GOLD MINING: Golden Band pours first gold

SASKATCHEWAN - Golden Band Resources of Saskatoon has poured its first doré bar from its La Ronge gold project in the northern part of the province. The bar, weighing 500 oz, was produced from high grade ore from the Roy Lloyd mine (Bingo deposit) and processed through the gravity circuit at the company's Jolu mill.

The 400-t/d mill has both gravity and carbon-in-pulp (CIP) circuits. It has been processing ore since Dec. 23, 2010, but production of the gravity concentrate was delayed due to minor technical glitches. The CIP circuit is being commissioned.

Ronald Netolitzky, executive chairman of Golden Band, said, "It has been a long time in coming, but our path to production has now been realized, and the goal of becoming Saskatchewan's newest gold producer has been achieved. We look forward with great optimism to a successful future for Golden Band and to growing the La Ronge gold project over the next several years to achieve our longer-term goal of producing 100,000 gold ounces per year."

Visit www.GoldenBandResosurces.com and peruse the excellent photo gallery of construction and mill commissioning.