First published by Money Metals here: https://www.moneymetals.com/news/2019/07/09/world-gold-production-exceeds-16th-century-day-001812

After Columbus discovered the New World in 1492 and the Spanish began to extract vast amounts of gold and silver from Mexico and South America during the 16th century, the global production of precious metals would grow considerably over the following centuries. However, the rise of gold production during this period still pales in comparison to what is taking place in the modern gold mining industry today.