JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – South African gold miners produced 2% less gold in the second quarter of this year than they had in the second quarter of 2009, the Chamber of Mines (CoM) reported on Thursday.

Total gold production in the quarter ended June 30, 2010, amounted to 49 444,5 kg.

However, total gold output was up 12,6% on the 43 927,8 kg produced in the first quarter of this year.

Production by members of the CoM fell by 3,4% year-on-year to 41 219,7 kg between April and June.

On a quarter-on-quarter basis, production by CoM members increased by 14,5%, compared with the 36 002,3 kg produced in the first quarter of this year.

The CoM noted that its members’ production volumes had been boosted in the second quarter, owing to an 8,4% increase in the average grade milled and a 5,7% increase in the amount of tons of ore processed through the mills.

South Africa, which had until 2007 been the world’s largest gold producer, has seen its output continuously decline over the past few years. It, and the US, were now vying for the number-three spot, behind China and Australia.