Russia's Polyus Gold says 2013 sales down 12 pct

MOSCOW, Jan 30 (Reuters) - Russia's top gold miner Polyus Gold said on Thursday its sales from continuing operations fell 12 percent to $2.3 billion in 2013 due to a decrease in gold prices.

Polyus, controlled by businessman Suleiman Kerimov, said its fourth-quarter gold production rose 3 percent from the year earlier to 464,500 troy ounces and forecast a "possible small decrease" in output in 2014 to between 1.58 and 1.65 million ounces.

(Reporting by Diana Asonova, Alessandra Prentice)

((alessandra.prentice@thomsonreuters.com)(+7 495 775 12 42)(Reuters Messaging: alessandra.prentice.reuters.com@reuters.net))

Keywords: RUSSIA POLYUS