Russia boosted gold output by 13.3 percent last year to 184.49 tonnes (5.93 million ounces), reversing five consecutive years of decline, data from the Russian Gold Industrialists' Union shows. Valery ADVERTISEMENT Braiko, the union's head, forecast output from Russia's mines would remain steady this year, with the possible addition of 1 to 2 tonnes. Russia's gold reserves are second only to South Africa's, but the country traditionally ranks fifth or sixth in the world in terms of actual production. Several leading Russian miners increased output last year and a series of ambitious expansion plans in Siberia and the Far East (5029.KL - news) envisages production rising by another 20 percent by 2015. The country's biggest gold miner, Polyus Gold, accounted for about one-fifth of Russia's production last year and ranks fourth in the world in terms of reserves. Following is a list of planned expansions by the country's largest gold producers: POLYUS GOLD Market capitalisation as of Feb. 1: $5.5 billion Main owners: Mikhail Prokhorov and Vladimir Potanin, each of whom own around 30 percent 2008 output: 1.222 million ounces (20.6 percent of Russia's total) 2007 output: 1.214 million ounces Long-term forecast: 3.9 million ounces annually by 2015 Operating mines: Olympiada (Krasnoyarsk region), Kuranakh (Yakutia), Zapadnoye (Irkutsk), alluvial deposits in Irkutsk region Development projects include: Blagodatnoye, Titimukhta, Olenii, Tyrada (Krasnoyarsk), Chertovo Koryto (Irkutsk), Natalka (Magadan), Nezhdaninskoye (Yakutia) PETER HAMBRO MINING (LSE: POG.L - news) Market capitalisation as of Feb. 1: $659 million 2008 output: 393,600 ounces (6.6 percent of Russia's total) 2007 output: 289,700 ounces Forecast 2009 output: 460,000-510,000 ounces, with long-term forecast to reach more than 1 million ounces Operating mines: Pokrovsky, Pioneer (Amur), Omchak (joint venture in Magadan), several alluvial deposits Development projects include: Malomir (Amur), Novogodnee Monto, Toupugol-Khanmeishorsky (Yamal-Nenets) POLYMETAL Market capitalisation as of Feb. 1: $1.4 billion Main owners: Businessmen Alexander Nesis, Alexander Mamut and Czech financial group PPF. 2008 output: 285,000 ounces (4.8 percent of Russia's total) 2007 output: 242,000 ounces Forecast 2009 output: 280,000-300,000 ounces Long-term forecast: 400,000 ounces by 2010

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