The company is currently processing approximately 4,000 metric tons (mt) of ore a day and blasting ore in mining areas four times a week, as the mine ramps up toward nameplate capacity of 6,000 mt of ore a day. The company said it expects to sell the first gold dore from the site over the next week. During the past month, the company has completed a further 6,000 meters of grade-control reverse circulation drilling to underpin detailed mine planning.

“This is a major milestone for the company and represents the dedication and commitment of the team,” CEO Brian Wesson said. “We look forward to continuing toward long term, sustainable commercial production over the following weeks.”

The mine was previously known as the Laiva gold mine. Nordic Gold, which was Firesteel Resources, shut the mine down in March 2019 for a few months because of liquidity and operational issues. It then completed a proposed drilling program in October 2019, but also underwent another name change and management and board overhaul. It changed its name to Otso Gold.