Shares in Vast Resources (LON:VAST) surged as it commissioned the plant at its Pickstone-Peerless gold mine and has earmarked first gold production and sales for the end of this month (August).
It marks a further milestone in this firm's transition into a cash generative mining company.
Roy Pitchford, chief executive, said: "The commencement of gold production at Pickstone-Peerless Gold Mine in Zimbabwe, following the commencement of production at the Manaila Polymetallic Mine in Romania, will be a further step in the process of transitioning Vast into an operating mining entity.
"With first gold sales targeted for the end of the month, we will have revenue from two operating mines.
"Whilst the focus will remain in ensuring optimal production levels are achieved at the Pickstone-Peerless Gold Mine and Manaila Polymetallic Mine, more focus is now being placed in bringing the third mine in our portfolio, the Baita Plai (formerly Baita Bihor) Polymetallic Mine, into production.
"The name change has been necessitated to avoid confusion with the name of the county in which the mine is situated and another mining operation with a similar name.
"Vast retains the objective of having three fully operational mines by the end of 2015, two in Romania and one mine in Zimbabwe."
Pickstone-Peerless has a targeted initial annualised gold production of around 10,000 ounces of the yellow metal from an initial mining rate of 10,000 tonnes of ore per month.
Shares added 12% on Thursday to go to 1.40p.