2006 gold production lowest in 85 years2006 gold production lowest in 85 years
South Africa is the world's leading producer of gold and platinum
March 07, 2007, 12:30
South Africa's gold production has hit an 85-year low, the chamber of mines said today. A statement released by the Chamber of Mines said that gold production in 2006 was 275.119kg, which was 7.5% lower than in 2005.
It was the lowest level since the historic 1922 mining strikes when production bottomed out at 218.031kg.
Production fell by 3.1% to 68.117 kilograms in the fourth quarter of 2006 compared to the third quarter and was 9.3% lower than the same period in the previous year. - Sapa