Highland Gold Mining plc (HGM) could increase reserves at its Mnogovershinnoye (MNV) field in Russia's Khabarovsk territory by 190,000 oz as the result of further exploration.

HGM said it had been exploring the Valunistoye property, just to the north of MNV, and found that it contains a probable 190,000 oz with average ore grading of 3-5 g/t for Au, which is double the initial forecast.

The company expects to be able to integrate Valunistoye with the MNV operation before long. Exploration will continue in 2010.