Brazil has a long history of gold mining. The world’s first “gold rush” took place in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, more than 100 years before the California Gold Rush.
Today, Brazil is home to four world-class gold mines: Paracatu (in Minas Gerais), Cuiabá (in the Queiroz Mining District), Crixás (in Goiás), and Fazenda (in Bahia). From a historical perspective, including the now-closed Morro Velho mine (closed in 2003), Brazil has actually had five world-class mines in total.
The Paracatu gold mine is currently the largest in Brazil and an important gold-producing region in the world, ranking among the top 20 global gold mines by output. It is owned and operated by Kinross Gold, a Canadian company, and has a mine life extending to 2032. In recent years, Paracatu has seen annual increases in gold production, driven by rising ore grades and higher recovery rates. In 2023, gold production increased by 1.8% year-on-year, mainly due to improved recovery rates.
Brazil is the largest economy in South America and an important representative of emerging markets and developing countries. It is also a key partner of China in South-South cooperation. Located in eastern South America, Brazil borders French Guiana, Suriname, Guyana, Venezuela, and Colombia to the north; Peru and Bolivia to the west; Paraguay, Argentina, and Uruguay to the south; and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. With a land area of 8,510,400 km², it is the largest country in Latin America. The capital is Brasília, the population is approximately 230 million, and the official language is Portuguese.
Over the past 300 years, Brazil has been one of the world’s most significant gold producers, including the first gold rush in modern history. In the 18th century alone, an estimated 1,200 tonnes of gold were extracted by hand from mining regions in Minas Gerais, Goiás, Bahia, and Mato Grosso. Following this period, Brazil established its first industrial mining companies, largely backed by British capital. Over the last 120 years, industrial mining projects have flourished and expanded across Brazil, eventually leading to more than 80 mines and a total gold output exceeding 2,000 tonnes.
Post time: Jun-10-2026
