Gold output in resource-rich Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region reached over 20.5 tonnes in 2016, up 6.5 percent year on year, according to local authorities.
Xinjiang has five gold producing areas: output in Ili, Turpan and Tacheng saw growth in 2016, while output in Altay and Hami fell 5 percent and 10 percent, respectively, year on year.
Xinjiang is aiming to produce 22 tonnes of gold in 2017, an annual increase of 7.3 percent. Gold sales are expected to reach 6 billion yuan (875 million U.S. dollars), up 8.1 percent year on year.
Xinjiang, one of China's ten major gold producing regions, has 28 gold metallogenic belts and over 600 gold mines and occurrences. It is forecast to have more than 200 tonnes of gold.
