PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Australia's Catalpa Resources has poured the first gold at its Edna May gold project, in Western Australia, two months ahead of schedule.

The first gold was poured nine months after project approval, making Catalpa one of Australia's fastest-emerging midtier gold producers.

MD Bruce McFadzean said that the ramp-up to full production capacity of 2,8-million tons was now under way, and would see Catalpa producing gold at a rate of more than 130 000 oz/y, by July.

He added that while the successful commissioning of the Edna May project established Catalpa as a successful gold developer, the company's aim was now on reaching steady state production during the coming months.

"This is a significant milestone in Catalpa's history, and an achievement that all of our contractors and employees can take pride in," McFadzean said.

Following the successful raising of A$20-million during April, the company would be well funded during the production ramp-up phase, and in a position to focus on growth, he added.

"The funds from the equity raising will also be used to expedite our ongoing exploration programme at Edna May. We are very confident in the project's exploration upside potential and in particular, will be fast-tracking programmes at the Greenfinch, Golden Point and Edna May underground targets with a view to extending the Edna May life-of-mine beyond its current nine years."

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