Aug 9 (Reuters) - B2gold Corp BTO.TO -
* B2Gold Corp reports second quarter 2017 results; achieves both higher gold production and lower costs than budget; fekola project mine construction remains on target for an October 1, 2017 production start
* Q2 earnings per share $0.02
* Q2 earnings per share view $0.01 -- Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S
* Q2 adjusted earnings per share $0.01
* B2Gold Corp - "consolidated gold production in q2 of 2017 was 121,448 ounces, 1% (or 1,611 ounces) above budget"
* B2Gold Corp - for full-year 2017, has revised its consolidated production guidance range slightly lower (4%) to between 530,000 and 570,000 ounces of gold
* B2Gold Corp - company has a significant exploration budget for 2017 totalling $55 million, which includes a $9 million increase approved in q1 and q2 of 2017