Pretium Resources Inc. reported that its planned ramp-up to 3,800 tonnes per day production rate at its Brucejack Mine, and its underground exploration drilling program, are both progressing on schedule. The company also re-affirms its 2019 production guidance. The Company expects to achieve its 2019 gold production guidance of 390,000 ounces to 420,000 ounces and the planned production ramp-up from 2,700 tonnes per day to 3,800 tonnes per day over the course of the year. During the first quarter, mining operations have prioritized increasing the development rate to 1,000 meters per month and opening up the deposit to allow access to a greater number of stopes to support a 3,800 tonnes per day mining rate by year end. As the mine continues to sequence through a lower grade area of the Valley of the Kings, all stopes above cut- off grade of approximately 5.0 grams per tonne gold are being mined as they become available for production. Accordingly, gold grade is expected to average approximately 10.4 grams per tonne over the course of 2019; both grade and tonnes are expected to be higher in the second half of the year. The modifications and upgrades required to sustainably process ore at the upgraded production rate of 3,800 tonnes per day are on schedule and will continue during regularly scheduled shut- downs. The most significant upgrade is the shift from concentrate bagging to a bulk loading system. The bulk loading system is currently installed in a temporary location within the mill, and is commissioned and operational. It is expected to be installed in its permanent location and completely integrated in the middle of the second quarter. Final modifications to the flotation circuit will be scheduled upon delivery of final components. Underground development has been successfully accelerating from 700 to 1,000 meters per month throughout the quarter. Development is approaching 1,000 meters per month and is expected to maintain that rate throughout the year to ensure development remains ahead of production requirements to ensure steady mining rates of 3,800 tpd for the future. The 70,000-meter 2019 underground drill program commenced early in the first quarter. More than 24,000 meters of drilling in 183 drill holes have been completed to date. The program is expected to improve reserve definition ahead of mining and expand on the current Mineral Reserves at the Valley of the Kings. Opportunities for expansion are located at depth, to the west, to the east, and to the north-east of the currently defined Mineral Reserve. Exploration in the early part of the program focused westward towards the Brucejack fault and at depth below the 1200- meter level of the current development.