The company said that initial underground production levels are expected to be modest but are scheduled to increase steadily throughout 2012.
The grade of the ore being mined is expected to average 5.5 g/t Au after dilution.
According to the company, mining will continue through 2012 using a combination of room and pillar and bulk mining methods as the architecture and character of the host rock and ore zones are further understood.
The engineering study for the design of the further development of the underground mine at Sekisovskoye is being completed by Golders Associates.
The operation is based on a long term target of about 850,000tpa, to be reached in around 2017, equating to a target of 100,000 oz per annum.
