LAKE SHORE GOLD CORP 6.25 PCT DEBS T.LSG.DB

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India leads gold rush Vijay Dutt London, February 24, 2006 The piling of gold jewellery in India is said to be one of the prime reasons for the soaring sales of gold, which hit a record £30.7 billion last year, as a weak dollar, concerns about terrorism and rapid development of India diverted investment away from shares and bonds. Jewellery accounts for about three quarters of gold sales and last year's rise in total gold revenue was pushed up by a 25 per cent increase in sales relating to Indian jewellery. India now accounts for 23 per cent of global consumer gold sales by volume. America is second with 12 per cent sales. Prof Olden, managing director of the World Gold Council, was quoted as saying, "Gold is traditionally a good investment in times of political and economic uncertainty. The dollar has been weak for several years, while China and India and the Middle East have seen huge increases in disposable income." The price of gold has naturally sky-rocketed and doubled in the past three years. It closed on Wednesday night at $553.40 an ounce. The value of gold sales rose 14 per cent to $53.6 billion last year while the volume of gold jewellery sold rose by five per cent to 2,736 tonnes, according to the World Gold Council. A Nimus analyst has said the price of gold is likely to remain high for a few more years. As the Indian middle class grows more affluent, there would be more demand for gold. The Chinese government is also likely to step up its investment in gold as its economy grows. The price of gold is predicted to hit $600 an ounce this year. https://www.thebulliondesk.com/