Gold production for 2013 was 172,739 ounces, 14.4% higher than in 2012.

It was capped by a strong December quarter that saw Norton produce 42,616oz of gold compared to 34,101oz at the same time the previous year.

The company attributed the improvement to a 14.6% year-on-year increase in mill feed grade to 1.65 grams per tonne in the December quarter and a strict cost control regime that resulted in a 35.9% year-on-year decrease in C1 cash costs to $A883 per ounce during the quarter.

Norton managing director and CEO Dianmin Chen emphasised the performance of the employees over the period.

“2013 was an environment of falling gold prices, which saw many WA mid-tier gold mining companies become unprofitable,” he said.

“Norton’s strong management group was successful in adapting our business to this threat and as a result Norton has become a disciplined and profitable gold mining company for its many stakeholders.”

Gold shipped during the quarter was 28.3% higher than in 2012 at 43,753oz.

For 2013, gold shipped was 173,097oz, or 3-6% above production guidance announced in mid-2013.

Progress at Paddington included the first delivery of ore from the operation’s Enterprise mine.

The City of Kalgoorlie approved an application for de-gazettal of two roads, which will allow for the use of 170-tonne (versus 100t) road trains for ore haulage from the open cut to the Paddington mill.

Also, Paddington’s Homestead project continued to advance with above-budget development metres and ore tonnes mined.

Underground mining equipment has been commissioned at the site and is expected to add to the overall reduction of operating costs.

At the end of December, the company had $41 million cash and cash equivalents in the bank.

The company also flagged safety and environment achievements over the quarter, with no reportable environmental incidents and no lost time injuries.

The lost time injury frequency rate fell from 7.2 in December 2012 to 4.4 in December 2013.

Shares in Norton last closed at 14c.