Challenger Gold Doubles Ecuador Resource to 9.1¹ Million Ounces Gold Equivalent²

Challenger Gold Doubles Ecuador Resource to 9.1¹ Million Ounces Gold Equivalent²

Highlights

  • Mineral Resource Estimate ('MRE') at Challenger Gold's Ecuador projects increased from 4.5 to 9.1 Moz1 AuEq2 - a 100% growth milestone (Refer Table 1).
  • Attributable resource to CEL 6.9 Moz AuEq2 across El Guayabo (100%) and Colorado V (50%).
  • Significant upside remains: The resource is based on drilling 5 of the 15 major anomalies, with all 13 anomalies drilled returning mineralisation.
  • Completion of exploration in Ecuador enables the Company to commence the value realisation process, including strategic divestment options.
Commercial Advantages of the Project
  • Large-Scale Opportunity: The updated MRE positions Challenger Gold’s Ecuador assets among the largest undeveloped gold resources in South America, with 567Mt @ 0.50g/t AuEq for 9.1Moz AuEq on a total project basis.
  • Premium High-Grade Core Enhances Economics: The resource includes a higher-grade core of 2.1 Moz @ 1.0g/t AuEq, including 1.2 Moz @ 1.2g/t AuEq, offering potential for early-stage production and strong cash flow generation.
  • Strategic Location Validates District Potential: The projects are adjacent to Lumina Gold’s 20.5Moz Cangrejos project4 , which recently secured a $300M financing deal with Wheaton Precious Metals, confirming the district’s world-class potential as a globally significant gold-copper region.
  • Development-Ready Infrastructure: Located just 35km from a deepwater port with existing power, water, and road access on granted Mining Leases, the project benefits from reduced development costs and logistical efficiencies.

Value Realisation Strategy for Ecuador

Challenger Gold Limited plans to unlock the value of its Ecuador assets through several strategic options:

  • TSX Listing: Spin off the Ecuador projects into a standalone entity listed on the TSX, where similar projects trade at premium valuations compared to ASX-listed peers.
  • Strategic Sale: Divest the assets outright which could generate immediate capital for advancing Challenger’s flagship Hualilan Gold Project in Argentina.
  • Farm-In Partnership: Partner with a major mining company to fund development while retaining exposure through royalties or equity participation.

Focus on the Hualilan Gold project The upgraded MRE concludes Challenger Gold Limited's exploration program in Ecuador, enabling the Company to focus entirely on advancing its flagship Hualilan Gold Project in Argentina, which features:

  • A total resource of 2.8Moz AuEq1 , including a high-grade core of 1.5 Moz @ 5.6g/t AuEq1
  • Mineralisation which remains open in all directions
  • A toll milling Agreement to capitalise on the current high gold price (above US$3,000/oz) to generate early cash flow
  • This cashflow will be allocated towards the construction of the standalone Hualilan Gold project
  • Positioning Hualian as one of South America’s premier near-term production opportunities

Monetisation of the Ecuador assets will ensure shareholders benefit directly from both value realisation in Ecuador and production growth at Hualilan.

Commenting on the resource, CEL Managing Director, Mr Kris Knauer, said

“I would like to congratulate our exploration team in Ecuador for their outstanding work in doubling project resources from 4.5Moz to 9.1Moz AuEq, including a high-grade core of 2.1Moz at 1.0g/t AuEq.

This resource update represents a transformational milestone for Challenger Gold shareholders, enabling us to move forward with unlocking significant value from our Ecuador assets while focusing entirely on bringing our flagship Hualilan project into production.

This is only the beginning for the asset – the current resource is based on drilling just five of fifteen major anomalies identified across our Ecuador projects, with all thirteen anomalies drilled so far returning significant mineralisation."

Click here for the full ASX Release

This article includes content from Challenger Gold, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.

CEL:AU
The Conversation (0)
Challenger Exploration

Challenger Exploration

Gold and Copper Exploration Across Known and Untapped Sources

Gold and Copper Exploration Across Known and Untapped Sources Keep Reading...
gold bars and us dollars.

Barrick Closes US$1.09 Billion Hemlo Sale as Wheaton Finalizes Gold Stream Deal

Barrick Mining (TSX:ABX,NYSE:B) has closed the sale of its Hemlo gold mine in northern Ontario to Carcetti Capital (TSXV:CART.H), completing a transition the company first announced in September and marking one of its most significant portfolio shifts this year.In a statement Wednesday (November... Keep Reading...
Aurum Completes $22.98M Montage Share Sale

Aurum Completes $22.98M Montage Share Sale

Aurum Resources (AUE:AU) has announced Aurum completes $22.98M Montage share saleDownload the PDF here. Keep Reading...
Jay Martin, city skyline and gold bars.

Jay Martin: Big Money is in Silver, Sure Money is in Gold — Plus Copper Outlook

Jay Martin, CEO of VRIC Media, outlines the resource sector trends he's watching. He also discusses what he's doing with his money and shares details on the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference (VRIC), which is set to run from January 25 to 26, 2026. Register for VRIC. Don't forget to follow... Keep Reading...
A wooden box with assorted gold, silver and copper coins displayed inside.

From Gold Coins to Copper Tools: Unique Festive Gifts for the Metals Investor

With pumpkin spice in the air, thoughts are turning to the biggest event of the year… No, not the curling championships — Black Friday and the start of the gifting season.Here at the Investing News Network, our team aims to provide relevant information to help readers make informed investment... Keep Reading...
Centurion Minerals Ltd. Clarifies Late Filing of Annual Financial Statements and MD&A

Centurion Minerals Ltd. Clarifies Late Filing of Annual Financial Statements and MD&A

Centurion Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: CTN) ("Centurion" or the "Company") announces that further to its November 14, 2025 news release regarding its application to the British Columbia Securities Commission (as its Principal Regulator) for a management cease trade order (the "MCTO"), the Company wishes... Keep Reading...

Latest Press Releases

Related News