The African continent possesses abundant gold resources and is one of the world's most important gold-producing regions. While its gold mines are widely distributed, they are mainly concentrated in a few specific countries and regions, forming a unique mining geography.
West Africa is the core area of gold production in Africa. Ghana has long held the title of Africa's largest gold producer, boasting several large gold belts, excellent geological conditions, and a long history of mining. Neighboring Mali, Burkina Faso, and Côte d'Ivoire also possess rich gold resources, with production continuously increasing in recent years, making them hotspots for international mining investment. The gold mines in these countries are mostly located on the edges of ancient craton blocks, with extensive veins.
In East Africa, Tanzania is a major gold producer, with vast gold reserves around Lake Victoria. Large national mines support the country's export economy. In Southern Africa, South Africa was once the world's leading gold producer. Although production has declined somewhat due to increased mining depth and rising costs, the Witwatersrand Basin remains one of the world's largest known gold deposits, with considerable resource potential. In addition, Zimbabwe and Sudan also possess sizable gold mines, which are important sources of foreign exchange earnings for their respective countries.