Lahontan Gold Corp. reported that cyanide extraction testing from its 2025 reverse-circulation drilling program at the West Santa Fe project demonstrated high recovery rates, with gold averaging 81% and silver 60%. These results exceeded prior metallurgical projections and support heap leach processing potential for the Nevada-based project.
The testing validates both historical and recent metallurgical work, reinforcing the project's amenability to cost-effective recovery methods. This development is significant for the mining industry as heap leach processing typically offers lower capital and operating costs compared to conventional milling operations, potentially improving project economics and reducing environmental footprint.
The positive results support continued exploration aimed at expanding the mineralized footprint ahead of a planned Mineral Resource Estimate later this year. For investors and stakeholders, these findings suggest potential for enhanced resource valuation and project advancement. The company's flagship property, the Santa Fe Mine project, has a Canadian National Instrument 43-101 compliant Indicated Mineral Resource of 1,539,000 oz Au Eq and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 411,000 oz Au Eq, all pit constrained.
Lahontan Gold holds four top-tier gold and silver exploration properties in Nevada's Walker Lane region, with the Santa Fe Mine project having historical production of 359,202 ounces of gold and 702,067 ounces of silver between 1988 and 1995 from open pit mines utilizing heap-leach processing. The company plans to continue advancing the Santa Fe Mine project towards production, update the Santa Fe Preliminary Economic Assessment, and drill test its satellite West Santa Fe project during 2025.
The technical content of the news release was reviewed and approved by Michael Lindholm, CPG, Independent Consulting Geologist to Lahontan Gold Corp., who is a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101. For more information about the company's technical reports, visit https://ibn.fm/sSC3E or access the Preliminary Economic Assessment, NI 43-101 Technical Report for the Santa Fe Project, which is available on the company's website and SEDAR+. The latest news and updates relating to the company are available at http://ibn.fm/LGCXF.
For the mining sector, these results demonstrate ongoing potential in established mining districts like Nevada's Walker Lane, where technological advancements and continued exploration can yield improved recovery rates and project economics. The implications extend to global precious metals markets, where efficient extraction methods contribute to sustainable supply chains and potentially lower production costs.
