"it was the principal city of a major state extending over the gold-rich plateaux" (OUV), "Its growth has been linked to ... the greater availability of gold in the hinterland of Great Zimbabwe." (wiki)

Gold mining (1888-1920)

Barberton was established during the 1884 Barberton Gold Rush, and gold has been mined in Barberton nearly continuously since that time (AB ev)

"In the 17th century, Japan became one of the main gold producers worldwide, and Sado Island emerged as one of the major gold mining sites." (AB ev)

"Klondike Gold Rush of 1896-1898" (OUV)

The El Edén mine began operations in 1586 and principally produced gold and silver. (wiki)

Gold trade and royal mint

the site of extensive gold-mining during the Roman Empire

Originally built to profit from the gold trade. Elmina means "the mine".

"An important bird watching site is located in the Cana Scientific Station in the centre of the park where there was once the Espiritu Santo Gold Mine (opened as a gold mine by the Spanish, the Cana mine produced gold continuously until 1727. This mine was later reopened by the Darien Gold Mining Company and operated until 1907, producing about 4 tons of gold)."

It was the terminus point of the Caminho do Ouro (Gold Route), along which gold from Minas Gerais was brought to Paraty for shipping to Europe (AB ev)