Gold Fields trims output forecast again as new Chile mine struggles

JOHANNESBURG, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Gold Fields GFIJ.J said on Friday it will produce much less gold this year than previously forecast due to challenges in raising output at a new mine in Chile and its South African operation. The Johannesburg-based gold miner said its 2024 output has been scaled down to between 2 million ounces and 2.15 million ounces from a previous forecast of about 2.3 million ounces. Gold Fields' profit slumped to $320.7 million in the first half of this year, compared with about $458 million in the same period last year, taking a hit from declining gold output. (Reporting by Felix Njini and Nelson Banya in Johannesburg; Editing by Mrigank Dhaniwala) (([email protected]; Reuters Messaging: [email protected]))