According to industry reports, South Africa and Australia reported a slump in gold production in the first quarter of 2007.%%South Africa’s gold production fell 7.6 percent to 62,806.7 kilograms in the first quarter of 2007 compared with one year ago, the Chamber of Mines of South Africa reported May 28, 2007. Compared with the preceding fourth quarter of 2006, production fell 7.8 percent, the chamber stated.%%The average grade mined in the first quarter declined 12.9 percent to 4.32 grams per ton caused by a 17.4 percent rise in the gold price to $650 per ounce and the 17.6 percent depreciation of the South Africa rand to ZAR7.23/$1. The rand's fall in the quarter resulted in a 34 percent increase in the rand gold price received by the mining companies to ZAR143 601 per kilogram, the chamber reported.%%Gold output in Australia, the world's second-largest producer dropped a nominal 1 percent to 60.3 tonnes from one year ago, Melbourne-based mining consultant Surbiton Associates reported. First quarter output was 8 percent lower than the preceding quarter, as bad weather including heavy rain and cyclones stalled production.