Perth Mint's gold sales climb to 4-month high in June

Singapore (July 2)  The Perth Mint's sales of gold coins and bars climbed to a four-month high in June, as rising tensions in Iraq and Ukraine increased the safe-haven appeal of the precious metal.

June sales, however, were lower than a year ago when a sharp drop in prices prompted a rush to buy bullion. 

The Perth Mint runs the only gold refinery in Australia, the world's second-biggest gold producer after China.

Sales of gold coins and minted bars rose to 39,405 ounces in
June from 36,127 ounces in May, data available on the mint's
website showed. June sales in 2013 totalled 47,692.02 ounces.
    Silver sales fell 7 percent on a month-on-month basis to
586,358 ounces in June.
    Data from the U.S. Mint earlier this week showed that sales
of American Eagle gold coins rose to a five-month high in June.

Source: Reuters