Lahontan Begins Metallurgical Test Work at Santa Fe

Rhea-AI Summary

Lahontan Gold Corp (OTCQB:LGCXF) has initiated metallurgical test work on gold and silver mineralization from the transition metallurgical domain at its Santa Fe deposit. The company aims to significantly improve CN leach gold recoveries for transition material from the current 49% recovery rate used in their recent Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA).

The testing program includes column leach tests, with results expected later in 2025. Additionally, Lahontan is exploring methods to better define boundaries between different metallurgical domains within the Santa Fe deposit. These initiatives could potentially enhance project economics and expand the gold and silver production profile beyond PEA projections.

Positive

• Potential to improve gold recovery rates from current 49% in transition material
• Initiative could enhance overall project economics and production profile
• Results expected within the year (2025)

Negative

• Current low gold recovery rate of 49% in transition material
• Testing results and potential improvements are not guaranteed

TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / June 24, 2025 / Lahontan Gold Corp. (TSXV:LG)(OTCQB:LGCXF)(FSE:Y2F) (the "Company" or "Lahontan") is pleased to announce that the Company has commenced metallurgical test work on gold and silver mineralization from the transition metallurgical domain (mixed minor sulfide and oxide mineralization) in the Santa Fe deposit. Lahontan is focusing on dramatically improving CN leach gold recoveries for transition material from the 49% recovery utilized in the recent Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") of the Santa Fe Mine project*, unlocking the full potential of transition domain mineralization. Similtaneously, the Company is evaluating methodologies to more accurately define the boundaries between the different metallurgical domains within the Santa Fe deposit. These steps have the potential to profoundly impact project economics and significantly expand the gold and silver production profile from that reported in the PEA. The metallurgical testing will include column leach tests; results are expected later this year.

Kimberly Ann, Lahontan Gold Corp CEO, Executive Chair, and Founder commented: "We are excited to begin this new program of metallurgical testing on the Santa Fe deposit. A significant portion of the minable gold ounces at Santa Fe lie in the transition metallurgical domain, therefore improved gold and silver recoveries will have an immediate and important impact on project economics. New heap leaching methods, including reagents, have shown dramatic increases in recoveries from transition material; we intend to find out if these new processing methods can work at Santa Fe. In addition, once assay results are received from the recent drilling at Slab, we will begin additional test work on the bulk rejects, looking for ways to optimize gold and silver recoveries at Slab as well".

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 current gold recovery rate at Lahontan Gold's Santa Fe deposit transition material?

The current gold recovery rate for transition material at Santa Fe deposit is 49%, as utilized in their recent Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA).

When will LGCXF receive the metallurgical test results for Santa Fe deposit?

Lahontan Gold expects to receive the metallurgical test results, including column leach tests, later in 2025.

What is the purpose of Lahontan Gold's new metallurgical testing program?

The program aims to improve CN leach gold recoveries for transition material and better define boundaries between different metallurgical domains within the Santa Fe deposit to enhance project economics.

How could the metallurgical testing impact LGCXF's Santa Fe project?

Successful testing could significantly improve gold and silver recovery rates, enhance project economics, and expand the production profile beyond current PEA projections.