Richmont Mines Proceeds to Commercial Production After Bulk Sampling

Richmont Mines Inc. (TSX:RIC,NYSEMKT:RIC) has successfully completed the bulk sampling phase for its W Zone Gold Project in Val-d’Or, Quebec. As a result, the Company has decided to proceed to the commercial production phase of the Project; commercial production is expected at the beginning of October.

As quoted in the press release:

Highlights:

• 7,700 tonne W Zone bulk sample generated 1,315 Au ounces with a mill recovery rate of 97.4% and an average recovered grade of 5.30 g/t Au. The tonnes provided for the bulk mill sample consisted entirely of material from the development drifts;
• 3 month pre-production phase is expected to generate approximately 3,000 Au ounces of non-commercial production during the third quarter of 2013;
• Start of commercial production anticipated in early October, generating additional gold production of approximately 3,000 Au ounces during the fourth quarter of 2013; production rate of 6,000 tonnes per month expected to continue in 2014.

The project is expected to transition into commercial production at the beginning of October, and is expected to add approximately 3,000 Au ounces to the Corporation’s 2013 projected gold production of 65,000 ounces, bringing Richmont’s revised 2013 gold production forecast to 68,000 ounces.

Richmont Mines Inc. President and CEO Paul Carmel said:

We are very pleased with the successful bulk sampling phase of the W Zone Gold Project as it confirms our understanding of the mineralized zone. The increased tonnage from the W Zone will improve efficiency and unit cost levels at our Camflo Mill, benefits that we expect will further increase in the event our Monique Gold Project also proceeds from bulk sampling into commercial production. In the meantime, we will be ramping up production levels at the W Zone over the coming months, and look forward to declaring commercial production on this project at the beginning of October.

Click here to read the Richmont Mines Inc. (TSX:RIC,NYSEMKT:RIC) press release

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