Oct 16 (Reuters) - Barrick Gold ( GOLD ) produced lower

than expected gold in the third quarter, pressured by lower

output at its Carlin and Cortez mines in Nevada, the Canadian

miner said on Wednesday.

The company, however, said an operational expansion at its

Carlin mine would support higher throughput and recoveries in

the last quarter of the year.

Barrick's total preliminary output stood at 943,000 ounces

of gold in the July-September period, compared with analysts'

estimate of 975,000 ounces, according to data compiled by LSEG.

All in sustaining costs (AISC) for gold, an industry metric

used to express total expenses, are expected to rise at least 2%

over the $1,498 per ounce reported in the previous quarter.

Analysts estimate AISC of $1,491 for the three months ended

Sept. 30.

The company's U.S.-listed shares were up marginally before

the bell.