Gryphon Gold Corporation announced that it has completed the heap leach pad expansion, increasing the total stacking capacity 50%, from 4 million tons to 6 million tons. Solution flow has commenced on the expanded pad with solution break through expected by late-December. Recently, two 500-foot conveyor systems were put into operation, which has allowed the company to process between 5,000 and 6,000 tons of ore per day, more than doubling the previous rate of 2,500 tons per day that was achieved in October and November.

Installation of an additional jaw crusher is anticipated to be completed by year-end and, once finished, Gryphon Gold will have the capability to process more than 12,000 tons of ore per day. The company anticipates approval of its application to update its existing water flow permit, which is currently under review with U.S. Forest Service and the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection, by year-end. The updated permit will allow for an additional set of carbon columns and higher pumping capacity.

The carbon columns have been ordered and are being manufactured. Once operational, and pending the closing of the bonding requirement, the operation will have the capacity to handle solution throughput more than double the current solution flow of approximately 1,000 gallons per minute to 2,500 gallons per minute.