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The Daily Insight

Are there gold mines in Iraq?

Author

Andrew Mclaughlin

Updated on February 28, 2026

According to Iraq’s own data, aside from possessing the world’s second largest crude oil reserves, the country also possesses important gold and diamond reserves. While in 2010 only four gold mines were operating in the country, more mines will start operating in the next decade.

How much gold reserves does Iraq have?

The Council, in its latest (May) update to the list of largest Gold reserves for 2021, showed that Iraq is 38th on the list, fifth among Arab Countries, with 96.3 tons, equivalent to 8.9% of the world’s reserves. US is still the top dog with 8.133 thousand tons, followed by Germany with 3.362 thousand tons.

What happened to Saddam Hussein gold?

Most of Saddam Hussein’s gold was confiscated by American forces following the Iraq War of 2003.

Which country has the most gold mines?

World mine reserves of gold by country 2020 Australia is estimated to have the largest gold mine reserves worldwide.

Is Iraq rich in gold?

Gold Reserves in Iraq averaged 36.40 Tonnes from 2000 until 2021, reaching an all time high of 96.42 Tonnes in the fourth quarter of 2020 and a record low of 0 Tonnes in the second quarter of 2000. Iraq Gold Reserves – values, historical data and charts – was last updated on November of 2021.

Where is gold found in Iraq?

Recent discoveries have indicated enormous deposits of gold in the eastern Baghdad region as well as in the Western desert and Kurdistan areas. Mining operations are already in progress in Aldajh area. At other locations such as Fudhaliyah and Obeidi, exploration for gold was reportedly being conducted some time ago.

How much gold is in central bank?

This statistic presents the gold reserves of largest gold holding countries worldwide as of September 2021. At that time, the central bank of the United States held approximately 8,133.53 metric tons of gold. As of December 2020, the United States had the largest gold reserve – more than 8,000 metric tons of gold.

How much gold was taken from Saddam?

American troops have seized what appears to be US$500 million ($868.35 million) worth of gold bars from a truck in Iraq, the US military said today.

Could gold mining in Iraq rival the value of oil produced?

With such large quantities of gold found and with future prospects in gold mining, gold production value could someday rival the value of oil produced. Iraq’s history associated with gold mining and gold sources, dates back to around 4000 BC.

What is the current gold reserve in Iraq?

Gold Reserves in Iraq decreased to 96.27 Tonnes in the third quarter of 2019 from 96.30 Tonnes in the second quarter of 2019. Gold Reserves in Iraq averaged 31.01 Tonnes from 2000 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 96.30 Tonnes in the fourth quarter of 2018 and a record low of 0 Tonnes in the second quarter of 2000.

Did the United States steal gold and oil from Iraq?

There is a conspiracy theory going around, claiming that the United States stole Iraqi gold and oil, specifically 20 TRILLION dollars in gold and 30 TRILLION dollars worth of oil. It is backed up by these pictures of American soldiers posing with Iraqi gold bars, and an Al Jazeera news report.

How will Iraq’s mining sector change in the near future?

With increase in the production of mineral commodities, development of new mining projects, attracting foreign investments, implementing new reforms and uprooting corruption, Iraq thus hopes to see a positive change in its mining sector in the near future.