Saudi Arabian MiningCo., or Ma'aden, said April 3 that it started commercial productionon April 1 at the Ad Duwayhigold mine.

The mine is owned by its subsidiary Ma'aden Gold & Base Metals Co.

The company expects to ramp up gold production to 180,000 ouncesannually by the end of this year. As at Dec. 31, 2015, the mine hadreserves of 1.9 million ounces of gold.

Meanwhile, the start of commercial production at the copper mine ofits affiliate, Ma'aden Barrick CopperCo., has been delayed from the first quarter 2016.

The company did not announce a new date to commence productionbut said the delay will "allow for final mechanical testing to be completed."

Ma'aden Barrick is jointly owned on a 50/50 basis by Ma'adenand Barrick Gold Corp.