Lahontan Gold Corp. (TSXV: LG | OTCQB: LGCXF | FSE: Y2F) is preparing to drill test the historic heap leach pads at its Santa Fe Gold Mine project in Nevada’s Walker Lane, targeting residual gold and silver that may remain within previously processed material. Full drilling permits are expected shortly, following which Lahontan plans to mobilise a Boart Longyear LS 450 sonic core rig to site.
The Santa Fe Mine produced approximately 359,000oz of gold and 700,000oz of silver between 1988 and 1994 from around 16Mt of material. Lahontan Gold stated that, after allowing for historic recoveries, the existing heap leach pads could host a potentially significant volume of residual precious metals. As the material has already been mined, crushed and stacked, any reprocessing opportunity would require no stripping and could be undertaken at relatively low cost, potentially enhancing the project’s overall economics.
Lahontan Gold plans to drill 95 sonic core holes totalling 1,740m across four historic heap leach pads, using a nominal spacing of approximately 30m. If drilling confirms historic production data, the programme may support the definition of an Inferred Mineral Resource. Heap leach pads, which are constructed from relatively uniform material, are typically characterised by lower grade variability compared with primary mineralisation.
Kimberly Ann, founder, executive chair, president and CEO of Lahontan Gold, commented, “We are excited to begin the resource evaluation of the historic Santa Fe heap leach pads, yet another potentially exploitable gold and silver resource that can enhance future mine economics at Santa Fe. While our 2025 Preliminary Economic Assessment was an important benchmark, this drill program reflects our disciplined approach of capturing upside through every available opportunity—whether that’s resource expansion, metallurgical optimisation or leveraging higher metal prices.”
She added that evaluation of the heap leach pads fits squarely within Lahontan’s broader strategy of building a profitable mid‑tier gold and silver producer focused on Nevada, with future cash flow generation a key priority.
Lahontan Gold reported that results from the sonic drilling programme will be used to assess reprocessing options and determine whether the historic pads can contribute additional low‑cost ounces as the company continues to advance the broader Santa Fe Mine development.
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