145. The decline in the price of gold continued in 1981 despite an excess of demand over supply for the first time in nine years. ~:otal gold procuction in market economy countries increa&ed mar­ ginally to 962 tonnes in 1981. But: frican production fell, from 75 per cent of market economy production in 1980 to 698 tonnes or 72 per cent in 1981, larcely because of a fall in ore graces and a 2.6 per cent drop in South African procuction. South A-frica excluded, the fall of production was more pronounced from 26.5 tonnes in 1980 to only 21.8 tonnes, or by 17.7 per cent. Geld production was maintained anc slightly improved in Ghana in 1981 despite the political upheavals. Production in Zimbabwe also in­ creased marginally, although the mining industry faces rising costs, rest ri cti ons on f orei en exchanee allocations and increased taY.ati on. (.£) Copper 146. Mine copper production in the market economy countries rose by nearly 7 per cent in 1981 compared with 1980. The increase of 406 tonnes was due largely to a recovery in protuction in the United States, and would have been creater but for procuction declines and interruptions in Zambia and a number of other countries. In contrast to mine output, production of refined copper registered only a marginal increase of about 2.5 per cent in 1981. African mine copper production in 1981 was only a lit­tle up on 1980, and accounted for about 22 per cent of market economy production. Mine copper procuction rose by about 1.1 per cent in 1981, and the relative starnati on in the African total may be ascribed to a 0.5 per cent fall in output in Zambia due to strikes and the permanent closure of Buana Ikubwa mine. 78 E/ECA /CM. 9/5 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the production of gold and copper in various countries, highlighting the decline in gold production and the increase in copper production in market economy countries. The text also mentions the impact of political upheavals and production declines on specific countries. The focus is on the mining industry and the extraction of natural resources, which suggests that the category should be related to natural resources and environment.

**Category**
Natural resources and environment, Industry