Ariana Resources PLC (AIM:AAU) said gold production in the first half from the Kiziltepe mine in Turkey exceeded expectations.
Kiziltepe, which is 23.5% owned by Ariana, produced 13,378 ounces of gold, about 7% above forecast for the period.
“At Kiziltepe, we remain very much on track to meet our guidance of 25,000 ounces of gold for the year, particularly given our average grade has increased to over 2.5 g/t [grammes a tonne] gold, largely as a result of the high-grade ore currently being blended from Kepez,” said managing director Dr. Kerim Sener.
Average monthly mine production during the first half was about 22,600 tonnes of ore and a stockpile of more than 270,200 tonnes has been established, representing eight months of enhanced production capacity, said the AIM-traded company.
The ore is currently being mined from Derya and Kepez.
"Mining at Kepez is continuing very well and to date approximately 60,000 tonnes of ore at an average grade of 5.04 g/t gold has been extracted,” said Sener.
“We are expecting mining to continue at Kepez until the end of the year, although there is further potential to expand this operation once further resource evaluation work is completed.”
Ariana also said construction operations are underway at the Tavsan gold mine, also in Turkey, with workers' accommodation, office facilities and other key infrastructure due to be installed.
“We look forward to seeing this mine in operation within approximately 12 months,” said Sener.