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NZ gold production highest in past 30 years
10 August 2009 - Gold production in New Zealand hit its highest level in 2008 since modern gold mining recovered three decades ago in the early 1980s.
Mineral statistics show gold production of 16.274 tonnes (523,000 troy oz) last year, up 53% on 2007 output of 10.638 tonnes (342,000 troy oz).
The 2008 gold pour is well above the previous highest 1995 year when 12.132 tonnes was produced.
Substantially higher production from Waihi mine, a steady ramp-up of the Globe Progress mine at Reefton and increased output from the Frasers underground mine at Macraes accounted for most of the higher gold production in 2008.
The higher gold price last year combined with the increased production made a big contribution to the New Zealand economy. Gold output in 2008 was worth NZ$626 million, almost twice the NZ$329 million value of the 2007 gold production.
It was also a good year in 2008 for other metal production with silver production of 31.017 t (997,000 troy oz) almost three times the 10.568 t (339,700 troy oz) produced in 2007.
Also ironsands output of 2,020,227 t in 2008 was 17% higher than the 1,723,747 tonnes mined the previous year.
However in some industrial minerals there was a decline in production last year particularly in rock, sand and gravel for roading, in sand for industry and in dolomite.
The annual minerals statistics were collected by Crown Minerals.
Sources: Crown Minerals and Lindsay Clark
Related links
Minerals Facts and Figures - Coal Facts and Figures - Enegry Data File
