South African gold production dropped by 10.9 percent in March compared with the same month last year, Statistics South Africa said on Tuesday.

However, gold production after seasonal adjustment increased by 12.6 percent for March 2008 compared with February 2008.

Quarterly gold output fell 10.1 percent compared with the first quarter of 2007. Seasonally adjusted total mining production for the quarter was down 8.3 percent with output of non-gold minerals down 8 percent.

Total mining production for March was down 17.2 percent compared with same month last year.

Mining production was negatively affected by power shortages and continued rainy conditions, preventing work in some mining shafts, Stats SA said.

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