China's gold production shines again

China's gold production increased 12.04 percent year-on-year to about 83.4 tons during the first quarter this year, as major gold producing provinces, including Shandong and Henan provinces, resumed production, an industry report said on Wednesday.

Shandong saw its gold output drop more than 50 percent year-on-year last year due to two gold mine accidents in the early part of the year, while Henan strengthened regulation last year on small and medium-sized gold enterprises, leading to a drastic fall in gold production.

China's gold producers, including Zijin Mining Co, Shandong Gold Group Co Ltd, and Chifeng Gold, saw their mineral gold output from overseas mines reach 11.14 tons during the first three months, up 45.11 percent, it said.

Gold consumption dropped 9.69 percent year-on-year during the first three months this year, it said.

Consumption of gold jewelry in China fell 0.19 percent year-on-year to 168.86 tons while the consumption of gold bars and gold coins declined 27.71 percent year-on-year to 69.62 tons. Gold purchases for industrial and other uses dropped 4.1 percent to 21.78 tons, it said.

zhengxin@chinadaily.com.cn