Harare — TURK Mine, a gold producer situated outside Bulawayo has recorded a 32,9 percent increase in gold sales up from US$780 000 in June to US$1 037 000 at the end of July. Since resuming operations in February this year, in the wake of Government's liberalisation of gold trading and marketing, the New Dawn owned gold mine has increased production capacity by 8,4 percent. Gold production for July increased to 31,6kg up from 29,15kg the previous month. The mine's chief executive Mr Ian Saunders said production had steadily improved during the past four months and chances of realising the set monthly production target were high. "Production at Turk Mine has increased steadily for the past four months and we are well on our way to realising our first production target of 37,3 kg of gold per month by October-November 2009," said Mr Saunders. Having recorded an increase of 28,5kg in May up from 25,9kg in April this year, the mine experienced a 10,1 percent month-on-month increase in production. In its efforts to boost gold production at Turk and Angelus mines, New Dawn has put in place production facilities capable of processing up to 400 tonnes per day or 12 000 tonnes of gold per month. Relevant Links Southern Africa Zimbabwe Mining Business New Dawn owns and operates Turk and Angelus mines in the upper southwest area of Zimbabwe that has the potential to produce an estimated 1 089kg to 1 555kg of gold per annum. Zimbabwe's gold mining sector has witnessed a slide in production over the years owing to shortages of foreign currency to import machinery and chemicals, electricity cuts and lower prices before the liberalisation of trade in gold. Meanwhile, HowMine, Shamva, Arcturus and Redwing mines have since resumed operations as the mining sector seeks to boost production levels to increase contribution to the Gross Domestic Product. Currently the mining sector contributes four percent to the country's GDP.

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