South African gold mines produced 14.4% less material in October 2008 compared with the same month last year.
Gold and other mineral production has suffered since state power utility Eskom reduced power supply to the mines at the beginning of this year when it resorted to power-rationing. Eskom has since supplied mines with between 90% and 95% of required power.
The power cuts, coupled with a global drop in commodities prices, has led to job lay-offs in South Africa, especially in the mining sector, leading to lower productivity.
– luke
