Zimbabwe's gold production rose to 4.03 tonnes in the first half of the year, the Chamber of Mines said.

However, the chamber said operations were affected electricity and water availability during the period under review.

"Please note that the current projections for the year's production are based on current production," the chamber said in a statement.

 "This makes it a moving target by issues such as electricity supply, and other disruptions to production. Based on the six month's production, current projection for the year is 8,047."

At peak in 1999, local mines produced 27 tonnes of gold annually. A total 4.9 tonnes. were produced last year.

Gold production had plunged to a record low of 3 tonnes in 2008, as mines suffered from  hyperinflation and chronic shortages of input  materials, and spare parts.

Most of the mines which were operating on a care and maintenance basis at the height of the economic and political crisis.

No data was provided for the first-half output in 2009.

The chamber has set a production target of 20 tonnes over the next five years.