TORONTO (miningweekly.com) – Vancouver-based ATW Gold has completed commissioning and achieved commercial production at its Burnakura mine, in Western Australia, the firm reported on Thursday.

The company has now recovered more than 5 000 oz since mining and processing operations began on March 3, including this week's pour.

TSX Venture Exchange-listed ATW said it is now starting work on a planned expansion aimed at increasing production to 50 000 oz/y.

Simulus Consultants of Perth, Australia, was contracted to complete plant optimisation, which began on June 10.

"We are very encouraged with the speed at which the ramp-up to commercial production at Burnakura was achieved,” said ATW CEO Brent Butler.

“Efforts to maximise recoveries, output and throughput, will continue as our engineering teams work diligently to achieve the increased rate of 50 000 gold ounces per annum this year."

Shares in ATW rose 1,33% on Thursday, to C$0,76 apiece by 15:06 in Toronto.

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