i-80 Gold Reports New High-Grade Assay Results Reinforcing Resource Expansion Potential at Granite Creek Underground Project
Rhea-AI Summary
i-80 Gold (NYSE American: IAUX) reported assay results from 46 holes (16,000 m) of its 2025 Granite Creek Underground drilling program, including 40 new-hole assays that confirm high-grade mineralization in the South Pacific Zone (SPZ) and show the zone remains open to the north and at depth. Highlight intercepts include 40.4 g/t Au over 13.2 m, 31.3 g/t Au over 7.8 m and 15.0 g/t Au over 17.5 m. As of Dec 31, 2024 the Project hosts 261,000 oz M&I at 10.5 g/t Au and 326,000 oz Inferred at 13.0 g/t Au. A PEA (Mar 2025) outlined an ~8-year mine life and ~60,000 oz/year average post-ramp production; an updated resource and feasibility study are planned for Q1–Q2 2026.
Positive
- Multiple high-grade intercepts including 40.4 g/t Au over 13.2 m
- Project hosts 261,000 oz M&I at 10.5 g/t Au and 326,000 oz Inferred at 13.0 g/t Au
- PEA projects ~8-year mine life with ~60,000 oz/year average production post-ramp
- 2025 drilling focused on infill to support conversion from Inferred to Indicated
Negative
- Mineral resources do not have demonstrated economic viability and are not mineral reserves
- The March 2025 PEA did not include 2023–2024 drilling data, so prior economic metrics exclude recent results
- Current mine life in the PEA (~8 years) limits near-term resource runway absent resource expansion
News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, IAUX gained 9.38%, reflecting a notable positive market reaction. Argus tracked a peak move of +8.2% during that session. Our momentum scanner triggered 6 alerts that day, indicating moderate trading interest and price volatility. This price movement added approximately $124M to the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $1.45B at that time.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
IAUX was up 3.23% while peers were mixed: ODV -2.81%, DC -0.32%, versus GAU +1.09%, CMCL +0.87%, GROY +1.02%, pointing to a stock-specific reaction.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 18 | Plant study update | Positive | +3.4% | Lone Tree refurbishment study outlines higher margins and short payback period. |
| Nov 12 | Quarterly earnings | Positive | +1.5% | Q3 2025 revenue growth, positive gross profit, and funded Nevada plan. |
| Nov 06 | Resource update | Positive | +5.6% | High-grade NI 43-101 mineral resource announced for FAD polymetallic project. |
| Nov 03 | Earnings call notice | Neutral | -3.9% | Scheduling of Q3 2025 results release and conference call details. |
| Oct 23 | Board change | Negative | -3.7% | Resignation of director and Corporate Governance Committee chair from board. |
Recent operational and project news, especially high-grade resource updates, often coincided with positive price reactions, while neutral scheduling news showed one notable divergence.
Over the last few months, i-80 Gold reported several project and financial milestones. On Oct 23, 2025, a board resignation coincided with a -3.7% move. High-grade FAD resource news on Nov 6, 2025 saw a 5.62% gain, and Q3 results on Nov 12, 2025 brought revenue to $32.0M with a 1.53% rise. The Lone Tree refurbishment study on Dec 18, 2025 was followed by a 3.36% increase. This Granite Creek drilling update fits the pattern of technically positive Nevada project news.
Market Pulse Summary
The stock moved +9.4% in the session following this news. A strong positive reaction aligns with prior patterns, where high-grade Nevada project updates and engineering studies often preceded gains, such as the 5.62% move on the FAD resource and 3.36% on the Lone Tree study. The stock was trading just 1.23% below its 52-week high and above the 0.86 200-day MA, suggesting optimism was already building. Investors should watch execution of the Granite Creek feasibility study and integration with Lone Tree processing plans.
Key Terms
photon assay technical
QA/QC technical
preliminary economic assessment technical
mineral reserves technical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
The Project is i-80 Gold's first underground gold operation and ramp-up activities continue to advance toward steady-state gold output. The Company is currently mining the top of the southern portion of the SPZ. As of December 31, 2024, Granite Creek Underground hosted a measured and indicated gold mineral resource estimate of 261,000 ounces at 10.5 grams per tonne and an inferred gold mineral resource of 326,000 ounces at 13.0 grams per tonne. Granite Creek Underground is located along the prolific Getchell Trend in northern
A total of 16,000 meters were drilled over 46 holes as part of the 2025 drilling program at Granite Creek Underground, which began in June 2025 and concluded in December 2025. The overall program included an additional six infill holes relative to the original plan to test and confirm continuity of mineralization ahead of the planned feasibility study. The results of seven step-out holes, as part of the overall program, reinforced the Company's belief in the potential to expand mineralization at SPZ and ultimately extend the Project's mine life. The most recent assay results are provided in Table 1 below and include the first six holes announced in a press release on September 10, 2025(2) (to view the announcement, click here).
Highlight results from infill holes in 2025 drilling at the SPZ
- 40.4 g/t Au over 13.2 m in hole iGU25-31
- 31.3 g/t Au over 7.8 m in hole iGU25-15
- 15.0 g/t Au over 17.5 m in hole iGU25-24
- 12.8 g/t Au over 19.8 m in hole iGU25-08
"The 2025 infill drilling results at Granite Creek Underground successfully support our geological model, confirming the continuity and high-grade nature of the deposit. The South Pacific Zone remains open to the north and at depth and will continue to be tested through additional drilling in the coming years," stated Tyler Hill, Vice President Geology. "The drill program was a key step in advancing the upcoming Granite Creek Underground feasibility study. Importantly, these drill results reinforce our view that similar success could be achieved with the planned 2026 drill programs at Archimedes underground and Mineral Point open pit on the Ruby Hill property. This confidence is supported by comparable results from our Cove underground project, which shares a similar structural framework and sedimentary rock-hosted disseminated mineralization present within each of these projects."
The 2025 drill program was primarily focused on infill drilling to support the conversion of mineral resources from the inferred mineral resource category to the Indicated category. Seven holes also tested the expansion potential of the SPZ to the north and at depth. Results from the 2025 drill program will be combined with infill drilling data from 2023 and 2024 to produce an updated mineral resource estimate using three years of additional data. This mineral resource estimate will form the basis of the upcoming Granite Creek Underground feasibility study, which is expected to be completed late in the first quarter of 2026, with results to be released in the second quarter of 2026. The current mineral resource estimate in the PEA filed in March 2025 did not include data from drilling conducted in 2023 and 2024. The Company filed results from a preliminary economic assessment on Granite Creek Underground in March 2025 (the "PEA") outlining an approximate 8-year mine life with an average annual gold production of approximately 60,000 ounces, following production ramp up(3) (to view the announcement, click here).
The Company is currently evaluating the timing of an additional step out and infill drilling campaign for the SPZ in 2026 as part of a multi-year drill program.
Table 1: Summary Assay Results from SPZ Drilling
Drillhole ID | Zone | Type | From (m) | To (m) | Length (m) | Au (g/t) |
iGS25-02A(1)(2) | SPZ | Core | 616.6 | 619.5 | 2.9 | 33.6 |
and | SPZ | Core | 622.7 | 625.4 | 2.7 | 7.5 |
and | SPZ | Core | 634.1 | 637.7 | 3.6 | 29.7 |
iGS25-04(1) | SPZ | Core | 535.8 | 537.6 | 1.7 | 2.5 |
iGS25-05 | SPZ | Core | 523.7 | 526.2 | 2.6 | 10.2 |
and | SPZ | Core | 529.9 | 541.9 | 12.0 | 8.9 |
iGS25-06 | SPZ | Core | 514.8 | 516.5 | 1.7 | 4.0 |
iGS25-07 | SPZ | Core | 585.1 | 586.0 | 0.9 | 2.7 |
iGS25-08A(1) | SPZ | Core | 563.6 | 564.3 | 0.8 | 5.9 |
iGS25-09 | SPZ | Core | 464.5 | 465.4 | 0.9 | 2.2 |
iGS25-10(1) | SPZ | Core | 602.7 | 605.2 | 2.4 | 12.7 |
iGS25-11(1) | SPZ | Core | 617.2 | 619.3 | 2.1 | 15.5 |
iGS25-13 | SPZ | Core | 508.3 | 508.8 | 0.5 | 7.3 |
iGS25-14(1) | SPZ | Core | 652.8 | 654.6 | 1.7 | 5.9 |
iGU25-01(2) | SPZ | Core | 116.6 | 122.2 | 5.7 | 20.8 |
iGU25-02(2) | SPZ | Core | 53.1 | 54.8 | 1.7 | 12.4 |
and | SPZ | Core | 95.1 | 100.1 | 5.0 | 12.2 |
and | SPZ | Core | 106.1 | 109.3 | 3.3 | 16.2 |
iGU25-03(2) | SPZ | Core | 52.5 | 59.7 | 7.2 | 7.2 |
and | SPZ | Core | 113.5 | 117.0 | 3.4 | 11.4 |
iGU25-04(2) | SPZ | Core | 63.7 | 69.2 | 5.5 | 10.4 |
iGU25-05(2) | SPZ | Core | 244.8 | 247.8 | 3.0 | 11.4 |
iGU25-06 | SPZ | Core | 126.5 | 129.1 | 2.6 | 16.8 |
and | SPZ | Core | 145.5 | 147.2 | 1.7 | 11.4 |
and | SPZ | Core | 153.0 | 156.7 | 3.7 | 8.7 |
and | SPZ | Core | 177.7 | 182.3 | 4.6 | 7.9 |
iGU25-07 | SPZ | Core | 180.8 | 190.8 | 10.1 | 15.1 |
and | SPZ | Core | 269.3 | 273.7 | 4.4 | 7.7 |
and | SPZ | Core | 319.4 | 322.3 | 2.9 | 10.3 |
iGU25-08 | SPZ | Core | 220.1 | 239.9 | 19.8 | 12.8 |
and | SPZ | Core | 249.0 | 253.6 | 4.6 | 13.3 |
iGU25-09 | SPZ | Core | 184.1 | 195.4 | 11.3 | 13.6 |
iGU25-10 | SPZ | Core | 205.3 | 213.4 | 8.1 | 18.0 |
iGU25-11 | SPZ | Core | 132.0 | 140.5 | 8.5 | 5.6 |
iGU25-12 | SPZ | Core | 210.6 | 215.5 | 4.9 | 7.4 |
and | SPZ | Core | 232.0 | 235.3 | 3.4 | 7.0 |
iGU25-13 | SPZ | Core | 104.4 | 107.0 | 2.6 | 15.4 |
iGU25-14 | SPZ | Core | 196.3 | 200.6 | 4.3 | 28.7 |
and | SPZ | Core | 207.0 | 210.9 | 4.0 | 40.6 |
iGU25-15 | SPZ | Core | 223.0 | 230.7 | 7.8 | 31.3 |
and | SPZ | Core | 244.9 | 252.4 | 7.5 | 20.9 |
iGU25-16 | SPZ | Core | 143.2 | 144.6 | 1.4 | 11.2 |
and | SPZ | Core | 164.3 | 175.6 | 11.3 | 19.8 |
iGU25-17 | SPZ | Core | 206.4 | 208.2 | 1.8 | 34.4 |
iGU25-18 | SPZ | Core | 263.8 | 266.1 | 2.3 | 24.8 |
iGU25-19 | SPZ | Core | 214.9 | 222.5 | 7.6 | 28.2 |
iGU25-20 | SPZ | Core | 255.6 | 258.2 | 2.6 | 26.2 |
iGU25-21 | SPZ | Core | 149.0 | 153.9 | 4.9 | 5.9 |
iGU25-22 | SPZ | Core | 163.1 | 172.7 | 9.6 | 11.3 |
iGU25-23 | SPZ | Core | 332.2 | 333.6 | 1.4 | 4.2 |
iGU25-24 | SPZ | Core | 177.1 | 194.6 | 17.5 | 15.0 |
iGU25-25 | SPZ | Core | 176.0 | 179.2 | 3.2 | 10.8 |
iGU25-26 | SPZ | Core | 262.1 | 268.4 | 6.3 | 8.3 |
iGU25-27 | SPZ | Core | 196.3 | 199.8 | 3.5 | 13.3 |
and | SPZ | Core | 208.2 | 209.6 | 1.4 | 19.0 |
iGU25-28 | SPZ | Core | 248.5 | 252.2 | 3.7 | 9.2 |
iGU25-29 | SPZ | Core | 212.4 | 215.9 | 3.5 | 32.3 |
iGU25-30 | SPZ | Core | 269.3 | 271.9 | 2.6 | 11.9 |
iGU25-31 | SPZ | Core | 185.0 | 198.2 | 13.2 | 40.4 |
iGU25-32 | SPZ | Core | 253.9 | 256.6 | 2.7 | 6.2 |
iGU25-33 | SPZ | Core | 217.9 | 219.2 | 1.3 | 10.0 |
iGU25-34(1) | SPZ | Core | 272.6 | 277.8 | 5.2 | 15.8 |
and | SPZ | Core | 302.2 | 304.0 | 1.8 | 8.9 |
iGU25-35 | SPZ | Core | 228.2 | 230.7 | 2.5 | 22.8 |
Notes to table above: (1) Indicates a step-out drill hole. All remaining holes represent infill drilling. (2) Previously disclosed in a press release filed on September 10, 2025. True widths are estimated between approximately | ||||||
Table 1a: Collar Coordinates
UTM | Drillhole ID | East m | North m | Elevation m | Azimuth | Dip |
Nad 83 UTM Zone 11 | iGS25-02A | 478736 | 4554389 | 1541 | 309 | -75 |
iGS25-04 | 478736 | 4554389 | 1550 | 015 | -71 | |
iGS25-05 | 478520 | 4554452 | 1559 | 023 | -78 | |
iGS25-06 | 478598 | 4554482 | 1552 | 357 | -81 | |
iGS25-07 | 478572 | 4554414 | 1550 | 009 | -80 | |
iGS25-08A | 478598 | 4554482 | 1552 | 353 | -84 | |
iGS25-09 | 478512 | 4554449 | 1559 | 017 | -76 | |
iGS25-10 | 478572 | 4554414 | 1550 | 022 | -79 | |
iGS25-11 | 478736 | 4554389 | 1541 | 322 | -70 | |
iGS25-13 | 478580 | 4554221 | 1465 | 343 | -68 | |
iGS25-14 | 478736 | 4554389 | 1541 | 308 | -73 | |
iGU25-01 | 478414 | 4554275 | 1258 | 293 | -13 | |
iGU25-02 | 478414 | 4554274 | 1257 | 285 | -17 | |
iGU25-03 | 478414 | 4554273 | 1257 | 277 | -24 | |
iGU25-04 | 478415 | 4554274 | 1257 | 287 | -40 | |
iGU25-05 | 478521 | 4554325 | 1259 | 341 | -71 | |
iGU25-06 | 478415 | 4554275 | 1257 | 305 | -49 | |
iGU25-07 | 478415 | 4554275 | 1257 | 316 | -68 | |
iGU25-08 | 478524 | 4554325 | 1260 | 341 | -67 | |
iGU25-09 | 478415 | 4554275 | 1257 | 335 | -73 | |
iGU25-10 | 478494 | 4554323 | 1260 | 344 | -51 | |
iGU25-11 | 478524 | 4554325 | 1257 | 325 | -48 | |
iGU25-12 | 478494 | 4554323 | 1260 | 353 | -57 | |
iGU25-13 | 478494 | 4554323 | 1257 | 324 | -30 | |
iGU25-14 | 478524 | 4554325 | 1258 | 286 | -68 | |
iGU25-15 | 478494 | 4554323 | 1260 | 356 | -65 | |
iGU25-16 | 478524 | 4554325 | 1258 | 302 | -21 | |
iGU25-17 | 478494 | 4554323 | 1258 | 304 | -11 | |
iGU25-18 | 478494 | 4554323 | 1260 | 001 | -41 | |
iGU25-19 | 478524 | 4554325 | 1258 | 307 | -72 | |
iGU25-20 | 478494 | 4554323 | 1260 | 009 | -64 | |
iGU25-21 | 478494 | 4554323 | 1258 | 310 | -27 | |
iGU25-22 | 478524 | 4554325 | 1258 | 314 | -37 | |
iGU25-23 | 478494 | 4554323 | 1260 | 011 | -53 | |
iGU25-24 | 478524 | 4554325 | 1258 | 324 | -26 | |
iGU25-25 | 478494 | 4554323 | 1258 | 330 | -46 | |
iGU25-26 | 478524 | 4554325 | 1260 | 014 | -69 | |
iGU25-27 | 478494 | 4554323 | 1258 | 336 | -55 | |
iGU25-28 | 478524 | 4554325 | 1260 | 359 | -70 | |
iGU25-29 | 478494 | 4554323 | 1258 | 341 | -26 | |
iGU25-30 | 478524 | 4554325 | 1260 | 003 | -58 | |
iGU25-31 | 478494 | 4554323 | 1258 | 341 | -34 | |
iGU25-32 | 478415 | 4554275 | 1260 | 015 | -59 | |
iGU25-33 | 478415 | 4554275 | 1258 | 000 | -51 | |
iGU25-34 | 478415 | 4554275 | 1260 | 020 | -64 | |
iGU25-35 | 478415 | 4554275 | 1258 | 351 | -23 |
Technical Disclosure and Qualified Persons
The technical information contained in this press release has been prepared under the supervision of, and has been reviewed and approved by Paul Chawrun P.Eng., Chief Operating Officer, and Tyler Hill CPG., Vice President, Geology, for the Company, each of whom are qualified persons within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and Subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K ("S-K 1300").
All samples were submitted to MSALABS (MSA) of
Endnotes
(1) | Turquoise Ridge Complex measured and indicated mineral gold resource estimate of approximately 18 million ounces (110 Mt at 4.92 g/t Au) and inferred mineral resource estimate of 2.5 million ounces (29 Mt @ 2.6 g/t Au) are as at December 31, 2024 on a |
(2) | The press release titled "i-80 Gold Reports Initial Assay Results from Granite Creek Underground and Provides Infill Drilling Update at High-Grade Cove Project" was filed on September 10, 2025 and is accessible under the Company's issuer profile on both SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and EDGAR at www.sec.gov, as well as on the Company's website at www.i80gold.com. |
(3) | The press release titled "i-80 Gold Announces Positive Preliminary Economic Assessment on the Granite Creek Underground Project, |
About i-80 Gold Corp.
i-80 Gold Corp. is a
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Information
Certain information set forth in this press release, including but not limited to management's assessment of the Company's future plans and operations, expectations regarding the timing, execution and results of the Company's drilling programs, outlook on gold output, the anticipated timing of gold output, project development or technical studies, including completion of the anticipated Granite Creek Underground feasibility study and the release of its results, the potential for mineral resource conversion and opportunities for expansion to the north and at depth at the SPZ, and management's view that similar mineral resource conversion and expansion success could be achieved with the planned 2026 drill program at Archimedes Underground and Mineral Point open pit projects on the Ruby Hill property, and Granite Creek Underground achieving ramp up to a steady state of gold output constitute forward looking statements or forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "continues", "forecasts", "projects", "predicts", "intends", "anticipates" or "believes", or variations of, or the negatives of, such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "should", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be inaccurate and, as such, reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. The Company's actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements and, accordingly, no assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits, if any, that the Company will derive therefrom. By their nature, forward looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond the Company's control, including general economic and industry conditions, volatility of commodity prices, title risks and uncertainties, uncertainty in geological, metallurgical and geotechnical studies and opinions, and ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources such as selling assets, restructuring debt or obtaining additional equity capital on terms that may be onerous or highly dilutive. The Company's ability to refinance its indebtedness will depend on the capital markets and its financial condition at such time, currency fluctuations, construction and operational risks, licensing and permit requirements, environmental risks, competition from other industry participants, the lack of availability of qualified personnel or management, imprecision of mineral resource, or production estimates.
This release also contains references to estimates of mineral resources. The estimation of mineral resources is inherently uncertain and involves subjective judgments about many relevant factors. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The accuracy of any such estimates is a function of the quantity and quality of available data, and of the assumptions made and judgments used in engineering and geological interpretation (including estimated future production from the Project, the anticipated tonnages and grades that will be mined and the estimated level of recovery that will be realized), which may prove to be unreliable and depend, to a certain extent, upon the analysis of drilling results and statistical inferences that may ultimately prove to be inaccurate. Mineral resource estimates may have to be re-estimated based on: (i) fluctuations in commodities prices; (ii) results of drilling, (iii) metallurgical testing and other studies; (iv) proposed mining operations, including dilution; (v) the evaluation of mine plans subsequent to the date of any estimates; and (vi) the possible failure to receive required permits, approvals and licenses or changes to existing mining licenses.
Please see "Risks Factors" in the Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 for more information regarding risks pertaining to the Company, which is available on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar and SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Readers are encouraged to carefully review these risk factors as well as the Company's other filings with the
Additional information relating to i-80 Gold can be found on i-80 Gold's website at www.i80gold.com, SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca, and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar. The information included on, or accessible through, the Company's website is not incorporated by reference into this press release.
APPENDIX
Figure 1: Plan View of Granite Creek Underground
Figure 2: Long Section of Granite Creek Underground
Figure 3: Regional Map of i-80 Gold assets in northern
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SOURCE i-80 Gold Corp


