IVORY COAST TENSION TO HIT RANDGOLD’S PRODUCTION

Randgold said its team at the Tongon mine in northern Ivory Coast was doing a great job under the circumstances

Shares in Randgold Resources have fallen 5% after the miner warned the political tension in the Ivory Coast would hit its gold production.

Randgold said its Tongon mine was operating, but on a “curtailed basis”.

A second mill had been delayed because delivery of components had been held up in the Abidjan port and by shipping delays caused by the political crisis.

At least 173 people have been killed in the Ivory Coast following last month's disputed election.

Randgold now expects to produce about 35,000 ounces of gold this year.

The company also said its fourth-quarter performance would be affected by a “below-target” contribution from its Loulo complex in Mali.

“We knew that 2010 was going to be a challenging year and the fourth quarter is turning out to be even tougher than anticipated,” chief executive Mark Bristow said.

Randgold shares fell 250p to 5,250p in morning trading.