High River Gold achieves production at Berezitovy mine

High River Gold Mines has announced that it has reached the commercial production stage at its Berezitovy mine in Russia.

During September mill throughput totalled 80,487 tonnes, reaching an average capacity utilisation of 65 per cent, exceeding the target that had been set by the company.

The firm revealed that previously damaged equipment had "performed much better than expected" and that new apparatus is on site ready to be installed if required.

Gold production at the mine for this year is expected to amount to approximately 45,000 ounces.

In addition, the Taparko-Bouroum gold mine is expected to be restarted in early November after the delivery of a new custom-made gearbox.

Meanwhile, Highland Gold recently revealed that the Novoshirokinskoye site is on track to become the company’s second producing mine of 2008.

Spokesman Duncan Baxter said: "We look forward to seeing further progress being made during the rest of the year."