Zhaojin Mining halts mine operations for inspection

HONG KONG, Aug 9 (Reuters) - Zhaojin Mining Industry said it suspended mining operations in the Zhaoyuan region in Shandong province on Aug 7 in accordance with a local government order for all non-coal mines to undergo safety inspections.

The Chinese gold producer said in a filing to the Hong Kong stock exchange on Sunday that the suspension of operations 'for a short period' would have no material impact on its overall production and operation.

It said it would evaluate the impact of the suspension of operations on its annual gold output and would make further statements if there were a material impact on the company.

The local government required suspension of all non-coal mines in Yantai city for safety inspection after a fatal fire broke out at a gold mine in Zhaoyuan city on Aug 6. It added that the affected gold mine was not owned by the company.

(Reporting by Donny Kwok; Editing by Ken Wills)

(([e-mail]; [phone]; Reuters Messaging: [e-mail])) Keywords: ZHAOJIN MINES (If you have a query or comment on this story, send an email to [e-mail]) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2010. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.