Harte Gold said Sugar Zone was the first high-grade mine to open in the province in more than 10 years.

Sugar Zone poured its first gold earlier this month, after overcoming permitting delays, and is expected to produce an average annual 80,700 ounces of gold over 11 years according to a May preliminary economic assessment.

CEO Stephen G Roman, who is also at the helm of Niger uranium explorer Global Atomic Corp, said the mine opening was the culmination of a concerted team effort that began in 2009. 

He said he appreciated the demonstration of government support as Harte moved to make the mine fully operational.

"The opening of Harte Gold's Sugar Zone mine is a signal to the world that Ontario is open for business," Ford said in a joint statement.

Ontario's government had introduced a bill this week, the Making Ontario Open for Business Act, which has been described a near-full repeal of previous workforce legislation and includes a freeze on the minimum wage.

Harte Gold shares lost C1c yesterday to close at 39c, a midpoint in its 12-month range of 29-55c, capitalising it over $227 million.