Lake Shore Gold reaches commercial production.

• Position: NEWS

The big day has finally arrived for Lake Shore Gold Corp.

The Toronto-based miner declared commercial production at its Timmins Mine, located 18 kilometres west of the namesake city, effective Jan. 1. This milestone was achieved roughly three years from the beginning of advanced exploration.

The mining rate at the site averaged 1,700 tonnes per day (tpd) during December, and 1,600 tpd for the fourth quarter. This exceeded the target rate of 1,500 tpd and supported production levels of more than 10,000 ounces per month.

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Production at Lake Shore's fully owned Bell Creek Mill totaled 29,900 ounces of gold in the fourth quarter, or 43,500 ounces for the full year.

The mill, which was...