The expansion programme included the placement of a two-line Metso crusher as well as the installation of a telescopic conveyor. A pumping station was added to the operation's heap leaching site as well, made up of four Sulzer pumps that had a capacity of 400 cubic metres per hour each.

The work follows Nordgold's equipment purchase to support the increased capacity which included two haul trucks, an excavator, a grader, and two Epiroc drilling rigs. It also acquired a auxiliary vehicles including buses, fuel trucks, mobile repair units, a crane truck and a front loader.

CEO Nikolai Zelenski said the capacity expansion was completed on time despite the pandemic.

"The leadership and expertise of our regional team has given us further confidence that Nordgold's next projects in Yakutia will be successfully implemented, including the flagship Gross mine capacity expansion, and the upcoming Tokko development project," he said.

The openpit Taborny operation first started in 2002. In 2019, the mine produced 76,000 ounces of gold.