AuRico Gold Inc. reported consolidated production results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2012. For the quarter, the company reported production of 41,146 gold ounces.

For the year, the company reported production of 127,283 gold ounces.

The company-wide production in 2013 is expected to be in the range of 190,000 to 220,000 gold ounces, significantly increasing production over 2012, primarily as a result of increasing production from the Young-Davidson mine as underground production ramps-up over the year and as improved productivity is achieved through the commissioning of the shaft infrastructure during the third quarter. The company expects total capital investment is to be in the range of $170,000-$195,000 and total exploration is to be up to $15,000 in 2013.

As a result, production in the second half of the year is expected to strengthen and will exceed production during the first half of the year.

In terms of its capital investment program, its capital requirements are significantly decreasing in 2013 relative to 2012 with the completion of construction at Young-Davidson. There are a number of nonrecurring capital investment programs that will be completed this year. The key ones are the Paste Backfill Plant, where the company is guiding for a capital budget of $45 million to $55 million.