Harte Gold Corp. achieved commercial production Jan. 1 at its Sugar Zone gold mine in Ontario.

In December 2018, the mill processed 16,400 tonnes over 29 days at an average gold recovery rate of 90.8%, which is expected to improve during the transition to commercial operation.

The company reported the first gold pour at Sugar Zone in October 2018.

Harte Gold said Jan. 8 that it is optimizing its mine plan to improve grades. The updated life-of-mine plan will form the basis of a feasibility study targeted for the first quarter.

Additionally, an updated National Instrument 43-101-compliant resource estimate for the project is underway following the completion of drilling.

Harte Gold executed an agreement with ANR Investments BV to extend the terms of a previously agreed debt facility to May 9. The company issued 2 million share purchase warrants at an exercise price of 50 Canadian cents apiece to ANR.