Freeport looks to further expand Morenci mine production

The police sealed off access to the Buffelsfontein gold mine in Stilfontein several weeks ago to deny the miners access to food and other essentials.

Globally, artisanal and small-scale gold mining accounts for about 20% of annual gold production.

Uncapped assays ran as high as 1,920 grams per tonne over 0.8 metre.

Bullion has declined about 7% from a record last month, with losses accelerating after Trump’s victory.