(Ecofin Agency) - Asanko Gold Inc, gold mining company from British Columbia, announced on December 21 it has initiated phase 1 of development of its Asanko mine in Ghana. It also said it would produce in January 2016 its first gold on this project.

Production of first gold will thus come in a month earlier than scheduled, the Toronto and New York listed Canadian mining company highlighted.

The first stage of this project is a long-term, low-cost development of the mine which is to produce in average, 190,000 ounces of gold per annum steadily for 12 years. “We remain confident in our ability to reach commercial production and generate positive cash flows by Q2 2016”, said the company’s CEO, Peter Breese.

Asanko Gold plans to start in the coming days the crushing and activated carbon leaching processes. Asanko project includes the Nkran, Adubiaso, Abore and Asuadai deposits that contain 2.43 million ounces of probable and proved mineral reserves.