Montage Gold reports on its Q3-2026 activities
October gold production reached 23,462 ounces as Montage targets commercial production in Q4-2026.
Sentiment and the balance of points
Rhea-AI Sentiment reads the wording of the document, how positive or negative its language is on a 1 to 5 scale. The balance of points shown with the takes weighs what the document actually discloses, so the two can disagree, for example when a trial that missed its main goal is described in upbeat language.
Rhea-AI Summary
Montage Gold (MAUTF) achieved first gold at its Koné mine on September 26, 2026, ahead of its initial schedule. The oxide circuit began producing before the original Q2-2027 target. October production reached 23,462 ounces, with 95% recovery; throughput reached 104% of nameplate capacity in the month's final week. Montage expects commercial production in Q4-2026 and completion of the hard-rock crushing and grinding circuit in Q2-2027.
Construction remains on budget, with approximately $796.4 million committed as of November 11 against total capital expenditure of $885.0 million. Quarter-end liquidity was $205.6 million, compared with $159.8 million of remaining capital disbursements. Cash fell to $106.6 million from $154.4 million at June 30. The 2026 exploration program covers 224,000 metres, with expected spending of $46 million, including exploration by African Gold before its acquisition closed.
How this balance works
Rhea-AI gives every point it takes from this document a weight. Minor counts 1, Moderate 3 and Major 9, so one Major point outweighs several Minor ones. The bar adds up the weights on each side, and when neither side holds more than 65% of the total the balance reads Mixed.
It reads the document as published, with the same rules for every company, and it does not look at what the market expected or at how the stock traded, so a point can be objectively good on a day the stock falls.
Rhea-AI Sentiment measures something else, the tone of the wording.
Hollow bars mark forward-looking points. How the balance works
Positive
- Major pointFirst gold achieved September 26, 2026, ahead of the initial Q2-2027 schedule.
- Moderate pointOctober production reached 23,462 ounces, versus 1,284 ounces in September.
- Moderate pointOctober throughput reached 888 kt versus 475 kt in September; final-week throughput reached 104% of nameplate.
- Moderate point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Commercial production remains targeted for Q4-2026 on the oxide circuit.
- Moderate point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Hard-rock circuit remains on budget and on schedule for completion in Q2-2027.
- Moderate point$205.6 million liquidity exceeds remaining Koné capital disbursements of $159.8 million.
13 minor points
- Minor pointGold recovery increased to 95% in October from 92% in September.
- Minor pointProcessed head grade increased to 0.82 g/t in October from 0.77 g/t in September.
- Minor pointOre mined increased to 2,333 kt in October from 1,017 kt in September.
- Minor pointConstruction budget remains $885.0 million, with approximately $796.4 million committed as of November 11.
- Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Gbongogo Main mining is expected to ramp up in late Q4-2026; other higher-grade satellites during 2027.
- Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.2026 drilling program covers 224,000 metres across Koné, Didievi and Wendé.
- Minor pointKoné drilling reached 122,570 metres through September against a 130,000-metre full-year program.
- Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Didievi drilling reached 57,143 metres through September; the program is expected to yield an updated resource estimate.
- Minor pointWendé drilling reached 8,982 metres, completing the stated 9,000-metre full-year program.
- Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Mauritania exploration is underway to define targets before reconnaissance drilling across approximately 2,702 km2.
- Minor pointLost-time injury frequency rate improved to 0.07 in Q3-2026 from 0.08 in Q2-2026.
- Minor pointOperational staffing is complete across all key mining, processing and maintenance roles.
- Minor pointFinancing cash inflows totalled $105.3 million in Q3-2026, versus $212.8 million in Q2-2026.
Negative
- Moderate pointCash and equivalents fell to $106.6 million at September 30 from $154.4 million at June 30.
- Moderate pointAvailable liquidity declined to $205.6 million at September 30 from $309.0 million at June 30.
- Minor pointInvesting cash outflows increased to $137.3 million in Q3-2026 from $128.0 million in Q2-2026.
- Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Exploration spending is expected to total $46 million in 2026, including $3.3 million before the African Gold acquisition.
- Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Hard-rock equipment deliveries remain scheduled for late Q4-2026 through Q1-2027 ahead of circuit completion.
- Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Remaining 32MW of backup generators are expected during Q4-2026; installation of the first 10MW is complete.
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
Koné mine first gold achieved • Plant already operating above nameplate • Strong exploration focus across the portfolio
| KONÉ OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES |
| • First gold pour achieved through the oxide circuit on September 26, 2026, and ahead of the initial schedule of Q2-2027 |
| • Process plant already operating at an average of over |
| • Rapid progress achieved across the operation, with +15.2 million construction hours worked to date; +2,800 employees and contractors on site |
| • Hard-rock comminution circuit construction remains on track for completion in Q2-2027, with significant progress made across civils, structural, mechanical and piping workstreams |
| • Construction of the Koné mine remains on budget with |
| EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES |
| • Koné mine: 122,570 metres drilled during YTD-2026, out of the 130,000-metre full year program, where results provide increased confidence in the potential to continue expanding resources |
| • Didievi project: 57,143 metres drilled during YTD-2026, out of the 85,000-metre full year program, resulting in further high-grade intercepts, with the drill program expected to yield an updated resource estimate |
| • Wendé property: 8,982 metres drilled during YTD-2026, completing the 9,000-metre full year program, where recently published drill results increase confidence to delineate a maiden resource following upcoming drill programs |
| • Mauritania: Exploration is well underway to inform target definition ahead of reconnaissance drilling across the Company’s Sfariat and Zednes exploration blocks, which cover an area of approximately 2,702 km2 |
| FINANCIAL POSITION |
| • Liquidity and Koné mine funding sources remain strong at |
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 11, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Montage Gold Corp. (“Montage” or the “Company”) (TSX: MAU, OTCQX: MAUTF) is pleased to report on its Q3-2026 activities, with highlights provided in Table 1 below.
| Table 1: Business and financial highlights | ||||||||||||
| THREE MONTHS ENDED | NINE MONTHS ENDED | |||||||||||
| All amounts in millions of USD, unless otherwise specified | Sept 30, 2026 | Jun 30, 2026 | Sept 30, 2025 | Sept 30, 2026 | Sept 30, 2025 | Δ Q3-2026 vs. Q2-2026 | ||||||
| OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS | ||||||||||||
| Gold ounces produced, oz | 1,284 | – | – | 1,284 | – | 1,284 | ||||||
| Gold ounces sold, oz | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||||||
| CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES | ||||||||||||
| Cumulative hours worked, million hrs | 14.4 | 12.0 | 4.8 | 14.4 | 4.8 | +2.4 | ||||||
| Lost-Time Injuries Frequency Rate1 | 0.07 | 0.08 | 0.20 | 0.07 | 0.20 | (0.01 | ) | |||||
| Total cumulative capital committed, inclusive of disbursed | 753.6 | 686.0 | 428.0 | 753.6 | 428.0 | +67.6 | ||||||
| EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES | ||||||||||||
| Metres drilled2 | 61,819 | 58,200 | 2,504 | 167,273 | 85,784 | +3,619 | ||||||
| Exploration expenditure1,2 | 13.1 | 9.7 | 2.4 | 30.2 | 15.8 | +3.5 | ||||||
| CASH FLOW AND LIQUIDITY POSITION1 | ||||||||||||
| Cash flows used in investing activities | (137.3 | ) | (128.0 | ) | (92.1 | ) | (375.7 | ) | (237.2 | ) | (9.3 | ) |
| Cash flows generated from financing activities | 105.3 | 212.8 | 156.8 | 318.0 | 307.7 | (107.5 | ) | |||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | 106.6 | 154.4 | 159.0 | 106.6 | 159.0 | (47.7 | ) | |||||
| Total available liquidity | 205.6 | 309.0 | 712.8 | 205.6 | 712.8 | (103.4 | ) | |||||
| 1As referenced in the Company’s Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026, available on SEDAR+ and on the Company’s website. 2Excludes drilling done by African Gold prior to the April 29, 2026, transaction close. | ||||||||||||
The Company’s Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements and associated Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026, have been filed under the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and are available for download on the Company’s website.
Martino De Ciccio, Chief Executive Officer of Montage, commented: “This has been a quarter of transformation for Montage, with first production at our flagship Koné mine marking a key milestone in our journey to creating a premier, multi-asset African gold producer. We are pleased to have poured first gold on budget and well ahead of the initial schedule of Q2-2027.
The ramp-up of the oxide circuit is progressing well, with the plant already operating above nameplate capacity, and we remain well on track to declare commercial production this quarter. With potential cash flow generation from the oxide circuit now complementing our strong liquidity position, we look forward to completing the hard-rock comminution circuit, which remains on track for completion in Q2-2027.
We are also maintaining our focus on unlocking exploration value across our portfolio. At Koné, our exploration success continues to identify resource growth potential at higher-grade satellite deposits, with the objective of enhancing the production profile. At Didievi, recent high-grade drill results provide further excitement as we progress our next development asset. At the Wendé advanced greenfield exploration property, recent results provide strong confidence in our ability to delineate a maiden resource, with drilling ongoing, while in Mauritania, we have staffed a team following the award of permits earlier this year and exploration activities are now ramping up.
We are pleased with the momentum that we continue to generate across our business and we look forward to continuing to unlock value for all our stakeholders.”
ACTIVITIES OVERVIEW
Koné operations
First gold was achieved through the oxide circuit at the Company’s flagship Koné mine, in Côte d’Ivoire, on September 26, 2026, ahead of the initial schedule of Q2-2027. Rapid construction progress continues to be made across the operation, with 2.4 million construction hours worked in Q3-2026, and total hours worked now totalling over 15.2 million since construction commenced until today, alongside a Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (“LTIFR”) of 0.07. Following the first gold pour, a total of approximately 888 kt were processed from the oxide circuit during October, with the plant operating at an average of over
Exploration portfolio activities
The Company continues to be focused on unlocking value through its exploration programs across its multi-asset portfolio. As shown in Table 2 below, a total of 224,000 metres of drilling is underway for 2026 across the Koné, Didievi and Wendé properties, with further details by asset provided in the sections below. Exploration expenditure, including amounts related to non-drilling exploration activities, across all assets is expected to amount to
| Table 2: Group exploration drilling program (pro forma post-African Gold transaction close) | ||||
| THREE MONTHS ENDED | NINE MONTHS ENDED | 2026 FULL YEAR DRILL PROGRAM | ||
| Sept 30, 2026 | Jun 30, 2026 | Sept 30, 2026 | ||
| DRILLING METRES (in metres) | ||||
| Koné mine | 31,994 | 43,322 | 122,570 | 130,000 |
| Didievi project1 | 27,382 | 13,159 | 57,143 | 85,000 |
| Wendé properties | 2,443 | 6,539 | 8,982 | 9,000 |
| Mauritania | – | – | – | – |
| Other | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 61,819 | 63,020 | 188,695 | 224,000 |
| EXPLORATION EXPENDITURES (in millions of USD) | ||||
| Koné mine | 6.9 | 6.1 | 20.4 | 22 |
| Didievi project1 | 4.6 | 2.7 | 9.9 | 17 |
| Wendé properties | 0.2 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 2 |
| Mauritania | 1.4 | 0.6 | 2.0 | 4 |
| Other | – | – | – | 1 |
| Total | 13.1 | 10.4 | 33.5 | 46 |
| 1Q2-2026 includes 8,339 metres drilled by Montage, amounting to | ||||
KONÉ MINE, CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Operational overview
- On-site workforce exceeds 2,800 employees and contractors, and with over
95% national employment, demonstrating the Company’s commitment to local content. A significant portion of the on-site construction workforce have successfully transitioned to operational roles following the training programs implemented by the Company. Additionally, staffing of all key operational roles has been completed, including all disciplines across mining, processing and maintenance. - Rapid progress continues to be made across the operation, with 2.4 million construction hours worked in Q3-2026, with total hours worked now totalling over 15.2 million since construction commenced until today, alongside a Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (“LTIFR”) of 0.07.
- The Company’s first gold pour occurred on September 26, 2026, following the addition and early completion of the oxide circuit, which enabled first gold production significantly ahead of the initial schedule of Q2-2027. As a consequence of the strong ramp up performance across mining and processing activities, the Company remains well on track to declare commercial production on the oxide circuit in Q4-2026. Construction of the hard-rock comminution circuit remains well on track for completion in Q2-2027, and on-budget, as further detailed in the “Hard-rock comminution circuit” section below.
Oxide circuit completion and ramp-up
- Mining activities commenced in late August 2026, with total ore mined ramping up to 2,333kt in October. Mining activities are set to continue to ramp up as total material moved increases in accordance with the mine plan, with the goal of minimizing ore rehandling as a significant portion of the ore mined from surface is expected to be directly fed into the oxide circuit.
- Following the successful Advanced Grade Control (“AGC”) drill program completed on the Gbongogo Main deposit in 2025, based on a 50 x 25 metre centred grid, with results published on March 30, 2026, a 19,500-metre Grade Control (“GC”) program was launched on the Gbongogo Main deposit during the quarter based on a 12.5 x 12.5 metre grid. Mining of the higher-grade Gbongogo Main deposit is expected to ramp up in late 2026, while mining at other recently discovered higher grade satellite deposits is expected to commence over the course of 2027.
- Processing of Koné oxide ore totalled 888kt in October 2026, having quickly ramped up since ore was first introduced to the oxide circuit on September 8, 2026. During October 2026, the plant operated at an average of
90% of its 11 Mtpa nameplate capacity, with104% of nameplate capacity achieved during the last week of October, with continued strong performance in November. - The average processed head grade during October 2026 was 0.82 g/t Au, while gold recoveries averaged
95% . - Total gold produced in October amounted to 23,462 ounces, totalling 24,746 ounces produced since the first gold pour was achieved, excluding gold-in-circuit (“GIC”) inventory.
| Table 3: Koné mine monthly operating performance indicators | |||
| Operating Data | Aug 2026 | Sep 2026 | Oct 2026 |
| Mining | |||
| Ore mined, kt | 474 | 1,017 | 2,333 |
| Waste mined, kt | 91 | 579 | 814 |
| Open pit strip ratio, waste:ore | 0.19 | 0.57 | 0.35 |
| Processing | |||
| Ore milled, kt | n.a | 475 | 888 |
| Mill head grade, g/t | n.a | 0.77 | 0.82 |
| Recovery, % | n.a | 92 | 95 |
| Gold Produced, oz | n.a | 1,284 | 23,462 |
Figure 1: Fully operational oxide circuit overview

Figure 2: Mining of the Koné deposit

Hard-rock comminution circuit
- Construction of the hard-rock comminution circuit remains on schedule for completion in Q2-2027, and on-budget.
- Primary crusher backfilling and civil works are progressing as planned following the enclosure of the crusher tunnel, alongside the preparation of the hard-rock ROM pad area. Rebar and formwork for suspended slabs have been completed, and concrete poured. Primary crusher ore stockpile rebar installations are ongoing. Structural, mechanical and piping (“SMP”) activities on the primary crusher have begun with plate work and mechanical equipment installations commencing.
- Secondary crusher earthworks, rebar, formwork and concrete pours are complete and SMP activities are commencing with the erection of structural steel. Secondary screening SMP works are progressing well, with structural steel erection well advanced and electrical fit out of switchrooms ongoing.
- High-pressure grinding rollers (“HPGR”) oversize stockpile rebar and formwork emplacement are ongoing with suspended slab concrete pours scheduled. HPGR product stockpile continues on track with rebar and formwork to the chamber walls well advanced, and concrete pours to the first lift ongoing.
- The HPGR building and workshop are well advanced, with vertical cladding ongoing and internal mechanical equipment and electrical installations progressing well.
- Deliveries of comminution equipment for the hard rock circuit, including across the primary crusher, secondary crusher, classification areas and HPGRs, are due to commence in late Q4-2026 and continue into Q1-2027.
- Electrical cable installation is ongoing across the entire hard-rock comminution circuit.
- Deliveries of the remaining 32MW (out of 42MW) of back-up power generator-sets (“Gensets”) are expected throughout Q4-2026. Civil works and installation of the first 10MW of Gensets are complete.
- All critical infrastructure to support ramp-up activities and completion of the hard-rock comminution circuit are performing as expected, with grid connection stable and the water storage facility (“WSF”) and tailings storage facility (“TSF”) fully operational.
Figure 3: Hard-rock comminution circuit overview

Figure 4: Hard-rock comminution circuit stages

Koné exploration activities
- As previously announced, the total exploration program for 2026 was increased from 90,000 metres to approximately 130,000 metres for the Koné mine. The total expenditure for 2026 is expected to amount to approximately
$22 million , which represents an increase of approximately$4 million , mainly due to less auger drilling in favour of more reverse circulation and diamond drill holes as the drill program was modified to continue to focus on expanding previously delineated deposits given the continued mineralized extensions identified. - During Q3-2026, Montage completed 31,994 metres of drilling and incurred exploration expenditures of
$6.9 million , with a total of 122,570 metres drilled in the nine months ended September 30, 2026, amounting to$20.4 million incurred in exploration expenditures. - The exploration program is focused on three parallel tracks: (1) Infill and extension drilling at the Koné and Gbongogo Main deposits, as well as at the previously delineated starter deposits, including the more advanced Gbongogo South, Petit Yao, Sena, Soman and ANV deposits, as well as other previously delineated deposits with starter resources; (2) Advancing pre-resource targets toward maiden resource definition, such as at ANIII and ANV North; and (3) Testing new targets across the mine’s extensive land package, based on systematic drilling of best selected targets to confirm their potential and define starter resources to validate their grade profiles before undertaking larger step-out drilling campaigns.
- Drilling activities during the quarter focused on the Koné and Gbongogo-Koroutou trends given the proximity to existing infrastructure, alongside the Sissédougou trend, where strong exploration results continue to highlight the potential for further discoveries. Positive mineralization has been confirmed at all 25 exploration targets drilled year-to-date. At the Gbongogo Main deposit, mineralized extensions outside of the current pit shell have been identified. At the Gbongogo South deposit, step-out drilling has extended mineralized envelopes beyond the current pit shells while the continuity of mineralization towards the Gbongogo Main deposit remains a focus for further drilling. At the Soman deposit, in-fill drilling continues to demonstrate its potential as a higher-grade satellite deposit, with intercepts demonstrating the continuity of mineralization. At the Petit Yao deposit, which is located approximately 7km away from the processing plant, step-out drill results have identified extensions of mineralized envelopes. At the ANV deposit, step-out drilling is providing encouragement for potential further resource additions, with northeast extensions exhibiting high grade intercepts beyond the current pit shell.
- Target definition programs continue to outline exploration targets which will be subject to follow up drilling, including along the Gbongogo-Koroutou trend where target testing has confirmed mineralization at multiple new targets while multiple ‘gap zones’ along the trend have also been identified and require investigation. At the ANV North target, scout drill results demonstrate the potential for a broader mineralized system. In addition, 12 new soil anomalies have been identified, which are being evaluated through a target definition process.
- As previously published, the Company expects to publish an updated life-of-mine plan (“LOM”) for the Koné mine along with year-end reserves and resources in late Q1-2027, to incorporate new data from the Koné, Gbongogo Main and additional higher-grade satellite deposits, as well as the initiatives undertaken to further unlock value, including the oxide circuit, process plant design enhancements, and the shift to an owner-operated mining model.
DIDIEVI PROJECT, CÔTE D’IVOIRE
- As the Didievi project is poised to become the Company’s next development asset, aggressive exploration, technical studies, permitting activities along with Environmental & Social Impact Assessment (“ESIA”) are all underway.
- A total of approximately 85,000 metres of drilling is expected to be completed at the Didievi project during 2026 for total expenditures of
$17 million , of which 21,422 metres were completed by African Gold prior to the completion of the acquisition of African Gold by the Company, which will amount to over 100,000 metres of exploration drilling completed on the project since the last resource update was published in June 2025. - During Q3-2026, a total of 27,382 metres were drilled at Didievi project, with exploration expenditure amounting to
$4.6 million . A total of 57,143 metres were drilled at Didievi project in the nine months ended September 30, 2026, amounting to$9.9 million incurred in exploration expenditures, including$6.6 million of expenditure incurred by the Company for 35,721 metres after the transaction closed. - Drilling during the quarter was predominantly focused on the Blaffo Guetto deposit, aiming to continue to expand mineralization along strike and at depth, alongside in-fill drilling to convert Inferred Resources to Indicated status within the next resource estimate. Additionally, reconnaissance drill testing was conducted on new targets across the Blaffo Guetto, Pranoi and Pokou mineralized trends.
- A series of high-grade intercepts at the Blaffo Guetto deposit were announced on July 14, 2026, extending mineralization along a strike of over 1.3 km and down-dip, thereby confirming the continuity of high-grade mineralized lenses. High-grade, shallow intercepts have also been identified to the southeast of the Blaffo Guetto deposit, highlighting the potential for parallel, shallow lineaments.
- During the quarter, Montage successfully completed the previously announced transaction, thereby increasing its interest in the Didievi project by
15.5% to95.5% . As part of the transaction, Montage also repurchased a1.5% NSR royalty held by the minority shareholders over the Didievi project, reducing the overall third-party held royalties on the Didievi project to0.5% .
WENDÉ ADVANCED GREENFIELD EXPLORATION PROPERTY, CÔTE D’IVOIRE
- Following the award of the Wendé advanced greenfield exploration property in late 2025, Montage’s initial exploration program, amounting to
$2 million for a total of approximately 9,000 metres of drilling, was launched earlier this year. In addition, approximately 60,000 metres of drilling had been conducted on the property by previous owners. - During Q3-2026, Montage completed 2,443 metres of drilling, amounting to an exploration expenditure of
$0.2 million , with a total of 8,982 metres drilled during the nine months ended September 30, 2026, amounting to$1.2 million incurred in exploration expenditures. - Drilling at the Bobosso target has confirmed its prospectivity, as announced on July 29, 2026, following a series of in-fill and step-out drill holes extending mineralization and confirming the continuity along the current strike, as well as down dip of historical drill holes. In addition to the Bobosso target, 8 other exploration targets have been identified across the property.
- The Company aims to rapidly advance the Wendé property towards a maiden resource through its ongoing drill programs.
- During the quarter, the Company also announced that it had been granted the Dabakala greenfield exploration property, located immediately north of the Wendé property and covering an area of approximately 349km2, thereby consolidating further prospective exploration grounds in close proximity to Wendé.
MAURITANIA EXPLORATION PORTFOLIO
- Montage secured, earlier this year, a series of greenfield exploration permits across the Sfariat and Zednes exploration blocks covering an area of approximately 2,702 km2 in a highly prospective region of Mauritania.
- A total exploration expenditure of
$4 million is expected for 2026, focused on initial reconnaissance exploration fieldwork, including geological mapping, geophysical surveying, soil sampling and initial Air Core (“AC”) and Reverse Circulation (“RC”) drilling. - Exploration work is well underway in the Sfariat and Zednes exploration blocks to inform target definition ahead of reconnaissance drilling, which is expected to commence in early 2027, with the first campaign expected to be comprised of approximately 15,000 metres.
CASH FLOW, LIQUIDITY SOURCES AND CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS
Cash flows used in investing activities totalled
As at September 30, 2026, the Company had a consolidated cash balance of
As at September 30, 2026, the Company had available liquidity of
A total of
UPCOMING CATALYSTS
Key upcoming catalysts by asset across the Company include:
| Table 4: Key upcoming catalysts by asset | |
| PROPERTY | CATALYST |
| Koné mine |
|
| Didievi project |
|
| Wendé property |
|
| Mauritania greenfield properties |
|
ABOUT MONTAGE GOLD
Montage Gold Corp. (TSX:MAU) is a Canadian-listed company focused on creating a premier multi-asset African gold producer, with its flagship Koné mine, located in Côte d’Ivoire, at the forefront. Based on the Updated Feasibility Study published in 2024 (the “UFS”), the Koné project has an estimated 16-year mine life and sizeable annual production of +300koz of gold over the first 8 years and entered production in Q3-2026. The Company has also built a high-quality, multi-asset growth pipeline including the Didievi and Wendé properties in Côte d’Ivoire, and a portfolio of prospective exploration tenements in Mauritania.
QUALIFIED PERSONS STATEMENT
The scientific and technical contents of this press release have been verified and approved by Mr. Peder Olsen, a Qualified Person pursuant to NI 43-101. Mr. Olsen, President and Chief Development Officer of Montage, is a registered Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM).
CONTACT INFORMATION
| For Investor Relations Inquiries: Jake Cain Strategy & Investor Relations Manager jcain@montagegold.com +44-7788-687-567 | For Media Inquiries: John Vincic Oakstrom Advisors john@oakstrom.com +1-647-402-6375 | For Regulatory Inquiries: Kathy Love Corporate Secretary klove@montagegold.com +1-604-512-2959 |
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation (collectively, “Forward-looking Statements”). All statements, other than statements of historical fact, constitute Forward-looking Statements. Words such as “will”, “intends”, “proposed”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “plans”, “on track”, “potential” or similar expressions are intended to identify Forward-looking Statements. Forward-looking Statements in this press release include statements related to the Company’s objectives of achieving commercial production on the oxide circuit in Q4-2026, and remaining on-schedule and on-budget for completion of the hard-rock comminution circuit in the second quarter of 2027; generating strong cash flows from the Koné mine; the sufficiency of the Company’s available liquidity, together with cash flow generation from the Koné mine; the continued ramp-up of throughput and recoveries of the oxide circuit; the ramp-up of mining at the Gbongogo Main deposit in late Q4-2026 and the commencement of mining at other higher-grade satellite deposits in 2027; the timing of major equipment and back-up power generator deliveries; the items listed under the heading “Upcoming Catalysts”; the Company’s mineral reserve and resource estimates; results of ongoing and planned exploration and drill programs, including results of grade control drilling programs; expected recoveries and grades of the Koné project; timing in respect of the commencement and completion of construction of various components of the Koné project, the length of construction and of the mining operations at the Koné project, including estimated construction costs; timing and amount of necessary financing related to the mining operations at the Koné project; the timing and amount of future production from the Koné project; anticipated mining and processing methods of the Koné project; anticipated mine life of the Koné project; anticipated operational efficiencies and flexibility and other benefits of the construction of the oxide circuit; the publication of updated mineral reserve and resource estimates and an updated LOM plan in 2027; the potential for the Didievi project to become the Company’s next development asset; and further information related to exploration and drill programs, exploration results, permitting activities, mineral resource estimates and timing thereof at the Didievi project, the Wendé property and Mauritania.
Forward-looking Statements involve various risks and uncertainties and are based on certain factors and assumptions. There can be no assurance that any Forward-looking Statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements, including that the returns from the Koné project will be lower than estimated, that additions to the mineral resources will not be achieved or that the remaining cost of construction of the Koné project will be higher than estimated, that the updated LOM plan will indicate lower financial returns or production, or that the acquisition of African Gold will not result in any benefits to Montage. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated include uncertainties inherent in the preparation of mineral reserve and resource estimates and definitive feasibility studies, and in delineating new mineral reserve and resource estimates, including but not limited to, assumptions underlying the production estimates not being realized, incorrect cost assumptions, decreases in the price of gold, unexpected variations in quantity of mineralized material, grade or recovery rates being lower than expected, unexpected adverse changes to geotechnical or hydrogeological considerations, or expectations in that regard not being met, unexpected failures of plant, equipment or processes (including construction equipment), delays in or increased costs for the delivery of construction equipment and services, unexpected changes to availability of power or the power rates, failure to maintain permits and licenses, higher than expected interest or tax rates, adverse changes in project parameters, unanticipated delays and costs of consulting and accommodating rights of local communities, environmental risks inherent in the Côte d’Ivoire, title risks, including failure to renew concessions, unanticipated commodity price and exchange rate fluctuations, delays in or failure to receive access agreements or amended permits, and other risk factors set forth in the Company’s Annual Information Form available at www.sedarplus.ca, under the heading “Risk Factors”. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any Forward-looking Statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for Montage to predict all of them, or assess the impact of each such factor or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any Forward-looking Statement. Any Forward-looking Statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
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https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a1708e54-8069-4252-90da-ddd95553e5a8
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FAQ
AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
When did Montage Gold achieve first gold at Koné, and when is commercial production expected?
Montage Gold achieved first gold through Koné's oxide circuit on September 26, 2026, and expects commercial production in Q4-2026. First gold was achieved ahead of the initial Q2-2027 schedule.
How much gold did Montage Gold's Koné mine produce in October 2026?
Koné produced 23,462 ounces of gold in October 2026. Production since the first gold pour totalled 24,746 ounces, excluding gold held within the processing circuit.
What grade-control drilling is Montage Gold undertaking at Gbongogo Main?
Montage launched a 19,500-metre grade-control drilling program at Gbongogo Main during Q3-2026, using a 12.5 x 12.5 metre grid. It follows an advanced grade-control program completed in 2025 using a 50 x 25 metre grid.