Cerrado Gold Announces Q3 2025 Production Results at Its Minera Don Nicolas Mine in Argentina

Rhea-AI Summary

Cerrado Gold (OTCQX: CRDOF) reported Q3 2025 production of 13,868 GEO, a 21% increase vs Q2 2025, driven by record heap leach output of 10,465 GEO (+33% vs Q2) after expanded crushing increased tonnage and recoveries. Underground development at Paloma is advancing with three portals; CIL plant has begun receiving underground ore and is expected to ramp in Q4/2025. Due to a ~60-day underground delay, 2025 production guidance was revised to 50,000–55,000 GEO. Exploration was expanded with an additional 50,000 m planned for 2026 and feasibility studies targeted for Lagoa Salgada (Q4 2025) and Mont Sorcier (Q2 2026).

Positive

• Q3 production 13,868 GEO (+21% vs Q2 2025)
• Heap leach record 10,465 GEO produced in Q3 (+33% vs Q2)
• Crusher expansion increased PAD throughput to 8,621 tpd in Q3 2025
• Exploration program expanded with an additional 50,000 m planned for 2026
• Lagoa Salgada optimized feasibility targeted for Q4 2025

Negative

• 2025 production guidance revised down to 50,000–55,000 GEO
• Underground development delayed ~60 days due to additional portal support and shotcrete

• Gold Equivalent Ounce ("GEO") Production of 13,868 GEO for the 3^rdQuarter 2025
• Expanded crushing capacity results in substantial additional tonnage to the leach pad and record quarterly production
• Underground Development to access production stopes in Q4 supporting increase in mill head grade and production
  • Underground Development delayed by 60 days due to additional portal support and shotcrete requirements
• 2025 Production Guidance revised to 50,000 to 55,000 GEO
• Exploration Program expanded with an additional 50,000m planned for 2026 (in addition to the existing 20,000m program in 2025)
• Development activities continue to progress at both the Lagoa Salgada and Mont Sorcier projects
  

TORONTO, Oct. 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cerrado Gold Inc. [TSX.V: CERT] [OTCQX: CRDOF] ("Cerrado" or the "Company") announces production results for the third quarter ended September 2025 ("Q3 2025") from the Minera Don Nicolas Mine in Santa Cruz Province, Argentina ("MDN"). Full quarterly financial results are expected to be released prior to November 30, 2025.

Q3 Operating Highlights

• Q3 Production of 13,868 GEO vs 11,437 GEO in Q2 2025 (+21%)
• Heap leach production growing as expanded crushing capacity and improved recoveries result in record quarterly production of 10,465 GEO (+33% vs Q2)
• Underground development at Paloma is advancing, with ramp well advanced and three access portals targeted to reach production stopes in Q4
• CIL plant starting to receive ore from underground development, production expected to ramp up in Q4/2025 as higher grade underground material supplants lower grade feed in the mill

Operational results for Q3 2025 showed an increase in production over the previous quarter (+21%), driven by higher production from the Calandrias Sur heap leach operation (+33%). With the second phase of the crushing expansion complete, both tonnage and recoveries (due to more consistent particle sizing) improved over the quarter. Operations also benefited from recent investments in additional fleet capacity; namely new trucks, loaders, and excavators, to support higher mining rates. The final updates to the crusher circuit, including the final installation of the agglomerator and additional conveyors, are set to be completed in Q4/25.

Production from stockpiled material via the CIL plant remained stable, with lower grades being supported by minor contributions from higher-grade material produced during the development of the underground access portals and ramp.

The underground development continued at a steady pace during the quarter, following a delay caused by the requirement for increased portal support and additional shotcrete needed in select areas. Three portals have now been developed and are expected to reach the production stopes in Q4. The introduction of higher-grade material from underground operations is expected to begin to add materially to CIL production from late October and continue to ramp up into 2026.

Due to the delay with the underground development noted above, the Company is anticipating a slight reduction to its underground production during Q4 and has thus revised its 2025 Production Guidance from 55,000 to 60,000 GEO to 50-55,000 ounces for 2025.

Figure 1,2 & 3. Underground development at Paloma

Minera Don Nicolas Exploration Update

The Company continues to execute its exploration program at MDN focused on targets that have the potential to materially add to mine life. Throughout the Company’s expansive land package, several high priority targets were identified within each of our production capacities; namely Heap leach, Open pit and underground.

The initial focus has been in the central Paloma area, and results to date are promising with signs of potential resource expansion at two zones, although we continue to wait for full assay results. As a result, the Company recently announced the decision to add additional rigs and accelerate and expand the exploration program. In addition to the 20,000 metre program planned for 2025, an additional 50,000 metres is now planned for 2026, allowing for several high value targets to be tested simultaneously including underground exploration, all of which aim to materially expand resources at MDN and extend the mine life.

Mark Brennan, CEO and Chairman commented, “We are very pleased with the progress being made at all of our operations. After a brief delay with our new underground operations, the very positive transition year at MDN remains firmly on track. Across all production platforms, performance continues to improve — highlighted by record and growing output from the heap leach and the successful transition of underground operations to the production phase expected in the fourth quarter. With all infrastructure and the mobile fleet now fully developed, MDN is well positioned to rapidly exploit any additional resources being uncovered by our ongoing exploration program.”

He continued, “Cerrado also has made very good progress to advance both the Lagoa Salgada and Mont Sorcier projects, with completion of their respective feasibility studies targeted for Q4 2025 and Q2 2026. As these robust projects continue to be de-risked, we expect the strong underlying economics to highlight the significant value gap that exists compared to assets in their respective peer groups. We are hoping this will lead to a significant rerating for Cerrado shareholders”

Lagoa Salgada Project Update

The Company continues to advance all the required works to complete the Optimized Feasibility Study at the Highly Prospective Lagoa Salgada VMS project in Portugal. Together with our consultants, quotations for capital and operating equipment are being sourced, and the mine plan and throughput optimization are underway. The Company expects to deliver the Optimized Feasibility Study by the end of the year. During the quarter, the Company also saw the completion of the EU Undercover program, looking for deeper resource potential. Results are expected to be available in the coming months.

Mont Sorcier Project Update

At the Mont Sorcier high-purity iron project, all key workstreams continued to progress the feasibility study, and the Company completed an infill drilling program to update sufficient resources to the Proven and Probable categories. Over 17,000 metres were drilled with results to be incorporated into a new mineral reserve estimate to support the feasibility study, which is targeted for completion in Q2 2026.

The Bankable Feasibility Study aims to provide a detailed updated economic study on the potential for the project as highlighted in the previous 2022 NI 43-101 Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") that delivered a project NPV_8% of US$1.6 billion based upon iron concentrates grading 65% iron. As highlighted previously, new test work has now shown the ability to deliver a high-purity DRI-grade Iron concentrate product of over 67% iron, enhancing the projects position delivering a highly desired product to support growing demand from the Green Steel transition.

Table 1. Key Operating Information

Key Operating Information
		2024				Jan to Dec,	2025			2025
Operating Data	Unit	Q1 2024	Q2 2024	Q3 2024	Q4 2024	2024	Q1 2025	Q2 2025	Q3 2025	Jan to Sept
Heap Leach Operations
Ore Mined	ktonnes	144	207	365	563	1,280	659	550	759	1,968
Waste Mined	ktonnes	519	708	885	1,103	3,215	1,024	998	1,001	3,024
Total Mined	ktonnes	663	915	1,250	1,666	4,494	1,683	1,549	1,760	4,992
Strip ratio	waste/ore	3.60	3.42	2.43	1.96	2.51	1.56	1.81	1.32	1.54
Mining rate	tpd	7,369	10,058	13,583	18,112	12,313	18,699	17,207	19,133	18,352
Ore PAD Feed	Ktonnes	231	285	434	588	1,538	693	724	793	2,210
Head Grade Au	g/t	0.59	0.85	0.75	0.73	0.73	0.80	0.86	0.81	0.82
Head Grade Ag	g/t	9.82	12.39	10.04	9.96	10.41	15.95	12.13	11.68	13.17
Recovery Au	%	25%	29%	31%	41%	34%	39%	37%	47%	41%
Recovery Ag	%	3%	9%	9%	15%	10%	8%	15%	23%	15%
PAD Throughput	tpd	2,565	3,134	4,715	6,394	4,214	7,700	7,953	8,621	7,700
Gold ounces produced	oz	1,103	2,290	3,253	5,631	12,277	6,897	7,442	9,675	24,014
Silver equivalent ounces produced	oz	29	130	150	325	633	331	422	790	1,543
Gold Geo Produced	oz	1,132	2,420	3,403	5,956	12,911	7,228	7,864	10,465	25,557
High Grade CIL Operations
Ore Mined	ktonnes	85	58	43	31	218	11	-	-	11
Waste Mined	ktonnes	2,099	1,083	1,235	610	5,027	60	-	-	60
Total Mined	ktonnes	2,184	1,142	1,278	641	5,245	71	-	-	71
Strip ratio	waste/ore	24.61	18.56	28.44	19.87	23.08	5.23			5.23
Mining rate	tpd	24,264	12,546	13,896	6,966	14,369	788	-	-	261
Ore Milled	Ktonnes	90	66	99	93	348	92	97	93	281
Head Grade Au	g/t	3.65	7.08	4.58	1.48	3.99	1.51	1.18	1.31	1.33
Head Grade Ag	g/t	10.21	12.86	7.86	8.13	9.49	6.44	9.71	7.98	8.08
Recovery Au	%	88%	91%	92%	90%	90%	92%	84%	86%	88%
Recovery Ag	%	56%	54%	63%	64%	59%	54%	62%	55%	58%
Mill Throughput	tpd	1,001	725	1,072	1,010	952	1,017	1,076	1,006	1,033
Gold ounces produced	oz	9,879	13,648	13,022	4,312	40,861	3,821	3,378	3,253	10,452
Silver equivalent ounces produced	oz	193	187	179	163	722	115	195	150	460
Gold Geo Produced	oz	10,072	13,835	13,201	4,475	41,583	3,936	3,573	3,403	10,912
Consolidated Gold Production
Gold Geo Produced	oz	11,204	16,255	16,604	10,431	54,494	11,163	11,437	13,868	36,469
Gold Geo Sold	oz	10,331	15,775	15,844	10,108	52,058	11,468	10,886	12,957	35,311
Average realized price per gold ounce sold	$/oz	1,970	2,199	2,329	2,371	2,226	2,520	2,684	3,153	2,801

Corporate Activities

The Company announces that Joao Barros, currently CEO of Ascendant Resources Inc. (a 100% owned subsidiary of Cerrado), has been appointed to the position of President, Europe and Carl Calandra, currently VP General Counsel of Cerrado, has been appointed Corporate Secretary of the Company.

The Company also announces that it has entered into an engagement with Hybrid Financial Ltd. ("Hybrid") for strategic marketing and investor relations services to raise Cerrado's investor profile. Hybrid will assist with investor awareness, assisting in all aspects of a branding and awareness campaign for the Company. The Hybrid engagement is for a term of 12 months with the opportunity to extend based on a successful outcome for a fee of C$15,000 per month. No bonus fees or stock options will be paid to any of the Consultants. Hybrid is arm's length to the Company.

The Company also announces that it has issued 200,000 deferred share units (“DSUs”) and 20,000 restricted share units (“RSUs”) to eligible participants under its amended and restated omnibus incentive plan. The DSUs and RSUs will vest in twelve months, and the RSUs will expire on December 15, 2028.

Review of Technical Information

The scientific and technical information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Andrew Croal, P.Eng., Chief Technical Officer for Cerrado Gold, who is a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101.

About Cerrado 

Cerrado Gold is a Toronto-based gold production, development, and exploration company. The Company is the 100% owner of the producing Minera Don Nicolás and Las Calandrias mine in Santa Cruz province, Argentina. In Portugal, the Company holds an 80% interest in the highly prospective Lagoa Salgada VMS project through its position in Redcorp - Empreendimentos Mineiros, Lda. In Canada, Cerrado Gold is developing its 100% owned Mont Sorcier Iron project located outside of Chibougamau, Quebec.

In Argentina, Cerrado is maximizing asset value at its Minera Don Nicolas ("MDN") operation through continued operational optimization and is growing production through its operations at the Las Calandrias heap leach project. An extensive campaign of exploration is ongoing to further unlock potential resources in our highly prospective land package in the heart of the Deseado Masiff.

In Portugal, Cerrado is focused on the development and exploration of the highly prospective Lagoa Salgada VMS project located on the prolific Iberian Pyrite Belt in Portugal. The Lagoa Salgada project is a high-grade polymetallic project, demonstrating a typical mineralization endowment of zinc, copper, lead, tin, silver, and gold. Extensive exploration upside potential lies both near deposit and at prospective step-out targets across the large 7,209-hectare property concession. Located just 80km from Lisbon and surrounded by exceptional infrastructure, Lagoa Salgada offers a low-cost entry to a significant development and exploration opportunity, already showing its mineable scale and cashflow generation potential.

In Canada, Cerrado is developing its 100% owned Mont Sorcier high-purity, high-grade, Direct Reduced Iron project, located on the traditional Cree territory of Eeyou Istchee James Bay in the municipality of Chibougamau. The Mont Sorcier project has the potential to produce a premium iron concentrate over a long mine life at low operating costs and low capital intensity. Furthermore, its high grade and high purity product facilitates the migration of steel producers from blast furnaces to electric arc furnaces, contributing to the decarbonization of the industry and the achievement of sustainable development goals.

For more information about Cerrado please visit our website at: www.cerradogold.com.

Mark Brennan
CEO and Chairman

Mike McAllister
Vice President, Investor Relations
Tel: +1-647-805-5662
mmcallister@cerradogold.com

Disclaimer

NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

This press release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that discusses predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", “is expected”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, “plans”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “forecasts”, “estimates”, “believes” or “intends” or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results “may” or “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, without limitation, statements regarding the business and operations of Cerrado, production forecasts and estimated AISC, the potential for additional crushing capacity and production potential of MDN’s underground mining operations, the exploration plans and expectations at MDN, the potential to produce iron concentrate grading in excess of 67% at Mont Sorcier and the potential results of the project’s feasibility study and the anticipated timing to complete and potential of the optimized feasibility study for the Lagoa Salgada Project. In making the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, Cerrado has made certain assumptions. Although Cerrado believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this press release. Except as required by law, Cerrado disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/66abe91f-1e29-4e46-b95b-24209fbdf4f0

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1260b229-00b3-4da2-a514-18b389daba07

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/32d7d819-7cd5-4e6b-959e-77c095906862

FAQ

What did CRDOF report for Q3 2025 gold equivalent production at Minera Don Nicolas?

CRDOF reported 13,868 GEO for Q3 2025, a 21% increase versus Q2 2025.

Why did Cerrado revise its 2025 production guidance for CRDOF and what is the new range?

A ~60-day delay in underground development prompted a revision to 50,000–55,000 GEO for 2025.

How did the crushing expansion affect Q3 2025 operations for CRDOF at MDN?

Expanded crushing improved tonnage and particle sizing, boosting recoveries and supporting a record 10,465 GEO heap leach quarter.

When is CIL production from underground ore expected to ramp for CRDOF?

The CIL plant began receiving underground ore in Q3 and production is expected to ramp in Q4 2025 and into 2026.

How much new drilling did Cerrado plan for CRDOF in 2026 and what is the purpose?

An additional 50,000 metres of drilling is planned in 2026 to test high-value targets and potentially expand resources and mine life.

What are the timeline targets for the Lagoa Salgada and Mont Sorcier feasibility studies related to CRDOF?

Lagoa Salgada optimized feasibility is targeted for Q4 2025; Mont Sorcier bankable feasibility is targeted for Q2 2026.