$B2Gold Corp Common shares (Canada)(BTG)$ B2Gold Corp. (TSX: BTO, NYSE MKT: BTG, NSX: B2G) reports gold production for the first quarter topped its own forecast. Consolidated gold production of 127,844 ounces was 10% greater than in the same period in 2015 and 8,966 ounces better than budget. The increase was primarily due to strong quarterly production from the Masbate mine in the Philippines and La Libertad mine in Nicaragua, B2Gold says. Construction of the Fekola mine is well under way, on schedule and on budget, scheduled to begin production in late 2017, the company says. B2Gold is projecting another record year for gold production in 2016. Officials say the company is on track to meet consolidated guidance of between 510,000 and 550,000 gold ounces at cash operating costs of $560 to $595 per ounce and all-in sustaining costs of $895 to $925. The company is scheduled to issue its first-quarter financial results on May 12.