Lahontan Drills Shallow Oxide Gold at Santa Fe: 41.1m Grading 0.54 gpt Au Starting at 52.4m

Lahontan Drills Shallow Oxide Gold at Santa Fe: 41.1m Grading 0.54 gpt Au Starting at 52.4m

Lahontan Gold Corp. (formerly, 1246765 B.C. Ltd.) (the "Company" or "Lahontan") is pleased to announce drill results from the first four core drill holes exploring the Slab pit area of the Company's 19 km2 Santa Fe Project in Nevada's Walker Lane. The four drill holes, totaling 891 metres, were completed in late 2021 and targeted down-dip extensions of oxidized gold and silver mineralization below the Slab open pit in an area where historic drilling outlined significant potential oxide resources. Highlights include

  • 41.1 metres grading 0.54 gpt Au and 1.8 gpt Ag (0.56 gpt Au Eq) starting at only 52.4 metres down-hole, and a second vertically stacked zone of 19.5 metres grading 0.26 gpt Au and 5.6 gpt Ag (0.33 gpt Au Eq), all oxidized, in drill hole CAL21-002C.
  • 26.7 metres grading 0.44 gpt Au and 3.1 gpt Ag (0.48 gpt Au Eq) starting at only 29.4 metres down-hole, and a second, deeper zone, grading 0.21 gpt Au and 1.5 gpt Ag (0.23 gpt Au Eq), all oxidized, in drill hole CAL21-005C.

These four drill holes intercepted oxidized gold and silver mineralization throughout their entire lengths to a maximum down-hole depth of 246 metres (CAL21-002C, please see table below), confirming the presence of widespread oxide mineralization in the Slab pit area with only very minor amounts of transitional mineralization. Of critical importance, the drilling identified at least two vertically stacked zones of gold and silver mineralization; the deeper zone can help drive a deeper pit shell during resource estimation and optimization, which increases the volume of potential resources in the Slab pit area (please see long section below).

Lahontan Gold Corp., Tuesday, May 24, 2022, Press release picture

Drill hole CAL2-001C, 114.9 to 117.8m (377.0-386.5 feet); 2.9 metres grading 1.12 gpt Au, 17.3 apt Ag (1.35 gpt Au Eq). Gold and silver mineralization is hosted by brecciated, leached, and oxidized jasperoid and partly silicified limestone.

Lahontan Gold Corp., Tuesday, May 24, 2022, Press release picture

South-north (left to right, please see map below) long section through the Slab pit area, Santa Fe Project, Mineral County, Nevada. The grade shell outlining gold and silver mineralization (shown in pink above) is based upon modeling historic drilling, projected into the line of the long section, now confirmed and expanded by Lahontan drilling.

Kimberly Ann, CEO, President, Director, and Founder of Lahontan Gold Corp commented: "These drill results highlight the advantages of exploring a "Brownfield" project: Historic drill data allows us to vector into high probability target areas below previously mined oxidized gold and silver mineralization, rapidly outlining new potential precious metal resources. This is particularly evident in the Slab pit area. Previous mining exploited rock with an average grade of 0.7 gpt gold, similar to the grade range we see in our core drill holes. By targeting deeper unmined mineralization, below and north of the Slab pit, we are taking advantage of knowledge gained from our own geologic mapping and interpretation of historic drilling. During its productive period in the Nineties, the Slab pit had an ultimate strip ratio of only 0.7, leaving significant amounts of gold and silver mineralization potentially accessible via an additional pit layback. We look forward to continued drilling at the Slab pit as we head toward our maiden project-wide resource estimate later this year".

Drill Hole

Total Depth (m)

From (m)

To (m)

Interval (m)

Au (gpt)

Ag (gpt)

Au Eq (gpt)

Metallurgical Domain

CAL21-001C

207.3

52.1

64.0

11.9

0.53

5.4

0.60

Oxide

including:

54.3

62.5

8.2

0.71

7.7

0.81

Oxide

also:

93.7

118.9

25.1

0.34

3.7

0.39

Oxide

including:

113.4

117.8

4.4

0.83

12.3

0.99

Oxide

CAL21-002C

245.7

52.4

93.6

41.1

0.54

1.8

0.56

Oxide

53.0

79.9

26.8

0.68

2.7

0.72

Oxide

also:

156.7

176.2

19.5

0.26

5.6

0.33

Oxide

CAL21-003C

223.4

91.7

106.4

14.6

0.36

2.8

0.40

Oxide

CAL21-005C

214.9

29.4

56.1

26.7

0.44

3.1

0.48

Oxide

including:

29.4

32.5

3.1

1.03

8.8

1.15

Oxide

also:

126.5

147.8

21.3

0.21

1.5

0.23

Oxide

*Notes: Au Eq equals Au (gpt) + (Ag gpt/75). Metallurgical recovery has not been factored as insufficient test-work is available to determine potential Ag recoveries. True thickness of the intercepts shown above are estimated to be 75-85% of the drilled interval.

Lahontan Gold Corp., Tuesday, May 24, 2022, Press release picture

Drill hole location map, Slab pit area, Santa Fe Project, Mineral County, Nevada. Results for CAL21-004C, 006C, and 007C are pending.

QA/QC Protocols:

Lahontan conducts an industry standard QA/QC program for its core and RC drilling programs. The QA/QC program consisted of the insertion of coarse blanks and Certified Reference Materials (CRM) into the sample stream at random intervals. The targeted rate of insertion was one QA/QC sample for every 16 to 20 samples. Coarse blanks were inserted at a rate of one coarse blank for every 65 samples or approximately 1.5% of the total samples. CRM's were inserted at a rate of one CRM for every 20 samples or approximately 5% of the total samples.

The standards utilized include three gold CRM's and one blank CRM that were purchased from Shea Clark Smith Laboratories (MEG) of Reno, Nevada. Expected gold values are 0.188 gpt, 1.107 gpt, 10.188 gpt, and -0.005 gpt, respectively. The coarse blank material comprised of commercially available landscape gravel with an expected gold value of -0.005 gpt.

As part of the RC drilling QA/QC process, duplicate samples were collected of every 20th sample interval at the drill rig to evaluate sampling methodology. Samples were collected from the reject splitter on the drill rig cyclone splitter. Samples were collected at each 95- to 100-foot (28.96 - 30.48m) mark and labeled with a "D" suffix on the sample bag. No duplicates were submitted for core.

All drill samples were sent to American Assay Laboratories (AAL) in Sparks, Nevada, USA for analyses. Delivery to the lab was either by a Lahontan Gold employee or by an AAL driver. Analyses for all RC and core samples consisted of Au analysis using 30-gram fire assay with ICP finish, along with a 36-element geochemistry analysis performed on each sample utilizing two acid digestion ICP-AES method. Tellurium analyses were performed on select drill holes utilizing ICP-MS method. Cyanide leach analyses, using a tumble time of 2 hours and analyzed with ICP-AES method, were performed on select drill holes for Au and Ag recovery. AAL inserts their own blanks, standards and conducts duplicate analyses to ensure proper sample preparation and equipment calibration. We have all results reported in grams per tonne (gpt).

About Lahontan Gold Corp:

Lahontan Gold Corp. is a Canadian mineral exploration company that holds, through its US subsidiaries, three top-tier gold and silver exploration properties in the Walker Lane of mining friendly Nevada. Lahontan's flagship property, the 19 km2 Santa Fe Project, is a past producing gold and silver mine with excellent potential to host significant gold and silver resources (past production of 375,000 ounces of gold and 710,000 ounces of silver between 1988 and 1992; Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, 1996). Modeling of over 110,000 metres of historic drilling, geologic mapping, and geochemical sampling outline both shallow, oxidized gold and silver mineralization as well as deeper high grade potential resources. The Company plans an aggressive 25,000 metre drilling program with the goal of publishing a National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") compliant mineral resource estimate in 2022. For more information, please visit our website: www.lahontangoldcorp.com

All scientific and technical information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Quentin J. Browne, P.Geo., Consulting Geologist to Lahontan Gold Corp., who is a qualified person under the definitions established by National Instrument 43-101.

On behalf of the Board of Directors
Kimberly Ann
Founder, Chief Executive Officer, President, and Director

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Lahontan Gold Corp.
Kimberly Ann
Founder, Chief Executive Officer, President, Director

Phone: 1-530-414-4400
Email:
Kimberly.ann@lahontangoldcorp.com

Website: www.lahontangoldcorp.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Except for statements of historic fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to delays or uncertainties with regulatory approvals, including that of the TSXV. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties that could affect financial results is contained in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedar.com

SOURCE: Lahontan Gold Corp.



View source version on accesswire.com:
https://www.accesswire.com/702492/Lahontan-Drills-Shallow-Oxide-Gold-at-Santa-Fe-411m-Grading-054-gpt-Au-Starting-at-524m

News Provided by ACCESSWIRE via QuoteMedia

LG:CA
Lahontan Gold Corp.

Lahontan Gold Corp. Investor Kit

  • Corporate info
  • Insights
  • Growth strategies
  • Upcoming projects

GET YOUR FREE INVESTOR KIT

The Conversation (0)
Lahontan Gold Corp. (TSXV:LG)

Lahontan Gold Corp.

Overview

Lahontan Gold (TSXV:LG,OTCQB LGCXF) is advancing a portfolio of 100 percent-controlled gold and silver assets in Nevada’s Walker Lane, led by the Santa Fe Mine, a past-producing open-pit heap leach operation. The company has expanded the mineral resource and is now advancing permitting and technical studies to support the project’s development. Management is driving multiple technical workstreams simultaneously, spanning state and federal permitting, metallurgical optimizations via an on-site laboratory, and engineering studies to support its upcoming production restart.

Lahontan Gold drilling exploration rig set up

An updated NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate has been completed, showing an overall 22 percent increase from the 2024 MRE. The project now hosts indicated mineral resources of 31.15 Mt grading 0.99 g/t gold equivalent, totaling 993,000 gold equivalent ounces and inferred mineral resources of 41.60 Mt grading 0.71 g/t gold equivalent, totaling 954,000 gold equivalent ounces. That estimate fed directly into the updated PEA announced in October, which outlines an 11-year mine life and average annual production of about 91,900 gold-equivalent ounces.

The company is now focused on filing the supporting technical report and submitting the final Mine Plan of Operations to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. Construction permits are expected in 2027.

Value creation is supported by aggressive, multi-rig exploration campaigns designed to scale the resource base rapidly. The 2026 campaign deploys a three-pronged approach: a 10,000-metre Reverse Circulation program chasing new exploration targets, a 2,023-metre core drilling program to finalize mine permitting data, and a 1,740-metre sonic program executing 96 drill holes into historic heap leach pads to add low-cost ounces directly to the mine life.

The execution of this corporate strategy is guided by a founder-led management team and an independent board with deep operational histories in the Great Basin. This leadership capability is validated by a corporate share structure that features 41 percent institutional ownership—including resource funds like MERK, EMA (Larry Lepard), APAC, and PALOS—alongside 6 percent insider ownership.

Note: Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not demonstrate economic viability.

Company Highlights

  • District-scale Nevada Portfolio: Lahontan Gold is advancing a portfolio of 100 percent-controlled gold and silver projects in Nevada’s Walker Lane, anchored by the Santa Fe Mine and complemented by the West Santa Fe and Moho projects.
  • Flagship Brownfields Development: The Santa Fe Mine is a past-producing open-pit heap leach gold and silver operation that produced approximately 359,202 ounces of gold and 702,067 ounces of silver between 1988 and 1994.
  • Large Mineral Resource: The Santa Fe mine project hosts a pit-constrained indicated mineral resource of 1,195,000 contained gold equivalent ounces grading 0.78 grams per tonne gold equivalent, and inferred mineral resources of 1,190,000 contained gold equivalent ounces grading 0.61 grams per tonne gold equivalent. Its updated MRE shows a 435,000-ounce, or 22 percent, increase from its 2024 MRE.
  • Robust Project Economics: An updated 2026 Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) shows a post-tax NPV of US$820 million and a 40.1 percent IRR over an 11-year mine life, based on gold and silver prices of US$3,600 per ounce and US$49 per ounce, respectively.
  • Established Infrastructure: Santa Fe benefits from infrastructure including year-round access, an active substation on site, access to four water wells, and property power lines.
  • Top Rated Mining Jurisdiction: Nevada is the world’s top-rated mining jurisdiction as ranked by the 2025 Fraser Institute Survey, featuring straightforward permitting.

Key Projects

Santa Fe Mine (Flagship Brownfields Asset)

Map of Lahontan Gold project location with neighboring projects and owners

The Santa Fe Mine is Lahontan’s flagship, 100 percent-controlled gold and silver project located in Nevada’s Walker Lane. Covering a district-scale land package of more than 28 square kilometres, the past-producing open-pit heap leach operation produced 359,202 ounces of gold and 702,067 ounces of silver between 1988 and 1994.

Current resource modeling shows substantial gold oxide mineralization remaining directly within the high-wall and pit bottoms, which feature highly competent wall rock and stable 50-degree pit slopes. The company completed an updated Mineral Resource Estimate for the project in August 2026, showing an overall 22 percent increase from the 2024 MRE. The project now hosts indicated mineral resources of 31.15 Mt grading 0.99 g/t gold equivalent totaling 993,000 gold equivalent ounces and inferred mineral resources of 41.60 Mt grading 0.71 g/t gold equivalent totaling 954,000 gold equivalent ounces.

The updated resource estimate also includes an indicated oxide and transitional resource of 15.9 million tonnes grading 0.57 g/t gold, alongside 15.2 million tonnes of indicated sulfide grading 1.24 g/t gold.

Lahontan Gold's drill hole location and geology map of the Santa Fe Mine project

Recent drilling has successfully demonstrated that the resource base remains open for depth and strike expansion. Deep core drilling beneath the conceptual pit boundaries at the Calvada deposit intercepted 90.8 metres grading 0.44 g/t gold equivalent oxide, confirming significant down-dip expansion potential. Simultaneously, 2026 step-out exploration drilling discovered a brand-new gold zone called West Slab, yielding unconstrained structural intercepts of 35.0 metres grading 0.34 g/t gold equivalent and 61.0 metres grading 0.26 g/t gold equivalent.

An updated PEA for Santa Fe outlined an 11-year mine life and a post-tax NPV of US$820 million at base-case prices of US$3,600/oz gold and US$49/oz silver. The study estimates a 40.1 percent IRR and US$1.32 billion in after-tax life-of-mine net cash flow.

Average annual production is projected at about 91,900 gold-equivalent ounces, increasing to about 112,500 in years four to eleven. Estimated gold cash costs are US$1,909/oz and AISC is US$2,250/oz. Pre-production capital is US$172 million, with a projected payback of 3.7 years. The capital cost estimate in the PEA update includes a 20 percent contingency.

Note: Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not demonstrate economic viability.

West Santa Fe (Satellite Oxide Asset)

West Santa Fe is a satellite project located just 13 kilometres west of the main Santa Fe Mine infrastructure, encompassing a 19 square kilometre land package. The asset features gold and silver mineralization starting directly at surface and has the potential to host a significant shallow oxide gold and silver resource.

Recent twin-hole drilling has confirmed the validity of the historical database while delivering exceptional grades. Reverse Circulation hole WSF25-04R hit 36.6 metres grading 3.11 g/t gold equivalent from the surface, including a high-grade zone of 10.7 metres grading 5.75 g/t gold equivalent in completely oxidized material. Metallurgical testing highlights excellent processing characteristics; historic column leach tests showed 70 percent gold and 50 percent silver recoveries, while recent cyanide-extractable assay results outperformed expectations with an average gold recovery of 81 percent and silver recovery of 60 percent. Because the deposit aligns structurally as a look-alike to the main Santa Fe pit, it is being designed as a low-cost, open-pit satellite operation that can feed directly into the flagship processing hub.

Moho Mine (Satellite High-Grade Asset)

The Moho Mine represents a satellite high-grade gold and silver asset within Lahontan’s regional Walker Lane portfolio. Characterized by an extensive multiple-vein system, the historic underground asset features historic mining grades of 25 g/t gold and 300 g/t silver. It provides the company with localized, high-grade exploration targets that run parallel to its primary large-scale gold oxide heap-leach development projects.

Management Team

Kimberly Ann – Founder, Executive Chair, President and CEO

Kimberly Ann has more than a decade of experience founding and financing junior resource companies, raising more than US$300 million in capital and participating in multiple mergers, acquisitions and corporate transactions in the mining sector. She has also raised more than US$210 million in project financing and participated in three M&A transactions. Previously, she led Prodigy Gold through its $340 million acquisition by Argonaut Gold, held senior roles at Waterton Global Resource Management and helped bring PPX Mining's Callanquitas gold-silver mine into production in Peru. She is currently a Managing Partner of KA Gold LLC.

Brian Maher – Founder, Senior Vice President - Mine Development & Exploration

Brian Maher is a certified professional geologist. He previously served as President and CEO of Prodigy Gold, guiding exploration and development of the Magino deposit through the company's $341 million acquisition. His career includes sixteen years with ASARCO and senior exploration roles with Metallic Ventures Gold and Hochschild Mining.

Tony Gesualdo — Vice President, Exploration

Tony Gesualdo is a structural and economic geologist focusing on early-stage exploration, resource development, open-pit expansion and underground production geology. He previously worked as Senior Exploration Geologist at McEwen Inc., and also held roles in companies such as Coeur Mining, OceanaGold and Barrick Gold. He is the former Exploration Manager at Lahontan Gold and was instrumental to the development of the initial MRE at Santa Fe.

Billy Choi – Chief Financial Officer

Billy Choi holds extensive experience in public-company finance, capital markets, and transaction management. His background includes financial reporting and prospectus readiness, strengthening internal controls and financial processes, and helping build finance infrastructure for resource companies. He recently served as Vice President of Finance at Lithium Royalty Corp, where he played a significant role in the company’s public trading activities.

Chris Irwin - Corporate Secretary

Chris Irwin is a securities and corporate-commercial lawyer for public companies, boards and independent committees. He has served as a director and officer for numerous businesses such as those acquired by IAMGOLD, Goldcorp and First Majestic Silver. He is currently a Managing Partner of Irwin Lowy LLP.

Jen Earle - Investor Relations and Business Development

Jen brings two decades of experience in the natural resources sector, with extensive expertise in investor relations, capital markets, and strategic investor engagement for companies listed on the LSE, ASX and TSX. Her career spans junior mining companies with assets across multiple jurisdictions and a FTSE 250 oil and gas company, giving her broad experience across the natural resource and international capital markets landscape. Throughout her career, she has led and delivered capital market days, international field programs and global roadshows, developing meaningful relationships with investors and helping companies effectively communicate their strategy, assets and growth opportunities to the market.

Board of Directors

Miranda Werstiuk – Independent Director

Miranda Werstiuk holds over 30 years of experience across global resource markets, specializing in equity, debt and alternative financing for natural-resource, technology and renewable-energy companies. She currently serves on the board of Guanajuato Silver Company and is active in the PDAC, CIM and Women in Mining.

Shane Williams – Independent Director

Shane Williams is CEO and President of West Red Lake Gold Mines and previously served as COO of Skeena Resources. At Eldorado Gold, he led the Lamaque project from PEA to commercial operation in 18 months. His career also includes open-pit project roles with Rio Tinto and Kaunis Iron.

Evan Pelletier – Independent Director

Evan Pelletier has over 30 years of underground operating and project-delivery experience.

His career includes senior roles with Americas Gold & Silver and Kirkland Lake Gold, where he served at the Macassa mine during a period of significant growth. His international experience spans Mongolia, Argentina and Africa, including the oversight of a 2,000-metre shaft project delivered on time and on budget.

Antony Rowe - Independent Director

Antony Rowe is a mining-finance executive experienced in private credit, project finance, corporate lending and law. He previously helped build Resource Capital Funds' mining debt and credit strategy and executed mining investments at Investec Bank across Europe, the Americas and Africa. He currently serves as a Managing Director of Arrowpoint Mining Capital and Senior Adviser to Canmore Capital.

Note: CEO Kimberly Ann also forms part of Lahontan Gold’s board of directors.

Soap bubble bursting with stock market chart inside, displaying red downward trends on a dark background.

Experts Warn: AI Boom Shows Bubble Signs, but Investors May Miss the Exit

The artificial intelligence (AI) investment boom is showing many of the hallmarks of a market bubble, with soaring valuations, rising leverage and increasingly speculative capital flows prompting warnings from veteran investors at the New Orleans Investment Conference.During a popular annual... Keep Reading...
Don Hansen, gold bars.

Don Hansen: Gold, Silver Bull Run Not Over, My Strategy Now

Private investor Don Hansen shares his latest gold market analysis, emphasizing that the current bull market is likely only halfway through. "If we had a normal five or six times multiple, the gold bull market would go to US$8,000 to $10,000 an ounce in another four years," he said.Don't forget... Keep Reading...
Jp Cortez, gold bars.

Jp Cortez: Will the US Revalue Gold? Plus Repatriation, Fort Knox Audit

Jp Cortez, executive director at the Sound Money Defense League, reviews the organization's recent accomplishments in the US and talks about where it plans to focus in the year ahead, including efforts to move the SILVER Act forward. Cortez also explains why the push to audit Fort Knox... Keep Reading...
Three towering gold bars stand on a chart backdrop with numbers and graphs, text reads: 95426, 8599, 756.8.

Gold Majors’ Q3 Free Cashflow Falls as Spending and Costs Rise

Major gold producers ended the third quarter with less free cashflow than in Q2 as heavier capital spending and higher costs absorbed cash, even as gold edged higher.The LBMA gold price hit its quarterly low of US$3,978.55 per ounce on July 1, then climbed to a high of US$4,663.70 on August 24... Keep Reading...
Shiny gold bar rests on financial chart with fluctuating orange and blue lines.

Gold Price Rebounds After Jobs Data Sparks Friday Selloff

The gold price retreated on November 6, coming under pressure from a stronger US dollar and rising treasury yields, after new US jobs data showed that employers added 165,000 jobs in October.Spot gold was trading around US$4,063 per ounce by 2:55 p.m. EST. The decline followed a strong rally... Keep Reading...
Alasdair Macleod, gold bars.

Alasdair Macleod: Bond Crisis Ahead — Get in Gold and Out of Credit

Alasdair Macleod of Macleod Finance discusses the issues he sees unfolding in the bond market and outlines how they could spill over into the stock market. In his view, that could happen more quickly than many are expecting. Macleod also explains how gold fits into the picture, emphasizing its... Keep Reading...
Lahontan Gold Corp.

Lahontan Gold Corp. Investor Kit

  • Corporate info
  • Insights
  • Growth strategies
  • Upcoming projects

GET YOUR FREE INVESTOR KIT

Interactive Chart

Latest Press Releases

Related News