(Ecofin Agency) - Hummingbird Resources announced in a new operational update that it has produced 10,737 oz of gold since the start of operations (Dec. 19, 2017) on its Yanfolila mine in Mali. It has also shipped 5,483 oz to refineries.

According to the company, during the first period of operations, the plant processed lower-grade ore to ensure that its performance and gold recovery were satisfactory before it increases the grades. 

During the last 10 days, the plant reached 90% of its design throughput capacity and has recovered 96% of the gold produced.

“I am particularly happy to report on the technical performance of the plant, with over 95% recoveries already and a solid performance of the milling circuit. This stands us in good stead as we continue to ramp up the performance of the operation,” said Dan Betts, the CEO.

Moreover, the company has started the 2018 exploration program at the mine, aiming to convert indicated and inferred resources (more than 1 million oz) into reserves. It also plans to spend $8-10 million on exploration this year. 

Louis-Nino Kansoun