in the mining, processing, development, and exploration of gold, silver and other metals and minerals. It also offers electric power transmission, engineering, design, and construction consulting services. It operates several mines in Peru namely, the Uchucchacua, Orcopampa, Julcani, Recuperada, Antapite, and Ishihuinca mines. The company was founded by Alberto Benavides de la Quintana in July 1953 and is headquartered in Lima, Peru.

2013 Revenue: 1.4 billion in 2010

Active mines: 11 in Peru

CEO: Roque Benavides

Employees: 2,408

2014 Outlook: N/A

18. Shandong Gold-Mining Co. Ltd. (SHA:CN:600547)

Shandong Gold Mining Co., Ltd. (share code: 600547) is a large listed company controlled by Shandong Gold Group (state-owned). It is mainly engaged in gold mining, owning a complete industry chain integrating exploration, exploitation, selection and smelting (refining), as well as gold products further processing and marketing; and meanwhile, it owns a complete matched support system combining scientific and technological R&D, engineering design, equipment manufacturing, power supply and personnel training.

2013 Revenue: 6.26 billion

Active mines: 4 in China

CEO: Chen Yumin

Employees: 13,536

2014 Outlook: N/A

19. New Gold Inc. (NYSE:NGD) (TSE:NGD)

New Gold Inc. is a natural resource exploration and development company engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of natural resource properties. The company's operating assets consist of the New Afton Mine in Canada, the Cerro San Pedro Mine in Mexico the Mesquite Mine in the United States and the Peak Gold Mines in Australia. Its projects include Rainy River, Blackwater and EI Morro projects. New Gold was founded on January 31, 1980 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

2013 Revenue: 779.7 million

Active mines: 4 in Canada, Mexico, Chile and Australia

CEO: Robert Gallagher

Employees: between 1000 and 5000

2014 Outlook: Anticipating a 23% increase in gold production.

20. Franco-Nevada Corp. (NYSE:FNV)

Franco-Nevada Corp. is engaged in the business of acquiring, managing and creating resource royalties and streams. The company's assets include gold, platinum group metals, other minerals and oil & gas. The company's history roots back to 1985 and was founded on October 17, 2007 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

2013 Revenue: 11.7 million

Active mines: 11

CEO: David Harquail

Employees: Only 20

2014 Outlook: Estimated royalty and stream production to total 245,000 to 265,000 GEOs from its mineral assets.

21. Royal Gold Inc. (NASDAQ: RGLD)

Royal Gold, Inc. is engaged in the business of acquiring and managing precious metals royalties. The company seeks to acquire existing royalty interests or to finance projects that are in production or in development stage in exchange for royalty interests. In addition to gold, the company holds interests in silver, copper, nickel, zinc, lead, cobalt and molybdenum mines. Its assets are primarily located in North America, South America and West Africa. Royal Gold was founded on January 5, 1981 and is headquartered in Denver, CO.

2013 Revenue: 136.57 million

Active mines: 20

CEO: Tony Jenson

Employees: N/A

2014 Outlook: N/A