Stronger greenback helps boost Aussie gold

Sydney

A STRONGER US dollar is helping drive Australian gold production and buffeting local prospectors from the effects of a global sell-off in bullion, according to a sector survey released on Sunday.

Production of the precious metal in Australia rose by 4 per cent in the second quarter to 72 tonnes versus the previous quarter, second only to China, mining consultants Surbiton Associates Pty Ltd said in its latest tally of Australia's gold mining industry.