Cyanide extraction testing from Lahontan Gold Corp.'s 2025 reverse-circulation drilling program at the West Santa Fe project demonstrated high recovery rates, with gold averaging 81% and silver 60%. These results exceed prior metallurgical projections and support heap leach processing potential for the Nevada-based project. The findings validate historical and recent testing while reinforcing the project's amenability to cost-effective recovery methods.
The company holds four top-tier gold and silver exploration properties in the Walker Lane of mining-friendly Nevada through its US subsidiaries. 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 and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 411,000 oz Au Eq, all pit constrained.
For business and technology leaders monitoring the mining sector, these results carry significant implications for operational efficiency and project economics. The strong cyanide extraction rates suggest that Lahontan may be able to utilize heap leach processing—a method known for its lower capital and operating costs compared to traditional milling operations. This could translate to improved profit margins and faster project payback periods if the West Santa Fe project advances to production.
The technical content of the news release 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. The company plans to continue advancing the Santa Fe Mine project toward production, update the Santa Fe Preliminary Economic Assessment, and drill test its satellite West Santa Fe project during 2025. The results support continued exploration aimed at expanding the mineralized footprint ahead of a planned Mineral Resource Estimate later this year.
For investors and industry observers, these developments represent progress in a sector where metallurgical testing outcomes can significantly impact project valuation and development timelines. The positive extraction results at West Santa Fe could potentially enhance the overall value proposition of Lahontan's Nevada portfolio, particularly as the company works to update its technical assessments. More information about the company is available at https://www.lahontangoldcorp.com.
The broader implications extend to the mining technology landscape, where efficient extraction methods and favorable metallurgical results can influence investment decisions and project financing. As mining companies increasingly seek to optimize recovery rates while controlling costs, successful testing like Lahontan's at West Santa Fe demonstrates how technological validation can de-risk projects and support their advancement through development stages. The full press release detailing these results can be viewed at https://ibn.fm/sSC3E.
