The project remains on schedule, with expected construction completion and first gold pour in the first half of 2020. The ramp up to commercial production is still expected to take about six months after the first gold pour.

The company said detailed engineering had progressed more than 93%, with underground development also 44% complete, having progressed 6,274m to date.

The company expected to publish an updated mineral resource estimate by the first quarter of 2019, and an updated mine plan incorporating changes to the mineral resource estimate would follow soon after.

"We are moving ahead quite briskly, with numerous construction activities taking place simultaneously and, now that we have selected the project's general contractor, we will be starting major mechanical installations in earnest in Q1 2019. Also, our underground development continues to consistently track ahead of schedule," said COO Donald Gray. 

Continental gained half a per cent in Toronto on Tuesday to C$2.06, having last peaked at $4.13. The company has a market value of $388.5 million.