B2Gold Corp. expects to hit the upper end of its production guidance range for 2017 of between 530,000 and 570,000 ounces of gold as its Fekola mine in Mali ramps up.

During 2018, the mine's first full year of production, the company's total production is expected to increase about 70% to between 925,000 and 975,000 ounces.

The Fekola mine achieved first gold pour earlier in the month, about three months ahead of schedule.

B2Gold's cash operating costs and all-in sustaining costs are expected to drop to about US$525 per ounce and US$800 per ounce, respectively.

In the third quarter of 2017, B2Gold reported gold production of 135,628 ounces gold and US$154.1 million in revenue on sales of 121,597 ounces at an average price of US$1,267 per ounce.