/ 26 February 2000

GOLD PRODUCTION UPSWING

GOLD production rose by 1,6% to 114,5 tons in the final quarter of last year from the third quarter, the Chamber of Mines said on Thursday. Fourth-quarter 1999 output was 3,8% lower than the 119 tons produced in the same period of 1998 said the Chamber, which represents major mining houses. Production in the quarter ending September amounted to 112,7 tons. However gold production continued to decline in 1999 as a whole, ending the year at 449,5 tons, 3,2% lower than the 1998 figure.