South Africa’s Chamber of Mines announced that the country’s gold production fell by 13.3% to 296.3 tonnes in 2005. In the same period, Australian gold production went up marginally by 1.15% to reach 263 tonnes, according to the Australian Gold Quarterly Review. “Australia might even displace South Africa as the worlds largest gold producer later this decade,” said Sandra Close, Managing Director of the Melbourne-based mining consultants Surbiton Associates.%%South Africa recorded its lowest level of gold production since 1923 when the country produced 284.6 tonnes. The low rand gold price environment in early 2005 and the restructuring of a number of shafts and mines were some of the key reasons for the decline. South African gold production fell by 11.6% to 74.1 tonnes in the fourth quarter of 2005. Compared to September 2005, quarter gold production increased by 2.4% in SA. A better economic environment and less work place disruptions were responsible for the increase in output.%%In Australia, gold production for the December quarter increased by 2% to 66 tonnes, compared to the previous September quarter. Australia’s gold output was beginning to rise thanks to better performances at some mines and an increasing number of new projects. “With all the new developments coming on stream in 2006 it seems that production has finally turned the corner,” added Sandra.