Equinox Gold Secures Long-Term Land Access Agreements with All Three Communities at Los Filos Mine, Planning and Technical Work Underway to Support Mine Restart and Annual Production Expansion
Rhea-AI Summary
Equinox Gold (EQX) signed new 20-year land access agreements with all three host communities at its Los Filos Mine in Guerrero, Mexico. With surface access secured, the company has started planning and permitting work to gradually restart heap leach operations and advance potential expansion.
Technical studies will reassess a possible CIL plant, update project economics using higher gold price assumptions, and evaluate increasing throughput and annual production. Los Filos hosts 5.4M oz of reserves plus additional resources, but no 2026 production from the mine is included in Equinox Gold’s current 700,000–800,000 oz guidance.
Positive
- 20-year land access agreements with all three Los Filos communities
- Los Filos hosts 5.4M oz reserves and significant additional resources
- Technical studies may support higher CIL mill throughput than prior plans
- Potential to enhance project economics using gold price above US$1,450/oz
- 2026 company production guidance of 700,000–800,000 oz of gold
Negative
- No Los Filos contribution to 2026 production guidance of 700,000–800,000 oz
- Los Filos restart remains in planning and technical study phase
- Project economics still based on 2022 technical assumptions pending update
News Market Reaction – EQX
In the Jun 26 session, EQX gained 3.19%, reflecting a moderate positive market reaction. Argus tracked a peak move of +3.1% during that session. Our momentum scanner triggered 27 alerts that day, indicating elevated trading interest and price volatility.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | 24h Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 23 | Merger meeting materials | Neutral | -4.1% | Details and share issuance terms for proposed Orla Mining business combination. |
| Jun 22 | Sustainability report | Neutral | -2.2% | Publication of 2025 ESG performance and sustainability metrics and initiatives. |
| May 13 | Major merger announcement | Neutral | -2.1% | Agreement to combine with Orla Mining to create larger gold producer. |
| May 07 | Annual meeting results | Neutral | -0.6% | Shareholder approval of directors, auditor reappointment and say-on-pay resolution. |
| May 06 | Q1 2026 earnings | Neutral | +0.0% | Release of strong Q1 production, revenue and capital allocation update. |
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Recent EQX news over the last few months has often coincided with flat to negative next-day price moves.
Key Terms
heap leach technical
carbon-in-leach technical
mineral reserves technical
towards sustainable mining regulatory
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 25, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Equinox Gold Corp. (TSX: EQX, NYSE American: EQX) (“Equinox Gold” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that it has signed 20-year land access agreements with all three communities that host its Los Filos Mine in Guerrero, Mexico (“Los Filos”). With these agreements in place, the Company has initiated activities to support the gradual restart of heap leach operations and is advancing technical studies to evaluate potential expansion opportunities.
Darren Hall, Chief Executive Officer of Equinox Gold, commented: “We appreciate the constructive engagement with the communities of Carrizalillo, Mezcala and Xochipala that host our multi-million-ounce Los Filos Mine. These new 20-year agreements reflect a shared commitment to responsible operations and sustainable benefits over time and provide an important foundation for strengthening our long-term relationship with the communities and fostering an environment that supports future investment and long-term value creation.
“With land access agreements in place, we will commence planning for the restart of heap leach operations, while continuing to pursue our exploration programs and technical and engineering studies to assess longer-term development options, including construction of a carbon-in-leach (“CIL”) processing facility.
“Los Filos is a world-class deposit, which based on the June 30, 2022 mineral reserve and resource estimation contains 5.4 million ounces of mineral reserves, 7.9 million ounces of measured and indicated mineral resources (exclusive of reserves), 3.2 million ounces of inferred mineral resources, and significant exploration upside. We believe there is meaningful potential to expand the resource base and increase annual production over time. Our technical work will include an assessment of opportunities to optimize and grow the operation, including evaluating increases to the envisioned CIL mill throughput relative to previous studies, as well as updating project economics and development plans. The 2022 technical report was prepared using a mineral reserve gold price assumption of US
In addition to the new surface land access agreements, the parties agreed to an overall policy on labour and supply services. The Company is applying a disciplined, accountable and transparent approach to labour, contractor and community-related arrangements as part of its broader commitment to responsible operations and stakeholder engagement. Restart activities include environmental remediation, permitting, workforce rehiring and retraining, and supplier contract negotiations. The Company is committed to upholding industry best practices for all its operations guided by globally recognized standards and frameworks. Equinox Gold is a member of the Mining Association of Canada (“MAC”) and strives to diligently implement MAC’s Towards Sustainable Mining (“TSM”) Protocols across its mining operations. The Company will continue to apply the TSM Protocols at Los Filos and looks forward to future reporting on its performance.
The Company will provide updates on restart activities and development plans as technical work progresses. Equinox Gold has not included any production from Los Filos in its 2026 production guidance of 700,000 to 800,000 ounces of gold.
About Equinox Gold
Equinox Gold (TSX: EQX, NYSE-A: EQX) is a Canadian mining company positioned for growth with a strong foundation of high-quality, long-life gold operations in Canada and across the Americas, and a pipeline of development and expansion projects. Founded and chaired by renowned mining entrepreneur Ross Beaty and guided by a seasoned leadership team with broad expertise, the Company is focused on disciplined execution, operational excellence and long-term value creation. Equinox Gold offers investors meaningful exposure to gold with a diversified portfolio and clear path to growth. Learn more at www.equinoxgold.com or contact ir@equinoxgold.com.
Equinox Gold Contact
Ryan King
EVP Capital Markets
T: 778.998.3700
E: ryan.king@equinoxgold.com E: ir@equinoxgold.com
Qualified Person and Technical Information
The scientific and technical information contained in this news release was approved by Matthew MacPhail, P.Eng., Senior Vice President Business Planning and Technical Services for Equinox Gold and a “Qualified Person” under National Instrument 43-101.
Los Filos Mineral Reserves Statement (June 30, 2022)
| Classification | Mining Method | Tonnes (kt) | Gold Grade (g/t ) | Contained Gold (koz) | Silver Grade (g/t) | Contained Silver (koz) |
| Proven | Open Pit | 35,154 | 0.74 | 837 | 5.0 | 5,677 |
| Underground | 299 | 4.15 | 40 | 13.7 | 132 | |
| Total | 35,453 | 0.77 | 877 | 5.1 | 5,809 | |
| Probable | Open Pit | 145,476 | 0.62 | 2,921 | 6.3 | 29,303 |
| Underground | 12,297 | 3.94 | 1,556 | 18.9 | 7,458 | |
| Total | 157,773 | 0.88 | 4,477 | 7.2 | 36,761 | |
| Proven & Probable | Open Pit | 180,629 | 0.65 | 3,758 | 6.0 | 34,980 |
| Underground | 12,597 | 3.94 | 1,596 | 18.7 | 7,590 | |
| Total | 193,226 | 0.86 | 5,354 | 6.9 | 42,570 |
Notes: Mineral Reserves have been estimated in accordance with CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (2014), which are incorporated by reference in NI 43-101. The open pit Mineral Reserve estimate was prepared under the oversight and review of Mr. Eugene Tucker, P.Eng., and the underground Mineral Reserve estimate was prepared under the oversight and review of Mr. Paul Salmenmaki, P.Eng. Mr. Tucker and Mr. Salmenmaki are “Qualified Persons” as defined by NI 43-101. Mineral Reserves are estimated using a long-term gold price of
Los Filos Mineral Resources Statement (June 30, 2022) (Exclusive of Mineral Reserves)
| Area | Classification | Tonnes (kt) | Gold Grade (g/t) | Contained Gold (koz) | Silver Grade (g/t) | Contained Silver (koz) |
| Bermejal / Guadalupe Open Pit | Measured | 9,898 | 0.76 | 243 | 6.4 | 2,034 |
| Indicated | 184,152 | 0.59 | 3,492 | 7.6 | 45,186 | |
| Measured & Indicated | 194,050 | 0.60 | 3,734 | 7.6 | 47,220 | |
| Inferred | 44,292 | 0.55 | 777 | 9.8 | 13,932 | |
| Bermejal Underground (below | Measured | - | - | - | - | - |
| Indicated | 998 | 3.97 | 127 | 16.3 | 522 | |
| Measured & Indicated | 998 | 3.97 | 127 | 16.3 | 522 | |
| Inferred | 1,501 | 4.98 | 241 | 22.7 | 1,093 | |
| Los Filos Open Pit | Measured | 35,327 | 1.09 | 1,238 | 6.4 | 7,315 |
| Indicated | 90,544 | 0.79 | 2,290 | 6.5 | 18,857 | |
| Measured & Indicated | 125,870 | 0.87 | 3,528 | 6.5 | 26,172 | |
| Inferred | 87,552 | 0.68 | 1,914 | 7.7 | 21,657 | |
| Los Filos Underground | Measured | 2,081 | 4.13 | 276 | 22.8 | 1,527 |
| Indicated | 2,326 | 3.09 | 231 | 25.7 | 1,920 | |
| Measured & Indicated | 4,407 | 3.58 | 507 | 24.3 | 3,446 | |
| Inferred | 2,590 | 3.67 | 306 | 27.5 | 2,287 | |
| Total | Measured | 47,306 | 1.15 | 1,757 | 7.2 | 10,876 |
| Indicated | 278,020 | 0.69 | 6,140 | 7.4 | 66,485 | |
| Measured & Indicated | 325,326 | 0.75 | 7,897 | 7.4 | 77,360 | |
| Inferred | 135,935 | 0.74 | 3,237 | 8.9 | 38,969 |
Notes: Mineral Resources are exclusive of Mineral Reserves and have been estimated in accordance with CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (2014), which are incorporated by reference in NI 43-101. The Mineral Resource estimate was prepared under the oversight and review of Mr. Ali Shahkar, P.Eng., a “Qualified Person” as defined by NI 43-101. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have a demonstrated economic viability. Mineral Resources are reported to a gold price of
Cautionary Notes & Forward-Looking Statements
This news release includes forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws and may include future-oriented financial information or financial outlook information (collectively “Forward-looking Information”). Actual results of operations and the ensuing financial results may vary materially from the amounts set out in any Forward-looking Information. Forward-looking Information in this news release includes: the Company’s expectations for the restart of its operations in Mexico (“Los Filos”), exploration potential, production capabilities, completion of technical and engineering studies, growth potential, expansion projects and future financial or operating performance of Los Filos, including shareholder returns therefrom; timing, receipt and anticipated effects of approvals for the restart of Los Filos, if any, exploration and expansion; and receipt of required approvals and permits. Forward-looking Information is typically identified by words such as “believe”, “will”, “grow”, “plan”, “expect”, “estimate”, “advance”, “commence”, “continue” and similar terms, including variations like “may”, “could”, or “should”, or the negative connotation of such terms. While the Company believes these expectations are reasonable, they are not guarantees and undue reliance should not be placed on them. Forward-looking Information is based on the Company’s current expectations and assumptions, including: achievement of exploration, production, cost and development objectives; stable gold prices and input costs in line with the assumptions utilized in the estimation of Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources; availability of funding; accuracy of Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource estimates; successful implementation of long-term agreements with Los Filos communities and no material disruptions during the term of such agreements; adherence to mine plans and schedules; expected ore grades and recoveries; absence of labour disruptions or unplanned delays; productive relationships with workers, unions and communities; maintenance and timely receipt of permits and regulatory approvals; compliance with environmental and safety regulations; optimized operating assumptions and technical parameters, and constructive engagement with community partners. While the Company considers these assumptions reasonable, they may prove incorrect. Forward-looking Information involves numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such Forward-looking Information. Such factors include certain risks and uncertainties described in the section “Risk Factors” in the Company’s MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2025, and in the section titled “Risks Related to the Business” in Equinox Gold’s most recently filed Annual Information Form which is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar. Forward-looking Information reflects management’s current expectations for future events and is subject to change. Except as required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to update or to publicly announce the results of any change to any Forward-looking Information contained or incorporated by reference to reflect actual results, future events or developments, changes in assumptions or other factors affecting Forward-looking Information. If the Company updates any Forward-looking Information, no inference should be drawn that the Company will make additional updates with respect to those or other Forward-looking Information. All Forward-looking Information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.
Cautionary Note to U.S. Readers Concerning Estimates of Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources
Disclosure regarding the Company's mineral properties included in this news release, was prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”). NI 43-101 is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators that establishes standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects. NI 43-101 differs significantly from the disclosure requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) generally applicable to U.S. companies. Accordingly, information contained in this news release is not comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies reporting pursuant to SEC disclosure requirements.
