The new company will have 2011 forecast production of 172,000 ounces from two mines, including the Youga gold mine in Burkina Faso and Adamus' Nzema property in Ghana, which achieved commercial production in April, at a cash cost of between US$575 to $625 per ounce.

This year’s drilling comes amid a busy period for Lydian as it pushes towards the development of the known deposit. It is working to complete an updated feasibility study, including a new mine layout, and that is on-track for completion early in the third quarter.

Klondex Mines (TSE:KDX) (OTCQX:KLNDF) has reported more drill results from its Fire Creek gold project in Nevada ahead of initial production projected for later this year, with such high grades in new, unexplored areas prompting the gold developer to delay its resource update. 

Kirkland Lake Gold (TSE:KGI) (LON:KGI) is moving away from the use of diesel with the introduction of lithium-ion battery scoops and trucks in its underground gold mines and will save capital investment as a result. The use of this technology both saves large capital investment and is a welcome environmentally-friendly alternative fuel source without diesel or any other emissions underground.

Tamaka Gold, an advanced stage gold exploration company with multiple assets in Ontario, Canada, is moving ahead with work on its lead project with an eye to producing a resource update in short order.

Casimir Capital's Eric Winmill says he views the metallurgical sampling results released by Klondex Mines (TSE:KDX) on Wednesday as a positive for the company, even boosting his estimates for pre-commercial production this year.