Nordgold, an established pure-play gold producer focussed on emerging markets and a wholly owned subsidiary of OAO Severstal announces that Nordgold indirect subsidiary in Burkina Faso, Bissa Gold SA has been granted a mining license for the Bissa gold project by the governmental authorities of Burkina Faso. The term of the license is 20 years with a renewal possibility.

The Bissa deposit is located in Burkina Faso, 100 kilometres north of the capital Ouagadougou. Nordgold anticipates that the mine construction at the Bissa project will be commenced in 2011 and production is expected to commence in 2013.

It is expected to contribute 93 koz and 161 koz of production in 2013 and 2014, respectively. Bissa JORC compliant resources amounted to approximately 2.9 moz of gold as of 1 November 2010.