08:09 AM EDT, 10/24/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Orezone Gold ( ORZCF ) said Thursday that it expects a 50% increase in annual gold production at the Bombore gold mine in Burkina Faso following the site's hard rock expansion.

The company said the expansion would boost the mine's gold output to 170,000 ounces, with first gold production planned in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Orezone said it awarded Lycopodium Minerals Canada with the engineering and procurement contract. Site works are well advanced and all major earthworks are complete, the company added.

Orezone's share price fell 1.2% yesterday to $0.80 on the TSX.