Lode Gold Accelerates Fremont Gold Project Development with Aggressive Drilling Strategy
Lode Gold Resources is fast-tracking its Fremont Gold Project in California toward feasibility studies through substantial drilling programs, potentially unlocking significant unmined gold resources through a modern bulk underground mining approach.
Lode Gold Resources Inc has announced an accelerated exploration and development strategy at its Fremont Gold Project in Mariposa County, California, aimed at fast-tracking the project toward a Preliminary Feasibility Study with 3,500 meters of drilling in 2026 and subsequent Feasibility Study with 7,800 meters of drilling in 2028. The company is advancing Fremont under a revised development approach focused on bulk underground mining, supported by a growing Mineral Resource Estimate and strong geological continuity seen at its deposit situated along the Mother Lode structural corridor.
As part of the initial phase of work, Lode Gold will undertake a 3,500 meter drilling program designed to support the ongoing Mineral Resource Estimate update and to advance technical studies required for the PFS. Specifically, this program will include 1,400 meters of metallurgical and geotechnical drilling in the Pine Tree-Josephine area where historically it was mined at an average grade of 10.7 g/t, 600 meters of hydrological and infill drilling in the Pine Tree-Josephine area, and 1,500 meters of step-out exploration drilling in the Chicken Gulch area. The drilling is designed to further de-risk the project by improving geological confidence, supporting mine design parameters, and expanding mineralization within the central structural corridor, where only a limited portion of the total strike length has been incorporated into current resource models.
Jon Hill, Technical Committee Chair and Director of the Board, commented that at Fremont the company has clearly demonstrated mineralization characteristics ideally suited for bulk underground mining and expedited development. Significant mineralization widths coupled with excellent grade continuity contribute to an already exceptional mineral resource inventory of some 3 million ounces defined to date over just an 800-meter strike segment of the broader 4 km mineralized trend identified at this project. The company is targeting completion of the PFS by Q2 2027.
Bill Fisher of the Technical Advisory Board added that there are very few projects that can realistically advance to a Pre-Feasibility Study within a 15-month timeframe. Fremont benefits from an extensive historical database, strong geological continuity, and an easy to upgrade resource base, which together allow for significantly accelerated technical work. Following completion of the PFS, the company plans to undertake an additional 7,800 meter underground drilling program as part of the Feasibility Study stage. This program will be conducted from two parallel exploration ramps, each approximately 2,200 meters in length, developed along the mineralized body.
These ramps will provide direct underground access for drilling, significantly improving the accuracy of geological, geotechnical, and metallurgical data collection. Importantly, these exploration ramps are expected to be incorporated into the future mining operation, forming part of the initial underground development infrastructure and supporting a phased transition toward production. The company is targeting completion of the Feasibility Study by 2029. Wendy T. Chan, CEO and Director of Lode Gold, commented that the company is implementing a clear and disciplined strategy to fast-track Fremont from resource definition through to feasibility and ultimately development.
The planned drilling programs are designed not only to support the PFS, but also to position the project for a seamless transition into the Feasibility Study stage and future mine development. Fremont is advancing as a scalable underground project with strong fundamentals and a clear path forward. Advancing Fremont through the PFS and into the Feasibility Study represents a key step in unlocking the full value of the project. The last time Fremont reached a comparable level of technical advancement was in 1986 under a different development concept. The current strategy, focused on bulk underground mining, reflects both improved geological understanding and favorable market conditions, positioning the project for modern development.