Acacia Mining sees 2017 as 'critical year' for new projects

Gold producer Acacia Mining faces a "critical year" as it seeks to expand across Africa and further boost output, its CEO said on Tuesday, after reporting record production in 2016 and a near 150% rise in its dividend payout. Shares in the London-listed miner, which is majority owned by Barrick Gold, were up 6.8% at 495.8 pence by 1133 GMT, when the FTSE 350 mining sector index was flat.