OREANDA-NEWS. July 20, 2012. Polyus Gold International Limited (LSE - PGIL, OTC (US) - PLZLY, "PGIL", "Polyus Gold" or the "Company"), the largest gold producer in Russia, releases its preliminary operating results for the first half of 2012, reported the press-centre of Polyus Gold.     

Highlights
Refined gold production up by 18% year-on-year to 721 thousand ounces (first half of 2011: 611 thousand ounces)

28% increase in gold output at Olimpiada as a result of continuous improvement in recovery rates

Significant increase in gold production at Blagodatnoye (+14%) and Kuranakh (+28%) on the back of sustained strong recovery rates and higher processing volumes

Verninskoye ramp up continuing as planned, the commissioning of the full processing flow sheet underway

Admission of Polyus Gold International shares to trading in the premium segment of the London Stock Exchange resulting in improved liquidity in the stock.

German Pikhoya, Chief Executive Officer of Polyus Gold, commented:
"I am pleased to report another excellent set of results for what has been a very important period for Polyus Gold both operationally and from the corporate perspective. With continuing improvement in recovery rates at Olimpiada, sustained increase in production at Blagodatnoye and Kuranakh and the ramp up of Verninskoye we are well positioned to consolidate our position as the largest London-listed gold producer both in terms of output and market capitalisation."