B2Gold Reports Q3 Gold Revenues Of $128.7 Mln

B2Gold Corp. (BTG, BTO.TO) reported that Gold revenues for the third-quarter of 2013 totaled $128.7 million on sales of 93,429 ounces at an average realized price of $1,378 per ounce.Total gold production for the third quarter was 98,992 ounces at a consolidated operating cash cost of $653 per ounce, compared to budgeted total production of 95,427 ounces at a budgeted consolidated operating cash cost of $725 per ounce.

Total production in the third quarter from La Libertad open pit gold mine was 37,311 ounces of gold at an operating cash cost of $545 per ounce, compared to budgeted production of 36,492 ounces at a budgeted operating cash cost of $570 per ounce. The main reasons for the improved production and related lower operating cash costs per ounce at La Libertad Mine were improved recoveries (94.3% compared to 92% budget) and better grade (2.36 grams per tonne compared to 2.22 grams per tonne) which offset slightly lower throughput from operations due to higher than normal rainfall.

The company said it is projecting another record year for gold production in 2013, with consolidated production of 360,000 to 380,000 ounces expected from its Libertad, Limon and Masbate mines. Forecast consolidated cash operating costs for fiscal 2013 are expected to be in the range of $675 to $690 per ounce.