The most significant falls in production were observed among the top three companies: Newmont (6.1%), Barrick (12.9%) and AngloGold (7.1%). The collective output from these companies declined to 13.7moz in 2020 from 15moz in 2019. Vinneth Bajaj, Associate Project Manager at GlobalData, comments: "After a strong first quarter in 2020, Newmont's production was impacted by lower ore grades at the Ahafo, Yanacocha and Merian mines and the temporary suspension of the Cerro Negro, Yanacocha, Eleonore, Penasquito and Musselwhite mines between March and mid-May. In addition, the sale of Red Lake and Kalgoorlie projects further reduced output." For Barrick, several gold mines were forced to cease operations temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the Veladero, Pueblo Viejo and Porgera mines.