PRIME-TASS reports with references to Gold Producers Union that in 2004 Russian gold production will decrease by 2.5% — down to 172.5 tons — as compared to last year figures and by 4.2% as compared to the forecasts. Earlier the Union has predicted that this year about 180 tons of gold would be mined, while in 200 3this figure being 177 tons.

Such a decrease is connected with the reduce of gold reserves and mining.

The results of ten months show considerable decline in gold mining — minus 3.9 tons or 2.7%.