Gold output falls as mines flood

Asia (Apr 21)  ZIMBABWE’S gold deliveries declined to 3,97 tonnes during the first three months of 2021 from  5,72 tonnes during the comparable period last year after heavy rains swamped shafts and kept artisanal miners from work for prolonged periods.

Following years of protracted droughts, Zimbabwe has just had a good rainfall which has resulted in a bumper crop harvest.

Artisanal miners, estimated at about 1,5 million in Zimbabwe, have been producing over half of the country’s annual gold output after a two-decade economic crisis triggered the closure of most big operators.

NewsDay