<P> An estimated total of 174,100 tonnes of gold have been mined in human history, according to GFMS as of 2012 . This is roughly equivalent to 5.6 billion troy ounces or, in terms of volume, about 9,261 cubic metres (327,000 cu ft), or a cube 21 metres (69 ft) on a side . There are varying estimates of the total volume of gold mined . One reason for the variance is that gold has been mined for thousands of years . Another reason is that some nations are not particularly open about how much gold is being mined . In addition, it is difficult to account for the gold output in illegal mining activities . </P> <P> World production for 2011 was at 2,700 tonnes . Since the 1950s, annual gold output growth has approximately kept pace with world population growth of around 2x, although far less than world economic growth of some 8x, or some 4x since 1980 . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section needs additional citations for verification . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (May 2015) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section needs additional citations for verification . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (May 2015) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr>

When did the gold standard start and end