Meridian: Production totals 108,000 ounces

Meridian Gold, a Reno-based mining company, said last week it produced 108,000 ounces of gold at a cash production cost of $92 per ounce.

For the full-year 2002, Meridian produced 437,000 ounces of gold at a cash cost of $87 per ounce.

Its El Penon mine produced 328,000 ounces property produced 100,000 ounces of gold at a cash cost of $257 per ounce.

For 2003, Meridian expects El Penon to produce 320,000 ounces at a cash cost of $55 per ounce and Jerritt Canyon to produce 90,000 ounces at a cash cost of $270 per ounce.