The Conversation (0)
Sitka Gold Corp. (TSXV: SIG) (FSE: 1RF) (OTCQB: SITKF) ("Sitka" or the "Company") is pleased to announce assay results from the first ever diamond drill holes completed at the Rhosgobel intrusion, located at the Company's road accessible, district-scale RC Gold Project in Yukon, Canada. Results from DDRCRG-24-001, which is the first diamond drill hole ever completed at Rhosgobel, returned 164.8 metres of 0.82 g/t gold starting 9 metres from surface, including 119.0 metres of 1.05 g/t gold, 37.9 metres of 2.05 g/t gold and 11.5 metres of 4.32 g/t gold. Initial diamond drilling at Rhosgobel intersected abundant sheeted veining and multiple occurrences of visible gold, with results confirming strong gold mineralization continues from surface to at least 300 metres. Results are currently pending for 6 additional diamond drill holes currently at the assay lab, including the first diamond drill holes ever completed at the Pukelman intrusion, located approximately 2 kilometres southeast of the Blackjack gold deposit (see Figure 4), where abundant sheeted veining has also been observed along with occurrences of visible gold in the drill core (see news release dated October 31, 2024).
- DDRCRG-24-001 returned 164.8 metres of 0.82 g/t gold starting 9 metres from surface, including 119.0 metres of 1.05 g/t gold, 37.9 metres of 2.05 g/t gold and 11.5 metres of 4.32 g/t gold in the first ever diamond drill hole at Rhosgobel.
- Drilling confirms strong gold mineralization from surface to a depth of at least 300 metres.
- Gold mineralization discovered at Rhosgobel is hosted in feldspar megacrystic quartz monzonite similar to that seen at the Blackjack gold deposit located 5 km along trend to the north.
- Holes were drilled under a >300 ppb gold-in-soil anomaly that is part of a larger 1.5 km x 2 km gold-in-soil anomaly with values up to >500 ppb gold.
- Rhosgobel is the largest mapped intrusion target within the Clear Creek Intrusive Complex.
- Drill results underscore potential for Rhosgobel to host a significant multi-million ounce intrusion-related gold deposit.
Table 1: Highlights from the first two diamond drill holes ever completed at Rhosgobel
| Hole ID | From (m) | To (m) | Interval (m)* | Gold (g/t) |
| DDRCRG-24-001 | 9.1 | 173.9 | 164.8 | 0.82 |
| Including | 30.0 | 149 | 119.0 | 1.05 |
| including | 98.5 | 136.36 | 37.9 | 2.05 |
| including | 98.5 | 110.03 | 11.5 | 4.32 |
| including | 102.0 | 103.67 | 1.7 | 16.25 |
| DDRCRG-24-002 | 97.0 | 207.3 | 173.3 | 0.60 |
| Including | 105.0 | 133.4 | 28.4 | 1.37 |
| Including | 121.0 | 133.4 | 12.4 | 2.43 |
| Including | 167.1 | 184.5 | 17.4 | 1.10 |
| Including | 269.2 | 270.3 | 1.1 | 8.99 |
"The results of the first two diamond drill holes ever drilled at the Rhosgobel intrusion target have exceeded our expectations, with both holes returning significant intervals of over 1 g/t gold, including 2.05 g/t gold over 37.9 metres and 4.32 g/t gold over 11.5 metres in DDRCRG-24-001", stated Cor Coe, Director and CEO of Sitka Gold. "Rhosgobel is the largest intrusion target within the Clear Creek Intrusive Complex (see Figure 4) and these holes have confirmed that robust gold mineralization persists here to a vertical depth of at least 300 metres and is laterally open in all directions within a very large, 2 km x 1.5 km gold-in-soil anomaly with values ranging from >100 ppb to > 500 ppb (see Figure 1). This bodes very well for the discovery of a third significant gold deposit at RC Gold, where geochemical surface signatures have been shown to strongly coincide with underlying intrusion-related gold mineralization elsewhere on the property, similar to that seen at our growing Blackjack gold deposit. With $15 million in the treasury and no debt, the Company is well positioned to follow up on this exciting new discovery with a substantial diamond drilling program as we continue to advance several targets at our flagship RC Gold Project."
Figure 1 - Plan map of the 2024 drilling on the Rhosgobel intrusion showing the locations of DDRCRG-24-001 and 002, the first ever diamond drill holes completed at Rhosgobel, within the large 1.5 x 2.0 kilometre gold-in-soil anomaly and mapped intrusion. Geochemical surface signatures such as this have been shown to strongly coincide with underlying intrusion-related gold mineralization elsewhere on the property, similar to that seen at the Blackjack gold deposit located approximately 5 km north along trend (see Figure 4).
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6144/231247_22ff53324451b911_001full.jpg
Figure 2 - Cross section of DDRCRG-24-001 and 002, the first ever diamond drill holes completed at the Rhosgobel intrusion. These initial diamond drill holes intersected gold at significantly greater depths than the limits of historical shallow reverse-circulation drilling and confirm that strong gold mineralization persists from surface to a depth of at least 300 metres.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6144/231247_22ff53324451b911_002full.jpg
Figure 3 - Shallow historical reverse-circulation drilling in the Rhosgobel intrusion in 1995 (labelled CCRC-95-XX on the map) produced numerous intersections of gold mineralization consisting of sheeted quartz veins within megacrystic quartz monzonite, confirming widespread gold mineralization within the Rhosgobel intrusion coincident with the larger 1.5 km x 2.0 km gold-in-soil anomaly (see Figure 1). Higher-grade gold mineralization is also modelled along intersections of structural corridors that form conduits for gold mineralization, such as those mapped at the Rhosgobel intrusion (red and green lines on plan map). The first ever diamond drill holes completed at Rhosgobel (DDRCRG-24-001 and 002) further highlight the potential for this gold system to continue to a depth of at least 300 metres.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6144/231247_22ff53324451b911_003full.jpg
The Rhosgobel intrusion is the largest and southernmost exposed intrusion that forms a part of the Clear Creek Intrusive Complex (CCIC). Intrusions within the CCIC occupy an area of approximately 8 by 15 kilometres and likely have a common magmatic source at depth. The intrusions vary in composition and include quartz monzonite, granodiorite and diorite. Felsic and lamprophyre dykes also occur within the CCIC. All of the intrusions have associated gold mineralization, suggesting that the CCIC forms a large mineralized system with the potential to host several gold deposits. The Rhosgobel intrusion is a megacrystic quartz monzonite (MCQM) similar to the Saddle Intrusion that hosts the Blackjack Deposit 5 km to the north.
Previous shallow reverse circulation drilling by Kennecott in 1995 identified widespread gold mineralization within the Rhosgobel intrusion (see Figure 3). These initial diamond drill holes by Sitka have intersected gold at significantly greater depths, demonstrating the potential for a much larger mineralized system.
Mineralization at Rhosgobel consists of abundant 1-2 cm sheeted quartz veins, larger (10-40 cm) quartz tourmaline veins, and large zones of quartz tourmaline breccias and stockwork within a larger zone cutting the MCQM host intrusion. Coarse scheelite and sulphides, including pyrrhotite and pyrite with subordinate arsenopyrite, occur within the veins and breccias throughout the intrusion. Gold was observed within the quartz veins and breccias and was consistently associated with bismuthinite, scheelite, and occasionally molybdenite. Alteration was pervasive quartz-sericite and sericite-chlorite with more intense quartz-sericite-chlorite alteration selvages around the veins.
DDRCRG-24-001
Drill hole DDRCRG-24-001 was drilled to a length of 303.6 metres at a dip of -50 degrees and an azimuth of 010 degrees to test the down dip extension of the gold mineralization intersected in the historical RC drill holes CCRC-95-15 and CCRC-95-16. The hole remained in MCQM throughout its length including approximately 200 metres of altered, faulted, brecciated, and mineralized feldspar megacrystic quartz monzonite and approximately 100 metres of weakly altered MCQM cut by occasional 1-10 cm quartz-scheelite sheeted veins. Visible gold was observed at two locations within the hole.
DDRCRG-24-001 intersected significant gold mineralisation from near surface to about 180 metres with 164.8 metres returning 0.82 g/t gold from 9.1 metres. Higher grade intersections within this interval included 119.0 metres of 1.05 g/t gold from 30.0 metres and 37.9 metres of 2.05 g/t gold from 98.5 metres. A 1.8 metre interval from 102.0 metres returned 16.25 g/t gold, demonstrating the presence of significant high grade gold mineralization in the Rhosgobel system.
DDRCRG-24-002
Drill hole DDRCRG-24-002 was drilled to a length of 400.8 metres at a dip of -75 degrees and an azimuth of 010 degrees to test the down dip extension of the gold mineralization intersected in the historical RC drill holes CCRC-95-15 and CCRC-95-16, and the mineralized interval intersected in DDRCRG-24-001. DDRCRG-24-002 also remained in MCQM throughout its length. The hole intersected approximately 50 metres of oxidized, altered, faulted, and mineralized MCQM, then continued through sections of high vein density and very large, locally brecciated, quartz and quartz tourmaline veins with strong alteration envelopes. Mineralization in the veins included coarse scheelite, molybdenite and bismuthinite. Numerous instances of visible gold were noted throughout the hole.
DDRCRG-24-002 returned 350.1 metres 0.40 g/t gold from 5.5 metres, demonstrating the continuation of widespread gold mineralization intersected in DDRCRG-24-001 to depth. Higher grade intervals from this broad intersection included 173.3 metres of 0.60 g/t gold from 97.0 metres, 28.4 metres of 1.40 g/t gold from 105.0 metres, 12.4 metres of 2.40 g/t gold from 121.0 metres, 0.9 metres of 5.50 g/t gold from 228.8 metres and 1.1 metres of 9.00 g/t gold from 269.2 metres.
Figure 4 - Map showing multiple priority target areas across the recently consolidated Clear Creek Intrusive Complex along with the location of 2024 diamond drilling completed at the Rhosgobel intrusion approximately 5 km south of the Blackjack and Eiger deposits. The Rhosgobel intrusion is approximately 3 km long and 2 km wide. Higher-grade gold mineralization is modelled along intersections of structural corridors that form conduits for gold mineralization. A large mineralized system highlighted by the numerous gold-bearing intrusions and intersecting structural corridors similar to that being defined at the Blackjack Deposit exist at many other target areas within the Clear Creek Intrusive Complex.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6144/231247_22ff53324451b911_004full.jpg
Figure 5 - Examples of several instances of visible gold observed throughout DDRCRG-24-001 (a - b) and DDRCRG-24-002 (c - f). Visible gold is often associated with bismuthinite, scheelite, and arsenopyrite.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6144/231247_22ff53324451b911_005full.jpg
Figure 6 - Drill core from DDRCRG-24-001 showing the 37.9 m interval from 98.5 m to 136.4 m grading 2.05 g/t Au, including 1.7 m of 16.25 g/t Au from 102.0 m
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6144/231247_11252024fig6.jpg
Figure 7 - Drill core from DDRCRG-24-002 showing the 28.4 m interval from 105.0 m to 133.4 m grading 1.37 g/t Au
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6144/231247_11252024fig7.jpg
Table 2: Summary of significant drill hole results from this release
| Hole | From (m) | To (m) | Length (m) | Au (g/t) |
| DDRCRG-24-001 | 9.14 | 173.9 | 164.76 | 0.82 |
| Including | 30 | 149 | 119 | 1.05 |
| including | 98.5 | 136.36 | 37.86 | 2.05 |
| including | 98.5 | 110.03 | 11.53 | 4.32 |
| including | 102 | 103.67 | 1.67 | 16.25 |
| DDRCRG-24-002 | 5.5 | 355.7 | 350.1 | 0.40 |
| 97.0 | 207.3 | 173.3 | 0.60 | |
| Including | 105.0 | 133.4 | 28.4 | 1.37 |
| Including | 121.0 | 133.4 | 12.4 | 2.43 |
| Including | 167.1 | 184.5 | 17.4 | 1.10 |
| Including | 228.8 | 236.5 | 7.7 | 1.20 |
| Including | 228.8 | 229.7 | 0.9 | 5.50 |
| Including | 269.2 | 270.3 | 1.1 | 8.99 |
*Intervals are drilled core length as insufficient drilling has been completed at this time to calculate true widths. Totals may not sum precisely due to rounding.
Metallurgical Testing
The Company has initiated additional metallurgical studies on the Blackjack Deposit by ALS Canada Ltd. Metallurgy Services to further investigate the gold recoveries of different types and grades of mineralization. Extraction gold recoveries from previous bottle roll testing by ALS in 2022 averaged 85% and were as high as 94% (See Company press release dated July 13, 2022) .
Three 20 kg composite samples of megacrystic quartz monzonite material grading 0.406 g/t Au, 1.08 g/t Au and 1.99 g/t Au and one 20 kg composite sample of metasedimentary material grading 0.605 g/t Au have been selected for this round of testing. The samples were composited from coarse reject material from 2023 drilling. The objective of the testing is to investigate the recovery potential of gravity concentration and sulphide flotation, and to further investigate cyanide leach recoveries.
Quality Assurance/Quality Control
On receipt from the drill site, the HTW/NTW-sized drill core was systematically logged for geological attributes, photographed and sampled at Sitka's core logging facility. Sample lengths as small as 0.3 m were used to isolate features of interest, otherwise a default 2 m downhole sample length was used. Each sample is identified by a unique sample tag number which is placed in the bag containing the core to be assayed. Core was cut in half lengthwise along a predetermined line, with one-half (the same half, consistently) collected for analysis and one-half stored as a record. Standard reference materials, blanks and duplicate samples were inserted by Sitka personnel at regular intervals into the sample stream. Bagged samples were placed in secure bins to ensure integrity during transport. They were delivered by Sitka personnel or a contract expeditor to ALS Laboratories' preparatory facility in Whitehorse, Yukon, with analyses completed in North Vancouver.
ALS is accredited to ISO 17025:2005 UKAS ref. 4028 for its laboratory analysis. Samples were crushed by ALS to over 70 per cent passing below two millimetres and split using a riffle splitter. One-thousand-gram splits were pulverized to over 85 per cent passing below 75 microns. Gold determinations are by fire assay with an inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) finish on 50 g subsamples of the prepared pulp (ALS code: Au-ICP-22). Any sample returning over 10 g/t Au was re-analyzed by fire assay with a gravimetric finish on a 50 g subsample (ALS code: Au-GRA21). In addition, a 51-element analysis was performed on a 0.5 g subsample of the prepared pulps by an aqua regia digestion followed by an inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) finish (ALS code: ME-MS41).
About the flagship RC Gold Project
The RC Gold Project consists of a 431 square kilometre contiguous district-scale land package located in the heart of Yukon's Tombstone Gold Belt. The project is located approximately 100 kilometres east of Dawson City, which has a 5,000 foot paved runway, and is accessed via a secondary gravel road from the Klondike Highway which is usable year-round and is an approximate 2 hour drive from Dawson City. It is the largest consolidated land package strategically positioned mid-way between the Eagle Gold Mine and the past producing Brewery Creek Gold Mine.
On January 19, 2023 Sitka Gold announced an Initial Mineral Resource Estimate prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") guidelines for the RC Gold Property of 1,340,000 ounces of gold(1). The road accessible, pit constrained Mineral Resource is classified as inferred and is contained in two zones: The Blackjack and Eiger deposits with 900,000 ounces of gold grading 0.83 g/t and 440,000 ounces of gold grading 0.68 g/t respectively. Both of these deposits are at/near surface, are potentially open pit minable and amenable to heap leaching, with initial bottle roll tests indicating that the gold is not refractory and has high gold recoveries of up to 94% with minimal NaCN consumption (see News Release July 13, 2022). The Mineral Resource estimate is presented in the following table at a base case cut-off grade of 0.25 g/t Au:
RC Gold Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate
| COG g/t Au | Blackjack Zone | Eiger Zone | Combined | ||||||||
| Tonnes 000's | Au g/t | 0z Au 000's | Tonnes 000's | Au g/t | 0z Au 000's | Tonnes 000's | Au g/t | 0z Au 000's | |||
| 0.20 | 35,798 | 0.80 | 921 | 32,523 | 0.45 | 471 | 68,321 | 0.63 | 1,391 | ||
| 0.25 | 33,743 | 0.83 | 900 | 27,362 | 0.50 | 440 | 61,105 | 0.68 | 1,340 | ||
| 0.30 | 31,282 | 0.88 | 885 | 22,253 | 0.55 | 393 | 53,535 | 0.74 | 1,279 | ||
| 0.35 | 29,065 | 0.92 | 860 | 17,817 | 0.60 | 344 | 46,882 | 0.80 | 1,203 | ||
| 0.40 | 26,975 | 0.96 | 833 | 14,506 | 0.66 | 308 | 41,481 | 0.86 | 1,140 |
Notes
- Mineral resource estimate prepared by Ronald G. Simpson of GeoSim Services Inc. with an effective date of January 19, 2023. Mineral Resources are classified using the 2014 CIM Definition Standards.
- The cut-off grade of 0.25 g/t Au is believed to provide a reasonable margin over operating and sustaining costs for open-pit mining and processing
- Mineral resources are constrained by an optimised pit shell using the following assumptions: US$1800/oz Au price; a 45° pit slope; assumed metallurgical recovery of 85%; mining costs of US$2.00 per tonne; processing costs of US$8.00 per tonne; G&A of US$1.50/t.
- Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability.
- Totals may not sum due to rounding.
To date, 72 diamond drill holes have been drilled into this system by the Company for a total of approximately 25,136 metres. The initial resource was based on 11,630 m of drilling in 34 holes with 22 holes totaling 7,492 m in the Blackjack deposit. Drilling since the initial resource release has focused on expanding the Blackjack resource with an additional 12-holes totaling 5,212 drilled in 2023 and 15-holes totaling 7162 m to date in 2024. Other targets drilled to date include the Saddle zone, Josephine zone and the Rhosgobel zone. The resource expansion drilling in 2023 at Blackjack produced results of up to 219.0 m of 1.34 g/t gold including 124.8 m of 2.01 g/t gold and 55.0 m of 3.11 g/t gold in drill hole DDRCCC-23-047 (see news release dated September 26, 2023) and in 2024 results of up to 678.1 metres of 1.04 g/t gold starting from surface, including 409.5 metres of 1.36 g/t gold, 93.0 metres of 2.57 g/t gold and 5.5 metres of 17.59 g/t gold
(see news release dated October 21, 2024).
(1) Simpson, R. January 19, 2023. Clear Creek Property, RC Gold Project, NI 43-101 Technical Report, Dawson Mining District, Yukon Territory
RC Gold Deposit Model
Exploration on the Property has mainly focused on identifying an intrusion-related gold system ("IRGS"). The property is within the Tombstone Gold Belt which is the prominent host to IRGS deposits within the Tintina Gold Province in Yukon and Alaska. Notable deposits from the belt include: Fort Knox Mine in Alaska with current Proven and Probable Reserves of 230 million tonnes at 0.3 g/t Au (2.471 million ounces; Sims 2018)(1); Eagle Gold Mine with current Measured and Indicated Resources of 233 million tonnes at a grade of 0.57 g/t Au at the Eagle Main Zone (4.303 million ounces; Harvey et al, 2022)(2); the Brewery Creek deposit with current Indicated Mineral Resource of 22.2 million tonnes at a gold grade of 1.11 g/t (0.789 million ounces; Hulse et al. 2020)(3); the Florin Gold deposit with a current Inferred Mineral Resource of 170.99 million tonnes grading 0.45 g/t (2.47 million ounces; Simpson 2021)(4); the AurMac Project with an Inferred Mineral Resource of 347.49 million tonnes grading 0.63 gram per tonne gold (7.00 million ounces)(5) and the Valley Deposit, with a current Indicated Mineral Resource of 4.05 million oz gold at 1.66 g/t and an additional Inferred Mineral Resource of 3.26 million oz at 1.25 g/t gold(6).
(1) Sims J. Fort Knox Mine Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska, USA National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report. June 11, 2018. https://s2.q4cdn.com/496390694/files/doc_downloads...
(2) Harvey N., Gray P., Winterton J., Jutras M., Levy M.,Technical Report for the Eagle Gold Mine, Yukon Territory, Canada. Victoria Gold Corp. December 31, 2022. https://vgcx.com/site/assets/files/6534/vgcx_-_202...
(3) Hulse D, Emanuel C, Cook C. NI 43-101 Technical Report on Mineral Resources. Gustavson Associates. May 31, 2020. https://minedocs.com/22/Brewery-Creek-PEA-01182022...
(4) Simpson R. Florin Gold Project NI 43-101 Technical Report. Geosim Services Inc. April 21, 2021. https://sedar.com/GetFile.do?lang=EN&docClass=24&i... d=4984158
(5) Thornton T., Jutras M., Malhotra D. Technical Report Aurmac Property Mayo Mining District, Yukon Territory, Canada. JDS Energy and Mining Inc. February 6, 2024. https://banyangold.com/site/assets/files/5251/bany...
(6) Burrell H., Redmond D.J., Haggarty P., Rogue Gold Project: NI43-101 Technical Report and Mineral Resource Estimate, Yukon Territory, Canada. Snowline Gold Corp. May 15, 2024. https://snowlinegold.com
Upcoming Events
Sitka Gold will be attending and/or presenting at the following events*:
- American Exploration and Mining Association Conference, Reno, NV: December 1 - 6, 2024
- Metal Investors Forum, Vancouver, BC: January 17-18, 2025
- VRIC, Vancouver, BC: January 19 - 20, 2025
- RoundUp, Vancouver, BC: January 20-23, 2025
*All events are subject to change.
About Sitka Gold Corp.
Sitka Gold Corp. is a well-funded mineral exploration company headquartered in Canada with over $15 million in its treasury and no debt. The Company is managed by a team of experienced industry professionals and is focused on exploring for economically viable mineral deposits with its primary emphasis on gold, silver and copper mineral properties of merit. Sitka is currently advancing its 100% owned, 431 square kilometre flagship RC Gold Project located within the Tombstone Gold Belt in the Yukon Territory. The Company is also advancing the Alpha Gold Project in Nevada and currently has drill permits for its Burro Creek Gold and Silver Project in Arizona and the Coppermine River Project in Nunavut.
The Company recently announced an NI 43-101 compliant initial inferred Mineral Resource Estimate of 1,340,000 ounces of gold(1) beginning at surface and grading 0.68 g/t at its RC Gold Project in Yukon (see news release dated January 19, 2023).
(1) Simpson, R. January 19, 2023. Clear Creek Property, RC Gold Project, NI 43-101 Technical Report, Dawson Mining District, Yukon Territory
*For more detailed information on the Company's properties please visit our website at www.sitkagoldcorp.com
The scientific and technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Cor Coe, P.Geo., Director and CEO of the Company, and a Qualified Person (QP) as defined by National Instrument 43-101.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
SITKA GOLD CORP.
President and Director
For more information contact:
Donald Penner
President & Director
778-212-1950
dpenner@sitkagoldcorp.com
or
Cor Coe
CEO & Director
604-817-4753
ccoe@sitkagoldcorp.com
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.
Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements
This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward‐looking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding discussions of future plans, estimates and forecasts and statements as to management's expectations and intentions and the Company's anticipated work programs.
These forward‐looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, market uncertainty and the results of the Company's anticipated work programs.
Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor.
SIG:CA
Lahontan Gold Corp.
Investor Insight
Lahontan Gold is on track to become a leading gold developer in Nevada’s Walker Lane district, presenting a compelling investment opportunity by combining a high-quality resource base with a clear path to production in Nevada’s premier mining jurisdiction — all in a rising gold price environment.
Overview
Lahontan Gold (TSXV:LG,OTCQB:LGCXF) is focused on advancing its portfolio of high-quality gold and silver projects in Nevada. The company’s flagship Santa Fe mine was a past producer that operated from 1988 to 1992, yielding 356,000 ounces of gold and 784,000 ounces of silver. Lahontan aims to unlock the mine’s full potential by expanding its resources and pushing forward on permitting.
The company recently completed a robust preliminary economic assessment (PEA) outlining a clear pathway to production. Permitting efforts are progressing with the Bureau of Land Management, and Lahontan anticipates being in a position to break ground by 2026.
Additionally, strategic drilling campaigns are planned to further expand the existing resource base.
The company's strategy to unlock shareholder value is to advance the Santa Fe mine toward production by derisking the project through permitting and feasibility studies, while optimizing heap leach processing for maximum recoveries and economic efficiency. Concurrently, it is unlocking value from satellite deposits, including West Santa Fe, which has high-grade oxide potential, and Moho, an early-stage project with promising historic gold and silver intercepts.
Positioned as a low-cost developer in a top-tier jurisdiction, the company maintains strong institutional support with minimal dilution risk, ensuring capital efficiency and sustainable growth.
Company Highlights
- Flagship Santa Fe Project: 100 percent owned, past-producing open-pit heap leach mine with an updated resource estimate of 1.54 million ounces indicated and 0.41 million ounces inferred pit constrained resource
- Strategic Nevada Location: Situated in Walker Lane, one of the world’s best mining jurisdictions, with excellent infrastructure, water access, and a mining-friendly regulatory environment.
- Strong Resource Growth Potential: The Santa Fe Mine and its satellite projects, West Santa Fe and Moho, offer exploration upside, with further drilling planned to expand resources.
- Advancing Toward Production: With a positive Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) completed in late 2024, Lahontan is aggressively moving toward permitting and development.
- Experienced Leadership: The company is led by an experienced management team with a proven track record in mine development, permitting, and value creation for investors.
Key Projects
Santa Fe Mine
The Santa Fe mine, located in Mineral County, Nevada, spans 26.4 sq km and represents Lahontan Gold’s flagship development project. With an updated mineral resource estimate of 1.95 Moz gold equivalent, the project hosts multiple oxide and sulfide zones that remain open for expansion.
Historical production from the Santa Fe mine yielded 356,000 oz gold and 784,000 oz silver from an open-pit heap leach operation. Modern exploration and metallurgical testing have identified additional high-grade mineralization that could support an expanded operation.
The recently completed PEA indicates strong economic potential, with favorable heap leach recoveries and low operating costs. Lahontan is actively working with the Bureau of Land Management to advance the permitting process, with the goal of achieving production readiness by 2026.
Lahontan has received confirmation from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) that its Santa Fe Exploration Plan of Operations (POO) is now complete, paving the way for the project to enter the full environmental assessment (EA) under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The completion marks over two years of baseline studies, including biological, cultural, and historical assessments, and covers more than 12 sq km of the Santa Fe project with provision for over 700 drill sites. With this milestone, Lahontan expects to secure final POO approval in Q4 2025, enabling an expanded and robust drilling campaign in 2026.
West Santa Fe
The West Santa Fe project, situated just 13 km from the Santa Fe mine, is a highly prospective satellite project that could serve as an extension of the main operation. Historic drill data suggest the presence of a shallow oxide deposit, with early resource modeling indicating a potential gold equivalent resource of 0.5 to 1 Moz.
West Santa Fe’s excellent resource growth potential
Lahontan is preparing for an extensive drill program in 2025 to validate and expand this resource. Geophysical surveys and geochemical sampling have identified strong structural controls on mineralization, further supporting the potential for economic extraction. Given its proximity to Santa Fe, West Santa Fe offers a compelling low-cost, high-margin opportunity for future production.
Moho Project
The Moho project is another 100 percent owned asset within the Walker Lane district in Nevada, presenting a longer-term growth opportunity for Lahontan. The project is characterized by historic high-grade gold and silver intercepts from past drilling, with reported grades exceeding 20 g/t gold and 300 g/t silver. Initial exploration has confirmed the presence of oxidized tertiary epithermal vein systems, which are ideal for conventional heap leach processing. Core drilling in 2019 further validated the high-grade nature of Moho’s mineralization, with significant intercepts occurring at relatively shallow depths. Lahontan plans to conduct additional exploration drilling to refine resource estimates and assess potential economic viability.
Management Team
Kimberly Ann – Founder, Executive Chair, President and CEO
Kimberly Ann is a seasoned mining executive who has founded multiple junior mining companies and held senior roles, including CEO, president, CFO, and board member. Over the past 12 years, she has raised more than $210 million in project financing and participated in three junior mining M&A transactions. At Prodigy Gold, she led corporate communications, equity financings, and analyst engagement, playing a key role in the company’s $340 million acquisition by Argonaut Gold. As CFO and VP corporate development at PPX Mining, she successfully advanced the high-grade Callanquitas gold-silver underground mine into production in Northern Peru. In 2017, Kimberly founded Latin America Resource Group, transforming Jasperoide from two small concessions into a 57 sq km copper-gold project in Peru’s most prolific mineralized belt. Following LARG’s 2020 merger with Carube Copper to form C3 Metals, she positioned the company for significant portfolio growth and value creation.
Brian Maher – Founder and Vice-president of Exploration
Brian Maher is an economic geologist with over 45 years of experience in the international mining and exploration industry. Prior to Lahontan, Maher was the president, CEO and director of Prodigy Gold, where he guided the company through a period of expansive growth, exploring and developing the 6.6 Moz Magino gold deposit in northern Ontario, culminating in the $341 million acquisition of Prodigy Gold by Argonaut Gold in 2012. In 1982, he began a 16-year career with ASARCO, exploring for gold and copper deposits in a variety of geologic environments throughout North and South America. From 1998 and 2004, he was project manager for Metallic Ventures Gold, supervising underground and surface exploration, mine development and operations at an underground gold mine in Nevada.
John McNeice – CFO
John McNeice is a chartered professional accountant registered in Ontario, Canada, with over 30 years of experience in public company reporting, financial management, accounting and audit. Currently McNeice is the CFO of Gold79 Mines (TSXV:AUU), C3 Metals (TSXV:CCCM) and Northern Graphite (TSXV:NGC), where he is responsible for financial and regulatory reporting as well as day-to-day financial management. He has held CFO roles in seven public resource companies over the past 17 years and has overseen IPOs, RTOs and many quarterly, annual and periodic public company filings. From 2004 to 2007, McNeice was CFO of Ur-Energy, a uranium exploration and development company now a US-based producer of uranium. During his tenure, Ur-Energy raised an aggregate of $150 million in a series of private placements, the IPO and several significant secondary financings.
Josh Serfass – Independent Director
Josh Serfass is the executive vice-president of corporate development and investor relations at Integra Resources. Previously, he was the manager of corporate communications at Integra Gold. He was a key member of the team at Integra Gold that grew, developed and sold the past producing Lamaque mine in Val-dOr, Québec to Eldorado Gold for C$590 million in 2017. Committed to thinking differently about mining, Serfass worked with the team at Integra Gold to host the 2016 Integra Gold Rush Challenge and the 2017 #DisruptMining Challenge, initiatives that encouraged innovation and technology disruption in the mining industry.
Shane Williams - Independent Director
Shane Williams is president, CEO, and director of West Red Lake Gold Mines, leading the restart of the Madsen Gold Mine. He was previously COO of Skeena Resources, advancing Eskay Creek, and VP of Operations and Capital Projects at Eldorado Gold, where he brought the Lamaque Gold Mine from PEA to production in just 18 months. As project director, he also oversaw Eldorado’s Skouries and Olympias projects with a combined US$1 billion capex, and earlier led development of Sweden’s Kaunis Iron open-pit mine from exploration to operation in 3.5 years. Williams holds a B.Eng. in Electrical Engineering and an M.Sc. in Project Management.
Evan Pelletier - Independent Director
Evan Pelletier is a mining executive with over 30 years of underground mining experience in North America, Mongolia, Argentina, and Africa. He is currently the interim general manager of the Galena Mine with Americas Gold & Silver, and previously served as VP of Mining at Kirkland Lake (2020–2022) and mine manager at the Macassa Mine (2016–2020). At Kirkland Lake, he helped grow the company from $400 million in 2016 to $13 billion in 2022, including oversight of a nearly 2,000-metre shaft with a $450 milliom budget, delivered on time and on budget.
Max Pluss - Independent Director
Max Pluss is an investment professional with experience across hedge funds, private equity, and venture capital. He is the Founder of Rhea Capital Management, backing and incubating mission-driven companies. Previously, he was an analyst at Extract Capital, a hedge fund focused on natural resource investments, and earlier advised public company CEOs on corporate development and market positioning. pluss holds a B.A. from Colorado College and M.B.A. degrees from Columbia University and London Business School.
Zeus Resources: Unlocking Morocco’s High-grade Antimony in a Tightening Supply Market
Zeus Resources (ASX:ZEU,FSE:ZEU) is a mineral exploration company dedicated to advancing high-grade critical mineral projects in underexplored regions. Its primary focus is the 100-percent-owned Casablanca antimony project in Morocco, while also maintaining exploration interests in uranium, lithium and rare earth elements across Australia.
Targeting Europe’s industrial and defence supply chains, Zeus is leveraging Morocco’s efficient permitting environment to fast-track development. In July 2025, Zeus completed its acquisition of Casablanca and immediately initiated a high-resolution geophysics program. The company aims to progress from reconnaissance to drilling within months, capitalising on record-high antimony prices and tightening Western supply chains. The Casablanca project represents one of the few high-grade antimony exposures outside China.
Zeus also strengthened its Moroccan strategy through a five-year, non-exclusive license agreement with Newmont, covering its Morocco exploration database and regional framework study across the Anti-Atlas and Central Meseta regions. The database integrates geochemical, geophysical and structural datasets, providing Zeus with a competitive advantage in prospectivity analysis and target generation. Key terms include a 1 percent NSR royalty on any properties Zeus acquires in these regions and a 15-year right of first refusal for Newmont on transfers. The agreement streamlines project identification, reduces early-stage risk and positions Zeus to efficiently expand its Moroccan footprint.
Company Highlights
- Casablanca Antimony Project: Six exploration licenses over 79 sq km in central Morocco. Surface sampling during due diligence returned astonishing results: up to 61.9 percent antimony, with additional samples ranging 7.8 to 46.52 percent antimony along a mapped strike exceeding 4 km
- Strategic Location for Supply Security: Morocco is a long-standing antimony producer with historic supply to Europe, ranking 19th globally on the Fraser Institute’s mining jurisdiction index- – on par with Western Australia.
- Rapid Advancement Exploration Model: Geophysics survey underway within weeks of licence acquisition, trenching program planned, and drill commencement targeted for early Q4 2025.
- Favourable Market Dynamics: Antimony prices have quadrupled since early 2024 to ~US$55,000/t amid tightening global supply and rising demand from defence, electronics and renewable energy sectors.
- Strategic Advisory Firepower: Former US Ambassador Christopher Dell has joined as US business and strategic development advisor aiming to leverage his extensive diplomatic experience and proven negotiation skills to facilitate Zeus navigate capital-raising, geopolitical positioning and partnerships aligned with Western critical minerals policy
- Strategic Data Access: Access to Newmont’s Morocco exploration database and framework study strengthens Zeus’s ability to fast-track target generation and expand its Moroccan footprint
- Lean Valuation, Clear Milestones: Market capitalization sits around AU$9 to AU$13 million, offering early-stage leverage if exploration success continues.
This Zeus Resources profile is part of a paid investor education campaign.*
Click here to connect with Zeus Resources (ASX:ZEU) to receive an Investor Presentation
Zeus Resources Limited
Investor Insight
With a targeted, execution-driven strategy, Zeus Resources is positioning itself as an emerging critical minerals explorer with a compelling investment story that leverages a strengthening antimony market and a clear path from discovery to production.
Overview
Zeus Resources (ASX:ZEU,FSE: ZEU) is a dynamic mineral exploration company focused on discovering and advancing early-stage, high-grade critical mineral assets in underexplored jurisdictions. Its primary strategic focus is the 100-percent-owned Casablanca antimony project in Morocco. The company also has exploration interests in uranium, lithium and rare earth elements in Australia.
Antimony, the company’s lead commodity, is designated as a critical mineral by the US, EU, Japan and Australia due to its essential role in defence, energy storage, electronics and renewable technologies. Global supply is heavily concentrated, with more than 60 percent of production originating from China and Russia and limited processing capacity outside China.
This current dynamic makes Morocco’s potential as a secure, alternative source strategically and economically important.
With Europe’s industrial and defence supply chains as its target, Zeus is leveraging Morocco’s efficient permitting environment to fast-track development. In July 2025, the company completed its acquisition of Casablanca and quickly initiated a high-resolution geophysics program. The company aims to move from reconnaissance to drilling within months to capitalise on record-high antimony prices and tightening Western supply chains. The Casablanca project represents one of the rare high-grade antimony exposures outside China.
In parallel, Zeus has strengthened its Moroccan strategy through a five-year non-exclusive license agreement with Newmont, covering its Morocco exploration database and regional framework study across the Anti-Atlas and Central Meseta regions. The database provides integrated geochemical, geophysical and structural datasets, giving Zeus a competitive advantage in prospectivity analysis and target generation. Key terms include a 1 percent NSR royalty on any properties Zeus acquires in these regions and a 15-year right of first refusal for Newmont on transfers. This agreement streamlines project identification, reduces early-stage risk, and positions Zeus to expand its Moroccan footprint efficiently.
Beyond Morocco, Zeus retains royalty-backed lithium exposure through the Mortimer Hills project in Western Australia’s Gascoyne region, situated near Delta Lithium’s substantial Malinda and Jameson deposits. The company also holds the Kalabity project in South Australia, offering multi-commodity optionality including uranium, copper, base metals, lithium and REEs, across a large landholding with geological analogies to both Olympic Dam (IOCG) and Broken Hill mineral systems.
Company Highlights
- Casablanca Antimony Project: Six exploration licenses over 79 sq km in central Morocco. Surface sampling during due diligence returned astonishing results: up to 61.9 percent antimony, with additional samples ranging 7.8 to 46.52 percent antimony along a mapped strike exceeding 4 km
- Strategic Location for Supply Security: Morocco is a long-standing antimony producer with historic supply to Europe, ranking 19th globally on the Fraser Institute’s mining jurisdiction index- – on par with Western Australia.
- Rapid Advancement Exploration Model: Geophysics survey underway within weeks of licence acquisition, trenching program planned, and drill commencement targeted for early Q4 2025.
- Favourable Market Dynamics: Antimony prices have quadrupled since early 2024 to ~US$55,000/t amid tightening global supply and rising demand from defence, electronics and renewable energy sectors.
- Strategic Advisory Firepower: Former US Ambassador Christopher Dell has joined as US business and strategic development advisor aiming to leverage his extensive diplomatic experience and proven negotiation skills to facilitate Zeus navigate capital-raising, geopolitical positioning and partnerships aligned with Western critical minerals policy
- Strategic Data Access: Access to Newmont’s Morocco exploration database and framework study strengthens Zeus’s ability to fast-track target generation and expand its Moroccan footprint
- Lean Valuation, Clear Milestones: Market capitalization sits around AU$9 to AU$13 million, offering early-stage leverage if exploration success continues.
Key Projects
Casablanca Antimony Project
Located in central Morocco, the Casablanca antimony project spans 79 sq km under six granted exploration licences in a historically productive mining district. Situated along the regional NNE-striking Smaala-Oulmes fault, the project benefits from structural dilation and quartz vein networks hosting high-grade stibnite mineralisation.
Multiple historical and recent artisanal workings are present across the tenure, with extensive surface mineralisation mapped over more than 4 km of strike. Rock chip sampling during due diligence returned exceptional antimony grades, peaking at 61.9 percent antimony, with additional assays of 44.5 percent and 39.4 percent, and a broader range of samples between 7.8 percent and 46.52 percent antimony across 20 locations. These results rank among the highest reported for any early-stage antimony discovery globally, underscoring the strong potential for defining a resource. The licences are drill-ready, and Zeus has rapidly commenced a high-resolution induced polarisation (HRIP) geophysical program comprising 23 dipole-dipole profiles over 16 km to delineate subsurface conductive zones and key structural controls.
The work is supported on the ground by Ashgill Morocco, whose in-country geological team brings deep expertise in North African mineral systems and manages permitting, mapping and logistics. Upon completion of the geophysics, a trenching program, selected for its speed and cost efficiency given the project’s grade profile, will test surface veins and inform drill targeting. Drilling is anticipated to start in early Q4 2025. Morocco’s modern mining code, stable political environment and strategic proximity to European markets present a clear pathway to fast-track the project from exploration to development, should drilling confirm significant resources.
Mortimer Hills
The Mortimer Hills project (E09/2147), located in the Gascoyne region, lies ~5 km along strike from Delta Lithium’s Malinda project. It is situated within the Leake Springs Metasediment unit, which collectively hosts 21.9 Mt of lithium resources (Malinda + Jameson deposits). The project was sold to Delta Lithium’s subsidiary, but Zeus retains a structured royalty interest, providing leveraged exposure to a rapidly advancing lithium district without ongoing capital commitments.
Kalabity Project
Kalabity is Zeus’ South Australian exploration initiative, targeting uranium, copper, base metals, lithium and REE within the Curnamona Tectonic Province. The project spans four granted exploration licences (EL7008, EL7039, EL7048 and EL7058) and is strategically located near historic deposits such as Kalabity and Crocker Well. The district’s geological setting is analogous to Olympic Dam (IOCG) and Broken Hill (zinc-lead-silver) systems, offering large-scale polymetallic potential. The recent granting of EL7058 further consolidates Zeus’ position in this prospective province.
Management Team
Alvin Tan – Executive Chairman
With nearly three decades of corporate experience across ASX-listed and global companies, Alvin Tan has a track record in mergers, acquisitions and capital raising. He currently serves as a director of LSE and NSX-listed PYX Resources and was formerly a director of ASX-listed Advanced Share Registry prior to its acquisition.
Hugh Pilgrim – Executive Director
Founding partner of Caravel Securities, Hugh Pilgrim has extensive experience in capital raising, mineral project acquisition and structuring corporate transactions on the ASX. He is leading Zeus’ corporate development strategy, with a focus on accelerating the Casablanca project’s exploration and development.
Robert Marusco – Executive Director and Company Secretary
A corporate strategist with over 25 years of experience, Robert Marusco has held senior roles in private and ASX-listed companies. He specialises in corporate governance, financial planning and compliance, with a background in advising on ASX listings, M&A and restructures.
Christopher Dell – US Business and Strategic Development Advisor
Christopher Dell is a former US Ambassador to Angola, Zimbabwe and Kosovo, and senior executive at Bechtel and Fieldstone Africa. His appointment strengthens Zeus’ ability to engage Western governments, companies and strategic funders in the antimony supply chain context
What Was the Highest Price for Gold?
Gold market gurus from Lynette Zang to Chris Blasi to Jordan Roy-Byrne have shared eye-popping predictions on the gold price that would intrigue any investor — gold bug or not.
Some have posited that the gold price may rise as high as US$4,000 or US$5,000 per ounce, and there are those who believe that US$10,000 gold or even US$40,000 gold could become a reality.
These impressive price predictions have investors wondering, what is gold's all-time high (ATH)?
In the past year, gold has reached new all-time highs dozens of times. Find out what has driven it to these levels, plus how the gold price has moved historically and what has impacted its performance in recent years.
In this article
How is gold traded?
Before discovering what the highest gold price ever was, it’s worth looking at how the precious metal is traded. Knowing the mechanics behind gold's historical moves can help illuminate why and how its price changes.
Gold bullion is traded in dollars and cents per ounce, with activity taking place worldwide at all hours, resulting in a live price. Investors trade gold in major commodities markets such as New York, London, Tokyo and Hong Kong.
London is seen as the center of physical precious metals trading, including for silver. The COMEX division of the New York Mercantile Exchange is home to most paper trading.
There are many popular ways to invest in gold. The first is through purchasing gold bullion products such as bullion bars, bullion coins and rounds. Physical gold is sold on the spot market, meaning that buyers pay a specific price per ounce for the metal and then have it delivered or stored in a secure facility. In some parts of the world, such as India, buying gold in the form of jewelry is the largest and most traditional route to investing in gold.
Another path to gold investment is paper trading, which is done through the gold futures market. Participants enter into gold futures contracts for the delivery of gold in the future at an agreed-upon price.
In such contracts, two positions can be taken: a long position under which delivery of the metal is accepted or a short position to provide delivery of the metal. Paper trading as a means to invest in gold can provide investors with the flexibility to liquidate assets that aren’t available to those who possess physical gold bullion.
One significant long-term advantage of trading in the paper market is that investors can benefit from gold’s safe-haven status without needing to store it. Furthermore, gold futures trading can offer more financial leverage in that it requires less capital than trading in the physical market. Investors can also purchase physical gold via the futures market, but the process is complicated and lengthy and comes with a large investment and additional costs.
Aside from those options, market participants can invest in gold through exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Investing in a gold ETF is similar to trading a gold stock on an exchange, and there are numerous gold ETF options to choose from depending on your preference. For instance, some ETFs focus solely on physical gold bullion, while others focus on gold futures contracts. Other gold ETFs center on gold-mining stocks or follow the gold spot price.
It is important to understand that you will not own any physical gold when investing in an ETF — in general, even a gold ETF that tracks physical gold cannot be redeemed for tangible metal.
Gold has an interesting relationship with the stock market. The two often move in sync during “risk-on periods” when investors are bullish. On the flip side, they tend to become inversely correlated in times of volatility.
According to the World Gold Council, gold's ability to decouple from the stock market during periods of stress makes it “unique amongst most hedges in the marketplace.” It is often during these times that gold outperforms the stock market. For that reason, it is often used as a portfolio diversifier to hedge against uncertainty.
There are a variety of options for investing in gold stocks, including gold-mining stocks on the TSX and ASX, gold juniors, precious metals royalty companies and gold stocks that pay dividends.
What was the highest gold price ever?
The gold price peaked at US$3,707.34, its all-time high, during trading on September 17, 2025.
What drove it to this new ATH? Gold reached its new highest price just after the US Federal Reserve announced a widely anticipated interest rate reduction of 25 basis points. Rate cut expectations had been heavily fueled in the preceding weeks by the release of US consumer price index data, as well as jobs numbers.
Additionally, the US dollar index continued a downtrend that started in mid-January, falling to a year-to-date low 96.56 on September 16. Traditionally, gold trades higher when the US dollar is weak, making it a popular hedge.
Bond market turmoil in the US and abroad on September 2 also provided tailwinds for gold, which has set multiple new highs throughout 2025 and in recent weeks amid significant uncertainty.
While gold's fresh ATH came on September 17, on September 7 gold's record-breaking run officially took it past its inflation adjusted all-time high of US$850 per ounce set in January 1980.
Why is the gold price setting new highs in 2025?
Gold's record-setting activity extends beyond the last several weeks as well.
Increased economic and geopolitical turmoil caused by the Trump administration has been a tailwind for gold this year, as well as a weakening US dollar, sticky inflation in the country and increased safe-haven gold demand.
Since coming into office in late January, Trump has threatened or enacted tariffs on many countries, including blanket tariffs on longtime US allies Canada and Mexico and tariffs on the EU.
Trump has also implemented 25 percent tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports.
The gold price set a string of new highs in the month of April amid high market volatility as markets reacted to tariff decisions from Trump and the escalating trade war between the US and China. By April 11, Trump had raised US tariffs on Chinese imports to 145 percent and China had raised its tariffs on US products to 125 percent. Trump has reiterated that the US may need to go through a period of economic pain to enter a new "golden age" of economic prosperity.
Falling markets and a declining US dollar have supported gold too, as well as increased buying from China. Elon Musk's call to audit the gold holdings in Fort Knox has also brought attention to the yellow metal.
What factors have driven the gold price in the last five years?
Despite these recent runs, gold has seen its share of both peaks and troughs over the last decade. After remaining rangebound between US$1,100 and US$1,300 from 2014 to early 2019, gold pushed above US$1,500 in the second half of 2019 on a softer US dollar, rising geopolitical issues and a slowdown in economic growth.
Gold’s first breach of the significant US$2,000 price level in mid-2020 was due in large part to economic uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. To break through that barrier and reach what was then a record high, the yellow metal added more than US$500, or 32 percent, to its value in the first eight months of 2020.
Gold price chart, September 14, 2020, to September 15, 2025.
Chart via the Investing News Network.
The gold price surpassed that level again in early 2022 as Russia's invasion of Ukraine collided with rising inflation around the world, increasing the allure of safe-haven assets and pulling the yellow metal up to a price of US$2,074.60 on March 8. However, it fell throughout the rest of 2022, dropping below US$1,650 in October.
Although it didn't quite reach the level of volatility as the previous year, the gold price experienced drastic price changes in 2023 on the back of banking instability, high interest rates and the breakout of war in the Middle East.
After central bank buying pushed the gold price up to the US$1,950.17 mark by the end of January, the Fed's 0.25 percent rate hike on February 1 sparked a retreat as the dollar and treasury yields saw gains. The precious metal went on to fall to its lowest price level of the year at US$1,809.87 on February 23.
The banking crisis that hit the US in early March caused a domino effect through the global financial system and led to the mid-March collapse of Credit Suisse, Switzerland’s second-largest bank. The gold price had jumped to US$1,989.13 by March 15. The continued fallout in the global banking system throughout the second quarter of the year allowed gold to break above US$2,000 on April 3, and go on to flirt with a near-record high of US$2,049.92 on May 3.
Those gains were tempered by the Fed’s ongoing rate hikes and improvements in the banking sector, resulting in a downward trend in the gold price throughout the remainder of the second quarter and throughout Q3. By October 4, gold had fallen to a low of US$1,820.01 and analysts expected the precious metal to drop below US$1,800.
That was before the October 7 attacks by Hamas on Israel ignited legitimate fears of a much larger conflict erupting in the Middle East. Reacting to those fears, and to rising expectations that the Fed would begin to reverse course on interest rates, gold broke through the important psychological level of US$2,000 and closed at US$2,007.08 on October 27. As the fighting intensified, gold reached a then-new high of US$2,152.30 in intraday trading on December 3.
That robust momentum in the spot gold price continued into 2024, chasing new highs on fears of a looming US recession, the promise of Fed rate cuts on the horizon, the worsening conflict in the Middle East and the tumultuous US presidential election year. By mid-March, gold was pushing up against the US$2,200 level.
That record-setting momentum continued into the second quarter of 2024, when gold broke through US$2,400 in mid-April on strong central bank buying, sovereign debt concerns in China and investors expecting the Fed to start cutting interest rates. The precious metal went on to hit US$2,450.05 on May 20.
Throughout the summer, the hits kept on coming.
The global macro environment was highly bullish for gold leading up to the US election. Following the failed assassination attempt on Trump and a statement about coming rate cuts by Fed Chair Jerome Powell, the gold spot price hit a then new all-time high on July 16 at US$2,469.30. One week later, news that then-President Joe Biden would not seek re-election and would instead pass the baton to Vice President Kamala Harris eased some of the tension in the stock market and strengthened the US dollar. This also pushed the price of gold down to US$2,387.99 on July 22, 2024.
However, the bullish factors supporting gold remained in play, and the spot price for gold went on to breach US$2,500 on August 2 that year on a less-than-stellar US jobs report; it closed just above the US$2,440 level. A few weeks later, gold pushed past US$2,500 once again on August 16, closing above that level for the first time ever after the US Department of Commerce released data showing a fifth consecutive monthly decrease in a row for homebuilding.
The news that the Chinese government issued new gold import quotas to banks in the country following a two month pause also helped fuel the gold price rally. Central bank gold buying has been a significant tailwind for the gold price this year, and China's central bank has been one of the strongest buyers.
Market watchers expected the Fed to cut interest rates by a quarter point at its September 2024 meeting, but news on September 12 that the regulators were still deciding between the expected cut or a larger half-point cut led the gold price on a rally that carried through into the next day, bringing the metal near US$2,600.
At the September 18 Fed meeting, the committee ultimately made the decision to cut rates by half a point, news that sent gold even higher. By September 20, it had moved above US$2,600 and was holding above US$2,620.
In October 2024, gold first breached the US$2,700 level and continued to higher on a variety of factors, including further rate cuts and economic data anticipation, the escalating conflict in the Middle East between Israel and Hezbollah, and economic stimulus in China — not to mention the very close race between the US presidential candidates.
While the gold price fell following Trump's win in early November and largely held under US$2,700 through the end of the year, it began trending upward in 2025 to the new all-time high discussed earlier in the article.
What's next for the gold price?
What's next for the gold price is never an easy call to make. There are many factors to consider, but some of the most prevalent long-term drivers include economic expansion, market risk, opportunity cost and momentum.
Economic expansion is one of the primary gold price contributors as it facilitates demand growth in several categories, including jewelry, technology and investment. As the World Gold Council explains, “This is particularly true in developing economies where gold is often used as a luxury item and a means to preserve wealth.”
Market risk is also a prime catalyst for gold values as investors view the precious metal as the “ultimate safe haven,” and a hedge against currency depreciation, inflation and other systemic risks.
Going forward, in addition to the Fed, inflation and geopolitical events, experts will be looking for cues from factors like supply and demand. In terms of supply, the world’s five top gold producers are China, Australia, Russia, Canada and the US. The consensus in the gold market is that major miners have not spent enough on gold exploration in recent years. Gold mine production has fallen from around 3,200 to 3,300 metric tons (MT) each year between 2018 and 2020 to around 3,000 to 3,100 MT each year between 2021 and 2023.
On the demand side, China and India are the biggest buyers of physical gold, and are in a perpetual fight for the title of world’s largest gold consumer. That said, it's worth noting that the last few years have brought a big rebound in central bank gold buying, which dropped to a record low in 2020, but reached a 55 year high of 1,136 MT in 2022.
World Gold Council data shows 2024 central bank gold purchases came to 1,044.6 MT, marking the third year in a row above 1,000 MT. In H1 2025, the organization says gold purchases from central banks reached 415.1 MT.
“I expect the Fed’s rate-cutting cycle to be good for gold, but central bank buying has been and remains a major factor," Lobo Tiggre, CEO of IndependentSpeculator.com, told the Investing News Network (INN) at the start of Q4 2024.
David Barrett, CEO of the UK division of global brokerage firm EBC Financial Group, is also keeping an eye on central bank purchases of gold. “I still see the global central bank buying as the main driver — as it has been over the last 15 years,” the expert said in an email to INN. "This demand removes supply from the market. They are the ultimate buy-and-hold participants and they have been buying massive amounts."
In addition to central bank moves, analysts are also watching escalating tensions in the Middle East, a weakening US dollar, declining bond yields and further interest rate cuts as factors that could push gold higher as investors look to secure their portfolios. “When it comes to outside factors that affect the market, it’s just tailwind after tailwind after tailwind. So I don’t really see the trend changing,” said Eric Coffin of Hard Rock Analyst.
Randy Smallwood of Wheaton Precious Metals (TSX:WPM,NYSE:WPM) told INN in March 2025 that gold is seeing support from many factors, including central bank buying, nervousness around the US dollar and stronger institutional interest. Smallwood is seeing an influx of fund managers wanting to learn about precious metals.
Joe Cavatoni, senior market strategist, Americas, at the World Gold Council, believes that market risk and uncertainty surrounding tariffs and continued demand from central banks are the main drivers of gold.
"Market risk in particular is a key strategic driver for the gold price and performance," Cavatoni told INN in a July 2025 interview. "Think strategically when you think about gold, and keep that allocation in mind."
Check out more of INN's interviews to find out what experts have said about the gold price during its 2025 bull run and where it could go next.
Should you beware of gold price manipulation?
It’s important for investors to be aware that gold price manipulation is a hot topic in the industry.
In 2011, when gold hit what was then a record high, it dropped swiftly in just a few short years. This decline after three years of impressive gains led many in the gold sector to cry foul and point to manipulation.
Early in 2015, 10 banks were hit in a US probe on precious metals manipulation.
Evidence provided by Deutsche Bank (NYSE:DB) showed “smoking gun” proof that UBS Group (NYSE:UBS), HSBC Holdings (NYSE:HSBC), the Bank of Nova Scotia (TSX:BNS,NYSE:BNS and other firms were involved in rigging gold and silver rates in the market from 2007 to 2013. Not long after, the long-running London gold fix was replaced by the LBMA gold price in a bid to increase gold price transparency. The twice-a-day process, operated by the ICE Benchmark Administration, still involves a variety of banks collaborating to set the gold price, but the system is now electronic.
Still, manipulation has by no means been eradicated, as a 2020 fine on JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) shows. The next year, chat logs were released in a spoofing trial for two former precious metals traders from the Bank of America's (NYSE:BAC) Merrill Lynch unit. They show a trader bragging about how easy it is to manipulate the gold price.
Gold market participants have consistently spoken out about manipulation. In mid-2020, Chris Marcus, founder of Arcadia Economics and author of the book “The Big Silver Short,” said that when gold fell back below the US$2,000 mark after hitting close to US$2,070, he saw similarities to what happened with the gold price in 2011.
Marcus has been following the gold and silver markets with a focus specifically on price manipulation for nearly a decade. His advice? “Trust your gut. I believe we’re witnessing the ultimate ’emperor’s really naked’ moment. This isn’t complex financial analysis. Sometimes I think of it as the greatest hypnotic thought experiment in history.”
Investor takeaway
While we have the answer to what the highest gold price ever is as of now, it remains to be seen how high gold can climb, and if the precious metal can reach as high as US$5,000, US$10,000 or even US$40,000.
Even so, many market participants believe gold is a must have in any investment profile, and there is little doubt investors will continue to see gold price action making headlines this year and beyond.
This is an updated version of an article first published by the Investing News Network in 2020.
Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Resource for real-time updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Lauren Kelly, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
Editorial Disclosure: The Investing News Network does not guarantee the accuracy or thoroughness of the information reported in the interviews it conducts. The opinions expressed in these interviews do not reflect the opinions of the Investing News Network and do not constitute investment advice. All readers are encouraged to perform their own due diligence.