AVION REPORTS RECORD GOLD PRODUCTION OF 28,640 OUNCES FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2012
TABAKOTO UNDERGROUND MINE CONTINUES TO OUTPERFORM BUDGET
July 9, 2012 -- Toronto, Ontario -- Avion Gold Corporation (AVR:TSX) (AVGCF: OTCQX) (“Avion” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce record second quarter 2012 production of approximately 28,637 ounces of gold from its Tabakoto operation in Mali, West Africa. The Company has now set two consecutive quarterly records for the amount of gold produced in one quarter with year to date gold production of 54,894 ounces after refinery adjustments. Avion is well on its way to achieving its upgraded production guidance of 95,000 to 102,000 ounces of gold for 2012.
During the second quarter of 2012, the Company milled 191,500 tonnes of ore at an average grade of 5.05 g/t Au, with a 92.5% mill recovery.
Avion's Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Andrew Bradfield, commented on the second quarter 2012: "The Tabakoto Mine has had two consecutive record production quarters that were achieved despite a military coup in the first quarter of 2012, and subsequent destabilization of the Malian government. The Tabakoto underground mine continues to produce higher than expected ore grades with a lower amount of ore dilution at higher processing recoveries than planned, that when combined with good open pit grades resulted in an excellent quarter."
Andrew Bradfield, P.Eng., the Chief Operating Officer of the Company, and a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this press release.
