World Gold Council just published a new report on the social and economic impacts of gold mining. The report examines the wider footprint of gold mining and its implications for growth and development. To obtain the full report, just click: the-social-and-economic-impacts-of-gold-mining. You may also visit World Gold Council.

Key findings

• Total contribution of over US$171bn to the global economy.
• Total number of jobs that result from commercial gold mining rises to around 4.2 million globally.
• In most gold producing countries, over 90% of the industry’s employees are local workers.
• Over 60% of the countries covered in the report are low or lower-middle income with substantial socio-economic development needs.
• 70% of the value that gold mining companies distribute within an economy relates to payments to local suppliers and employees.
• Gold mining’s direct economic contribution to the global economy has increased seven-fold from 2000 to 2013.