China's gold production exceeds 300 tons in 2009, ranking first for three consecutive years in the world, the China Gold Association announced yesterday on its website.

In 2009, China's gold output reached 313.98 tons, up 11.34% year-on-year; the industrial output value of China's gold industry is 137.532 billion yuan, rose 18.56% year-on-year.

According to an offical from China Gold Association,  the number of China's gold producer dropped to more than 700 in 2009 from more than 1200 in 2002,  the "small scale and scattered distribution" situation in China's gold industry is being changed.

The top 10 large-scale gold enterprises is said to have produced 148.55 tons of gold in 2009, accounting for 47.31% of total output, their available reserves of gold accounting for more than 60% of the country's total gold reserves.

China's gold production passed South Africa and became No. 1 gold producer in the world for the first time in 2007.

by Li Liqing

China Mining Association