Lahontan Gold Corp. has released final analytical results from its 2025 maiden drilling program at the West Santa Fe project, located 13 kilometers from its flagship Santa Fe Mine project in Nevada's Walker Lane region. The company's final reverse-circulation drill hole, WSF25-04R, returned 36.6 meters grading 3.11 grams per tonne gold equivalent from surface, including a high-grade interval of 10.7 meters at 5.75 grams per tonne gold equivalent. All mineralization reported is oxide material, with additional intervals reaching up to 12.04 grams per tonne gold equivalent.
The results correlate with historic drilling data and define a near-surface oxide gold and silver zone measuring approximately 500 by 350 meters. This geological continuity supports the potential for low-cost open pit mining and heap-leach processing development, which could significantly reduce extraction costs compared to more complex mining methods. Management is currently advancing geologic modeling based on these findings and planning a follow-up spring drilling campaign targeting extensions of the mineralized system.
These developments at West Santa Fe represent a strategic expansion of Lahontan's regional presence in Nevada's mineral-rich Walker Lane. The company holds four gold and silver exploration properties in the area through its U.S. subsidiaries, with the Santa Fe Mine project serving as its flagship operation. The Santa Fe Mine has a history of past production totaling 359,202 ounces of gold and 702,067 ounces of silver between 1988 and 1995 from open pit mines utilizing heap-leach processing.
According to the company's technical disclosure, the Santa Fe Mine currently has a Canadian National Instrument 43-101 compliant Indicated Mineral Resource of 1,539,000 ounces gold equivalent and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 411,000 ounces gold equivalent, all pit constrained. 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. For detailed technical information, investors can refer to the Preliminary Economic Assessment available through the company's regulatory filings.
The West Santa Fe results are particularly significant because they demonstrate the potential for satellite deposits that could complement the company's main Santa Fe Mine project. The discovery of near-surface oxide mineralization is economically important because oxide gold typically requires less complex and less expensive processing methods compared to sulfide ores. Heap-leach processing, which has been successfully employed at the Santa Fe Mine historically, represents a proven, cost-effective method for extracting gold from oxide materials.
For investors seeking additional information, the latest news and updates relating to Lahontan Gold are available through the company's communications channels. The full press release containing these results can be accessed at https://ibn.fm/7HIq5. The company's broader corporate information and technical reports are available through their official website and regulatory filings with Canadian securities authorities.
The successful drilling results at West Santa Fe come as Lahontan continues to advance its Santa Fe Mine project toward production while simultaneously exploring satellite targets. The company has indicated plans to update the Santa Fe Preliminary Economic Assessment and continue drill testing at West Santa Fe throughout 2025. These developments highlight the ongoing exploration potential in Nevada's established mining districts and demonstrate how junior mining companies can create value through systematic exploration of under-explored areas near existing operations.
