Lode Gold Expands Drilling Program at Fremont Gold Mine Successfully

Lode Gold Successfully Completes First Phase of Drilling at Fremont Mine

Lode Gold Resources Inc. recently announced a significant milestone in its exploration efforts at the Fremont Gold Mine located in Mariposa County, California. The company has successfully completed the first six drill holes of its expanded 20-hole drilling program, marking a critical step in its mining and resource evaluation strategy.

This drilling initiative aims to delve deeper into the mineral potential of the Fremont site, which has historical significance in gold production. The total length of the drilling campaign has now reached an impressive 4,200 meters (approximately 13,780 feet), with plans for an additional ten holes to follow.

Planned Drilling Strategy

The completed drill holes are part of a broader metallurgical drilling strategy focused on enhancing the overall understanding of the geological and mineralogical profiles of the site. In total, these six holes represent half of the planned twelve drill holes designated for metallurgical purposes, providing necessary material for both assays and subsequent metallurgical test work. The holes, identified as PT-J_001 through PT-J_006, are designed to reach target depths ranging from 105 meters to 171 meters (344 to 562 feet).

Each hole has been drilled using PQ-diameter core to ensure sufficient material collection for accurate gold assays and future metallurgical evaluation. Typically, one-quarter of the recovered core from each hole is designated for gold assay, with another quarter earmarked for metallurgical testing. The remaining half of the core will be retained for future analysis, allowing for flexibility and thoroughness in ongoing evaluations.

Expert Insights

Jon Hill, the Chair of the Technical Committee at Lode Gold, emphasized the functionality of using PQ-diameter core stating, "This approach provides crucial flexibility in our drilling program, particularly when we encounter historical underground workings. The ability to modify the core diameter as needed while ensuring adequate material recovery for assays reflects our commitment to thorough exploration."

In addition, Wendy T. Chan, CEO of Lode Gold, expressed enthusiasm about the progress being made: "We are steadily advancing with our inaugural 20-hole drill program at Fremont. These initial holes represent the metallurgical drilling that will ultimately refine our geometallurgical model for feasibility studies in the future. We look forward to ongoing updates and results through Q4 of 2026 and Q1 of 2027, steering us through an important transition at Lode Gold."

Next Steps

As the drilling progresses, samples from the first two completed holes have already been transported to laboratories for analysis, and preparations for the subsequent holes continue. The company plans to release detailed results once they have been obtained, validated, and reviewed.

About Lode Gold Resources

Lode Gold holds significant mineral assets both in the United States and Canada, with the Fremont Gold Mine being a highlighted project. Historically, the mine produced gold at an average of 10.7 grams per tonne before operations ceased in 1942 amid wartime regulations. A Pre-Eeconomic Assessment (PEA) completed in 2023 and an updated Mineral Resource Estimate indicate potential significant resources yet to be mined, accounting for 89% of the historical total.

Lode Gold continues to uphold its commitment to exploration and resource evaluation that adheres to high standards of safety and environmental stewardship. With this expanded drill program, the company is strategically positioning itself for future opportunities in the evolving mining landscape.