Endomines AB (publ) has completed the installation of the new processing equipment of the processing plant and commenced the test runs for the increased capacity at its Pampalo Gold Mine Processing plant. The second grinding mill and increased flotation capacity will increase plant processing throughput to 45-50 tonnes/hour (annualized 380,000 tpa) before the end of February 2013. The company has informed the authorities about its intentions to commence test runs and that the capacity increase will not increase or change discharge to the nature.

North Karelian Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment has respectively informed that Pampalo processing plant capacity increase to 380,000 tpa level has no effect on the current permit, as there will be no increase of discharge to the nature. The processing plant operates on 100% water recirculation and thus no additional process water is needed. The company will operate according to the current environmental permit limits but with increased capacity until the new permit has been approved.

Authorities have informed that the new permit with new discharge limits can be expected during summer 2013. The delay is due to some necessary amendments and their heavy workload. Endomines plans to mine and process 360 - 380,000 tonnes of ore during year 2013.

Some 70-75% of the ore will be sourced from the Pampalo underground mine and the remaining tonnage from the Pampalo East open pit areas.