Gold production increases to 11 645kg

The figures are based on deliveries to Fidelity Printers and Refiners.
The statistics show that large-scale miners produced 8 879,4kg while small-scale miners delivered 2 765,8kg.
The large miners posted their highest delivery amounting to 870,3kg in September while recording 560,4kg, which was the lowest in February.
Last month, small-scale miners recorded their highest gold delivery of 489,5kg while the lowest output of 125,6kg was in January.
In 2011 big mines increased their deliveries to 8 879,5kg compared to 6 350,6kg produced the previous year.
Small-scale gold producers delivered 2 092,8kg in 2010 while last year output was increased to 2 765,8kg.
Efforts to get a comment on this year’s gold output projection from the Chamber of Mines were unsuccessful.
Erratic power supplies continue to be one of the major challenges stifling economic growth.
Miners say continued growth in the gold sector is under threat following the increase in royalties.
In his 2012 national budget presentation, Finance Minister Tendai Biti said with effect from 1 January royalties in the gold mining sector would be increased from 4,5 percent to seven percent.
Revenue collection from royalties in 2011 amounted to $44,1 million, compared to sales of $1,7 billion.