Australian Gold Output Shrinks In First Quarter Of This Year

Due to heavy rainfall and cyclone activity, production in the first quarter of this year slumped by about 7% from the fourth quarter of last year: from 70 tonnes to 65.

On the east coast, Cyclone Anthony hit Queensland in January followed by Cyclone Yasi in February, in a period where most of the eastern seaboard and central Australia was soaked.

"The abnormally wet weather impacted both open cut and underground operations," Dr Close said.

"Access to ore and/or haulage from the mines to the processing plants caused a range of operational problems.

"Some mines had to cease production for several days while others had to process lower-grade stockpiled material."

Since the drop was weather-related, and output grew strongly last year, the growth trend is likely to resume this quarter.