TORONTO (miningweekly.com) – South African mines produced 55 725 kg (1,97-million ounces) of gold in the third quarter of this year, 2,1% less than in the preceding three months, according to figures published by the country's Chamber of Mines.

Quarterly gold production decreased 16,2% when compared with the same period of 2007.

Output was constrained by the continuing electricity supply shortage, which forced miners to curtail operations, as well as the “significant impact” of safety-related closures, the industry body said.

For gold mines members of the Chamber, production decreased by 2,9%, to 45 943,4 kg (1,62-million ounces), when compared with the second quarter, and by 19,9% year on year.

After more than a century as the world's biggest producer of the yellow metal, South Africa was ousted from the top spot last year by China.

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