BLM Determines Santa Fe Plan of Operations Complete, Prepares to Enter NEPA

Rhea-AI Summary

Lahontan Gold Corp (OTCQB:LGCXF) has achieved a significant milestone as the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has deemed their Exploration Plan of Operations (POO) for the Santa Fe Mine Project complete. The project will now proceed to environmental assessment under NEPA.

The completion determination validates over two years of environmental baseline studies, covering biological, cultural, and historical resources. The POO encompasses over 12 km² of exploration area and includes more than 700 drill sites. The company expects to receive final POO approval in Q4 2025, enabling a comprehensive drilling campaign in 2026.

Positive

• Environmental baseline studies completion enables future environmental assessments for Mine Plan of Operations
• Large exploration area covering over 12 km² with 700+ drill sites approved in POO
• Final approval expected in Q4 2025, setting clear timeline for 2026 drilling campaign

Negative

• Additional regulatory steps required before drilling can commence
• Several months waiting period until Q4 2025 for final approval

TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / August 26, 2025 / Lahontan Gold Corp. (TSXV:LG)(OTCQB:LGCXF)(FSE:Y2F) (the "Company" or "Lahontan") is pleased to announce that the Company has received notice from the Federal Bureau of Land Management (the "BLM") that Lahontan's Exploration Plan of Operations ("POO") has been determined to be complete and Santa Fe Mine Project can now enter full environmental assessment (the "EA") under the National Environmental Protection Act ("NEPA"). The determination means that all the environmental baseline studies used in the POO are complete, including studies of biological, cultural, and historical resources, culminating over two years of study and documentation at Santa Fe. Importantly, these studies can be used in any future environmental assessment of the Project including a Mine Plan of Operations. The POO would allow for exploration on over 12 km² of the Project and includes over 700 drill sites. The Company anticipates completing the NEPA process and receiving final approval of the POO in Q4 2025 allowing for a robust drilling campaign in 2026.

Kimberly Ann, Lahontan Gold Corp CEO, Executive Chair, and Founder commented: "Lahontan is pleased to receive notice from the BLM that our Santa Fe Exploration Project POO has been determined to be complete, and we can now head towards the completion of an EA under NEPA. The ability to explore throughout the Project area will give the Company the opportunity to unlock the tremendous untapped potential of the Project while simultaneously continuing to develop plans to bring the Santa Fe Mine back into production. We look forward to working hand-in-hand with the BLM and our permitting consultants and completing the NEPA process in a timely manner."

About Lahontan Gold Corp.

Lahontan Gold Corp. is a Canadian mine development and mineral exploration company that holds, through its US subsidiaries, four top-tier gold and silver exploration properties in the Walker Lane of mining friendly Nevada. Lahontan's flagship property, the 26.4 km² Santa Fe Mine project, had past 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 Santa Fe Mine has a Canadian National Instrument 43-101 compliant Indicated Mineral Resource of 1,539,000 oz Au Eq(48,393,000 tonnes grading 0.92 g/t Au and 7.18 g/t Ag, together grading 0.99 g/t Au Eq) and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 411,000 oz Au Eq (16,760,000 grading 0.74 g/t Au and 3.25 g/t Ag, together grading 0.76 g/t Au Eq), all pit constrained (Au Eq is inclusive of recovery, please see Santa Fe Project Technical Report and note below*). 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 this news release and the Company's technical disclosure has been 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 -- Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Lindholm was not an author for the Technical Report* and does not take responsibility for the resource calculation but can confirm that the grade and ounces in this press release are the same as those given in the Technical Report. For more information, please visit our website: www.lahontangoldcorp.com

* Please see the "Preliminary Economic Assessment, NI 43-101 Technical Report, Santa Fe Project", Authors: Kenji Umeno, P. Eng., Thomas Dyer, PE, Kyle Murphy, PE, Trevor Rabb, P. Geo, Darcy Baker, PhD, P. Geo., and John M. Young, SME-RM; Effective Date: December 10, 2024, Report Date: January 24, 2025. The Technical Report is available on the Company's website and SEDAR+. Mineral resources are reported using a cut-off grade of 0.15 g/t AuEq for oxide resources and 0.60 g/t AuEq for non-oxide resources. AuEq for the purpose of cut-off grade and reporting the Mineral Resources is based on the following assumptions gold price of US$1,950/oz gold, silver price of US$23.50/oz silver, and oxide gold recoveries ranging from 28% to 79%, oxide silver recoveries ranging from 8% to 30%, and non-oxide gold and silver recoveries of 71%.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Kimberly Ann
Founder, CEO, President, and Executive Chair

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Lahontan Gold Corp.
Kimberly Ann
Founder, Chief Executive Officer, President, and Executive Chair

Phone: 1-530-414-4400
Email: Kimberly.ann@lahontangoldcorp.com
Website: www.lahontangoldcorp.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

Neither TSX Venture Exchange("TSXV") 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. Except for statements of historical fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to delays or uncertainties with regulatory approvals, including that of the TSXV. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties that could affect financial results is contained in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedarplus.com

SOURCE: Lahontan Gold Corp.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

FAQ

What is the status of Lahontan Gold's Santa Fe Mine Project POO?

The BLM has determined Lahontan Gold's (LGCXF) Plan of Operations for Santa Fe Mine Project to be complete, allowing it to proceed to environmental assessment under NEPA.

How many drill sites are included in Lahontan Gold's Santa Fe exploration plan?

Lahontan Gold's POO includes over 700 drill sites covering an exploration area of more than 12 km².

When does Lahontan Gold expect final approval for the Santa Fe Project POO?

Lahontan Gold expects to receive final approval of the POO in Q4 2025, which will enable a drilling campaign in 2026.

What environmental studies has Lahontan Gold completed for the Santa Fe Project?

Lahontan Gold has completed two years of environmental baseline studies, including biological, cultural, and historical resources assessments.

What is the next step for Lahontan Gold's Santa Fe Mine Project?

The project will now undergo environmental assessment (EA) under the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) before receiving final approval.