Magadan region boosts gold output 30% in H1
MAGADAN. July 13 (Interfax) - Russia's Magadan region boosted gold production 2.7 tonnes or 30% year-on-year in H1 to 11.7 tonnes, the regional government's press office said.
Silver production was down 53.6 tonnes or 17% to 369 tonnes.
The regional government said that the gold production plan for 2017 was 30.9 tonnes and silver - 675 tonnes.
"We really appreciate the work of gold mining companies based on the results. The task for miners is to not let production fall and continue to stick to the plan of 15-16 tonnes in the coming years. We expect output at the Pavlik deposit to increase. You could say that the plant is steadily getting back on its feet. Almost 4 tonnes of gold and around a tonne of silver, those are the operational results for 2016. This year, possibly the 6 tonne marker will be passed," regional governor Vladimir Pecheny was cited as saying in a statement.
Pecheny also said that PSJC Polyus is carrying out full-scale mining works at the Natalkinskoye deposit. The company is planning to commission it in late 2017.
According to the region's Natural Resources and Ecology Minister, gold production kept up with the pace set since 2009 at 27.9 tonnes.
In 2016 the top five gold producers in Magadan Region were: Polymetal (LLC Omolon Gold Mining Company and JSC Magadan Silver) with production of 6,095 kg or 21.9 of total regional gold output; Susumanzoloto - 4,506 kg or 16.2% of total output; JSC Pavlik - 3,839 kg or 13.8%; Arbat - 2,882 or 10.3% and OJSC Berelekh - 1.671 kg or 6%.