iaux-20251231
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31 , 2025
OR
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Transition Period from ____ to ____
Commission File Number: 001-41382
I-80 GOLD CORP.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
British Columbia
N/A
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
150 York Street , Suite 1802
Toronto , Ontario , Canada
M5H 3S5
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Postal Code)
( 775 ) 525-6450
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Shares
IAUX
NYSE American LLC
Warrants to Purchase Common Shares
IAUX WS
NYSE American LLC
Common Shares IAU The Toronto Stock Exchange
Warrants to Purchase Common shares
IAU.WT.U The Toronto Stock Exchange
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ☐
Accelerated filer ☐
Non-accelerated filer ☒
Smaller reporting company ☒
Emerging growth company ☒
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☐
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to § 240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
Based on the last sale price on the NYSE American LLC (“NYSE American”) of the registrant’s common shares o n June 30, 2025 (the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter) of $0.60 per share, the aggregate market value of the voting common shares held by non-affiliates was approximately $ 487,188,980 .
As of February 19, 2026, the registrant had 840,102,280 common shares, no par value, outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Certain portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than April 30, 2026, in connection with the registrant’s fiscal year 2025 annual meeting of shareholders, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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PART I
PAGE
Item 1.
Business
5
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
12
Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments
24
Item 1C.
Cybersecurity
24
Item 2.
Properties
26
Item 3.
Legal Proceedings
102
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
102
PART II
Item 5.
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
103
Item 6.
[Reserved]
107
Item 7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
108
Item 7A
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
130
Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
131
Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
163
Item 9A.
Controls and Procedures
164
Item 9B.
Other Information
164
Item 9C.
Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections
164
PART III
Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
165
Item 11.
Executive Compensation
165
Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
165
Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
165
Item 14.
Principal Accounting Fees and Services
166
PART IV
Item 15.
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
167
Item 16.
Form 10-K Summary
169
Signatures
170
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FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements or information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws and the Unites States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including but not limited to management's assessment of the Company's future plans and operations; the anticipated timing of permitting the Lone Tree Plant, construction and commissioning; the anticipated benefits of the refurbished processing plant including to cash margins and recoveries; the anticipated cost and payback period of the refurbishment plan; the perceived merit of projects or deposits; the impact, timing, and execution of the Company’s new development plan; the anticipated timing of permitting, production, project development, the Financing Package comprising part of the recapitalization plan, or completion dates for feasibility studies, technical studies, and recapitalization plan; execution and timing of all asset advancements in the Financing Package and the new development plan; that ramp-up activities at Granite Creek will lead to steady state production; the Granite Creek dewatering campaign; the potential to utilize the autoclave infrastructure at the Lone Tree Plant to process mineralized material pending the outcome of the 2025 refurbishment; that Mineral Point will become the Company’s largest producing asset and is expected to provide the biggest step change in company-wide production; the successful permitting of each project; the ability to further de-risk the development pipeline; the timing, completion and results of the Company’s drill programs; the inclusion of drill results in future feasibility studies; that any of the projects will reach commercial production; and the Company’s ability to achieve mid-tier production status; outlook on gold output; the anticipated growth expenditures; the anticipated timing of permitting, production, project development or technical studies; the timing and completion of the Financing Package, including the royalty sale with Franco-Nevada Corporation and the gold prepayment facility with National Bank of Canada and Macquarie Bank Limited; the Company's 2026 production, operating and development cost guidance; the anticipated timing for water treatment plant completion at Granite Creek; expected conversion of mineral resources to higher confidence categories at Cove; anticipated commissioning of the Lone Tree Plant by the end of 2027; the expected timing of first gold from upper Archimedes; the anticipated retirement and replacement of existing convertible debentures; and the potential sale of a non-core asset constitutes forward looking statements or forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws.
All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "continues", "forecasts", "projects", "predicts", "intends", "anticipates" or "believes", or variations of, or the negatives of, such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "should", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be inaccurate and, as such, reliance should not be placed on forward looking statements.
The Company's actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements and, accordingly, no assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits, if any, that the Company will derive therefrom. By their nature, forward looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond the Company’s control, including general economic and industry conditions, volatility of commodity prices, title risks and uncertainties, the ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources such as selling assets, restructuring debt or obtaining additional equity capital on terms that may be onerous or highly dilutive. The Company's ability to refinance its indebtedness will depend on the capital markets and its financial condition at such time, currency fluctuations, construction and operational risks, licensing and permit requirements, environmental risks, competition from other industry participants, the lack of availability of qualified personnel or management, imprecision of mineral resource, or production estimates. Additional risks include uncertainties related to completion of the Financing Package and satisfaction of customary closing conditions; risks associated with the refurbishment of the Lone Tree Plant, including cost overruns and construction delays; risks related to third-party toll milling arrangements and processing delays; uncertainties regarding water management and groundwater inflows at Granite Creek; risks related to the conversion of mineral resources and the results of feasibility studies; and the ability of the Company to retire and replace existing debt obligations on favorable terms. Please see “Risks Factors” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 for more information regarding risks regarding the Company which is available on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar and SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. All forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report om Form 10-K speak only as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K or as of the dates specified in such statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as required by applicable law.
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PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, use of the terms "Company", "i-80" and "i-80 Gold" in this Annual Report refer to i-80 Gold Corp. and its direct and indirect subsidiaries as of the date of this Annual Report, or other entities controlled by them, on a consolidated basis, notwithstanding that such direct and indirect subsidiaries may not have been controlled by them at all relevant times, including December 31, 2025.
Form and Year of Incorporation
i-80 Gold Corp. was incorporated on November 10, 2020 pursuant to the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) ("BCBA"), as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Premier Gold Mines Limited ("Premier") for the purposes of effecting a plan of arrangement (the "Plan of Arrangement") under Section 182 of the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) (the "Arrangement"). The Arrangement was completed on April 7, 2021. Under the Arrangement, among other things, Premier transferred all of its ownership interest in Premier Gold Mines USA, Inc. ("Premier USA") to the Company and spun out 70% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company (the "Common Shares") to shareholders of Premier. As a result of the Arrangement, the Company became a public company and a "reporting issuer" under applicable Canadian securities laws and is no longer a subsidiary of Premier. Trading of the Common Shares commenced on the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") on April 13, 2021 under the stock symbol "IAU", and on the NYSE American exchange ("NYSE") on May 19, 2022 under the stock symbol "IAUX". The Company's registered and records office is located at Suite 2500 Park Place, 666 Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 2X8. The Company's head office is located at 5190 Neil Road, Suite 460, Reno, Nevada, 89502 and its principal executive office is located at 150 York Street, Suite 1802, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5H 3S5.
Intercorporate Relationships
The Company's material wholly-owned subsidiary is Premier USA, a Delaware corporation. Premier USA has four material wholly-owned subsidiaries: (i) Au-Reka Gold LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("Au-Reka LLC"); (ii) Goldcorp Dee LLC, a Nevada limited liability company ("Dee LLC"); (iii) Osgood Mining Company LLC, a Nevada limited liability company ("Osgood LLC"); and (iv) Ruby Hill Mining Company, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company ("Ruby Hill LLC"). On May 8, 2023, the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Paycore Minerals Inc. ("Paycore") pursuant to a plan of arrangement under Section 182 of the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) (the "Paycore Arrangement"), which owns the FAD Project located in Eureka County, Nevada. As of the date of this Annual Report, the Company does not consider the FAD Project to be a material property within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI-43-101") of the Canadian Securities Administrators or pursuant to Subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K ("S-K 1300").
The following diagram illustrates the condensed corporate structure of the Company and the location of the Company's principal assets as at the date hereof.
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Bankruptcy and Similar Procedures
There have been no bankruptcy, receivership or similar proceedings against the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, or any voluntary bankruptcy, receivership or similar proceedings by the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, within the three most recently completed financial years or during, or proposed for, the current financial year.
Reorganizations and Acquisitions
Other than in connection with the Paycore Arrangement, there have been no material reorganizations of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, or acquisitions within the three most recently completed financial years or completed during, or proposed for, the current financial year.
General Description of the Business
Principal Products and Markets
The Company is a Nevada-focused, growth-oriented gold and silver company engaged in the exploration and advancement of gold and silver mineral deposits. The Company's mineral properties include: (i) a 100% interest in the McCoy-Cove gold properties located on the Battle Mountain-Eureka Trend in Lander County, Nevada (collectively, the "Cove Project" or "Cove"); (ii) a 100% interest in the Granite Creek gold properties (formerly referred to as the Getchell project) located at the intersection of the Getchell gold belt and the Battle Mountain-Eureka Trend in Humboldt County, Nevada, which includes both an underground mine and an open pit project (collectively, the "Granite Creek Projects" or "Granite Creek"); (iii) a 100% interest in the Lone Tree and Buffalo Mountain gold deposits and Lone Tree processing complex (the "Lone Tree Plant"), located midway between the Company's Cove and Granite Creek Projects in Humboldt County, Nevada (collectively, the "Lone Tree Project" or "Lone Tree"); (iv) a 100% interest in the Ruby Hill property located along the Battle Mountain-Eureka Trend in Eureka County, Nevada which includes an underground project, referred to as "Archimedes", and an open pit gold deposit referred to as "Mineral Point", collectively the "Ruby Hill Projects" or "Ruby Hill"; and (v) a 100% interest in the FAD property located along the Battle Mountain-Eureka Trend in Eureka County, Nevada (the "FAD Project" or "FAD").
The below figure shows the location of the Cove, Granite Creek, Lone Tree, Ruby Hill, and FAD projects within the State of Nevada. Each of the Cove, Granite Creek, and Ruby Hill projects are considered advanced properties within the meaning of NI-43-101 and material properties under S-K 1300. Under S-K 1300, all our properties are exploration stage as no mineral reserves have been defined. As of the date of this Annual Report, the Company does not consider the FAD Project to be a material property within the meaning of NI 43-101 or S-K 1300.
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The Company's business strategy is focused on creating value for stakeholders through its ownership and advancement of its mineral properties. In November 2024, the Company announced a new development plan, which outlined a path for advancing the Company’s Nevada gold projects to create a mid-tier gold producer. As part of the development plan, the Lone Tree Plant is expected to be refurbished to serve as a central hub for processing refractory material from the Company’s three anticipated high-grade underground mines: Granite Creek, Archimedes, and Cove. The plan also includes simultaneously accelerating permitting activities, technical work, and the development of two large oxide open pit deposits: Granite Creek open pit and the Mineral Point open pit which is located within the Ruby Hill Project area. The Company considers this development plan to be the most effective strategy to generate near term and sustainable free cash flow as it prioritizes high-grade underground projects while progressing earlier stage projects to provide a pipeline of growth over the medium and long term. In conjunction with the new development plan, the Company initiated a recapitalization plan to strengthen its balance sheet to support the new development plan. The recapitalization plan is well underway and expected to be completed March 31, 2026.
Preliminary Economic Assessments/Initial Assessments covering the Company’s five gold projects were filed in March 2025 and outline three focus areas of growth over the next three years to support the advancement of the Company’s gold projects. These growth areas, which are discretionary and subject to available resources, ranked from highest priority are: (i) advancing permitting activities, (ii) completing pre-feasibility and feasibility studies, and (iii) development work at Archimedes underground. The completion of the recapitalization plan allows for the refurbishment of the Lone Tree Plant, which is a key element in the first phase of the development plan.
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Granite Creek underground is the Company's first brownfield project to be redeveloped and is currently ramping up towards steady-state gold output. In the second half of 2025, construction was initiated at Archimedes underground and the Company's board of directors (the "Board") approved a limited notice to proceed with detailed engineering to allow for the procurement of long-lead equipment and the commencement of permitting updates for the refurbishment of the Lone Tree Plant. The Board has subsequently approved the refurbishment of the Lone Tree Plant. Commissioning of the Lone Tree Plant is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2027. Upon commissioning, the Lone Tree Plant is anticipated to begin processing refractory material from the Company’s Granite Creek and Archimedes underground mines. Prior to the commissioning, both underground projects are expected to process refractory material under a third-party autoclave toll-milling agreement.
The Lone Tree open pit project has a variety of financial, technical, environmental and social issues to be addressed. It is expected that the project will likely remain deferred for the foreseeable future.
Distribution Methods
The Company is engaged in the exploration, advancement and extraction of gold and silver deposits in the State of Nevada. The Company's principal objective is to become a sustainable gold and silver producer. There are global markets for gold and silver into which the Company can sell its gold and, as a result, notwithstanding the Vox Offtake Agreement and the Orion Offtake Agreement (each described below) , the Company is not dependent on a particular purchaser with regard to the sale of any gold that it produces. As noted above, the Company's metals are expected to be processed through a combination of internal and third-party facilities through 2027. The Company expects that beginning in 2028 all materialized materials will be processed through internal processing facilities.
Competitive Conditions
The mineral exploration and mining business is very competitive in all phases of exploration, development and production. The Company competes with a number of other mining companies in the search for and acquisition of mineral properties, and to retain qualified personnel, suitable contractors for drilling operations and underground mining, technical and engineering resources and necessary exploration and mining equipment. Many of the companies that the Company competes with, including those active in the regions where the Cove Project, the Granite Creek Projects, the Lone Tree Project and the Ruby Hill Projects are located, have greater financial resources, operational expertise and/or more advanced properties than the Company. The Company's ability to acquire precious metal mineral properties in the future will depend not only on its ability to develop its present properties, but also on its ability to select and acquire suitable producing properties or prospects for precious metal development or mineral exploration. The Company has put in place experienced management personnel and will continue to evaluate the required expertise and skill to carry out its operations. As a result of this competition, the Company may be unable to achieve its exploration and development objectives in the future on terms it considers acceptable or at all . See "Risk Factors".
Specialized Skill and Knowledge
All aspects of the Company's business require specialized skills and knowledge. Such skills and knowledge include the areas of finance, operations, geology, drilling, logistical planning, implementation of exploration and development programs and mine plans, environmental management, health and safety, community relations, project construction, accounting, and mining operations. The Company retains executive officers and consultants with experience in these areas in Canada and the United States generally, as well as executive officers and consultants with relevant accounting experience. In order to attract and retain personnel with the specialized skills and knowledge required for its operations, the Company maintains remuneration and compensation packages that it believes to be competitive. The Company has been successful to date in identifying and retaining personnel with such skills and knowledge.
Environmental Protection and Regulation
The Company's exploration, development and production activities are subject to, and any future development and production operations will be subject to, environmental laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which its operations are carried out. Mining is an extractive industry that impacts the environment. The Company's goal is to constantly evaluate ways to minimize that impact. The Company has strived to meet or exceed environmental standards at its mineral properties, and the Company expects to continue this approach through effective engagement with affected stakeholders, including local communities, government entities and regulatory agencies.
The Company is currently active only in the State of Nevada, which has established environmental standards and regulations that the Company strives to exceed. The Company's environmental performance is overseen at the Board level and environmental performance is the responsibility of the Company. In common with other natural resources and mineral processing companies, the Company's operations generate hazardous and non-hazardous waste, effluent and emissions into the atmosphere, water and soil in compliance with local and international regulations and standards. There are numerous environmental laws in the United States that apply to the Company's operations, exploration, development projects and land holdings. These laws address such matters as protection of the natural environment, air and water quality, emissions standards and disposal of waste. In accordance with applicable state laws, the Company currently has in place surety bonds in the aggregate amount of $137.7 million in favor of either the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management or the State of Nevada, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, as financial support for environmental reclamation and exploration permitting at its properties.
The Company recognizes environmental management as a corporate priority and places a strong emphasis on preserving the environment for future generations, while also providing for safe, responsible and profitable operations by developing natural resources for the benefit of its employees, shareholders and communities. The Company intends to maintain the standards of excellence for environmental performance that have been set at its mining properties into the future, and has adopted, or plans to adopt, various measures in order to do so. Cognizant of its responsibility to the environment, the Company strives to conform with all applicable environmental laws and regulations and to promote the respect of the environment in its activities. Employees are expected to maintain compliance with the letter and spirit of all laws governing the jurisdictions in which they perform
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their duties. Specifically, employees are expected to support the Company's efforts to develop, implement and maintain procedures and programs designed to protect and preserve the environment.
Employees
As at the date hereof, the Company has 133 employees across all of its operations.
The Company believes that its success is dependent on the performance of its management team and key individuals, many of whom have specialized skills in the strategic development of a mining company, finance, financial reporting, legal, exploration, development and operation of mines in the United States and the precious metals industry. The Company believes that it has adequate personnel with the specialized skills required to carry out its current operations and anticipates making ongoing efforts to match its workforce capabilities with its business strategy for its operations as it evolves. The Board will continue to evaluate the required expertise and skills to execute the strategy described herein, and will seek to attract and retain the individuals required to meet the Company's goals.
Recent Developments in the Business
Development Plan Updates
As described above under Principal Products and Markets , in November, 2024 the Company announced a new development plan following a review of the strategic direction of the Company requested by the newly appointed CEO in September of 2024. The new development plan includes the development of three underground mines, as well as accelerating technical studies, permitting activities, and the development of two large oxide open pit deposits, one at Granite Creek and the other, Mineral Point, within the Ruby Hill Project area. As well as the refurbishment of the Lone Tree Plant. The new development plan is viewed by the Company as the most effective strategy to generate free cash flow while progressing earlier stage projects to provide a pipeline of growth over the medium and long term.
In conjunction with the development plan, the Company initiated a recapitalization of its balance sheet to support the new development plan. The Lone Tree Plant remains the centralized refractory mineral processing facility for the three planned underground mines within the new development plan. In August of 2025, the Board approved a limited notice to proceed in 2025 with detailed engineering to allow for the procurement of long-lead equipment and the commencement of permitting updates for the refurbishment of the Lone Tree Plant. In February 2026 the Board fully approved proceeding with the Lone Tree Plant refurbishment project.
Further, Management reported that a base metal focused joint venture on the Ruby Hill property does not fit the new development plan and gold-focused strategy. Given the Company’s balance sheet constraints and additional capital required for the new development plan, all higher risk projects with low certainty of economic viability have been terminated or deferred. The Company will consider focusing on such projects when the balance sheet is in a stronger position and the Board approves allocating risk capital to these types of projects.
Orion Convertible Loan
On January 15, 2025, the Company completed the amendment and restatement of its convertible credit agreement with an affiliate of Orion ("Orion Convertible Loan"). As a result, the conditions relating to the deferral of gold and silver deliveries, and the extension of the Orion Convertible Loan (collectively, the "Waiver Agreements") required to be completed to date have been satisfied.
Further to the Orion Convertible Loan, Orion and i-80 Gold extended the maturity date by six months from December 13, 2025, to June 30, 2026, and certain security was put in place to secure the Company’s obligations thereunder. Additional security against the Company’s Ruby Hill and Granite Creek projects was put in place on March 31, 2025. In connection with the extension of the Orion Convertible Loan, the Company issued five million common share purchase warrants to Orion with an exercise price of C$1.01 and an expiry date of January 15, 2029 (the “2025 Orion Warrants”).
In addition, in February 2025, i-80 Gold and Orion entered into an offtake agreement (the “Orion Offtake Agreement”). The Orion Offtake Agreement has similar terms to the Company's existing offtake agreement and commences once the current offtake agreement with Vox Royalty Corp. (the "Vox Offtake Agreement") expires at the end of December 2028.
Non-Brokered Prospectus Offering
On January 31, 2025, the Company announced the closing of its previously announced non-brokered prospectus offering of 28,212,593 Common Shares (the “Offered Shares”) at a price of C$0.80 per Offered Share for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of approximately C$22,570,074.
The Offered Shares were offered in each of the provinces and territories of Canada, other than Québec, pursuant to a prospectus supplement dated January 27, 2025 (the “Prospectus Supplement“) to its short form base shelf prospectus filed on June 21, 2024 (the “Shelf Prospectus“) and in the United States pursuant to the Company’s U.S. registration statement on Form F-10 (Registration No. 333-279567), which includes the Shelf Prospectus and was declared effective by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on June 25, 2024.
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On February 28, 2025 the Company closed a private placement to certain insiders of the Company of an aggregate of 997,871 Common Shares at a price of C$0.80 per share for gross proceeds of approximately C$798,297.
First Supplemental Indenture to Convertible Indenture
On February 28, 2025, the Company announced that it entered into a first supplemental indenture (the "Supplemental Indenture") to the Convertible Debenture Indenture dated February 22, 2023 (the "Indenture") between the Company and the TSX Trust Company (the “Trustee”) to finalize the proposed amendments to the terms of the Indenture as previously disclosed in the Company's news release issued on January 13, 2025.
On February 22, 2023, the Company closed a private placement offering of US$65 million principal amount of secured convertible debentures (the “Convertible Debentures”) pursuant to the Indenture.
On October 15, 2024, holders of Convertible Debentures representing not less than 66 2/3% of the principal amount of the Convertible Debentures appointed, by written resolution, a committee of the Convertible Debenture holders (the “Committee”), to exercise, and to direct the Trustee to exercise, on behalf of the Convertible Debenture holders, the powers of the Convertible Debenture holders set out in the Indenture.
On February 28, 2025, the Committee delivered to the Company and the Trustee an extraordinary resolution approved by the Committee, acting on behalf of the Convertible Debenture holders, by instrument in writing effective, to approve the amendments to the Indenture as set forth in the Supplemental Indenture and to authorize and to direct the Trustee to enter into and execute the Supplemental Indenture. The Supplement Indenture amends the Indenture, to among other things, provide as follows:
(i) that the definitions relating to the conversion prices applicable to the conversion of the accrued and unpaid interest on the Convertible Debentures were revised to provide: (a) the conversion price applicable to the a debenture holder’s right to elect to convert outstanding and accrued interest on the Convertible Debentures is equal to the volume weighted average price of the Common Shares on the (“TSX”) during the five trading days immediately preceding the date of the debenture holder’s election notice, less a discount of 15%, converted into US dollars at the Bank of Canada rate on such date; (b) the conversion price applicable to the Company’ right to elect to convert outstanding and accrued interest on the Convertible Debentures is equal to equal to the greater of (x) 85% of the average closing price of the Common Shares as measured in US dollars on the NYSE American during the 10 business days immediately preceding the date of the Company’s election notice, and (y) the volume weighted average price of Common Shares on the TSX during the five trading days immediately preceding the date of the Company’s election notice, less a discount of 15%, converted into US dollars at the Bank of Canada rate on such date;
(ii) that the Company’s right to grant security against the Cove Project would rank subordinate to the security granted to the Convertible Debenture holders; and
(iii) the Company with a redemption right in respect of all of the outstanding Convertible Debentures which allows the Company to redeem, in its sole discretion, all of the outstanding Convertible Debentures for cash at a 104% premium of the outstanding principal, along with accrued interest up to the redemption date.
The Convertible Debentures are senior unsecured obligation of the Company and are secured on a limited recourse basis by Premier USA, the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, with recourse limited to a pledge of all present and future limited liability company units issued by its wholly-owned subsidiary, Au-Reka LLC. The Convertible Debentures are guaranteed on a full recourse basis by Au-Reka LLC which is secured by a first ranking security over all of Au-Reka LLC's present and future real and personal property (including the Cove Project). The Convertible Debentures are not redeemable prior to their maturity date, other than as set out above.
On February 11, 2026 the Company confirmed the mailing of a conditional mandatory redemption notice to all holders of the Convertible Debentures which are expected to be redeemed, as per the terms above, on March 16, 2026 subject to completion of the anticipated net smelter royalty financing agreement with Franco-Nevada U.S. Corporation which the Company announced on February 12, 2026.
Completed PEAs/Initial Assessments for Five Gold Projects
Technical reports for each material project were filed at the end of the first quarter of 2025 in accordance with S-K 1300 and Item 601 of Regulation S-K in the United States and in accordance with NI 43-101 in Canada.
Renewal of Third-Party Processing Agreements
On March 19, 2025 the Company confirmed it had finalized the extension of two third-party processing agreements (the “Processing Agreements”) in respect of toll milling as well as ore sales for refractory and oxide material, respectively. The toll milling agreement is an extension and amendment of a prior processing agreement which expired in the fourth quarter of 2024, while the ore sales agreement is an amended and restated version of an existing agreement. The updated toll milling agreement is now extended until December 31, 2027. As part of this renewal process, the Company also confirmed that it is targeting to have the anticipated refurbishment of its autoclave facility at the Lone Tree Plant completed by December 31, 2027, to allow for all material from the Company’s underground gold mines to be processed at its autoclave facility.
The impact of the economic terms of the Processing Agreements on the anticipated life of mine cash flows for the Archimedes underground project and the Granite Creek underground project are set out in the preliminary economic assessments, also known as "Initial Assessments" for each of the Ruby Hill Projects and the Granite Creek Projects originally filed on EDGAR at www.sec.gov in 2025 and are incorporated by reference as exhibits to this Annual on the date hereof in accordance with S-K 1300 and Item 601 of Regulation S-K, and on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) in accordance with NI 43-101, and previously disclosed in the Company's press releases dated February 18, 2025 and March 5, 2025, respectively.
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New Gold & Silver Prepay Agreement & Working Capital Facility
On Ma rch 31, 2025 the Company entered into a new gold and silver prepay arrangement with National Bank of Canada ("National Bank") under which National Bank purchased approximately 6,800 o unces of gold and 345,000 ounces of silver from the Company for delivery to National Bank by September 30, 2025 or earlier, upon an infusion of capital in line with the recapitalization plan (The "National Bank Prepay"). The proceeds of the National Bank Prepay were used to satisfy the March 31, 2025 gold and silver deliveries due to an affiliate of Orion Mine Finance ("Orion") under its respective Gold Prepay and Silver Purchase and sale agreements. On May 16, 2025 the National Bank Prepay was repaid in full with proceeds from the Bought Deal Offering and Private Placement of the same date (described further below).
Working Capital Facility
On April 29, 2025, the Company finalized an amended and restated master purchase and sale agreement with Auramet International, Inc. with a term of 18 months, which serves a working capital facility (the "Auramet Agreement"). Under the Auramet Agreement, the Company may receive up to $12.0 million in prepayments for gold contained in mineralized material.
Bought Deal Offering and Private Placement
On May 16, 2025, the Company closed a bought deal public offering of 345.8 million units of the Company at a price of $0.50 per unit, comprised of one common share and one half of one common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"), for aggregate gross proceeds of $172.9 million and net proceeds of $162.7 million. Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share at a price of $0.70 until November 16, 2027. In addition to the offering, the Company closed a concurrent private placement of 25.2 million units to certain directors and officers of the Company at a price of $0.50 per unit for aggregate gross proceeds of $12.6 million.
Available Information
General information about the Company is available through the Company’s website at https://www.i80gold.com. The Company’s press releases and filings with the SEC in the United States and on SEDAR+ in Canada are available free of charge within the Investors section of the Company’s website at https://www.i80gold.com/investors/. In addition, the SEC maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers, such as the Company, that are filed electronically with the SEC. The address of that website is https://www.sec.gov. The documents that the Company files under Canadian securities law requirements are available on SEDAR+ at the following address https://sedarplus.ca. The information on or linked to the Company’s website is neither a part of nor incorporated by reference in this Annual Report or any of the Company’s other SEC filings or filings made on SEDAR+. All references to www.i80gold.com in this Annual Report are inactive textual references only and information contained at that website is not incorporated herein and does not constitute a part of this Annual Report.
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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Risks Relating to the Company's Business
The Company's mining operations are inherently dangerous and various factors could result in a prolonged interruption of the Company's operations and negatively impact its business and financial condition.
Mining operations are inherently dangerous and generally involve a high degree of risk. The Company's operations are subject to all of the hazards and risks normally encountered in the exploration, development and production of gold and silver, including, without limitation, unusual and unexpected geologic formations, seismic activity, rock bursts, cave-ins, flooding, pit wall failure, mining voids and other conditions involved in the drilling and removal of material, any of which could result in damage to, or destruction of, mines and other producing facilities, personal injury or loss of life, damage to property and environmental damage, all of which may result in possible legal liability. Although the Company expects that adequate precautions to minimize risk will be taken, mining operations are subject to hazards such as fire, rock falls, geo-mechanical issues, equipment failure, failure of retaining dams around tailings disposal areas and instability of historical tailings, which may result in environmental pollution and consequent liability. The occurrence of any of these events could result in a prolonged interruption of the Company's operations that would have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
The Company's current and proposed exploration and development programs may not result in profitable commercial mining operations and, due to factors beyond its control, may result in the Company not receiving an adequate return on invested capital.
Development of any of the Company's exploration and development-stage mineral projects will only follow upon, among other things, obtaining satisfactory exploration results and the completion of feasibility or other economic studies. The exploration and development of mineral deposits involve significant financial risks over a significant period of time, which even a combination of careful evaluation, experience and knowledge may not eliminate. Few properties that are explored are ultimately developed into producing mines. Major expenses may be required to establish reserves by drilling and to construct mining and processing facilities at a site. It is impossible to ensure that the current or proposed exploration programs on exploration properties in which the Company has an interest will result in a profitable commercial mining operation.
The economics of exploring and developing mineral properties are affected by many factors, including capital and operating costs, variations of the grades and tonnages of ore mined, fluctuating mineral market prices, costs of mining and processing equipment, and such other factors as government regulations, allowable production, importing and exporting of minerals and environmental protection. Whether developing a producing mine is economically feasible will depend upon numerous factors, most of which are beyond the control of the Company, including the availability and cost of required development capital, movement in the price of commodities, securing and maintaining title to mining tenements, as well as obtaining all necessary consents, permits and approvals for the development of the mine. Should a producing mine be developed at any of the Company's exploration or development-stage mineral properties, other factors will ultimately impact whether mineral extraction and processing can be conducted economically, including actual mineralization, consistency and reliability of ore grades and future commodity prices, as well as the effective design, construction and operation of processing facilities. The Company's operating expenses and capital expenditures may increase in subsequent years as consultants, personnel and equipment associated with advancing exploration, development and commercial production of its properties are added. The effect of these factors cannot be accurately predicted, but the combination of these factors may result in the Company not receiving an adequate return on invested capital. Although the Company evaluates these risks and carries insurance policies to mitigate the risk of loss where economically feasible, not all of these risks are reasonably insurable and insurance coverages may contain limits, deductibles, exclusions and endorsements. The Company cannot assure that its coverage will be sufficient to meet its needs. Such a loss may have a material adverse effect on the Company.
Even if the development of one of the Company's projects is found to be economically feasible and approved by the Board, such development will require obtaining permits and financing, and the construction and operation of mines, processing plants and related infrastructure, including road access. As a result, the Company will be subject to all of the risks associated with establishing new mining operations, including those described above. The costs, timing and complexities of developing its projects may be greater than anticipated because such property interests are not located in developed areas, and, as a result, its property interests are not currently served by appropriate road access, water and power supply and other support infrastructure. Cost estimates may increase significantly as more detailed engineering work is completed on a project. It is common in new mining operations to experience unexpected costs, problems and delays during construction, development and mine start-up. In addition, delays in the early stages of mineral production often occur. Accordingly, the Company cannot provide assurance that its activities will result in profitable mining operations at its mineral properties.
The estimation of mineral reserves and mineral resources may be imprecise and depends upon subjective factors. Estimated mineral reserves and mineral resources may not be realized in actual production. The Company's results of operations and financial position may be adversely affected by inaccurate estimates.
Mineral reserves and mineral resources are estimates only, and no assurance can be given that the anticipated tonnages and grades will be achieved, that the indicated level of recovery will be realized or that mineral reserves can be mined or processed profitably. Mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, sociopolitical, marketing and other relevant issues. There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating mineral reserves and mineral resources, including many factors beyond the Company's control. Such estimation is a subjective process and the accuracy of any mineral reserve or mineral resource estimate is a function of the quantity and quality of available data, the nature of the ore body and of the assumptions made and judgments used in engineering and geological interpretation. These estimates may require adjustments or downward revisions based upon further exploration or development work or actual production experience.
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Fluctuations in gold or silver prices, results of drilling, metallurgical testing and production, the evaluation of mine plans after the date of any estimate, permitting requirements or unforeseen technical or operational difficulties may require revision of mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates. Prolonged declines in the market price of gold (or applicable by-product metal prices) may render mineral resources containing relatively lower grades of mineralization uneconomical to recover and could materially reduce the Company's mineral resources. Should reductions in mineral resources or mineral reserves occur, the Company may be required to take a material write-down of its investment in mining properties, reduce the carrying value of one or more of its assets or delay or discontinue production or the development of new projects, resulting in increased net losses and reduced cash flow. Mineral resources and mineral reserves should not be interpreted as assurances of mine life or of the profitability of current or future operations. There is a degree of uncertainty attributable to the calculation and estimation of mineral resources and mineral reserves and corresponding grades being mined, and, as a result, the volume and grade of mineral reserves mined and processed and recovery rates may not be the same as currently anticipated. Any material reductions in estimates of mineral reserves and mineral resources, or of the Company's ability to extract these mineral reserves, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations and financial condition.
Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and have a greater degree of uncertainty as to their existence and feasibility. There is no assurance that mineral resources will be upgraded to proven or probable mineral reserves.
The Company's mineral resources do not have demonstrated economic viability and may never be classified as proven or probable mineral reserves.
Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no assurance that the mineral resources estimated by the Company will ever be classified as proven or probable mineral reserves as a result of continued exploration. In addition, mineral resources that are classified as inferred mineral resources are considered too speculative geologically to have economic considerations applied to them to enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves. Due to the uncertainty which may attach to inferred mineral resources, there is no assurance that the estimated tonnage and grades as stated will be achieved or that they will be upgraded to measured and indicated mineral resources or proven and probable mineral reserves as a result of continued exploration.
Fluctuating commodity prices may result in the Company not receiving an adequate return on invested capital and a loss of all or part of an investment in securities of the Company may result.
Upon achieving commercial production, the Company's profitability will be dependent upon the market price of gold and any other metals contained in minerals discovered. Historically, gold prices have fluctuated widely and are affected by numerous external factors beyond the Company's control, including industrial and retail demand, central bank lending, sales and purchases of gold, forward sales of gold by producers and speculators, production and cost levels in major producing regions, short-term changes in supply and demand because of speculative hedging activities, confidence in the global monetary system, expectations of the future rate of inflation, the strength of the U.S. dollar (the currency in which the price of gold is generally quoted), interest rates, terrorism and war, the spread of communicable diseases and other global or regional political or economic events. Gold and silver prices have fluctuated widely and are sometimes subject to rapid short-term changes because of speculative activities. The exact effect of these factors cannot be accurately predicted, but any one of, or any combination of, these factors may result in the Company not receiving an adequate return on invested capital and a loss of all or part of an investment in securities of the Company may result.
Failure to further develop the Company's anticipated three underground mines and two potential open pit projects may result in a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and prospects.
The ability of the Company to sustain or increase its present level of gold and silver production is dependent, in part, on the success of its projects. Each of the Ruby Hill, Granite Creek and Lone Tree properties include ongoing extraction, with residual leaching of historic leach pads at Lone Tree and Ruby Hill producing minor amounts of gold. Cove is an exploration stage project. Risks and unknowns inherent in all projects include, but are not limited to: the accuracy of mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates; metallurgical recoveries; geotechnical and other technical assumptions; capital and operating costs of ongoing production of these projects; the future price of gold and silver; environmental compliance regulations and restraints; political climate and/or governmental regulation and control; the accuracy of engineering; the ability to manage large-scale construction and scoping of major projects, including delays, aggressive schedules and unplanned events and conditions. The significant capital expenditures and long time period required to further develop these projects are considerable and changes in costs and market conditions or unplanned events or construction schedules can affect project economics. The Company's ability to maintain licenses to operate these projects is also important to the success of these projects. Actual costs and economic returns may differ materially from estimates prepared by the Company, or the Company could fail or be delayed in obtaining all approvals necessary for execution of these projects, in which case, any or all of the projects may not proceed either on its original timing or at all. In addition, none of the Ruby Hill Projects, the Granite Creek Projects, Cove Project or the Lone Tree Project may demonstrate attractive economic feasibility at low gold or silver prices.
The capital costs for each of the Ruby Hill Projects, the Granite Creek Projects, Cove Project and the Lone Tree Project may outweigh the Company's capital, financial and staffing capacity and may adversely affect the development of these projects. The inability to further develop these projects could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or prospects.
Projects also require the successful completion of feasibility studies, the resolution of various fiscal, tax and royalty matters, the issuance of, and compliance with, necessary governmental permits and the acquisition of satisfactory surface or other land rights. It may also be necessary for the Company to, among other things, find or generate suitable sources of water and power for the project, ensure that appropriate community infrastructure is developed by third parties to support the project and to secure appropriate financing to fund these expenditures. It is also not unusual in the mining industry for mining operations to experience unexpected problems during the start-up phase, resulting in delays and requiring the investment of more capital than anticipated.
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If the Company is not able to obtain any additional financing required to develop the Lone Tree Project, the Cove Project, the Granite Creek Projects, or the Ruby Hill Projects, it may be required to reduce the scope of its planned business objectives, which may have a material adverse effect on its future prospects.
The Company will have various capital requirements and exploration and development expenditures as it proceeds to expand exploration, accelerate permitting and development activities at its mineral properties (including the anticipated refurbishment and retrofit of the Lone Tree facilities), develop any such properties or take advantage of opportunities for acquisitions, joint ventures or other business opportunities that may be presented to it. Funds from mining operations at the Granite Creek Underground Project is not expected to be sufficient to fund the capital requirements of the Ruby Hill Projects, the Lone Tree Project or the Cove Project. The continued exploration and future development of the Company's exploration and development-stage properties will therefore depend on the Company's ability to obtain the required financing. In particular, any potential development of its projects will require substantial capital commitments, which the Company cannot currently quantify with certainty and may not currently have in place. The Company can provide no assurance that it will be able to obtain financing on favorable terms or at all.
In addition, the Company may incur substantial costs in pursuing future capital requirements, including investment banking fees, legal fees, accounting fees, securities law compliance fees, printing and distribution expenses and other costs. The ability to obtain needed financing may be impaired by such factors as the capital markets (both generally and in the gold industry in particular), the price of gold on the commodities markets (which will impact the amount of asset-based financing available) and/or the loss of key management personnel. If the Company is unable to obtain additional financing as needed, it may not be able to move forward with its planned exploration and development activities at the Ruby Hill Projects, the Lone Tree Project, the Cove Project and the Granite Creek Projects. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or prospects.
The Company may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service all of its indebtedness and may be forced to take other actions to satisfy its obligations under such indebtedness, which may not be successful.
The Company's ability to make scheduled payments of the principal of, to pay interest on or to refinance its indebtedness depends on the Company's future performance, which is subject to economic, financial, competitive and other factors, many of which are not under the control of the Company. Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they become due, including, among others, debt repayments, interest payments and contractual commitments.
The Company may not continue to generate cash flow from operations in the future sufficient to service the debt and make necessary capital expenditures. If the Company is unable to generate such cash flow, it may be required to adopt one or more alternatives, such as selling assets, restructuring debt or obtaining additional equity capital on terms that may be onerous or highly dilutive. The Company's ability to refinance its indebtedness will depend on the capital markets and its financial condition at such time. The Company may not be able to engage in any of these activities, or engage in these activities on desirable terms, which could result in a default on its debt obligations.
In addition, the Company's arrangements with Orion and a fund managed by Sprott Asset Management USA, Inc. ("Sprott"), National Bank of Canada and Auramet International Inc. and the Convertible Debentures require the Company to satisfy various affirmative and negative covenants and to meet certain financial ratios and tests. These covenants limit, among other things, the Company's ability to incur further indebtedness, create certain liens on assets, or engage in certain types of transactions. There are no assurances that the Company will not, as a result of such covenants, be limited in its ability to respond to changes in its business or competitive activities, or be restricted in its ability to engage in mergers, acquisitions or dispositions of assets. Furthermore, a failure to comply with such covenants could result in an event of default under any debt instruments, which may allow the lenders thereunder to accelerate repayment obligations or enforce security, if any.
Failure to achieve capital and operational cost estimates could have an adverse impact on the Company's future cash flows and financial condition.
Decisions about the development of the Company's mineral properties in the future will ultimately be based upon technical studies. Technical studies derive estimates of cash operating costs based upon, among other things: anticipated tonnage, grades and metallurgical characteristics of the ore to be mined and processed; anticipated recovery rates of gold, silver and other metals from the ore; cash operating costs of comparable facilities and equipment; and anticipated climatic conditions.
It is important to note that the economic parameters described in technical studies include a number of assumptions and estimates that could prove to be incorrect. For example, capital costs, operating costs, production and economic returns and other estimates contained in studies or estimates prepared by or for the Company may differ significantly from those anticipated by the Company's current studies and estimates, and there can be no assurance that the Company's actual operating costs will not be higher than currently anticipated. The Company's actual costs may vary from estimates for a variety of reasons, including: short-term operating factors; revisions to mine plans; risks and hazards associated with mining; natural phenomena, such as inclement weather conditions, water availability, floods and earthquakes; the outbreak of communicable diseases; and unexpected labor shortages or strikes. Operational costs may also be affected by a variety of factors, including: changing waste-to-ore ratios; ore grade metallurgy; labor costs; the cost of commodities; general inflationary pressures; currency exchange rates; availability and terms of financing; difficulty of estimating construction costs over a period of years; delays in obtaining environmental or other government permits; and potential delays related to social and community issues. Many of these factors are beyond the Company's control. Failure to achieve estimates or material increases in costs could have an adverse impact on the Company's future cash flows, business, results of operations and financial condition.
Furthermore, delays in the construction and commissioning of mining projects or other technical difficulties may result in even further capital expenditures being required. Any delay in the development of a project or cost overruns or operational difficulties once the project is fully developed may have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, results of operations and financial condition.
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Forecasts of future production are estimates and actual production may be less than estimated, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations and financial condition.
Forecasts of future production at the Company's mineral projects are estimates prepared by senior management of the Company and are based on interpretation and assumptions and actual production may be less than estimated. The ability of the Company to achieve and maintain the production rates on which such estimates are based is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Production estimates for all of the Company's mineral projects are dependent on, among other things, the accuracy of mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates, the accuracy of assumptions regarding ore grades and recovery rates, ground conditions, and the physical characteristics of ores, such as hardness and the presence or absence of particular metallurgical characteristics, and the accuracy of estimated rates and costs of mining and processing. Actual production at the Company's mineral projects may vary from estimates prepared by the Company for a variety of reasons. The failure to achieve production estimates could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations and financial condition. There is no guarantee that anticipated production costs will be achieved at any of the Company's mineral projects. Failure to achieve anticipated production costs could have a material adverse impact on the Company's ability to repay any loans and generate revenue and cash flow to fund operations and future profitability.
Completion of Lone Tree Plant Refurbishments and Reliance on Third-Party Processing Agreements
Pursuant to the autoclave toll milling agreement dated October 14, 2021 (the "Toll Milling Agreement"), involving Osgood LLC and a third party processor, (the "Processor"), the Processor agreed to process up to an aggregate of 1,000 tons/day of ore produced from the Granite Creek Project at its autoclave facilities, until the earlier of (i) the date the autoclave facility at the Lone Tree Plant becomes fully operational, and (ii) October 14, 2024, subject to extension by mutual agreement between the parties. In March of 2025, a new toll milling (autoclave) agreement was entered into with the Processor for a term expiring on December 31, 2027, with Ruby Hill Mining Company, LLC included as a party thereto (the "New Toll Milling Agreement").
The Company anticipates that it will process refractory material from its Granite Creek underground mine and Archimedes underground mine at the Processor's autoclave facility until such time that the autoclave facility at the Lone Tree Plant is operational. Based on the Company's completed refurbishment study, the Company's autoclave facility at the Lone Tree Plant is targeted for completion by the end of 2027. If the Lone Tree Plant autoclave refurbishment is not completed by December 31, 2027, there is no certainty that the Company will be able to arrive at a mutual agreement for extension of the New Toll Milling Agreement with the Processor. In such circumstances, if the Company is unable to obtain an extension of the New Toll Milling Agreement in a timely manner (or at all), the Company will be required to seek other arrangements for the processing of refractory material from its Granite Creek and Archimedes underground operations. There can be no certainty that such arrangement can be reached in a timely manner (or at all) on terms that are acceptable to the Company. If an extension of the New Toll Milling Agreement or an alternative arrangement cannot be obtained, the Company's underground operations at Granite Creek and Archimedes will be disrupted until such time as an extension or alternative arrangement can be reached. As the Company is dependent on third parties' autoclave facilities, there can be no assurance that there will not be interruptions in production capabilities and/or increase in production costs or reduction in profitability as a result of toll milling arrangements. In addition, under the Company’s new development plan, the Lone Tree Plant is envisioned to process material from the Company’s three underground mines, Granite Creek, Archimedes, and Cove to establish a regional hub-and-spoke mining and processing model. In the event that refurbishment and commissioning of the Lone Tree Plant is not completed as planned or at all, the Company will be delayed in its anticipated transition from toll milling to owner-operated processing.
Any delay in the refurbishment and commissioning of the Lone Tree Plant and/or any other interruptions in the Company's ability to process refractory material from its Granite Creek and Archimedes operations, will have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations and financial performance and condition.
The Company may continue to have negative cash flow from operating activities in future periods.
The Company had negative cash flow from operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2025. The Company cannot guarantee that it will have positive or negative cash flow from operating activities in future periods. The Company cannot provide any assurances that it will achieve sufficient revenues (if at all) or maintain profitability or positive cash flow from operating activities. If the Company does not achieve or maintain profitability or positive cash flow from operating activities, then there could be a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operation, and the Company may need to deploy a portion of its working capital to fund such negative operating cash flows or seek additional sources of funding.
The Company is dependent on a small number of key employees. The loss of one or more of these key employees, if not replaced, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, results of operations and financial condition.
The Board and management of the Company currently consist of a relatively small number of key personnel, the loss of any of whom could have a material adverse effect on its operations. There is intense competition for engineers, geologists and persons with mining expertise. The ability of the Company to hire and retain engineers, geologists and persons with mining expertise is key to its mining operations. Further, relations with employees may be affected by changes in the scheme of labor relations that may be introduced by the relevant governmental authorities in the jurisdictions in which the Company's mining operations are conducted. Changes in such legislation or otherwise in the Company's relationships with its employees may result in strikes, lockouts or other work stoppages, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's mining operations, results of operations and financial condition.
The Company does not have in place formal programs for succession and training of management and does not have key person insurance on such individuals, which insurance would provide the Company with insurance proceeds in the event of their death. Without key person insurance, the Company may not have the financial resources to develop or maintain its business until it replaces the individual. The loss of one or more of these key employees, if not replaced, could have a material adverse effect the Company's business, results of operations and financial condition.
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Failure to retain directors and senior management could have material adverse effect on the Company and its prospects.
The success of the Company is largely dependent on the performance of the Board and senior management. There is no assurance that the Company can maintain the services of the Board and management or other qualified personnel required to operate its business. Failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on the Company and its prospects.
The Company relies on third parties for important relationships and services. Any loss of one or more of these key business alliances or contracts could adversely impact the Company and its business, operating results and prospects.
The Company relies significantly on strategic relationships with other entities. The Company also relies on good relationships with regulatory and governmental departments and upon third parties to provide essential contracting services. There can be no assurance that the Company's existing relationships will continue to be maintained or that new ones will be successfully formed, and the Company could be adversely affected by changes to such relationships or difficulties in forming new ones. Any circumstance which causes the early termination or non-renewal of one or more of these key business alliances or contracts could adversely impact the Company, its business, operating results and prospects.
The Company's financial statements may not reflect what the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows will be in the future.
The Company believes that management has made reasonable assumptions underlying the Company's financial statements, such as expenses related to employee benefits, finance, human resources, legal, information technology and executive management. However, because the Company's financial statements are based on certain assumptions, the Company's financial statements may not reflect what the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows will be in the future.
There can be no assurance that the Company's title to mineral projects will be secured or that it will not be affected by an unknown title defect.
The acquisition of title to mineral projects is a very detailed and time-consuming process. Although the Company has taken precautions to ensure that legal title to its property interests is properly recorded in the name of the Company where possible, there can be no assurance that such title will ultimately be secured. Furthermore, there is no assurance that the interests of the Company in any of its properties may not be challenged or impugned. Title insurance is generally not available for mineral properties and the Company has a limited ability to ensure that it has obtained secure claim to individual mineral claims. While the Company intends to take all reasonable steps to maintain title to its mineral properties, there can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in extending or renewing mineral rights on or prior to expiration of their term, or that the title to any such properties will not be affected by an unknown title defect.
The Company's activities are subject to extensive governmental regulation. The costs and delays associated with obtaining necessary licenses and permits from governmental bodies could stop or materially delay or restrict the Company from proceeding with the development of an exploration project, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on its business.
Exploration, development and mining of minerals are subject to extensive federal, provincial, state and local laws and regulations governing acquisition of the mining interests, prospecting, development, mining, production, exports, taxes, labor standards, occupational health, waste disposal, toxic substances, water use, land use, environmental protection and remediation, endangered and protected species, mine safety and other matters. No assurance can be given that new rules and regulations will not be enacted or that existing rules and regulations will not be applied or amended in a manner that could have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
The costs and delays associated with obtaining necessary licenses and permits and complying with these licenses and permits and applicable laws and regulations could stop or materially delay or restrict the Company from proceeding with the development of an exploration project. Any failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations or licenses and permits, even if inadvertent, could result in interruption or closure of exploration, development or mining operations or material fines, penalties or other liabilities. The Company may be required to compensate those suffering loss or damage by reason of its mining operations and may have civil or criminal fines or penalties imposed for violations of such laws, regulations and permits.
In addition, any changes in government policy may result in changes to laws affecting ownership of assets, mining policies, monetary policies, taxation, royalty rates, rates of exchange, environmental regulations, labor relations and return of capital. This may affect both the ability of the Company to undertake exploration and development activities in respect of present and future properties in the manner currently contemplated, as well as the ability of the Company to continue to explore, develop and operate those properties in which it has an interest or in respect of which it has obtained exploration and development rights to date. The possibility that future governments may adopt substantially different policies, which might extend to expropriation of assets, cannot be ruled out.
Public Health Risks
The Company's business, operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected by the outbreak of epidemics or pandemics or other health crises. On March 11, 2020, the outbreak of the novel strain of coronavirus, specifically identified as "COVID-19", was classified as a global pandemic, which resulted in governments enacting emergency measures to combat the spread of the virus. These measures, which included the implementation of travel bans, self-imposed quarantine periods and social distancing, caused material disruption to businesses globally resulting in an economic slowdown. While the Company experienced minimal disruption to its operations during the COVID-19 pandemic, there may be impacts in the future on the Company's operations, key suppliers, supply chain, and cash flows, the Company's ability to raise financing or the pricing of such financing should another pandemic or health crises occur.
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Interference in the maintenance or provision of the Company's infrastructure could adversely affect the Company's operations, financial condition and results of operations.
Mining, processing, development and exploration activities depend, to one degree or another, on adequate infrastructure. Reliable roads, railways, power sources and water supply are important determinants affecting capital and operating costs. Unusual or infrequent weather phenomena, sabotage, government or other interference in the maintenance or provision of such infrastructure could adversely affect the Company's operations, financial condition and results of operations.
Labor difficulties might result in the Company not meeting its business objectives.
Factors such as work slowdowns or stoppages caused by, among other things, the attempted unionization of operations and difficulties in recruiting qualified miners and hiring and training new miners could materially adversely affect the Company's business. This would have a negative effect on the Company's business and results of operations, which might result in the Company not meeting its business objectives.
Failure to maintain or obtain permits and licenses could cause increases in exploration expenses, capital and operating expenditures or require abandonment or delays in development or exploitation of mining properties.
The Company is required to maintain in good standing a number of permits and licenses from various levels of governmental authorities in connection with the development and operations at its mineral properties.
Although the Company has all required permits for its current state of operations, there is no assurance that delays will not occur in the renewal of certain permits and there is no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain additional permits for any possible future changes to operations or additional permits associated with new legislation. There is also no assurance that the Company can obtain, or that there will not be delays in obtaining, the environmental approval or permits necessary to develop any future projects.
To the extent such approvals or consents are required and are delayed or not obtained, the Company may be curtailed or prohibited from continuing its operations or proceeding with any further development. Failure to comply with applicable laws, regulations and permitting requirements may result in enforcement actions thereunder, including orders issued by regulatory or judicial authorities causing operations to cease or be curtailed, and may include corrective measures requiring capital expenditures, installation of additional equipment or remedial actions. Parties engaged in mining operations or in the exploration, development or exploitation of mineral properties may be required to compensate those suffering loss or damage by reason of the mining activities and may have civil or criminal fines or penalties imposed for violations of applicable laws or regulations.
Amendments to current laws, regulations and permits governing operations and activities of mining and exploration companies or more stringent implementation thereof could have a material adverse impact on the Company and cause increases in exploration expenses and/or capital and operating expenditures or require abandonment or delays in development or exploitation of mining properties.
The Company's operations are subject to extensive environmental regulation and non-compliance with any laws could result in enforcement actions and cause operations to cease or be curtailed or lead to significant financial exposure.
The operations of the Company are subject to environmental regulations promulgated by government agencies from time to time and primarily the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection. Environmental legislation provides for restrictions and prohibitions on spills, releases or emissions of various substances produced in association with certain mining industry operations, such as seepage from tailings disposal areas, which would result in environmental pollution. In addition, certain types of operations require the submission and approval of environmental impact assessments. Environmental hazards may exist on the properties on which the Company holds interests which are unknown to the Company at present, and which have been caused by previous or existing owners or operators of the properties. Failure to comply with applicable laws, regulations and permitting requirements may result in enforcement actions thereunder, including orders issued by regulatory or judicial authorities causing operations to cease or be curtailed, and may include corrective measures requiring capital expenditures, installation of additional equipment or remedial actions. Parties engaged in exploration or mining operations may be required to compensate those suffering loss or damage by reason of the exploration or mining activities and may have civil or criminal fines or penalties imposed for violations of applicable laws or regulations and, in particular, environmental laws.
Environmental legislation is evolving in a manner that will require stricter standards and enforcement, increased fines and penalties for non-compliance, more stringent environmental assessments of proposed projects and a heightened degree of responsibility for companies and their officers, directors and employees. Amendments to current laws, regulations and permits governing operations and activities of mining companies, or more stringent implementation thereof, could have a material adverse impact on the Company and cause increases in exploration expenses, capital expenditures or production costs, reduction in levels of production at producing properties, or abandonment or delays in development of new mining properties. The potential financial exposure may be significant.
The Company is subject to land reclamation requirements. If the Company is required to carry out unanticipated reclamation work, its financial position could be adversely affected.
Land reclamation requirements are generally imposed on mineral exploration companies (as well as companies with mining operations) in order to minimize long-term effects of land disturbance. Reclamation may include requirements to treat ground and surface water to drinking water standards, control dispersion of potentially deleterious effluents and reasonably re-establish pre-disturbance landforms and vegetation.
In order to carry out reclamation obligations imposed on the Company in connection with exploration, potential development and production activities, the Company may be required to allocate financial resources that might otherwise be spent on further exploration and development programs. In addition, regulatory changes could increase the Company's obligations to perform reclamation and mine closing activities. If the Company is required to carry out unanticipated reclamation work, the Company's financial position could be adversely affected.
17
If the Company is not able to arrange for, or continue to obtain, surety bonds in favor of government agencies, it could adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
The Company, in the ordinary course of its operations and developments, is required to issue financial assurances including surety bonds and/or bank guarantee instruments, in favor of government agencies as financial support for environmental reclamation and exploration permitting at its properties. The Company’s ability to provide such assurances is subject to external financial and credit markets and assessments, and its own financial position. If the Company is not able to arrange for, or continue to obtain, satisfactory surety bonds in favor of government agencies, as financial support for environmental reclamation and exploration permitting at its properties, this could adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
There are significant hazards associated with mining activities, some of which may not be fully covered by insurance. The Company might become subject to liability for hazards which it may not be insured against and could incur significant costs from the losses arising out of such events.
The Company's business is subject to production and operational risks that could have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, results of operations or cash flows of the Company and the Company's insurance may not cover these risks and hazards adequately or at all.
Mining and metals processing involve significant production and operational risks normally encountered in the exploration, development and production of gold and other base or precious metals, some of which are outside of the Company's control, including, without limitation, the following: unanticipated ground and water conditions; adverse claims to water rights and shortages of water to which the Company has rights; adjacent or adverse land or mineral ownership that results in constraints on current or future mine operations; geological problems, including seismic activity, earthquakes and other natural disasters; metallurgical and other processing problems; unusual or unexpected mineralogy or rock formations; ground or slope failures; tailings design or operational issues, including dam breaches or failures; structural cave-ins, wall failures or rock-slides; flooding or fires; equipment failures; periodic interruptions due to inclement or hazardous weather conditions or operating conditions and other force majeure events; lower than expected ore grades or recovery rates; accidents; delays in the receipt of or failure to receive necessary government permits; delays in transportation; the results of litigation, including appeals of agency decisions; interruption of energy supply; labor disputes; inability to obtain satisfactory insurance coverage; the availability of drilling and related equipment in the area where mining operations will be conducted; and the failure of equipment/processes to operate in accordance with specifications or expectations.
These risks could result in damage to, or destruction of, the any of the Company's mineral projects, resulting in partial or complete shutdowns, personal injury or death, environmental or other damage to properties of the Company or others, delays in mining, reduced production, monetary losses and potential legal liability. Milling operations are subject to hazards, such as equipment failure or failure of retaining dams around tailings disposal areas that may result in personal injury or death, environmental pollution and consequential liabilities. In addition, the Company relies on a few key vendors for its operations. A breach of the applicable contract by any of these vendors, a significant dispute with any of these vendors, a force majeure event or other operational or financial issues affecting one or more of these vendors, including labor strikes or work stoppages, or any other event that would significantly impede the ability of these vendors to perform their contractual obligations to the Company or that would have a significant negative impact on the Company's contractual relationship with them would adversely affect the ability of the Company to produce its primary products, which could have a material impact on the Company's financial condition and results of operations.
Although the Company may maintain insurance to protect against certain risks in such amounts as it considers to be reasonable, its insurance will not cover all the potential risks associated with its operations and insurance obtained may contain exclusions and limitations on coverage. In addition, although certain risks are insurable, the Company may be unable to maintain insurance to cover these risks at economically feasible premiums. Insurance coverage may not continue to be available or, if available, may not be adequate to cover any resulting liability. Moreover, insurance against risks such as environmental pollution or other hazards as a result of exploration, development and production is not generally available to the Company or to other companies in the mining industry on acceptable terms. The Company might also become subject to liability for pollution or other hazards which it may not be insured against or which the Company may elect not to insure against because of premium costs or other reasons. Losses from these events may cause the Company to incur significant costs that could have a material adverse effect upon its business, consolidated financial condition and results of operations.
Existing or future competition in the mining industry could materially adversely affect the Company's prospects for mineral exploration and success in the future.
There is significant competition in the precious metals mining industry for mineral rich properties that can be developed and produced economically, the technical expertise to find, develop and operate such properties, the labor to operate the properties and the capital for the purpose of funding such properties. Many competitors not only explore for and mine precious metals but conduct refining and marketing operations on a global basis. As a result of this competition, some of which is with large established mining companies with substantial capabilities and greater financial and technical resources than the Company, the Company may be unable to acquire desired properties, to recruit or retain qualified employees or to acquire the capital necessary to fund its operations and develop its projects. Existing or future competition in the mining industry could materially adversely affect the Company's prospects for mineral exploration and success in the future. Increased competition can result in increased costs and lower prices for metal and minerals produced and reduced profitability. Consequently, the revenues of the Company, its operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
From time to time, several companies may participate in the acquisition, exploration and development of natural resource properties, thereby allowing for their participation in larger programs, permitting involvement in a greater number of programs and reducing financial exposure in respect of any one program. It may also occur that a particular company will assign all or a portion of its interest in a particular program to another of these companies due to the financial position of the company making the assignment. In determining whether or not the Company will participate in a particular program and the interest therein to be acquired by it, the directors will primarily consider the degree of risk to which the Company may be exposed and its financial position at that time.
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The Company may fail to select appropriate acquisition targets and may not be able to integrate any acquired businesses and their workforce into the Company.
The Company will continue to seek new resource properties and development opportunities in the mining industry. In pursuit of such opportunities, the Company may fail to select appropriate acquisition targets or negotiate acceptable arrangements, including arrangements to finance acquisitions or integrate the acquired businesses and their workforce into the Company. Ultimately, any acquisitions would be accompanied by risks, which could include changes in commodity prices, difficulty with integration, failure to realize anticipated synergies, significant unknown liabilities, delays in regulating approvals and exposure to litigation. Any material issues that the Company encounters in connection with an acquisition could have a material adverse effect on its business, results or operations and financial position.
There may be undisclosed risks and liabilities relating to the Company's acquisitions.
While the Company conducted substantial due diligence of the acquisitions of its various projects, including the acquisitions of the Granite Creek Project, the Ruby Hill Project, the Lone Tree Project, and the FAD Project (collectively, the "Acquisitions"), there are risks inherent in any acquisition. Specifically, there could be unknown or undisclosed risks or liabilities relating to these projects for which the Company is not indemnified pursuant to the provisions of the agreements relating to the Acquisitions. Any such unknown or undisclosed risks or liabilities could have a material adverse effect on its business, results of operations and financial position. The Company could encounter additional transaction and integration related costs or other factors, such as the failure to realize all of the benefits anticipated in the Acquisitions. All of these factors could cause dilution to the Company's earnings per share or decrease or delay the anticipated accretive effect of the Acquisitions and cause a decrease in the market price of the Common Shares.
The anticipated benefits of the Company's Acquisitions may not be realized.
There can be no assurance that management of the Company will be able to fully realize the expected benefits of the Acquisitions. There is a risk that some or all of the expected benefits will fail to materialize or may not occur within the time periods anticipated by management of the Company. The realization of such benefits may be affected by a number of factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company.
The Company's directors and officers may be subject to conflicts of interest in their capacities as directors and officers of other public resource companies.
The directors and officers of the Company may serve as directors or officers of other public resource companies or have significant shareholdings in other public resource companies. Situations may arise in connection with potential acquisitions and investments where the other interests of these directors and officers may conflict with the interests of the Company.
The Company is subject to the ESTMA, and any non-compliance thereof could lead to significant fines and sanctions.
The Canadian Extractive Sector Transparency Measures Act ("ESTMA"), which became effective June 1, 2015, requires public disclosure of payments to governments by mining and oil and gas companies engaged in the commercial development of oil, gas and minerals who are either publicly listed in Canada or with business or assets in Canada. Mandatory annual reporting is required for extractive companies with respect to payments made to foreign and domestic governments at all levels, including entities established by two or more governments. ESTMA requires reporting on the payment of any taxes, royalties, fees, production entitlements, bonuses, dividends, infrastructure improvement payments and any other prescribed payment over $100,000. Failure to report, false reporting or structuring payments to avoid reporting may result in fines of up to $250,000 (which may be concurrent). If the Company becomes subject to an enforcement action or is in violation of ESTMA, this may result in significant penalties, fines and/or sanctions, which may have a material adverse effect on the Company's reputation.
The Company's success depends on developing and maintaining relationships with local communities and other stakeholders, which cannot be guaranteed.
The Company's relationships with the communities in which it operates are critical to the future success of its existing operations and the construction and development of its projects. In recent years, there has been ongoing and potentially increasing public concern relating to the effects of resource extraction on the natural landscape, communities and the environment. Certain non-governmental organizations, public interest groups and reporting organizations ("NGOs") who oppose globalization and resource development can be vocal critics of the mining industry and its practices, including the use of cyanide and other hazardous substances in processing activities. In addition, there have been many instances in which local community groups have opposed resource extraction activities, resulting in disruption and delays to the relevant operations. Adverse publicity generated by such NGOs or others related to the mining industry, or to extractive industries generally, could have an adverse effect on the Company's reputation or financial condition and may impact its relationship with the communities in which it operates. While the Company seeks to operate in a socially responsible manner and believes it has good relationships with local communities in the regions in which it operates, there is no guarantee that its efforts in this respect will mitigate this potential risk. NGOs or local community groups could direct adverse publicity against and/or disrupt the operations of the Company in respect of one or more of its properties, despite the Company's successful compliance with social and environmental best practices. Any such actions and the resulting media coverage could have adverse effects on the reputation and financial condition of the Company or its relationships with the communities in which it operates, which could have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or prospects of the Company.
The Company's ability to successfully obtain key permits and approvals to explore for, develop and operate mines and to successfully operate in Nevada will likely depend on its ability to develop, operate and close mines in a manner that is consistent with the creation of social and economic benefits in the surrounding communities, which may or may not be required by law. Mining operations should be designed to minimize the negative impact on such communities and the environment, for example, by modifying mining plans and operations or by relocating those affected to an agreed location. The cost of these measures could increase capital and operating costs and therefore could have an adverse impact upon the Company's financial condition and operations. The Company seeks to promote improvements in health and safety, human rights, environmental performance and community relations. However, the Company's ability to operate could be adversely impacted by accidents or events detrimental (or perceived to be detrimental) to the health, safety and well-being of the Company's employees, human rights, the environment or the communities in which the Company operates.
19
The Company may become subject to disputes with third parties and an inability to resolve these disputes favorably could have a material adverse impact on the Company's business and financial condition.
The Company may become involved in disputes with third parties in the future that may result in litigation. The results of litigation cannot be predicted with certainty and defense and settlement costs of legal claims can be substantial, even with respect to claims that have no merit. If the Company is unable to resolve these disputes favorably, or if the cost of the resolution is substantial, such events may have a material adverse impact on the Company's business, rights, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or prospects.
Damage to the Company's image and reputation may lead to decreased investor confidence and impede the Company's ability to advance its projects.
Damage to the Company's reputation can be the result of the actual or perceived occurrence of any number of events and could include any negative publicity, whether true or not. Although the Company places a great emphasis on protecting its image and reputation, it does not ultimately have direct control over how it is perceived by others. Reputation loss may lead to increased challenges in developing and maintaining community relations and decreased investor confidence and may act as an impediment to the Company's overall ability to advance its projects, thereby having a material adverse impact on financial performance, cash flows and growth prospects.
Climate change could have a material adverse impact on the Company's business and results of operations.
There is significant evidence of the effects of climate change on our planet and an intensifying focus on addressing these issues. Climate change is a global challenge that may have both favorable and adverse effects on our business in a range of possible ways. Mining and processing operations are energy intensive and result in a carbon footprint either directly or through the purchase of fossil-fuel based electricity. As such, the Company is impacted by current and emerging policy and regulation relating to greenhouse gas emission levels, energy efficiency, and reporting of climate change related risks. While some of the costs associated with reducing emissions may be offset by increased energy efficiency, technological innovation, or the increased demand for our metals as part of technological innovations, the current regulatory trend may result in additional transition costs at some of our operations. Governments are introducing climate-change legislation and treaties at the international, national, and local levels, and regulations relating to emission levels and energy efficiency are evolving and becoming more rigorous. Current laws and regulatory requirements are not consistent across the jurisdictions in which we operate, and regulatory uncertainty is likely to result in additional complexity and cost in our compliance efforts. Public perception of mining is, in some respects, negative and there is increasing pressure to curtail mining in many jurisdictions as a result, in part, of perceived adverse effects of mining on the environment and on local communities. Concerns around climate change may also affect the market price of our Common Shares as institutional investors and others may divest interests in industries that are thought to have more environmental impacts. While the Company is committed to operating responsibly and reducing the negative effects of our operations on the environment, our ability to reduce emissions and energy and water usage by increasing efficiency and adopting new innovation is constrained by technological advancement, operational factors, and economics. Adoption of new technologies, the use of renewable energy, and infrastructure and operational changes necessary to reduce water usage may also increase our costs significantly. Concerns over climate change, and our ability to respond to regulatory requirements and societal pressures, may have significant impacts on our operations and our reputation and may even result in reduced demand for our products.
The physical risks of climate change could also adversely impact our operations. These risks include, among other things, extreme weather events, resource shortages, changes in rainfall and storm patterns and intensities, water shortages, changing sea levels, and extreme temperatures. Over the past several years, changing weather patterns and climatic conditions due to natural and man-made causes have added to the unpredictability and frequency of natural disasters, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, hailstorms, wildfires, snow, ice storms, the spread of disease and insect infestations. Climate-related events such as mudslides, floods, droughts, and fires can have significant impacts, directly and indirectly, on our operations and could result in damage to our facilities, disruptions in accessing our sites with labor and essential materials or in shipping products from our mines, risks to the safety and security of our personnel and to communities, shortages of required supplies such as fuel and chemicals, inability to source enough water to supply our operations, and the temporary or permanent cessation of one or more of our operations. There is no assurance that we will be able to anticipate, respond to, or manage the risks associated with physical climate change events and impacts, and this may result in material adverse consequences to our business and to our financial results.
The Company may not be able to access the resources and materials it needs to advance its exploration programs.
Mining exploration requires ready access to mining equipment, such as drills, and crews to operate that equipment. There can be no assurance that such resources will be available to the Company on a timely basis or at a reasonable cost. Failure to obtain these resources when needed may result in delays in the Company's exploration programs.
The Company's mineral properties or mineral projects may be subject to various land payments and any failure by the Company to satisfy such payments could result in the loss of property interests.
The Company's mineral properties or projects may be subject to various land payments, royalties and/or work commitments. Failure by the Company to meet its payment obligations or otherwise fulfill its commitments under these agreements could result in the loss of related property interests.
Geological, hydrological, and climatic events could have a material adverse effect on the Company.
All mining operations face geotechnical, hydrological and climate challenges. Unanticipated adverse geotechnical and hydrological conditions, such as landslides, subsidence and uplift, embankment failures and rock fragility may occur in the future and such events may not be detected in advance. Geotechnical instabilities and adverse climatic conditions can be difficult to predict and are often affected by risks and hazards outside of the Company's control, such as severe weather and seismic activity. Geotechnical failures could result in limited or restricted access to mines, suspension of operations, environmental damage, government investigations, increased monitoring costs, remediation costs, loss of mineralized material and other impacts, which could result in loss of revenue or increased costs and could result in a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or prospects.
20
Rising inflation could lead to increased costs.
Consumer price inflation has risen significantly in recent years and if it continues will mean much higher costs for the Company's expenditure programs. The Company's program cost estimates could rapidly become out-of-date. If this happens, the Company will need to either raise additional funds causing equity dilution or increased debt levels or reduce its expenditures and reducing progress. Increases in inflation usually result in central bank interest rate hikes which can trigger negative capital market conditions making financing difficult. While inflation increases have often led to higher precious metals prices, there can be no assurance of that, and the Company's operations and its share price could be adversely affected by increased inflation.
Trade Wars could lead to increased costs.
If high US tariffs are imposed on other countries and other countries retaliate with import tariffs on US products, the consequences on the capital markets and global supply chains could adversely impact the Company’s ability to raise funds and source the supplies the Company relies on to perform its planned work programs or, if available, the cost of such supplies could soar, impairing the Company’s ability to complete work programs. The eventuality, timing and rates of potential US tariffs, and the countries on which they are levied are difficult to predict at this time. However, US tariffs are likely to be met with retaliatory tariffs and a multi-country trade war against the US could develop. The Company imports products into the US and could be directly impacted by the imposition of new tariffs on goods imported. However, the economic impact of tariffs or a broader trade war, the US economy and the global economy could negatively impact capital markets and the Company’s ability to raise funds to undertake its work programs. A broader trade war has the potential to adversely impact global supply chains and make supplies required by the Company for exploration programs, construction work or operations harder to obtain or unavailable. Foreign tariffs or scarcity in the global supply chain would likely increase the cost of supplies required by the Company that are available, which could impair the Company’s ability to undertake all of the work it plans to perform. The Company has some flexibility to adjust the timing, scale of, or even cancel, many of its work programs in response to increasing costs or unavailability of supplies. The indirect effects of tariffs imposed by the US or by both countries are difficult to assess, but the potential for tariffs represents a risk to the Company’s ability to fulfill some of its key objectives.
Securities analysts or other third parties may publish inaccurate or unfavorable research reports.
The trading market for Common Shares may rely in part on the research and reports that securities analysts and other third parties choose to publish about the Company. The Company does not control these analysts or other third parties. The price of the Common Shares could decline if one or more securities analysts downgrade the Common Shares or if one or more securities analysts or other third parties publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about the Company or cease publishing reports about the Company.
Internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures cannot provide complete assurance of error-free reporting.
Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with US General Accepted Accounting Principles ("US GAAP"). Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in reports filed with securities regulatory agencies is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported on a timely basis and is accumulated and communicated to a company's management, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. No evaluation can provide complete assurance that the Company's internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures will detect or uncover all failures of persons within the Company to disclose material information required to be reported. The effectiveness of the Company's control and procedures could also be limited by simple errors or faulty judgments. In addition, as the Company continues to expand, the challenges involved in implementing appropriate internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures will increase and will require that the Company continue to improve its internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures. Although the Company intends to devote substantial time and incur substantial costs, as necessary, to ensure ongoing compliance, the Company cannot be certain that it will be successful in complying with National Instrument 52-109 – Certification of Disclosure in Issuers’ Annual and Interim Filings of the Canadian Securities Administrators as well as comparable US securities disclosure laws including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
International conflict and other geopolitical tensions or events, such as the current Russia-Ukraine conflict, may have an adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
International conflict and other geopolitical tensions and events, including war, military action, terrorism, trade disputes and international responses thereto have historically led to, and may in the future lead to, uncertainty or volatility in global commodity and financial markets and supply chains. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has led to sanctions being levied against Russia by the international community and may result in additional sanctions or other international action, any of which may have a destabilizing effect on commodity prices, supply chains and global economies more broadly. Volatility in commodity prices and supply chain disruptions may adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations. The extent and duration of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and related international action cannot be accurately predicted at this time and the effects of such conflict may magnify the impact of the other risks identified in this Annual Report, including those relating to commodity price volatility and global financial conditions. The situation is continuing to change and unforeseeable impacts, including on our shareholders and counterparties on which we rely and transact with, may materialize and may have an adverse effect on the Company's business, results of operation and financial condition.
21
Risks Relating to the Common Shares Generally
No guarantee of positive return on investment.
There is no guarantee that an investment in the securities of the Company will earn any positive return in the short term or long term. The mineral exploration and development business is subject to numerous inherent risks and uncertainties, and any investment in the securities of the Company should be considered a speculative investment. Past successful performance provides no assurance of any future success. The purchase of securities of the Company involves a high degree of risk and should be undertaken only by investors whose financial resources are sufficient to enable them to assume such risks. An investment in the securities of the Company is appropriate only for investors who have the capacity to absorb a loss of some or all of their investment.
There is no certainty that an active trading market for the Common Shares will develop or be sustained.
While the Common Shares are listed on the TSX and NYSE American, there can be no assurance that an active trading market will develop for the Common Shares, or if developed, that such a market will be sustained. There can be no assurance that fluctuations in the trading price will not have a material adverse impact on the Company's ability to raise equity funding without significant dilution to shareholders of the Company, or at all.
In addition, the disruptions recently experienced in the international and domestic markets have led to reduced liquidity and increased credit risk premiums for certain companies and have resulted in a reduction of available financing. Developing companies may be particularly susceptible to these disruptions and reductions in the availability of credit or increases in financing costs, which could result in them experiencing financial difficulty. The availability of credit is significantly influenced by levels of investor confidence in markets as a whole and as such any factors that impact market confidence (for example, a decrease in credit ratings, state or central bank intervention in one market, terrorist activity and conflict or the spread of other communicable diseases and viruses) could affect the price or availability of funding for entities within any of these markets.
Common Shares may be subject to significant price and volume fluctuations.
The Common Shares are listed on the TSX and NYSE American. In recent years, the securities markets have experienced a high level of price and volume volatility, and the market price of securities of many companies, particularly those considered exploration or development stage companies, have experienced wide fluctuations in price which have not necessarily been related to the operating performance, underlying asset values or prospects of such companies. There can be no assurance that continued fluctuations in price will not occur, which may result in losses to investors. The purchase of Common Shares should be undertaken only by investors who have no need for immediate liquidity in their investment.
The trading price of the Common Shares may increase or decrease in response to a number of events and factors, including, but not limited to: the Company's operating performance and the performance of competitors and other similar companies; volatility in gold and other metal prices; the public's reaction to the Company's press releases, other public announcements and the Company's filings with the various securities regulatory authorities; the failure of the Company to meet the reporting and other obligations under Canadian securities laws or imposed by the TSX, NYSE American or the United States Securities Exchange Commission (the "SEC"); changes in recommendations by research analysts who track the Common Shares or the shares of other companies in the resource sector; a reduction in coverage by such research analysts; changes in general economic and/or political conditions; the arrival or departure of key personnel; and acquisitions, strategic alliances or joint ventures involving the Company or its competitors, which, if involving the issuance of Common Shares, or securities exercisable or exchangeable for or convertible into Common Shares, would result in dilution to present and prospective holders of Common Shares. In addition, the market price of the Common Shares is affected by many variables not directly related to the Company's success and are, therefore, not within the Company's control, including other developments that affect the market for all resource sector securities, the breadth of the public market for the Common Shares and the attractiveness of alternative investments.
Securities class action litigation often has been brought against companies following periods of volatility in the market price of their securities. The Company may in the future be the target of similar litigation. Securities litigation could result in substantial costs and damages and divert management's attention and resources.
The Company may need to sell additional Common Shares to finance its operations and such future sales may dilute shareholders' equity position in the Company.
The Company has limited financial resources and will have further capital requirements and exploration expenditures as it proceeds to expand activities at its mineral projects, develop any such projects or take advantage of opportunities for acquisitions, joint ventures or other business opportunities that may be presented to it. The Company may sell additional Common Shares or other securities in the future to finance its operations or may issue additional Common Shares or other securities as consideration for future acquisitions. The Company cannot predict the size or nature of future sales or issuances of securities or the effect, if any, that such future sales and issuances will have on the market price of the Common Shares. Sales or issuances of substantial numbers of Common Shares, or the perception that such sales or issuances could occur, may adversely affect prevailing market prices of the Common Shares and will dilute each shareholder's equity position in the Company. The Company's articles permit, among other things, the issuance of an unlimited number of Common Shares for such consideration and on such terms and conditions as are established by the directors of the Company, in many cases, without the approval of the shareholders of the Company.
Sales by existing shareholders in the public market could reduce the price of the Common Shares and impair the Company's ability to raise additional capital.
The Common Shares are listed on the TSX and NYSE American and sales of a substantial number of Common Shares in the public market could occur at any time. These sales, or the market perception that the holders of a large number of Common Shares intend to sell Common Shares, could reduce the market price of the Common Shares. If this occurs and continues, it could impair the Company's ability to raise additional capital through the sale of securities.
22
The Company's dual listing may increase the volatility of the Common Shares.
The Company incurs significant legal, accounting, reporting and other expenses in order to maintain a dual listing on both the TSX and NYSE American. Moreover, the Company's listing on both the TSX and NYSE American may increase volatility due to the ability to buy and sell Common Shares in two places, different market conditions in different capital markets, and different trading volumes. This may result in less liquidity on both exchanges, different liquidity levels, and different prevailing trading prices.
A decline in the price of Common Shares could impede the Company's ability to raise additional capital to finance its operations and may materially adversely affect its business plan and ability to meet obligations as they become due.
A decline in the market price of the Common Shares could result in a reduction in the liquidity of the Common Shares and a reduction in the Company's ability to raise additional capital for its operations. A decline in the price of the Common Shares could have an adverse effect upon the liquidity of the Common Shares and the Company's continued operations. A reduction in the Company's ability to raise equity capital in the future could have a material adverse effect upon the Company's business plan and operations, including its ability to continue its current operations. If the price for the Common Shares declines, the Company may not be able to raise additional capital or generate funds from operations sufficient to meet its obligations.
The Company has no history of earnings and has no current plans to pay dividends in the foreseeable future.
The Company has no history of earnings as a stand-alone entity and does not anticipate paying dividends on the Common Shares in the foreseeable future. Several of the agreements entered into in connection with the Financing Package (as defined herein), including the Orion Convertible Loan and the Sprott Convertible Loan, and the Convertible Debentures restrict the ability of the Company to pay dividends to its shareholders. Payment of any future dividends will be at the discretion of the Board after taking into account many factors, including operating results, financial condition and anticipated cash needs. See " Dividends and Distributions ".
Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and the actual results of the Company may differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements.
Shareholders should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties, of both general and specific nature, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements or contribute to the possibility that predictions, forecasts or projections will prove to be materially inaccurate. Additional information on such risks, assumptions and uncertainties can be found under the heading " Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information ".
The Company relies upon certain accommodations available to it as an "emerging growth company".
The Company is an "emerging growth company" as defined in section 3(a) of the U.S. Exchange Act (as amended by the JOBS Act, enacted on April 5, 2012), and the Company will continue to qualify as an emerging growth company until the earliest to occur of: (a) the last day of the fiscal year during which the Company has total annual gross revenues of US$1,070,000,000 (as such amount is indexed for inflation every five years by the SEC) or more; (b) the last day of the fiscal year of the Company following the fifth anniversary of the date of the first sale of common equity securities of the Company pursuant to an effective registration statement under the U.S. Securities Act; (c) the date on which the Company has, during the previous three year period, issued more than US$1,000,000,000 in non-convertible debt; and (d) the date on which the Company is deemed to be a "large accelerated filer", as defined in Rule 12b–2 under the U.S. Exchange Act. The Company will qualify as a large, accelerated filer (and would cease to be an emerging growth company) at such time when on the last business day of its second fiscal quarter of such year the aggregate worldwide market value of its common equity held by non-affiliates will be US$700,000,000 or more. For so long as the Company remains an emerging growth company, it is permitted to and intends to rely upon exemptions from certain disclosure requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies. These exemptions include not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The Company cannot predict whether investors will find the Common Shares less attractive because the Company relies upon certain of these exemptions. If some investors find the Common Shares less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for the Common Shares and the Common Share price may be more volatile. On the other hand, if the Company no longer qualifies as an emerging growth company, the Company would be required to divert additional management time and attention from the Company's development and other business activities and incur increased legal and financial costs to comply with the additional associated reporting requirements, which could negatively impact the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
Enforcement of Civil Liabilities in the United States
The Company is incorporated under the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada. Some of its directors and officers are residents of Canada, and most of the assets of these persons are located outside of the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for shareholders to initiate a lawsuit within the United States against these non-United States residents, or to enforce judgments in the United States against the Company or these persons which are obtained in a United States court and that are predicated upon civil liabilities under the United States federal securities laws or the securities or "blue sky" laws of any state within the United States.
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A failure or breach of the Company's network systems could corrupt the Company's financial or operational data and may have a material adverse impact on the Company's reputation and results of operations.
Major equipment failures, natural disasters including severe weather, terrorist acts, acts of war, cyber-attacks or other breaches of network systems or security that affect computer systems within the Company's network could disrupt the Company's business functions, including the Company's exploration and production activities. The mining industry has become increasingly dependent on digital technologies. Mines and mills are automated and networked, and the Company relies on digital technologies to conduct certain exploration, development, production, processing and other activities. The mining industry faces various security threats, including cyber-security threats. Such attacks are increasing and include malicious software, attempts to gain unauthorized access to data and other electronic security breaches that could lead to disruptions to critical systems, unauthorized release of confidential information and corruption of data. A cyber-attack could negatively impact the Company's operations. A corruption of the Company's financial or operational data or an operational disruption of the Company's production infrastructure could, among other potential impacts, result in: loss of production or accidental discharge; expensive remediation efforts; distraction of management; damage to the Company's reputation or its relationship with customers, vendors and employees; or events of noncompliance, which events could lead to regulatory fines or penalties. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse impact on the Company's reputation, profitability, future cash flows, earnings, results of operations and financial condition.
Information technology failures or cyber security incidents could adversely affect the reputation, operations or financial performance of the Company.
The Company is reliant on the continuous and uninterrupted operations of its information technology ("IT") systems. User access and security of all IT systems are critical elements to the operations of the Company. Protection against cyber security incidents and cloud security, and security of all of the Company's IT systems are critical to the operations of the Company. Any IT failure pertaining to availability, access or system security could result in disruption for personnel and could adversely affect the reputation, operations or financial performance of the Company.
The Company's IT systems could be compromised by unauthorized parties attempting to extract business sensitive, confidential or personal information, corrupting information or disrupting business processes or by inadvertent or intentional actions by the Company's employees or vendors. A cyber security incident resulting in a security breach, or failure to identify a security threat, could disrupt business and could result in the loss of business sensitive, confidential or personal information or other assets, as well as litigation, regulatory enforcement, violation of privacy and security laws and regulations and remediation costs.
If we were to become a “passive foreign investment company” during a U.S. taxpayer’s holding period, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences may result for such U.S. taxpayer.
The Company believes that it was not a “passive foreign investment company” (a “PFIC”) within the meaning of Section 1297(a) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) for its most recently completed tax year, and based on current business plans and financial expectations, the Company expects that it will not be a PFIC for its current tax year and expects that it will not be a PFIC for the foreseeable future. However, PFIC classification is fundamentally factual in nature, generally cannot be determined until the close of the tax year in question, and is determined annually. Additionally, the analysis depends, in part, on the application of complex U.S. federal income tax rules, which are subject to differing interpretations. Consequently, there can be no assurances that the Company has never been and will not become a PFIC for any tax year during which U.S. Holders hold common shares. If the Company were to be classified as a PFIC for any taxable year during a U.S. taxpayer’s holding period of common shares, then such U.S. taxpayer generally will be required to treat any gain realized upon a disposition of the common shares or any so-called “excess distribution” received on its common shares as ordinary income, and to pay an interest charge on a portion of such gain or distribution. In certain circumstances, the sum of the tax and the interest charge may exceed the total amount of proceeds realized on the disposition, or the amount of excess distribution received, by the U.S. taxpayer. Subject to certain limitations, these tax consequences may be altered if a U.S. taxpayer makes a timely and effective “qualified electing fund” (“QEF”) election under Section 1295 of the Code (“QEF Election”) with respect to the Company or a mark-to-market election under Section 1296 of the Code (“Mark-to-Market Election”) with respect to the common shares. U.S. taxpayers should be aware that there can be no assurances that the Company will satisfy the record keeping requirements that apply to a QEF or that the Company will supply U.S. taxpayers with information that such U.S. taxpayers are required to report under the QEF rules, in the event that the Company is a PFIC. Thus, U.S. taxpayers may not be able to make a QEF Election with respect to the Company or any non-U.S. subsidiary of the Company. A U.S. taxpayer who makes a Mark-to-Market Election generally must include as ordinary income each year the excess of the fair market value of the common shares over the U.S. taxpayer’s adjusted tax basis therein. Each potential investor who is a U.S. taxpayer should review the discussion below under the heading “ Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations ” in its entirety and should consult its own tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of the PFIC rules and the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of the common shares.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
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ITEM 1C. CYBERSECURITY
Risk Management and Strategy Overview
Protecting the information systems, assets, data, and communication infrastructure is critical to the Company's operations. Consequently, cybersecurity is prioritized through the implementation of a comprehensive cybersecurity risk management program that is managed by the executive team leadership in conjunction with the IT Department and falls within the boundaries of the overall organization risk management program.
Key Principles of the Cybersecurity Risk Management Program:
• Risk Management - a proactive approach to identifying and mitigating risks to protect the organization’s assets and integrity through third party assessments, internal assessments and global cybersecurity threat analysis.
• Defense Strategy - adopts a robust defense approach to protect systems from potential threats, including an assumption of breach mindset.
• Zero-Trust Architecture - implements a zero-trust philosophy, ensuring that no entity is inherently trusted without verification.
• Least Privileged Access - employ strict identity and access management principles to limit user access based on necessity.
• Mitigation and Management of Incidents or Disasters - our risk management program includes policies and procedures for incident response and mitigation.
Key Components of the Cybersecurity Program:
• Ongoing Detecting and Monitoring - Continuous surveillance of networks to identify threats and intrusions in real-time.
• Vulnerability Assessment - Regular assessments conducted by both internal teams and external partners to identify system vulnerabilities.
• Employee Training - Regular cybersecurity training and awareness campaigns are undertaken to equip employees with the knowledge needed to mitigate risks.
• IT Leadership - The IT Department leads the implementation of the cybersecurity risk management program, ensuring adherence to Company and regulatory standards.
Compliance Framework
The cybersecurity program aligns with the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Cybersecurity Framework. The IT Department, in collaboration with external vendors, diligently works to detect vulnerabilities, identify compromised devices, and maintain compliance across the organization’s IT systems.
External Engagement
The Company engages with third-party organizations to conduct regular assessments of compliance, controls, and overall risk management strategies, ensuring a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity. Quarterly vulnerability assessments are performed on external and internal systems, as well as a larger annual audit of system security and compliance.
Responsibility and Communication
The Company promotes a culture where cybersecurity awareness is recognized as everyone's responsibility. Regular communications about cybersecurity risk mitigation and intrusion prevention measures are shared with senior management and the Board of i-80.
Incident History
The Company has not experienced any cybersecurity incidents during the year ended December 31, 2025, or in any prior year that resulted in interruptions to normal business operations or breaches of systems.
Governance Structure
Board and Management Oversight
• The Company is confident that any material cybersecurity threats will be brought to the attention of the Board, as the Senior Management Team includes the affirmative responsibility to periodically review risk assessments from management with respect to cybersecurity, including assessments of the overall threat landscape and related strategies and investments. One way in which the Senior Management Team fulfills that requirement is by receiving regular reports from the IT Director on not only known cybersecurity threats or incidents (including related risk assessments), but the landscape more generally, including with respect to known threats, technological advancements, best practices and current events. Management regularly reviews cyber security planning, including development and management of the program, budgeting, and participation in the incident response plan. The senior management team involved in this review includes our CEO, Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"), and the Director of IT . These reviews can also provide topics for discussion at Board and/or Audit Committee meetings. The Director of IT has a master’s degree in management information systems and over 28 years of experience. The fully staffed department includes a third-party resource dedicated to cybersecurity who monitors our threat detection and response tools for any attempted or successful hacks or other incursions into our IT environment, both externally and internally. These are reviewed and mitigated where appropriate, and escalated, if necessary, via the processes noted above.
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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
MINERAL PROJECTS
The Company is subject to the mining disclosure standards of Subpart 229.1300 of Regulation S-K – Disclosure by Registrants Engaged in Mining Operations (“S-K 1300”). The Company is also subject to NI 43-101. While the S-K 1300 rules are similar to NI 43-101 rules in Canada, they are not identical. The information in Item 2, Properties, below is common to both reports and contains pertinent information required under S-K 1300 and NI 43-101.
As used in this Form 10-K, the terms “mineral resource,” “measured mineral resource,” “indicated mineral resource,” “inferred mineral resource,” “mineral reserve,” “proven mineral reserve” and “probable mineral reserve” are defined and used in accordance with S-K 1300. Except as set forth in the Item 2, all determinations of mineral resources and mineral reserves have been prepared by qualified persons who are not affiliated with the Company. Under S-K 1300, mineral resources may not be classified as “mineral reserves” unless the determination has been made by a qualified person that the mineral resources can be the basis of an economically viable project. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not meet the threshold for mineral reserve modifying factors, such as estimated economic viability, that would allow for conversion to mineral reserves. There is no certainty that any part of the mineral resources estimated will be converted into mineral reserves.
Except for that portion of mineral resources classified as mineral reserves, mineral resources have not demonstrated economic value. Inferred mineral resources are estimates based on limited geological evidence and sampling and have too high of a degree of uncertainty to apply relevant technical and economic factors likely to influence the prospects of economic extraction in a manner useful for evaluation of economic viability. At this time, no mineral reserves have been determined for any of the Company's properties. Estimates of inferred mineral resources may not be converted to a mineral reserve. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource will be upgraded to a higher category. A significant amount of exploration must be completed to determine whether an inferred mineral resource may be upgraded to a higher category. Therefore, you are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource can be the basis of an economically viable project, or that it will be upgraded to a higher category.
The subsections below describe the property locations, overviews and mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates. Our material projects, as determined pursuant to S-K 1300, are the Cove Project, the Granite Creek Project, the Lone Tree Project, and the Ruby Hill Project. All of our projects are located in the State of Nevada. Further information about these properties can be found in the technical report summaries for each material project filed as exhibits to this Form 10-K as well as under the individual project descriptions below. In addition to our material projects, we also hold the FAD Project, Tabor Project and Argenta Property. All of our projects are considered exploration stage projects because the Company has not determined that mineral reserves at any of its properties pursuant to S-K 1300. With respect to Ruby Hill, Lone Tree, and Granite Creek, the Company has started extraction activities without determining mineral reserves.
Except as otherwise stated, the scientific and technical information relating to the Cove Project contained in this Form 10-K is derived from the S-K 1300 report for the Cove Project titled “S-K1300 Initial Assessment & Technical Report Summary for the Cove Project, Lander County, Nevada” effective December 31, 2024 prepared by Practical Mining LLC., TR Raponi Consulting Ltd. and Montgomery & Associates, none of whom are affiliated with the Company. The Company has also caused to be prepared the NI 43-101 technical report for the Cove Project titled “NI 43-101 Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Cove Project, Lander County, Nevada” with an effective date of December 31, 2024 which was prepared by Practical Mining LLC and TR Raponi Consulting LTD.
Except as otherwise stated, the scientific and technical information relating to the Granite Creek Project contained in this Form 10-K is derived from the S-K 1300 report for the Granite Creek Complex titled “Initial Assessment of the Granite Creek Mine, Humboldt County, NV” effective December 31, 2024 prepared by Practical Mining LLC., TR Raponi Consulting Ltd. and Global Resource Engineering, none of whom are affiliated with the Company. The Company has also caused to be prepared the NI 43-101 technical report for the Granite Creek titled “Preliminary Economic Assessment NI 43-101 Technical Report, Granite Creek Mine Project, Humboldt County, Nevada, USA” with an effective date of December 31, 2024 which was prepared by Global Resource Engineering, Ltd. and Practical Mining, LLC.
Except as otherwise stated, the scientific and technical information relating to the Lone Tree Project contained in this Form 10-K is derived from the S-K 1300 report for the Lone Tree Project titled “S-K 1300 Technical Report Summary on the Mineral Resource Estimates for the Lone Tree Deposit, Nevada” effective December 31, 2024 prepared by GeoGlobal LLC, Abani R. Samal, RM-SME, Brian Arthur, RM-SME and Paul Gates. PE, none of whom are affiliated with the Company. The Company has also caused to be prepared the NI 43-101 technical report for the Lone Tree Project titled “Technical Report on the Mineral Resource Estimates for the Lone Tree Deposit, Nevada” with an effective date of December 31, 2024 which was prepared by GeoGlobal LLC.
Except as otherwise stated, the scientific and technical information relating to the Ruby Hill Project contained in this Form 10-K is derived from the S-K 1300 report for the Ruby Hill Project titled “S-K 1300 Technical Report Summary Initial Assessment of the Ruby Hill Project, Eureka County NV” effective December 31, 2024 prepared by Forte Dynamics, Inc., Practical Mining LLC, and TR Raponi Consulting Ltd., none of whom are affiliated with the Company. The Company has also caused to be prepared the NI 43-101 technical report for the Ruby Hill Project titled “Preliminary Economic Assessment of the i-80 Gold Corp. Ruby Hill Project, Eureka County NV” with an effective date of December 31, 2024 which was prepared by Forte Dynamics, Inc., Practical Mining LLC, and TR Raponi Consulting Ltd.
Each S-K 1300 technical report summary has been filed as an exhibit to the Form 10-K and is available for review on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. Copies of technical reports for the material properties prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 are available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+. All of the technical reports are available on the Company’s website at www.i80gold.com. The Technical Report Summaries should be read in conjunction with the information in this Item 2. Properties.
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Except as otherwise stated, Aaron Amoroso, a QP and an employee of the Company, has reviewed the mineral resources in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and their material assumptions as of December 31, 2025.
Summary Disclosure
The following descriptions summarize selected information about the Company's four material properties (Cove, Granite Creek, Ruby Hill, and Lone Tree) as of December 31, 2025. All of the material properties are wholly owned by the Company.
Mineral Production
The Company produced 28,196 ounces of gold for the year ended December 31, 2025, 21,527 ounces of gold for the year ended December 31, 2024, and 29,370 ounces of gold for the year ended December 31, 2023 which includes equivalent gold production from mineralized material sold.
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Summary of Mineral Resource Estimates as of December 31, 2025
Measured Mineral Resources Indicated Mineral Resources Measured + Indicated Mineral Resources Inferred Mineral Resources
NEVADA
Tonnes (kt) g/t ounces (k) Tonnes (kt) g/t ounces (k) Tonnes (kt) g/t ounces (k) Tonnes (kt) g/t ounces (k)
GOLD
Granite Creek Project
Granite Creek Underground
113 9.01 33 608 10.80 211 721 10.52 244 776 12.97 324
Granite Creek Open Pit
26,362 1.26 1,066 11,339 1.01 369 37,701 1.18 1,435 2,148 1.09 75
Ruby Hill Complex
Archimedes Underground — — — 1,791 7.60 436 1,791 7.60 436 4,188 7.30 988
Mineral Point Open Pit
— — — 216,982 0.48 3,376 216,982 0.48 3,376 194,442 0.34 2,117
Archimedes Open Pit
— — — 4,320 1.96 272 4,320 1.96 272 870 1.12 31
Cove Project
Cove
— — — 1,177 8.20 310 1,177 8.20 310 4,047 8.90 1,156
Lone Tree
Lone Tree Open Pit
— — — 7,690 1.73 428 7,690 1.73 428 52,940 1.64 2,789
Total
26,475 1.29 1,099 243,907 0.69 5,402 270,382 0.74 6,501 259,411 0.90 7,480
SILVER
Granite Creek Project
Granite Creek Underground
— — — — — — — — — — — —
Granite Creek Open Pit
— — — — — — — — — — — —
Ruby Hill Complex
Archimedes Underground — — — 1,791 1.60 92 1,791 1.60 92 4,188 2.10 286
Mineral Point — — — 216,982 15.00 104,332 216,982 15.00 104,332 194,442 14.60 91,473
Archimedes Open Pit — — — 4,320 10.60 1,490 4,320 10.60 1,490 870 8.50 250
Cove Project
Cove — — — 1,177 15.00 568 1,177 15.00 568 4,047 11.10 1,439
Lone Tree
Lone Tree Open Pit — — — — — — — — — — — —
Total — — — 224,270 14.81 106,482 224,270 14.81 106,482 203,547 14.25 93,448
A Qualified Person and an employee of the Company, has approved the mineral resources included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K as of December 31, 2025 and reviewed the resources and the material assumptions in the S-K 1300 technical report summaries for each of Granite Creek, Ruby Hill, Cove and Lone Tree and confirmed that the resources and material assumptions are current as of December 31, 2025. See the
mineral estimates set forth in the individual property descriptions for more detail regarding the resource estimates. Except as set forth in the individual property sections, mineral resources were determined in situ using a gold price of $2,175 per ounce.
Other Property Assets
FAD Project
Location 1.5 miles east of the town of Eureka, Nevada
Type and amount of ownership interests 100% ownership
Operator Golden Hill Mining LLC
Titles, mineral rights, leases or options and acreage
156 unpatented lode claims and 110 patented claims totaling approximately 3,255 acres
Property Stage Exploration
Key permit conditions Possess permits required for exploration
Mine types and mineralization styles Polymetallic massive sulfide
Processing plants and other facilities None
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Tabor Project
Location 55 miles west of the town of Tonopah, Nevada
Type and amount of ownership interests option to earn in up to 100%
Operator Au-Reka LLC
Titles, mineral rights, leases or options and acreage 276 unpatented Claims totaling approximately 5,595 acres
Property Stage Exploration
Key permit conditions Subject to a plan of operations through the United States Forest Service
Mine types and mineralization styles low-sulfidation epithermal gold/silver
Processing plants and other facilities None
Argenta Project
Location 12 miles west of the town of Battle Mountain, Nevada
Type and amount of ownership interests 100% ownership
Operator Argenta LLC
Titles, mineral rights, leases or options and acreage 253 unpatented Claims and 18 patented claims totaling approximately 1,024 acres
Property Stage Exploration
Key permit conditions Subject to NOI through BLM or PoO for further exploration work
Mine types and mineralization styles Sedimentary barite
Processing plants and other facilities Railroad siting
The following descriptions summarize selected information about the Company's four material properties (Cove, Granite Creek, Ruby Hill, and Lone Tree) as of December 31, 2025. All of the material properties are wholly owned by the Company or a wholly owned subsidiary.
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Granite Creek
Current Technical Report
Unless otherwise indicated, information in this section entitled “Material Mineral Properties – Granite Creek Project” is summarized or extracted from the technical report entitled, “Initial Assessment of the Granite Creek Mine, Humboldt County, NV” effective December 31, 2024 prepared by Practical Mining LLC., TR Raponi Consulting Ltd. and Global Resource Engineering (the “Granite Creek Technical Report”).
Portions of the following information are based on assumptions, qualifications and procedures which are set out only in the full Granite Technical Report. For a complete description of the assumptions, qualifications and procedures associated with the following information, reference should be made to the full text of the Granite Creek Technical Report, which is available for review as an exhibit to the Company’s Form 10-K under its profile on Edgar at www.sec.gov.
Granite Creek is considered an exploration stage project because the Company has not determined mineral reserves at the project, and the Company has started extraction activities without determining mineral reserves.
A QP and an employee of Global Resources Engineering, has approved the Granite Creek Open Pit mineral resources included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K as of December 31, 2025 and reviewed the reserves and resources in the Granite Creek Technical Report.
Aaron Amoroso, a QP and an employee of the Company, has approved the Granite Creek Underground mineral resources included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K as of December 31, 2025 and their material assumptions.
Property Description, Location and Access
The Granite Creek property (the "Granite Creek Property" or "Granite Creek Project"), was formerly known as the Getchell property, and originally as the Pinson property. The Granite Creek Project is located in Humboldt County, Nevada, 28 miles northeast of the town of Winnemucca, and it is part of the historic Potosi mining district. It is centered at roughly 41° 8’ N latitude and 117° 15.5’ W longitude.
In April 2021, i-80 Gold Corp. (the "Corporation"), through its wholly owned subsidiary, Premier Gold Mines USA, Inc. ("Premier USA"), completed its acquisition of Osgood Mining Company LLC ("Osgood LLC"), the owner of the Granite Creek Property. In May 2021, the Corporation purchased additional property from Seven Dot Cattle Co. LLC and the Christison family, and in May of 2022 purchased fee land from Nevada Gold Mines LLC, further increasing the size and ownership in the land package. See Figure 1-1 Granite Creek Property Area/Royalty Map.
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Figure 1-1 Granite Creek Property Area/Royalty Map
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Location - The Granite Creek Property is accessed by a combination of paved interstate and state highways, and well-maintained, unpaved private roads. The project site is 28 miles from Winnemucca by road. The project area encompasses approximately 1,823.5 hectares in the Potosi mining district, surrounding and including the existing Granite Creek mine.
Figure 1-2 Location of Granite Creek Property within Nevada
Land Rights - The approximately five-square-mile project area contains both private land and unpatented federal lode mining claims on Bureau of Land Management ("BLM") land. The Corporation controls the Granite Creek Project through a combination of full ownership, majority ownership and leases. See Figure 1-1 above.
The Granite Creek property encompasses approximately 4,506 acres (1,823.5 hectares) including 48 owned unpatented claims (approximately 897 acres), 56 leased unpatented claims (approximately 1,007 acres) and owned surface fee land (approximately 2,654 acres ) . The lease expires in 2040.
Osgood LLC controls 68 mining claims covering portions of Sections 28 and 32, Township 38 North, Range 42 East, and 36 mining claims covering Section 6, Township 37 North, Range 42 East, through ownership (full or majority) and leases. Osgood LLC owns a 100% interest in the Pacific #1A-7A mining claims located in Section 28, Township 38 North, Range 42 East. These claims were initially staked by the Cordilleran Explorations partnership, the original developer of the Granite Creek Property, and are subject to the Royal Gold Royalty, the Cordilleran Royalty and the PMC Royalty.
Osgood LLC owns a 100% interest in the CX #1A-23A claims located in Section 28, Township 38 North, Range 42 East. These claims were initially staked by Pinson Mining Company ("PMC") and are subject to the Royal Gold Royalty and the PMC Royalty.
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Osgood LLC controls a 100% interest in the BEE DEE group of claims (56 mining claims) through a mining lease agreement with Franco-Nevada U.S. Corporation (50%) and S&G Pinson, LLC (50%) as the current lessors (the "BEE DEE Lease Agreement"). These claims are located in Section 32, Township 38 North, Range 42 East and Section 6, Township 37 North, Range 42 East. The BEE DEE Lease Agreement provides for monthly minimum advance royalty payments to the lessors, which payments currently total $122,495.24 per year (subject to increases or decreases in accordance with the Consumer Price Index). Osgood LLC is also required under the BEE DEE Lease Agreement to maintain the leased claims with the BLM and Humboldt County, Nevada. The BEE DEE Lease Agreement expires on May 9, 2040. These claims are subject to a 2% net mint or smelter returns ("NSR") royalty in favor of the lessors pursuant to the BEE DEE Lease Agreement, as well as the Royal Gold Royalty and the PMC Royalty.
Osgood LLC and Premier USA own a 11/12 interest in the Pinson #1A-18A mining claims located in Section 32, Township 38 North, Range 42 East. 1/2 interest is held by Premier Gold Mines USA, Inc. The remaining 1/12 interest is owned by Michael Murphy, and is not leased by Osgood LLC. The fact that Osgood LLC has not leased the unowned 1/12 interest in these claims does not preclude it from mining the claims. Osgood LLC, as the co-owner of an undivided interest in these claims, has the right to mine the claims without permission or approval from (and even over any objections by) the other co-owner, subject, however, to an obligation on the part of Osgood LLC to account to the other co-owner for their proportionate share of mining revenues less their proportionate share of mining expenses. These claims are subject to the Royal Gold Royalty and the PMC Royalty as described below, and are also subject to a royalty initially held by Kate Murphy et al.
Fee Lands - Osgood LLC owns a 100% interest in Sections 29 and 33, Township 38 North, Range 42 East. Section 29 is subject to the Royal Gold Royalty, the Cordilleran Royalty and the PMC Royalty as described below. Section 33 is subject to the Royal Gold Royalty, the PMC Royalty, the Goldfield Royalty and the Conoco Royalty as described below.
Osgood LLC and Premier USA own a 91.67% interest in the 120-acre parcel comprising the east half of the southwest quarter and southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 28, Township 38 North, Range 42 East. The remaining interest in this parcel is owned by Michael Murphy (8.33% undivided interest) and is not leased by Osgood LLC. As noted above with respect to the Pinson unpatented mining claims (which are only partially owned by Osgood LLC), the fact that Osgood LLC does not own or lease the outstanding 8.33% interest in this land does not preclude Osgood LLC from mining the land. Osgood LLC, as the co-owner of an undivided interest in the land, has the right to mine the land without permission or approval from (and even over any objections by) the other co-owners, subject, however, to an obligation on the part of Osgood LLC to account to the other co-owners for their proportionate shares of mining revenues less their proportionate shares of mining expenses. This parcel is subject to the Royal Gold Royalty and the PMC Royalty as described below, as well as a royalty tied to PMC's purchase of the land.
Osgood LLC owns a 100% interest in Section 21, Township 38 North, Range 42 East. Section 21 is subject to the Royal Gold Royalty, and the PMC Royalty, as well as the NGM royalty as described below.
Premier USA owns a 100% interest in Section 31, Township 38 North, Range 42 East.
Royalties - The Granite Creek Property is subject to several royalties. As of the date of this Annual Report, the following table summarizes the royalties present on the various properties making up the Granite Creek Property. Several royalties are in effect on various areas of the property. Some royalties were retained by previous owners upon sale of the property while others were negotiated as lease agreements with claim holders. See Figure 1-1 above.
Granite Creek Property Royalties
Lessor/Grantor
Lease Type
Gold Royalty U.S. Corp.
10% NPI
Franco-Nevada
2% NSR
Franco-Nevada and S&G Pinson
2% NSR
proportionate to individual interests Noceto/Phillips/K. Murph
3.1% NSR
proportionate to individual interests Noceto/Phillips/K. Murphy/D. Christison/J. Christison/M. Murphy
0.8% NSR
Nevada Gold Mines
0.5% NSR
Royal Gold
3-5% NSR
1996 Sliding scale royalty with successors to agreement: Royal Gold and D.M. Duncan
1-4% NSR
Environmental Considerations - The reclamation and closure cost for the Granite Creek Mine surface and underground is estimated at $5.72 million as of January 16, 2026. A bond in the amount of approximately $2.62 million is held by the Nevada of Environmental Protection (NDEP) to address reclamation activities associated with the underground mine while an additional approximately $3.1 million bond is held by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for surface reclamation activities. There are no other known environmental liabilities associated with pre-Project operations.
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Social & Community Considerations - Mining activities at the Granite Creek property began in the 1870s, with intermittent periods of operation continuing to the present day. Over its history, the operation has contributed significantly to the economic development of Humboldt County through job creation and both direct and indirect economic benefits. The Company periodically hosts Town Hall meetings in Winnemucca, Nevada, to offer operational updates to local stakeholders. The Company also collaborates with the Nevada 95-80 Regional Development Authority during its annual economic development conference and works closely with the Humboldt County School District and Mining Industry Foundation on various educational initiatives and activities. The Company maintains strong, positive relationships with local government officials, ranchers, landowners, and nearby residents.
History
The Granite Creek Property has been explored by a number of individuals and mining/exploration companies since the late 1930s. The original discovery on the Granite Creek Property was made by Clovis Pinson and Charles Ogee in the mid to late 1930s, but production did not occur until after World War II, when ore from the original discovery was shipped to and processed at the Getchell mine mill. In 1949 and 1950, total production from the Granite Creek mine amounted to approximately 10,000 tons grading approximately 0.14 ounces per ton ("opt").
The Granite Creek Property remained functionally dormant from 1950 to 1970, when an exploration group known as the Cordex I Syndicate ("Cordex") leased the Granite Creek Property from the Christison family (descendants of Mr. Pinson and property owners), on the strength of its similarity to the Getchell property and structural position along the Range-Front fault zone bordering the Osgood Mountains. During the late 1970s, Cordex reorganized into a Nevada partnership known as PMC, with Rayrock Resources as the project operator, and began production at the Granite Creek Property.
Cordex, and its successor, PMC, explored the Granite Creek Property largely through mapping and geochemical sampling. There are three known mapping programs:
1. a regional mapping program from Preble to Getchell by Pete Chapman in the late 1970s;
2. a 1:6000 scale mapping program of the Granite Creek Property in 1983; and
3. a 1:2400 scale mapping program of the pit areas through the active life of the mine.
PMC began developing the A pit in 1980 and produced gold the following year. Production from the B pit began in 1982. Step-out drilling in 1982 to 1983 to the northeast of the A zone intersected two more discrete zones: the C zone (extending east-northeast from the A zone) and the CX zone (extending northeast from the C zone). Step-out drilling northeast of the CX zone in 1984 located an apparently independent fault system (striking north-northwest), dipping steeply east that became the core of the Mag deposit, which went into production in 1987. PMC produced from the CX, CX-West and Mag pits into the mid to late 1990s, until a combination of falling gold prices and erratic mill feed forced closure of the oxide mill in early 1998. Continued attempts to expand production of oxide ore failed, and all active mining ceased on January 28, 1999. The project was officially closed in May 2000.
In the 1990s, Homestake Mining Company ("Homestake") and Barrick Gold Corporation ("Barrick") became "fifty-fifty" partners in PMC through the purchase of minority interests. Homestake and Barrick conducted an exploration program from 1996 to 2000 through PMC, expending approximately $12 million on the project. The joint venture explored the deeper feeder fault zones of the Granite Creek Property, exploring for a large, high-grade gold system that would support a refractory mill complex. This work, while successful in identifying gold mineralization with underground grades, failed to identify a deposit of sufficient size to be of development interest to Homestake or Barrick, and the partners concluded the exploration program. Subsequent to that decision, in 2003, Barrick acquired Homestake and drilled an additional three exploration drillholes.
In August 2004, Atna Resources Ltd. ("Atna") acquired an option to earn a 70% joint venture interest in the Granite Creek Property from PMC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Barrick, and commenced additional follow-up exploration and development of the property. Atna completed its earn-in in 2006 and vested in its 70% interest in the project after expending the required $12 million in exploration and development expenditures. PMC elected to back-in to the project and re-earn an additional 40% interest (bringing PMC's interest to 70% and Atna's interest to 30%) on April 5, 2006. PMC spent over $30 million on the project during the next three-year period and completed its "claw-back" in early 2009. Their work included surface and underground diamond core drilling, RC drilling, underground drifting and surface infrastructure construction (rapid infiltration basins ("RIBs"), mineralized material stockpile pad, underground electrical service upgrades, etc.). A new mining joint venture was formed in 2009 reflecting the project's ownership, with PMC owning a 70% interest in the venture and Atna owning a 30% interest. PMC, as the majority interest owner, was the operator of the joint venture. In September 2011, Atna negotiated the acquisition of PMC's 70% joint venture interest in the core property position at the Granite Creek Project. The asset purchase and sale agreement included all right, title and interest to the core property described above, as well as an evergreen processing agreement with Barrick for the processing of underground refractory ores from Granite Creek at Barrick's Goldstrike facilities.
Development of the Granite Creek underground mine commenced in early 2012, and mine ramp-up began in late 2012. In total, 6,011 feet of primary and secondary development were completed during 2012 and 2013. The primary spiral ramp was driven to the 4530 level from the 4650 adit level, and both top cut and underhand ore mining occurred in three Ogee zone stope blocks during development. Additional secondary access drifts were in progress when the mine was placed on care and maintenance to access the Range Front and Adams Peak mineral zones but were not completed prior to cessation of underground work. Mining was performed by contract miners utilizing underground mining equipment owned by the contractor. Approximately 30,000 short tons of ore containing 7,900 ounces of gold were mined and shipped to off-site processing facilities. Work on the project continued until June 2013, when the mine was placed on care and maintenance. This decision was driven by a number of factors, including the steep decline in gold prices in 2013.
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In May 2014, the status of the underground mine was changed to an intermittent production status. Under this status, periodic mining of ores from stoping areas developed in 2013 was conducted to develop and test revised stoping methods for the underground and to prove mining economics at small production rates.
Osgood LLC, then a wholly owned subsidiary of Waterton Global Resource Management, Inc. ("Waterton"), acquired the Granite Creek Project from Atna in May 2016, after Atna filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Osgood LLC completed numerous drillhole database compilation and verification campaigns, beginning with migration of the Atna database to Maxwell Resources' ("Maxwell") Datashed database software in 2017, and database verification and improvement efforts in 2018. In 2016, Osgood LLC, with an external consultant, completed a project-scale structural geology study that included surface and underground mapping, historical data review and cross section interpretation aimed at defining the main structural architecture at Granite Creek and developing exploration and resource drilling targets. This work formed the basis of an updated 3-dimensional (3D) litho-structural model that was used for the 2020 Mineral Resource estimation. From 2017 to 2018, Osgood LLC also completed an extensive drill material inventory and salvage program that secured the available drill core and RC chips on the property.
Osgood LLC continued to maintain compliance and keep all environmental permits for the site in good standing. This included performing permit-related sampling and reporting, as well as renewing permits. Osgood LLC also performed regular inspections of the site. During the ownership period, Osgood LLC worked with the State of Nevada to close out a Water Pollution Control Permit for a reclaimed portion of the mine, reducing the overall compliance monitoring and reporting liabilities for the operator. In addition, Osgood LLC received approval from the State of Nevada to remove portions of the reclaimed site from the bond.
In addition to these geology and compliance activities, Osgood LLC continued to maintain and improve site infrastructure, including a third-party review of hydrology and dewatering requirements that resulted in the replacement of pumps and the upgrading of two dewatering well process controls. RIBs have been maintained as needed, with water flows being tracked and monitored.
In April 2021, the Corporation completed its acquisition of Osgood LLC from Waterton. In May 2021, additional land was purchased by the Corporation from Seven Dot Cattle Co. LLC. and the Christison family.
In 2022, Section 21 fee land T. 38 N., R. 42 E. was acquired by Osgood LLC from Nevada Gold Mines, and lessee interest on the BEE DEE unpatented claims in Section 6, T. 37 N., R. 42 E.
Geological Setting, Mineralization and Deposit Types
Regional Geology
The Granite Creek Property is located on the eastern flank of the Osgood Mountains within the Basin and Range tectonic province of northern Nevada. The Granite Creek mine, together with the Preble, Getchell, Turquoise Ridge and Twin Creeks mines, are on what is referred to as the Getchell gold trend. The main Getchell trend generally strikes northeast-southwest and has been cross-cut by secondary north-south and northwest-southeast-trending structures. The deposits are hosted in Paleozoic marine sedimentary rocks. The rocks are exposed in the Osgood Mountains and have been complexly thrust faulted and intruded by the Cretaceous-aged (92 million years ago) Osgood Mountains granodiorite stock. These units are unconformably overlain by Miocene volcanic rocks.
Local Geology
The geology at the Granite Creek Property is typified by folded Cambrian to Ordovician sedimentary rocks that have been intruded by Cretaceous stocks, which have been cross-cut by later high-angle structural deformation. It is suggested that the high angle faulting is related to the Basin and Range extension. The older rocks are overlain by Miocene andesitic basalt and the surrounding fault-bounded basins filled with quaternary alluvial gravel. The Osgood Mountains have a general northeast trend, although, in the vicinity of the Granite Creek mine, the east flank of the range trends north. Gold mineralization is primarily hosted by fine-grained marine sedimentary rocks that overlie a large stock of Cretaceous granodiorite. The Granite Creek Property is considered to be part of the Osgood Mountain terrane.
At the Granite Creek Property, Cambrian to Ordovician siliciclastic and carbonate rocks have been intruded by the Cretaceous Osgood Mountain granodiorite, resulting in the formation of large, metamorphosed aureoles with development of several tungsten-bearing skarns. The lowest stratigraphic units recognized at the Granite Creek Property are the Cambrian phyllitic shales, limestone interbeds and various hornfelsed sedimentary rocks of the Preble Formation, which are juxtaposed against the granodioritic intrusive. The Preble is overlain by Ordovician sedimentary rocks of the Comus Formation, both of which have been folded into a broad, north-plunging anticline. The west flank of the anticline has been over-thrust by the Ordovician Valmy Formation, which consists of deep-water siliceous shales and cherts. The core of the anticline and scattered localities along the east side of the Osgood Mountains are unconformably overlain or in fault contact with sandstones and conglomerates of the Battle Formation and limestones of the Etchart Formation.
Gold mineralization at the Granite Creek Property is primarily hosted in the Comus Formation.
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Property Geology
The Granite Creek Property is located on the eastern flank of a large Cretaceous granodiorite stock that forms the southern core of the Osgood Mountains. Rocks adjacent to the eastern side of the stock have a general east dip and strike sub-parallel to the trend of the Osgood Mountains. The oldest units exposed against the granodiorite are Cambrian Preble phyllitic shales, interbedded limestones and various hornfelsed sediments. Overlying the Preble is a thick package of Ordovician Comus sediments. The lowest portion of the Comus is composed of medium to massively bedded, micritic to silty limestone. The middle portion consists of interbedded limestone and shale layers with local interbedded debris flows. The Upper Comus is comprised of mildly to non-calcareous shales with minor shaly limestone interbeds.
The depositional relationship between the Preble Formation and the overlying Comus Formation is not clearly understood. At the Granite Creek Project, the two formations are in fault contact with each other and subparallel to the Range Front fault that juxtaposes the Comus Formation in the hanging wall against the Preble Formation in the footwall.
A Cretaceous aged (90 – 92 million years ago) granodiorite stock intrudes the Paleozoic section in the southern half of the Osgood Mountains. Emplacement of the stock resulted in the formation of an irregular contact metamorphic aureole, which extends as much as 10,000 feet from the intrusive contact. The metamorphic event resulted in the formation of maroon-colored, biotite-cordierite hornfels in the Upper Preble Formation and chiastolite hornfels in the Upper Comus Formation within much of the Granite Creek Property area. Several tungsten-bearing skarn deposits were also formed along the margins of the stock. Two tungsten skarns are on the Granite Creek Property.
Mineralization on the Granite Creek Property exhibits strong structural control. A wide variety of mineralized structural orientations have been documented. The most important structural feature on the Granite Creek Property is the network of faults that border the escarpment marking the southern and eastern edge of the Osgood granodiorite. The fault system can be divided into three structural and stratigraphically mineralized zones, with each mineralized zone defined by one or more major structural elements. These are referred to as the Range Front, CX and Mag zones. Sedimentary rocks in the vicinity of this system generally dip steeply (easterly) away from the contacts of the granodiorite.
Mineralization
Underground mineralization associated with the CX and Range Front fault typically strikes northeast to north-northeast, with moderate to subvertical dip and thickness varying between 5 feet to 30 feet. High-grade gold mineralized zones are moderately discontinuous and occur within near-vertical pipe-like bodies at fault intersections and along fault parallel structural corridors. Gold mineralization is characterized by pervasive sulphide that consists of two stages of pyrite development, an early non-ore pyrite stage and a gold-bearing arsenian pyrite stage. Megascopically, the gold-bearing pyrite is typically dull brassy to black in color and very fine-grained. Pyrite may also be associated with remobilized carbon, imparting a "sooty" appearance to the pyrite. Gold is primarily contained in pyrite as microscopic inclusions or found in arsenian-pyrite rims around fine pyrite grains. Gold mineralization can be found in multiple styles, including fine sulphide associated with quartz veining and brecciation.
Gold mineralization at the Granite Creek Property is primarily hosted by the Upper and Lower Comus Formations, which consist of interbedded shale, siltstone and limestone. The Upper Comus is the primary host lithology in the Mag zone and currently is host to the majority of surface resources at the deposit. The Upper Comus is also locally mineralized within the A, B, C, CX, CX-West and portions of the Range Front zone. The Lower Comus hosts the majority of the higher-grade underground resources.
The Preble rocks are a poor host for gold mineralization but do contain localized gold concentrations where they have been brecciated and are adjacent to major hydrothermal conduits.
Oxide mineralization includes pervasive limonite and hematite, along with other iron and arsenic oxides. Oxidation is extensive in the CX fault system, occurring along the entire length of the zone and penetrating to a depth of 1,500 feet. Within the Range Front fault system, oxidation is more variable than within the CX fault system. In some fault and shear zones, oxidation may be present to depths of 1,800 feet, whereas in others it may only reach to depths of < 500 feet.
Mag Pit Mineralization
Gold mineralization within the Mag pit is hosted by interbedded carbonate and shale of the Upper Comus Formation. The mineralized zone has a north-northwest orientation, sub-parallel to the Mag fault, dips to the east-northeast and plunges to the south-southeast. The orebody is tabular, has a strike length of approximately 4,000 feet, varies from 200 to 400 feet in width, and has an average down dip extent of 450 feet. Higher grade zones are localized along high-angle northwest or northeast-trending faults. Mineralization within the Mag deposit is more disseminated and lower grade than the Range Front, CX and Ogee zones.
Gold mineralization is spatially associated with decarbonatization, kaolinization, white kaolinite fracture-filling, silicification and quartz veinlets. With the exception of massive limestones, the original carbonate content of the host lithologies was removed during decarbonatization, leaving a porous silty textured rock.
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Underground Mineralized Zones
Rangefront-Ogee Zone
The Rangefront zone consists of pervasive argillization and decarbonatization with intense brecciation along the lower bounding Rangefront fault. Structural/mineralization trends are difficult to discern in this zone with mineralization occurring as discontinuous amorphous bodies within the Comus Formation. High-grade zones are concentrated in the Lower Comus with anomalous mineralization present in the Preble Formation, proximal to the fault. Silicification is minor, with calcite veins occurring along the margins of fault zones. Structural and dissolution breccias that occur along bedding and structural intersections within the Lower Comus Formation are particularly receptive to mineralization. The zone has a strike length of approximately 950 feet (290 meters), a down dip extent of 1,100 feet (335 meters), and an average width of 100 feet (30 meters).
Otto-Adam Peak Zone
The Otto-Adam Peak zone is defined by the Otto and Adam Peak faults and their associated splays. The zone trends northeast, dips southeast, plunges to east-northeast and is offset down-dip by the CX West fault. The zone is pervasively argillized with intense brecciation occurring along faults. Mineralization is moderately continuous, controlled by a network of discrete anastomosing faults and splays within the Lower Comus Formation. High grade mineralization occurs along fault intersections throughout the zone. The mineralization has a strike length of approximately 500 feet (152 meters), a vertical extent of 700 feet (213 meters), and an average width of 75 feet (23 meters).
Ogee Zone
The Ogee zone is an east-northeast trending near vertical mineralized zone controlled by the Ogee Fault and associated splays. The zone is argillized, decarbonatized, and intensely brecciated along faults. The upper portion, defined by the intersection of the Ogee Fault and the contact between the Upper and Lower Comus Formation, plunges to the east-northeast at 55°. The lower portion is near vertical and controlled by faults and structural intersections. The upper portion is strongly oxidized while the lower portion is mostly oxidized but contains more comingled sulfide. The mineralization has a strike length of 400 feet (122 meters), a vertical extent of 1,500 feet (457 meters), and an average width of 75 feet (23 meters).
CX Zone
The CX zone consists of both near-surface (open pit) and higher-grade underground mineralization. The lower-grade open pit mineralization is controlled by the through-going CX fault and its associated hanging wall and footwall splays. Mineralization is discontinuous and associated with pervasive argillization and decarbonatization within structural and dissolution breccias in the Lower Comus Formation. The near surface portion of the zone has a strike length of 3,500 feet (1,066 meters), a down dip extent of 400 feet (122 meters), and an average width of 75 feet (23 meters). The higher-grade underground portion of the mineralization is more tightly structurally controlled along the down-dip section of the CX Fault with an average width of 40 feet (12 meters). The underground portion of the zone has a strike length of 1,000 feet (305 meters) and a down dip extent of 1,200 feet (366 meters).
South Pacific Zone
The South Pacific Zone (SPZ) is a northeast trending and southeast dipping zone of high-grade fault-bound mineralization with a northeast plunge of 45°. The mineralization is controlled by the along-strike and down-dip extent of the Otto fault. The zone is defined by a suite of northeast striking moderately southeast dipping anastomosing fault splays with the highest grades concentrated along faults that juxtapose the Upper and Lower Comus Formations. The mineralization has a strike length of 1,250 feet (381 meters), a down dip extent of 900 feet (274 meters), and average fault-bound mineralization widths of 25 feet (7.6 meters).
Deposit Types
The structural setting, alteration mineralogy and mineralization characteristics of the deposit is consistent with Carlin-type deposits.
Exploration & Drilling
Granite Creek is an advanced stage project and as such the geologic focus is on drilling to convert resources and extend known mineralization trends. Exploration work that has been conducted has focused on drilling of the northerly extension of the South Pacific Zone and Rangefront fault. Recent drilling by i-80 Gold has been largely diamond core drilling from both underground and surface. This drilling has focused on the mine area and extensions of the South Pacific Zone.
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The following table presents a summary of drilling at the Granite Creek Property.
Drillholes Within the Current Property Boundary by Type and Operator
Company
Core Holes (includes RC (1) pre-collar with Core Tail)
Core Footage
RC Holes
RC Footage
Rotary Holes
Rotary Footage
Total Holes
Total Footage
i-80 (2)
450
249,890 501
115,222
—
—
951
365,112
Atna
113
68,334
201
49,920
—
—
314
118,254
PMC - Barrick
123
91,006
41
33,375
—
—
164
124,381
PMC
46
76,297
1,369
631,061
387
124,298
1,802 831,656
Total
732 405,042
2,112
829,578
387
124,298
3,231 1,439,403
Notes:
(1) RC=reverse circulation
(2) Includes drilling subsequent to the date of the technical report
Sampling, Analysis and Data Verification
The Granite Creek property has been historically drilled using a combination of reverse circulation (“RC”) and diamond drilling. The majority of drilling was completed from surface. More recent drilling was completed as underground diamond core drilling. Sampling protocols adopted by former operators were similar and generally followed industry best practices of the time.
RC samples were collected from the drill cyclone in 5-foot (1.5-meter) intervals. Diamond core was sampled predominantly as 5-foot (1.5-meter) intervals but were locally adjusted based on geological alteration and oxidation contacts. RC and core recovery were recorded and considered to be excellent.
Samples were prepared and analyzed by a number of accredited laboratories throughout the Granite Creek Project history, including ALS Chemex, Inspectorate American Laboratories (IAL), and American Assay Laboratories (AAL).
Data validation has been completed by various operators throughout the Project’s history. This process comprised the checking of original assay certificates and drillhole records against the digital database. This was completed most recently in April 2019 by Osgood Mining LLC.
Quality assurance/quality control (“QA/QC”) samples including Certified Reference Materials (“CRMs”), coarse blanks, and field duplicate samples were included regularly with samples submitted between 2005 and 2008. A limited number of CRMs were included with drilling completed in 2012.
In 2021, Dr. Samari of Global Resource Engineering, Ltd. (“GRE”) reviewed all prior work on available QA/QC data between 2005 and 2015. Dr. Samari of GRE also reviewed and checked QA/QC procedures and the database provided by the Company.
In general, the QA/QC sample insertion rates used fall below general accepted industry standards. For future exploration campaigns, standards, blanks, and duplicates, including one standard, one duplicate, and one blank sample, should be inserted every 20 interval samples, as is common within industry standards.
CRM samples show a reasonable level of accuracy, but poor to moderate precision when using standard deviations provided by the CRM supplier. A maximum of three to five different CRM samples would be adequate to monitor laboratory performance at the approximate cutoff grades, average grades, and higher grades of the deposits.
Blank sample results are considered acceptable and suggest no systematic contamination has occurred throughout the analytical process.
Duplicate sample results show suboptimal performance, which may be a result of the heterogenous nature of mineralization, uncrushed samples, and sampling variance. Overall, duplicate samples appear to be positively biased, with duplicate results returning higher grade than original samples.
Based on the review of the project database and all existing project documents and the author’s observations of the geology and mineralization at the project during the site visit, GRE’s qualified person considers the lithology, mineralization, and assay data contained in the project database to be reasonably accurate and suitable for use in estimating mineral resources.
Mineral Processing and Metallurgical Testing
A wide range of metallurgical testing has been conducted on the Granite Creek deposit from 1999 to 2024. These tests were conducted on material from the oxide, transition and sulfide domains (sulfide being primarily underground). Test work focused on the primary variables in a typical gold project, including: comminution, heap leaching, tank leaching (direct cyanidation and carbon in leach), solid/liquid separation, cyanide destruction, and refractory ore treatment (underground material).
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The results of the test work program showed that the deposit (open pit resource) was amenable to both heap leach and carbon-in-leach (CIL) processes. The heap leach gold extraction is proportional to the cyanide soluble gold content and the CIL extraction is proportional to the feed grade averaging 86.6% over the life of mine. The Granite Creek material contains organic carbon and shows varying degrees of “preg-robbing,” as such the CIL process route was selected for the process. The refractory underground material is currently toll treated in an offsite autoclave process. A more recent program was completed in 2023 by FLSmidth focusing on oxidative pretreatment of the underground sulfide material using pressure oxidation.
Mineral Resource & Mineral Reserve Estimates
The Pinson deposit, for the purposes of modelling and estimations, is broken into two areas: the open pit area and the underground area. The open pit area is the location of previous open pit mining and includes the A pit, B pit, CX pit and Mag pit. The underground area is considered separately from the open pit due to the narrow, vein-like structures associated with the resource.
The open pit and underground Mineral Resource estimates for the Granite Creek Property have been prepared following the guidelines of S-K 1300 and also in conformity with generally accepted "CIM Estimation of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves Best Practice Guidelines 2019". Mineral Resources have also been classified in accordance with the "Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves" adopted by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) Council on May 10, 2014. The Mineral Resource estimates include Inferred Mineral Resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as Mineral Reserves under the S-K 1300 or CIM definition standards. Readers are advised that Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability, and there is no certainty that all or any part of the Mineral Resources will be converted into Mineral Reserves. The Granite Creek Property presently has no Mineral Reserves. Whittle pit optimization was applied to the open pit Mineral Resource estimate to assess the reasonable prospects for economic extraction (RPEE) for the resource. Stope optimization software was used to produce stope designs to the underground Mineral Resource estimate to assess RPEE for the resource.
Mineral Resource Statement
The Mineral Resource estimates presented herein are based on the current drillhole database for the Pinson deposit, previously mined out volumes and backfilled volumes. The authors performed a data validation of the drill hole database prepared by the Corporation and determined it to be of suitable accuracy to perform a Mineral Resource estimate for the Granite Creek Property.
The tables below summarize the current open pit and underground Mineral Resource estimates for the Granite Creek Property effective through December 31, 2025.
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Open Pit Statement of Mineral Resources As of December 31, 2025
Class
Zone
Tonnes (kt)
Au (g/t)
Au (koz)
Measured B Pit 2,910 1.32 123.4
A Pit 563 1.07 19.3
CX Pit 10,889 1.30 455.3
Mag Pit 12,000 1.21 468.0
Total 26,362 1.26 1,066.0
Indicated B Pit 360 1.10 12.7
A Pit 689 0.80 17.8
CX Pit 2,973 1.25 119.6
Mag Pit 7,317 0.93 219.2
Total 11,339 1.01 369.3
Measured and Indicated B Pit 3,270 1.29 136.1
A Pit 1,252 0.92 37.1
CX Pit 13,862 1.29 574.9
Mag Pit 19,317 1.11 687.1
Total 37,701 1.18 1,435.2
Inferred B Pit 32 0.64 0.7
A Pit 205 0.59 3.9
CX Pit 1,347 1.16 50.2
Mag Pit 563 1.11 20.2
Total 2,148 1.09 75.0
Notes:
(1) The effective date of the Mineral Resource estimate in the Granite Creek Technical Report is December 31, 2024; a Qualified Person and an employee of Global Resources Engineering, has reviewed the Granite Creek Open Pit mineral resources and material assumptions included in the Granite Creek Technical Report and confirmed that are current as of December 31, 2025.
(2) Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability.
(3) Mineral resources are reported in grams per metric tonne (g/t) at a 0.30g/t cut-off, an assumed gold price of $2,040 $/per troy ounce using variable recovery, a slope angle of 41 degrees, 6% royalty, heap leach processing cost of $9.04 per tonne (includes admin) and CIL processing cost of $17.22 per tonne (includes admin). The gold price used is the 36-month trailing average gold price as of December 31, 2024.
(4) The reference point is in situ
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Underground Statement of Mineral Resources As Of December 31, 2025
Zone
Tons (kton)
Tonnes (kt)
Au (opt)
Au (g/t)
Au (koz)
Measured
Ogee
70
64
0.260
8.92
18
Otto
54
49
0.266
9.13
14
Meas Total
124
113
0.263
9.01
33
Indicated
CX
8
7
0.391
13.41
3
Ogee
161
146
0.348
11.92
56
Otto
279
253
0.317
10.86 88
South Pacific
223
203
0.287
9.83
64
Ind Total
670
608
0.315
10.80
211
Measured and Indicated
CX
8
7
0.391
13.41
3
Ogee
231
209
0.321
11.01
74
Otto
333
302
0.308
10.57
103
South Pacific
223
203
0.287
9.83
64
M&I Total
795
721
0.307
10.52
244
Inferred
CX
97
88
0.351
12.03
34
Ogee
42
38
0.564
19.33
24
Otto
187
169
0.401
13.74
75
South Pacific
530
481
0.361
12.37
191
Inf Total
856
776
0.378
12.97
324
Notes Pertaining to Underground Mineral Resources:
1. Mineral Resources have been estimated at a gold price of $2,175 per troy ounce and a silver price of $27.25 per ounce. Metal price determinations were from 2024 Q3.
2. Mineral Resources have been estimated using gold metallurgical recoveries of 85.2% to 94.2% for pressure oxidation. Payment for refractory mineralization sold to a third party is 58%. Oxide CIL mineralization payments vary from 40% to 70% based upon the grade of the mineralization.
3. The cutoff grade reported in grams per metric tonne (g/t) for refractory Mineral Resources varies from 0.151 to 0.184 opt. for acidic conditions. The cutoff grade for oxide mineral resources is 0.075 opt.
4. The contained gold estimates in the Mineral Resource table have not been adjusted for metallurgical recoveries.
5. Numbers have been rounded as required by reporting guidelines and may result in apparent summation differences.
6. A Mineral Resource is a concentration or occurrence of solid material of economic interest in or on the Earth’s crust in such form, grade or quality and quantity that there are reasonable prospects for economic extraction. The location, quantity, grade or quality, continuity and other geological characteristics of a Mineral Resource are known, estimated or interpreted from specific geological evidence and knowledge, including sampling.
7. The mineral resource estimates were prepared and reported using S-K 1300 definitions.
8. Mineral Resources, which are not Mineral Reserves, do not have demonstrated economic viability. The estimate of Mineral Resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant factors.
9. Mineral Resources have an effective date of December 31, 2025. Aaron Amoroso, a Qualified Person and an employee of the Company, has reviewed the Granite Creek Underground mineral resources and material assumptions included in the Granite Creek Technical Report and confirmed they are current as of December 31, 2025.
10. The reference point for mineral resources is in situ.
Criteria for Reasonable Prospects for Economic Extraction
The requirement, “reasonable prospects for economic extraction,” generally implies that the quantity and grade estimates meet certain economic thresholds and that the mineral resources are reported at a cutoff grade considering appropriate extraction scenarios and processing recoveries. To meet this requirement, GRE considered that major portions of the Granite Creek deposit are amenable for open pit extraction.
41
To determine the quantities of material offering “reasonable prospects for economic extraction” by an open pit, GRE constructed open pit scenarios developed from the resource block model estimate using Whittle’s Lerchs-Grossman miner “Pit Optimizer” software. Reasonable mining assumptions were applied to evaluate the portions of the block model (Measured, Indicated, and Inferred blocks) that could be “reasonably expected” to be mined from an open pit. The optimization parameters presented in the table below were selected based on experience and benchmarking against similar projects. The results are used as a guide to assist in the preparation of a mineral resource statement and to select an appropriate resource reporting cutoff grade. GRE considers that the blocks located within the resulting conceptual pit envelope show “reasonable prospects for economic extraction” and can be reported as a mineral resource. The Granite Creek open pit mineral resource is constrained by a Whittle pit shell that corresponds to a gold price of $2,040 per troy ounce. For more information on the estimation parameters for both the open pit and underground Mineral Resource estimates see Section 11 of the Granite Creek technical report.
Granite Creek Resource Parameters for Open Pit Optimization
Variables
Unit
Value
Mining Cost (waste/mineralized material)
$/ tonne mined
$2.46
Heap Leach Cost
$/ tonne mineralized material treated
$9.04
Carbon in Leach Cost
$/ tonne mineralized material treated
$17.22
Heap Leach (HLCH) Recovery with CN Solubitity <60
%
CN solubility*100
Heap Leach (HLCH) Recovery with CN Solubitity >=60
%
((0.1225*[Au PPM])+0.4164)*100
CIL Recovery
%
((0.5388*CN Solubility)+0.3201)*100
Gold Price
$/oz
$2,040
Selling Costs and Penalties
$/oz
$114
Total Royalty (Simplified)
%
6%
Slope Angle
degrees
41
HLCH
tonnes per year
2,975,000
CIL
tonnes per year
1,050,000
To determine the quantities of material offering “reasonable prospects for economic extraction” by underground, stope optimization software was used to produce stope designs that meet minimum mineable geometric shapes that exceed cutoff grade. These shapes include necessary low grade waste dilution required to produce a minable geometry. The underground mineral resources are defined by a mining geometry consistent with the drift and fill mining method. The dimensions of a minimum minable stope cross section are 15 ft wide x 15 ft high. Individual stope lengths vary from a minimum of 20 ft to a maximum of 100 ft.
Mineral Resources Comparison
The comparison of the Mineral Resources as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2025 can be found in the table below. The 2024 and 2025 Granite Creek Open Pit resources are the same as no material was depleted in 2025.
In 2025 the total tonnes and ounces in the Granite Creek Underground decreased in all categories. The decrease in tonnes and ounces was due to depletion in 2025. The updated Mineral Resource Estimate was calculated by adjusting for mined out material during 2025. Mineral Resource depletion stated in the below table accounts for extracted material in 2025 from the Mineral Resource Estimate. The Company also extracted additional material in 2025 that was outside of the Mineral Resource Estimate.
December 31, 2024
December 31, 2025
Percent Change
Category
Ounces
Gold (k)
Ounces
Silver (k)
Ounces
Gold (k)
Ounces
Silver (k)
Gold
Silver
Granite Creek Underground - Measure
37
— 33
— (13)%
—%
Granite Creek Underground - Indicated
224
— 211
— (6)%
—%
Granite Creek Underground - Inferred
326
— 324
— (1)%
—%
Granite Creek Open Pit - Measured
1,066 — 1,066 — 0%
—%
Granite Creek Open Pit - Indicated
369
— 369
0
0%
—%
Granite Creek Open Pit - Inferred
75
— 75
0
0%
—%
42
Mining Operations
Mining Methods
Open Pit
The Granite Creek Mine Project will employ conventional open pit mining techniques using front end loaders and rear dump rigid frame haul trucks. The mine plan is designed to deliver an average of 10,000 tonnes of potentially economically viable material per day from the open pit to the crusher which will then be run through the CIL mill. Waste material would be either placed on waste rock storage facilities (WRSF) or as backfill in previously mined open pits.
Underground
Due to the irregular geometry and poor ground conditions, all production mining is planned as drift and fill mining. Select areas may utilize long hole or other stoping techniques. The final choice of mining method will depend upon the geometry of the stope block, proximity to main access ramps, ventilation and escape routes, the relative strength or weakness of the mineralized material and adjacent wall rock, and finally the value or grade of the mineralized material. The choice of mining method will not be finalized until after the stope delineation and definition drilling is completed.
Drift and Fill is a very selective mining method. A drift and fill stope is initiated by driving a waste crosscut from the access ramp to the ore. The initial ore drift is driven at planned 15-feet wide by 15-feet high dimensions, with flat grade. Once the initial drift is driven, floor may be pulled. Where mining is planned adjacent to or below the drift, it is backfilled with CRF prior to mining the subsequent drifts.
Processing and Recovery Operations
Granite Creek Open Pit
The Granite Creek Open Pit Project is anticipated to employ open pit mining with a CIL system on a 365 day per year, 24 hour per day basis with 91% availability. The CIL circuit will process ROM material, crushing to a nominal size of approximately 4 inches. Crushed material will advance to a semi-autogenous (SAG) mill and ball mill grinding circuit, to produce a 75-micron product.
A pre-leach thickener will then be used to thicken the ground material and flocculant will be added to improve settling rates. The thickener underflow will then be pumped to a series of CIL tanks in which the slurry flows sequentially. As gold is extracted via cyanidation, it is quickly adsorbed onto carbon. Carbon will flow counter-current to the slurry and be recovered in the first tank. The loaded carbon will then be treated with an acid wash to remove any deposits and will be pumped to an elution column. A stripping solution strips gold off the loaded carbon. The pregnant solution will be pumped to the electrowinning process and the precious metal cathodes are smelted into dore bars.
A regeneration kiln is used for the reactivation of barren carbon from the elution column. This reactivated carbon is pumped back into the last CIL tank. Fresh carbon may be added to the regeneration kiln as well. Tailings from the CIL tanks are pumped to a thickener and are stored in a tailings storage facility.
Granite Creek Underground
Refractory production from the Granite Creek underground operation is anticipated to be processed via milling, and pressure oxidation followed by CIL. It is currently processed at a third-party destination capable of processing refractory material via an autoclave under a toll-milling agreement, until such time that i-80 has refurbished the Lone Tree Autoclave facility. At this point, i-80 will begin processing the refractory material at Lone Tree, as part of a blended feed comprised of Granite Creek material along with material from i-80’s other mining operations.
The Lone Tree Autoclave Facility is located immediately adjacent to the I-80 highway, and approximately 40 miles from the Granite Creek property. The Lone Tree autoclave processing facilities were shut down at the end of 2007. Since that time, the mills have been rotated on a regular basis to lubricate the bearings. The facility is still in place with, in general, most of the equipment sitting idle. i-80 Gold’s objective is to refurbish and restart the pressure oxidation (POX) circuit and associated unit operations, including building a new oxygen plant and installing a tailings filtration plant, while meeting new regulatory requirements for allowable mercury emissions.
Oxide production from the Granite Creek underground operation is currently processed, depending on the grade, at either i-80’s heap leaching facility at Lone Tree for low-grade material or through an ore purchase agreement with a third party for higher grade material. The Lone Tree facility will also be capable of processing oxide material upon completion via a bypass of the autoclave, directly to CIL processing.
43
Infrastructure, Permitting and Compliance Activities
Project Infrastructure
The Granite Creek mine is a past operating mine, and as such, has a large portion of the necessary infrastructure in place. Existing infrastructure at the Granite Creek Property includes an office building, dry and warehouse facilities, a small shop facility and a lined stockpile area on the surface. Landline telephone and digital subscriber line service are available at the Project site. Cellular phone service is also available, but is dependent on the strength of receiving antennas, topography, and lines of sight. A fiber optic line provides wifi throughout surface infrastructure and key areas of the underground to support phone, radio, and process control instrumentation. The metallurgical laboratory is still on the project site, although the analytical equipment has been removed. Within the lab are offices, a wet lab, sample preparation and a fire assay area. In addition, there is a fully functional and operating truck scale adjacent to the office facility, which was used to weigh trucks when the underground material was toll treated by a third-party mill.
A paved county road (number 789) leads to the edge of the property with a short gravel section, less than one mile from the existing Granite Creek office building. A complete well maintained road system allows access to the historic open pits and underground mine in the CX Pit.
Six deep dewatering wells were drilled and cased at the property, four of which are currently being operated. Water from the dewatering system is discharged to one of two RIBs on the east side of the county road. There is also a process water well, which feeds a process water tank and distribution system.
Electrical infrastructure suitable for mine operations is installed. A 120 kV line feeds the mine-owned transformer, which is further stepped down to 13.8 kV, with available power estimated at 2 MW. Power to the underground operations is supplied at 480 V. There is a small transformer at the mine portal. All power lines to the underground mine and dewatering system are above ground and mounted on poles.
Over 9,000 feet of underground workings have been completed at the property. The mine is accessed through either of two portals, and dual egress has been established for most areas of the mine. Where dual egress is not possible, rescue chambers have been installed. Equipment is repaired in an underground mine shop. Air doors and a ventilation fan provide required air supply to the workings in compliance with Mine Safety and Health Administration standards.
Water Management
To manage excess water at the project site, the Granite Creek Project has four permitted RIBs. These are closed basins surrounded by a berm, which allow for the infiltration of excess mine water. Two RIBs and associated pipelines have been constructed at the property. A total of four RIBs are permitted for the infiltration of 6,900 gallons per minute ("gpm") of water. In 2025 following a groundwater modeling / dewatering needs evaluation, it was determined that additional RIBs capacity would be needed to address the underground flows so the decision was made to move forward with the construction of the remaining two RIBs. Construction commencement of these two RIBS is expected to begin in Q1 2026. Additional groundwater studies will determine the Life of Mine (LOM) dewatering requirements for the mine site inclusive of potential future open pit expansion.
The site currently operates a water treatment plant (WTP) that came on-line in Q1 2024 and can treat approximately 800 gpm; however, based on the 2025 studies and increased underground water flows, it was determined that an additional WTP would be needed to handle estimated flows between 3500-4000 gpm. Construction of this larger WTP is commencing in Q1 2026. Additionally, field work and subsequent testing associated with an attenuation study are also planned to start in Q1 2026.
Environmental Permitting Requirements
Active Permits
The permits listed below allow for the current ongoing underground operation at Granite Creek. Major permit revisions, as well as additional permits,
will be required for the proposed plan of operations outlined in the technical report.
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is likely the largest single permitting hurdle that the project will face. The NEPA process is required when disturbances are anticipated to take place on federal lands and non-patented mining claims. It is reasonable to expect that this NEPA permitting effort will require the completion of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) through the BLM. State permits are required for air quality protection, groundwater protection, surface water protection, and water rights.
Current major permits held by Osgood LLC are presented in the table below. These permits do not permit on-site mineral processing, nor the large-scale storage of mine waste.
44
Granite Creek Project – Active Permits
Permit Name
Agency
Permit Number
Plan of Operations Granite Creek Mine Project
BLM
NVN-064101
Class II Air Quality Operating Permit
NDEP-BAPC
AP1041-3086.02
Mercury Operating Permit to Construct
NDEP-BAPC
MOPTC AP1041-3089 (De Minimis)
Water Pollution Control Permit - Rapid Infiltration Basins
NDEP-BMRR
NEV2005102
Water Pollution Control Permit - Granite Creek Mine
NDEP-BMRR
NEV2005103
Mine Reclamation Permit
NDEP-BMRR
0047
Granite Creek UG Mine Reclamation Permit
NDEP-BMRR
0242
Mining Stormwater General Permit
NDEP-BWPC
NVR300000: MSW-42365
Onsite Sewage Disposal System
NDEP-BWPC
GNEVOSDS09S0177
Hazardous Materials Storage Permit
Nevada State Fire Marshal
12441012106
Waters of the United States Jurisdictional Determination
USACE
Request for Approved Jurisdictional Determination (AJD) submitted to USACE November 2022
The project site has full water rights for Granite Creek, the largest drainage that crosses the property. Granite Creek is an ephemeral drainage that is captured upgradient from the CX pit and conveyed in a pipeline to the channel downgradient from the open pits, which then flows between the RIBs. This water right is useful because if operations require it, this water can be managed at the discretion of the project.
Capital and Operating Costs
Open Pit
The open pit capital cost estimate has been prepared under the assumption of processing of open pit mined material at 10,000 tpd through a CIL. Project costs were estimated using first principles, cost data from Infomine (2024), and the experience of senior staff. The estimate assumes that the project will be operated by a contractor; therefore, no mining equipment capital costs were included as this equipment would be provided by the contractor.
Granite Creek Open Pit Mine Project Capital Costs
Item
Year -2
Year
-1
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Year 5
Year 6
Year 7
Year 8
Year 9
Year 10
Year 11
Year 12
Capital Cost (M)
Open Pit Mining Equipment
$— $— $— $— $0.9 $— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— $0.9
Capitalized Waste
$— $23.3 $6.8 $— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— $30.2
CIL Process
$73.3 $73.3 $— $— $— $4.6 $4.6 $4.6 $4.6 $4.6 $— $— $— $— $169.6
Infrastructure $4.7 $4.7 $— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— $9.4
G&A $— $4.8 $— $— $0.1 $— $— $0.1 $— $— $0.1 $— $— $— $5.1
Sustaining $— $0.1 $— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— $0.1
Working $— $— $10.6 $— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— $(10.6) $—
Reclamation $— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— $9.0 $9.0 $18.0
Permitting $5.0 $5.0 $— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— $10.0
Contingency $19.5 $21.9 $1.7 $— $0.2 $1.2 $1.2 $1.2 $1.2 $1.2 $— $— $— $— $49.2
Total $102.5 $133.1 $8.5 $— $1.2 $5.8 $5.8 $5.8 $5.8 $5.8 $0.1 $— $9.0 $9.0 $292.4
45
Granite Creek Open Pit Mine Project Operating Cost Summary
Item
Total Operating Cost (millions)
Unit Operating Cost
Unit
Mining $637.0
$1.9 $/tonne mined
Processing $343.6
$9.9 $/tonne processed
G&A $53.3
$1.6 $/tonne processed
Contingency $206.8
Total $1,240.7
Underground
Capital cost estimates are based on past actual supplier costs, and internal estimates. Capital contingencies are calculated at 15% of capital development and delineation drilling and 25% on everything else. Capital costs estimates are within a range of accuracy of +/- 50% and are suitable for a preliminary economic assessment evaluation. The underground capital costs are summarized below:
Granite Creek Underground Capital Cost Estimates ($000’s)
Item
2025
2026
2027
2028
2029
2030
Total
Capital Development
$19,553
$20,760
$12,755
$4,617
$600
$600
$58,885
Delineation Drilling
$6,000
$2,000
$2,000
$2,000
$2,000
$2,000
$16,000
Water Treatment Plant
($3,300.0)
($3,500.0)
($2,646.0)
$9,446
Feasibility Study
$1,000
Underground Electrical
($500.0)
($1,000.0)
($500.0)
($500.0)
($500.0)
($500.0)
$3,500
Fans/Ventilation ($100.0)
($500.0)
($100.0)
($100.0)
($100.0)
($100.0)
$1,000
Contingency
($5,058)
($4,664)
($3,025)
($1,142)
($540)
($540)
$14,969
Total
($35,511)
($32,424)
($21,026)
($8,359)
($3,740)
($3,740)
$104,800
Total operating cost, cost per ton and cost per ounce are shown below:
Granite Creek Underground Mine Total and Unit Operating Costs
Item
Total Costs ($M)
Unit Cost ($/ton milled)
Cost per Ounce
($/oz Au)
Mining $331.7
$208.7
$794
Transportation & Processing
$98.8
$62.1
$237
G&A, Royalties & Net Proceeds Tax
$140.0
$88.1
$335
By-Product Credits
Total Operating Cost/Cash Costs
$570.5
$358.9
$1,366
Closure & Reclamation
$7.4
$4.6
$18
Sustaining Capital
$88.8
$55.9
$213
All-in Sustaining Costs (1)
$666.6
$419.4
$1,596.8
Open Pit
GRE considered the following key economic parameters to determine the best scenario: NPV@5%, IRR, payback period, mine life, and initial capital cost. The following table summarizes the results of the economic model:
46
Granite Creek Open Pit Mine Project Summary of Economic Model
Item Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year
-2 -1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Production
CIL Tonnes Processed (‘000s) — — 2,188 3,500 3,500 3,500 3,500 3,500 3,500 3,500 3,500 3,500 1,167 34,855
Contained CIL Au Oz Processed (‘000s) — — 132 145 143 116 99 167 197 184 136 60 20 1,397
Recovered CIL Au Oz (‘000s) — — 114 126 124 100 86 145 171 160 118 51 17 1,211
Revenue
Gross Revenue (M$) — — 248 274 269 218 186 316 371 347 256 111 37 2,633
Refining/Selling Cost (M$) — — 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 6
Transportation Charges (M$) — — 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Royalty (M$) — — 10 13 13 10 8 16 26 26 19 6 2 150
Net Smelter Revenue (M$) — — 237 260 256 207 178 299 344 320 236 105 35 2,476
Total Operating Costs (M$) — — 101 153 143 140 144 166 137 132 65 45 16 1,241
Owners Royalty Add Back Pre-Tax — — — — 1 1 — 3 14 15 11 1 1 46.7
Pre-Tax Operating Cash Flow — — 136 108 115 68 33 136 221 203 182 61 20 1,282
Taxes
Federal Taxes (M$) — — 16 12 11 5 2 15 29 25 24 6 2 146
State Taxes (M$) — — 8 7 6 4 3 8 12 11 9 3 1 70
After-Tax Operating Cash Flow — — 112 89 97 58 28 114 181 168 150 53 18 1,067
Nevada Property Taxes (M$) — — 3 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 13
Total Capital Costs (M$) 103 133 9 0 1 6 6 6 6 6 0 0 0 274
Net Cash Flow After Tax (M$) -103 -133 90 86 82 44 18 94 153 143 132 47 7 661
Cumulative Net Cash Flow After Tax (M$) -103 -236 -146 -60 23 67 85 178 332 475 606 653 659
The following table summarizes the key economic results for the base case:
Granite Creek Open Pit Mine Project Key Economic Results
After Tax Economic Measure
Value
After Tax NPV@5% (millions)
$417.2
After Tax IRR
28.7%
Initial Capital (millions)
$254.7
Payback Period (years)
3.7
All-in Sustaining Cost ($/oz Au Produced)
$1,227.4
Cash Cost ($/oz Au Produced)
$1,180.5
Underground
Granite Creek underground is an operating mine and is in the initial production stage and ramping up to full production in 2025. Positive cash flow occurs early in the economic model with corresponding high IRR and short payback times.
47
Granite Creek Underground Mine Cash Flow Statement
Production
Item
2025
2026
2027
2028
2029
2030
2031
2032
2033 - 2042
Total
Net Income
$3
$10
$2
$12
$8
$3
$2
-$1
$0
$39
Depreciation
$19
$26
$27
$49
$53
$41
$34
$13
$0
$262
Reclamation
$0
$0
$0
$1
$1
$1
$0
$0
$0
$0
Working Capital
-$7
$0
$0
-$4
-$1
$3
$2
$4
$3
$0
Operating Cash Flow
$15
$36
$29
$58
$61
$48
$38
$17
$3
$301
Total Capital
-$36
-$32
-$21
-$8
-$4
-$4
$0
$0
$0
-$105
After Tax Cash Flow
-$21
$4
$8
$49
$57
$44
$38
$17
$3
$197
Cumulative Cash Flow
-$21
-$17
-$9
$40
$97
$141
$180
$197
$200
Economic Analysis
Granite Creek Open Pit
GRE performed an economic analysis of the project by building an economic model based on the following assumptions:
• Federal corporate income tax rate of 21%
• Nevada taxes:
o Proceeds of Minerals Tax – variable, with a maximum of 5% of Net Proceeds
o Property tax – 2.5605%
o Nevada gold and silver mine royalty – variable, with a maximum of 1.1% of gross revenue
o Nevada Commerce tax of 0.051% on revenues greater than $4 million.
• Sales and use taxes are not included in the model
• Equipment depreciated over a straight 7 or 15 years and has no salvage value at the end of mine life
• Loss carried forward
• Depletion allowance, lesser of 15% of net revenue or 50% of operating costs
• Gold price of $2,175 per troy ounce
• Gold recovery calculated per block as detailed in Section 13
• Royalties on individual claims calculated by block, ranging from 0.02% to 7.5%, averaging 5.7%. There also is a 10% royalty applied to net profit.
After analyzing the economic results of all cases considered, GRE selected the CIL only case with 0.85 g/t high grade cutoff, contractor operation, conventional tailings, and 133-tonne haul trucks and 21.9-tonne loaders as the base case as it results in the best overall economic results.
The economic model assumes a 1-year construction period. The time for permitting has not been included in the economic model, but the permitting for the open pit mine is likely to take three to five years and occur during the underground mining portion of the project.
Open Pit Mine Financial Statistics
After Tax Economic Measure
Value
Gold price (US$/oz)
$2,175
Silver price (US$/oz)
$27.25
Mine life (years)
10
Average mineralized mining rate (tons/day)
11,023
Average mineralized mining rate (tonnes/day)
10,000
Average grade (oz/t Au)
0.036
Average grade (g/t Au)
1.25
Average gold recovery (CIL %)
86.6%
Average annual gold production (koz)
110
Total recovered gold (koz)
1,120
Initial Capital (Millions)
$234.0
Sustaining capital (M$)
$30.3
All-in Sustaining Cost ($/oz Au produced)
$1,227.4
Cash Cost ($/oz Au produced)
$1,180.5
After Tax NPV@5% (millions)
$417.2
After Tax IRR
28.7%
48
Underground Mine Financial Statistics
After Tax Economic Measure
With Inferred
Without Inferred
Gold price (US$/oz)
$2,175
Silver price (US$/oz)
$27.25
Mine life (years)
8
Average mineralized mining rate (tons/day)
435
225
Average mineralized mining rate (tonnes/day)
395
204
Average grade (oz/t Au)
0.339
0.292
Average grade (g/t Au)
11.6
10
Average gold recovery (autoclave %)
78%
78%
Average annual gold production (koz)
52
23
Total recovered gold (koz)
418
186
Sustaining capital (M$)
$88.8
$88.8
Cash cost (US$/oz) 1
$1,366
$1,699
All-in sustaining cost (US$/oz) 1,2
$1,597
$2,217
Project after-tax NPV 5% (M$)
$155
($30)
Project after-tax NPV 8% (M$)
$135
($33)
Project after-tax IRR
84%
-12.7%
Payback Period
3.2 Years
NA
Profitability Index 5% 3
12.6 0.7
1. Net of byproduct sales;
2. Excluding income taxes, resource conversion drilling, corporate G&A, corporate taxes and interest on debt;
3. Profitability index (PI), is the ratio of payoff to investment of a proposed project. It is a useful tool for ranking projects because it allows you to quantify the amount of value created per unit of investment. A profitability index of 1 indicates breakeven;
4. This IA is preliminary in nature, it includes inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves, and there is no certainty that the IA will be realized. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability;
5. Inferred mineral resources constitute 50% of mass and 56% of gold ounces of all mineral resources. The “Without Inferred” statistics presented are a gross factorization of the mine plan without any redesign of mine excavations or recalculation of productivities and costs. Capital costs are the same for the “With Inferred” and “Without Inferred” scenarios. The “Without Inferred” scenario is presented solely to illustrate the project’s dependence on inferred mineral resources;
6. The financial analysis contains certain information that may constitute "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian and United States securities regulations. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements regarding the Company’s achievement of the full-year projections for ounce production, production costs, AISC costs per ounce, cash cost per ounce and realized gold/silver price per ounce, the Company’s ability to meet annual operations estimates, and statements about strategic plans, including future operations, future work programs, capital expenditures, discovery and production of minerals, price of gold and currency exchange rates, timing of geological reports and corporate and technical objectives. Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking information, including the risks inherent to the mining industry, adverse economic and market developments and the risks identified in Premier's annual information form under the heading "Risk Factors". There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. All forward-looking information contained in this Presentation is given as of the date hereof and is based upon the opinions and estimates of management and information available to management as at the date hereof. Premier disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
49
Exploration, Development and Production
Confirmation of the historical drilling is needed to further delineate and potentially expand resources at Granite Creek. Drilling should focus on areas adjacent to existing underground infrastructure along strike and dip of historic workings. Many historic intercepts are currently classified as inferred but can be upgraded to measured and indicated with additional drilling. Areas to focus with underground drilling include the Rangefront, Otto, and Adam Peak fault zones, as well as the area beneath the Ogee Zone. Additional drilling from surface should test the Adam Peak and Otto fault zones, also known as the South Pacific Zone to the north along strike and deeper along dip.
Further surface drilling should test for extensions of mineralization at depth along the footwall of the Mag fault as well as infill areas of the known open-pit mineralization.
Additional metallurgical test work should be completed on the project to better define recoveries for all zones of the deposit.
• Collect samples for testing which are more spatially and mineralogical representative.
• Complete metallurgical testing to include:
• Cyanide solubility and pregnant solution robbing tests
• Bottle roll tests
• Bottle roll tests with carbon to simulate CIL treatment
• Leach column tests to simulate heap leach processing
• Expand the predictive geometallurgical model to better predict heap leach and CIL recovery.
• Complete additional autoclave tests, from underground materials, to predict recovery by any lithology or mineralogy variations.
The project currently has valid Nevada state permits for the underground mine. However, these permits are not adequate to support the mine plan described in the Granite Creek Technical Report. The project is anticipated to require a full EIS under the NEPA as well as many other state and federal permits.
Nevada is a pro-mining jurisdiction, and there is a high likelihood that the permits can be acquired. However, there is a considerable amount of permitting work to accomplish prior to approval of the EIS with a Record of Decision (RoD) from the BLM. This includes the creation of several baseline datasets, the creation of many supplemental environmental reports, and ultimately, the EIS. It is recommended that this work commence as soon as possible because permitting may be the critical path to gold production.
Net Book Value
The net book value of Granite Creek and its associated plant, equipment and mineral interests was approximately $97.3 million as of December 31, 2025.
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Ruby Hill Property
Current Technical Report
Unless otherwise indicated, information in this section is summarized or extracted from the technical report entitled “S-K 1300 Technical Report Summary Initial Assessment of the Ruby Hill Project, Eureka County NV ” effective December 31, 2024 prepared by Forte Dynamics, Inc., Practical Mining LLC, and TR Raponi Consulting Ltd. (the “ Ruby Hill Technical Report ”). Portions of the following information are based on assumptions, qualifications and procedures which are set out only in the full Ruby Hill Technical Report. For a complete description of the assumptions, qualifications and procedures associated with the following information, reference should be made to the full text of the Ruby Hill Technical Report, which is available for review as an exhibit to the Company’s Form 10-K under its profile on Edgar at www.sec.gov.
Ruby Hill is considered an exploration stage project because the Company has not determined mineral reserves at the project, and the Company has started extraction activities without determining mineral reserves.
A QP and an employee of Practical Mining LLC, has approved the Ruby Hill Underground mineral resources included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K as of December 31, 2025 and reviewed the reserves and resources in the Ruby Hill Technical Report.
At the time of the preparation of the Ruby Hill technical report, Aaron Amoroso, a QP, was an employee of Forte Dynamics, Inc. Subsequently to the published date of the Ruby Hill Technical Report, Mr. Amoroso became an employee of the Company. Mr. Amoroso has approved the Archimedes Open Pit and Mineral Point Open Pit mineral resources included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K as of December 31, 2025 and reviewed the mineral resources in the Ruby Hill Technical Report.
Project Description, Location and Access
The Ruby Hill property (“Ruby Hill”) consists of mining and mill site claims and patents, surface landholdings, water rights, mine and mineral processing infrastructure, the Mineral Point deposit, and the Archimedes deposits. The Archimedes deposit is comprised of the West Archimedes, East Archimedes, Blackjack, 426 and Ruby Deeps zones. The property comprises 10,608 acres and is located in the historic Eureka mining district of central Nevada and takes its name from the most significant historical mine, the Ruby Hill mine, which itself was named for the hill it lies beneath. The property is located on owned fee land, owned and leased patented mining claims, and owned and leased unpatented mining claims.
The resources considered in this summary, and as detailed in the Ruby Hill Technical Report, include the Archimedes underground Carlin-style gold deposit and the Mineral Point distal disseminated silver-gold open pit deposit (collectively, the Ruby Hill Project”, individually “Archimedes” and “Mineral Point”) – see Figure 1-1 below . The Ruby Hill Technical Report includes a Preliminary Economic Assessment/Initial Assessment (“PEA”) for the Archimedes underground, Archimedes open pit, and the Mineral Point open pit resource areas at Ruby Hill. The mining contemplated for each of these areas is independent of the other and there is no interaction between them. Exploitation of one area does not preclude exploitation of the other. The Ruby Hill Technical Report considers each to be a stand-alone operation, and there has not been any shared benefit assigned to operating or capital costs. See Figure 1-2 for current Plan of Operations boundary for the Ruby Hill Project.
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Figure 1-1 Ruby Hill Property Area/Royalty Map
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Figure 1-2 - Ruby Hill current Plan of Operations
Location - Ruby Hill is located on the Battle Mountain/Eureka gold trend approximately 1.5 miles northwest of the town of Eureka in Eureka County, Nevada, U.S.A., approximately 115 miles south of Elko and 245 miles east of the city of Reno, Nevada, U.S.A (see Figure 1-3 below). It is centered at roughly 39°31.5’ N latitude and 115°59’ W longitude. Access to the Ruby Hill Project area from Reno is via Interstate Highway 80 for 65 miles to the town of Fallon, then 180 miles east from Fallon on paved U.S. Highway 50 to its intersection with Nevada State Highway 278, and south from U.S. Highway 50 on a well-graded dirt road for less than one mile to the site gate. The Ruby Hill Project area can also be accessed from Elko via Interstate Highway 80 for 35 km, then south on Highway 278 for 115 miles to Eureka. Additionally, the Ruby Hill Project can be accessed from Ely, Nevada near the border with Utah, west along US Highway 50 for 78 miles. The nearest airport is a regional airport located in Elko, Nevada.
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Figure 1-3 Location of Ruby Hill Property within Nevada
Climate - Eureka County is typical of the high-desert environment. Typical summer temperatures near Eureka range between 50°F and 82°F while winter temperatures range between 18°F and 38°F. Average precipitation is about 11.8 inches including just under 59 inches of snowfall. Typical snow accumulation is roughly 3 inches on average at lower elevations, although occasional large storms may accumulate significantly more for short durations. The town of Eureka lies at about 6485 ft elevation, while the project area ranges from 6160 ft to 6680 ft. Mining operations can continue year-round with brief pauses for summer lightning storms or unusually heavy winter snowstorms.
Land Rights - The property is located on owned fee land, owned and leased patented mining claims, and owned and leased unpatented mining claims. The Ruby Hill land position comprises various forms of title. On the northern Ruby Hill portion of the property, i-80, through its wholly owned subsidiaries Ruby Hill Mining Company, LLC (“RHMC”) and Golden Hill Mining Corporation, owns 34 patented claims (approximately 223.8839-233.464 acres), 640 unpatented claims (approximately 13,222.40 acres), and leases 7 unpatented lode claims (approximately 144.62 acres). i-80 also owns a land patent covering about 1,644.94 acres in the vicinity of the Archimedes and Mineral Point deposits. The mineral rights underlying the patented land are held by patented and unpatented lode claims. Patented land is subject to property taxes and lease holding payments to the claim owner if applicable. The BLM MLRS mining claim database shows all claim fees paid through September 2026 at an annual cost of approximately $137,000.
Royalties - Several royalties are in effect on various areas of the property. The map included in Figure 1-1 above overlays the various royalty claims applicable to the Ruby Hill Property and to the Mineral Point and Archimedes deposit areas.
The tables below list the royalties in the Ruby Hill area and in the Golden Hill area. Some royalties were retained by previous owners upon sale of the property while others were negotiated as lease agreements with claim holders. Royalties are not payable until production occurs in the area covered by the royalty.
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Ruby Hill Royalties
Lessor/Grantor Lease Type
ASARCO Incorporated 4% NSR
RG Royalties, LLC 3% NSR
Arthur A. & Elizabeth O. Biale Trust 3% NSR
Placer Dome 2.5% NSR
Golden Hill Royalties
Lessor/Grantor Lease Type
ASARCO Incorporated 4% NSR
Biale Lease 3% NSR
Herrera Lease 4% NSR
MacKenzie Lease (50% Interest) 2% NSR
Warren Lease 4% NSR
RG Royalties 3% NSR
Royalty Consolidation Company 0.5-1.5% NSR
Environmental Considerations - The closure cost for Ruby Hill is estimated to be $30 million. The associated surety bond was accepted by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on March 31, 2025, and covers authorized disturbance associated with issued permits for Ruby Hill. There are no other known environmental liabilities associated with pre-Project operations.
RHMC controls a total of 8,107-acre feet per annum (AFA) of water rights for consumption and occupation. Due to a history of over pumping in the region based on a heavy agricultural reliance, the Diamond Valley Basin was categorized as a Critical Management Area (CMA) by the Nevada State Engineer’s office in 2015. The designation allowed the State Engineer and the community to agree on certain tools to reduce over-pumping, including the implementation of a Diamond Valley Groundwater Management Plan (GMP). Following resolution of a lengthy legal dispute by senior water rights holders in the Basin, the GMP was reinstated effective January 1, 2023. As a groundwater user within the GMP designated area, RHMC controls sufficient water rights to support its mining operations.
Social & Community Considerations - Eureka is a community that is familiar with and supportive of mining. Mining activity at the property began in the 1860s and has continued with periodic interruptions until the present day. Ruby Hill and its predecessors, including Homestake Mining Company and Barrick Gold Corporation, have each maintained comprehensive community relations programs. Ruby Hill works closely with community and local stakeholders to provide updates on key developments, including Project status (operations and permitting) and community program and initiatives. Due to the proximity of the mine to the town of Eureka, Ruby Hill monitors operating activities closely to ensure no negative impact to community. RHMC holds quarterly meetings with the public, landowners, and County officials to discuss operational, permitting and community updates. RHMC continues to have a positive professional relationship with its stakeholders, including its regulators at the federal and state agencies.
History
i-80 Gold acquired the Ruby Hill Project from Waterton Global Resource Management (“Waterton”) in July 2021.
Oxidized gold and silver deposits were first discovered by prospectors in the Ruby Hill area in 1864. Following development of a furnace to recover metal from oxidized ores production from the Ruby Hill deposit commenced in 1873. Smelting operations ceased by 1891. Much of the historic work occurred south of the Ruby Hill Project, with historic mines and prospects scattered through the northern Fish Creek mountains west of Eureka extending south several miles towards the Little Smoky Valley. The majority of historical production, estimated at about 80%, was from the original Ruby Hill mine located roughly 1 ¼ miles south of the Archimedes and Mineral Point deposits. i-80 acquired Golden Hill Corporation and the historic Ruby Hill site (FAD property), consolidating their ownership of the Ruby Hill Complex.
Modern work at the Project began in 1992, when Homestake Mining Company (“Homestake”) made the Archimedes Carlin-type discovery at the current Ruby Hill Project area. History prior to 1992 focused generally on the FAD portion of the property, while history from 1992 to the present has been focused on the Archimedes area. One exception is the shaft relating to the TL deposit and the related historic underground mines, which Eureka Corporation mined from 1953-1958 in the vicinity of the current Mineral Point Trend resource area.
Barrick (following its acquisition of Homestake in 2001) sold the Ruby Hill property to Waterton in 2015, at which point the open pit mine was on care and maintenance following a slope failure on the south wall of the pit that caused suspension of mining activities in 2013. Waterton established the current holding and operating company of the Ruby Hill property (Ruby Hill Mining Company, LLC, or “RHMC”) and proceeded to re-compile the Ruby Hill mineral resource database and study restart of operations and development of the Mineral Point, 426, Blackjack and Ruby Deeps zones.
RHMC continued to irrigate and recover gold from the heap leach pads and re-activated the open pit in 2020 to mine 12 benches on the north wall of the pit to the level of the slide material from the south wall that filled bottom of the pit.
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Geological Setting, Mineralization and Deposit Types
Regional Geology
The Ruby Hill Property is located in the Eureka mining district in east-central Nevada, within the northern part of the Fish Creek Range which is a nearly continuous sequence of Cambrian and Ordovician sedimentary rocks totaling nearly 10,000 ft in thickness. These strata accumulated on a stable continental shelf margin and consisted primarily of carbonate units with subordinate shale and sandstone. The Cambrian Eldorado Dolomite, the Hamburg Dolomite and overlying Dunderberg Shale, portions of the Windfall Formation, and the Goodwin-Ninemile transition, host most of the mineralization within the district.
The Eureka district hosts mid-Cretaceous, igneous-related, polymetallic carbonate replacement deposits that have subsequently been overprinted by Carlin-type gold-silver mineralization. Gold and silver mineralization possibly dates to the early-middle Cenozoic (Eocene) and temporally coincides with the onset of extension and Eocene-Oligocene magmatism. Post mineral uplift exposed portions of the Archimedes gold deposit and likely contributed to the relatively deep level of oxidation. Subsequent Miocene Basin and Range faulting resulted in reburial of the Archimedes system beneath 60 to 500 ft of Tertiary-Quaternary overburden in East Archimedes.
Local and Property Geology
The Ruby Hill Project area is located along the southeastern end of the Battle Mountain/Eureka gold trend. The Eureka gold mining district exposes a nearly continuous sequence of Cambrian and Ordovician sedimentary rocks approximately 10,000' thick consisting of primarily carbonate units with subordinate shale and quartz sandstone.
The main precious metal mineralization at Ruby Hill occurs in favorable lithostratigraphic units bound by high angle structures that are interpreted to have been conduits for hydrothermal fluids responsible for gold and silver mineralization. There is also earlier carbonate replacement base metal mineralization in skarn-altered limestone units proximal to Cretaceous intrusions.
Mineralization
Within the Ruby Hill Project area, two styles of mineralization occur:
• Early polymetallic (Au-Ag-Pb-Zn) skarn or carbonate replacement deposit ("CRD"): Blackjack and TL.
• Late Au±Ag Carlin-type: East Archimedes, West Archimedes, 426, Ruby Deeps, Mineral Point zones.
The polymetallic skarn and CRD style is the oldest mineralization event recognized at the Ruby Hill Project and related to emplacement of the Cretaceous intrusive units. The precious metal-rich Carlin style overprints the older CRD event and interpreted to have developed during early-middle Cenozoic (Eocene) times, similar to other Au-Ag deposits of the Battle Mountain/Eureka Trend. Mineralization is largely controlled by lithology and structure.
Gold-silver mineralization occurs broadly as a near N-trending zone (Mineral Point Trend), consisting of smaller zones of structurally and lithologically controlled deposits (East and West Archimedes, 426, Ruby Deeps, Mineral Point, Achilles, and Hector). Mineralization, both Au-Ag and Au-Au-Pb-Zn is primarily hosted within the Windfall and Goodwin Formations, and within the Hamburg Dolomite. Combined mineralization spans an area approximately 12,000 ft long, 9,000 ft wide, at the maxima, and spans from surface to approximately 2,400 ft below surface. Mineralization is focused along high- and low-angle faults, lithologic contacts, fold axis, and sanded plus breccia zones.
Gold occurs as free grains within the oxide portions along with iron oxides, and associated with sulfide minerals (pyrite, arsenopyrite, arsenian pyrite, realgar, and orpiment) within the unoxidized portions of the deposits. Within the oxide horizons, petrographic work for samples from the Archimedes deposits "…indicate(s) that the gold was originally associated with pyrite grains, with no evidence of silica encapsulation. Higher grade gold mineralization occurs in zones of jasperoid and decalcified limestone".
Mineral Point Trend Geology and Mineralization - The Mineral Point Trend deposit consists of gold and silver mineralization hosted by the Cambrian Hamburg dolomite in the nose of a broad anticline that plunges to the north northeast and is bound to the east by the Holly Fault and to the west by the West Fault. The Mineral Point Trend is 10,000 ft long, 2,400 ft wide and up to 500 ft thick. The top of the Mineral Point Trend is near surface at its south end and 500 ft below surface at its north end. Majority of the mineralization in the Mineral Point Trend deposit is oxidized and has a high ratio of cyanide soluble to fire assay total gold. This deposit has not been mined and is the largest precious metal Mineral Resource in the Ruby Hill Project.
West Archimedes Geology and Mineralization - The West Archimedes deposit is hosted in the Ordovician Upper Goodwin limestone unit and is bound to the west by the Holly Fault. The zone strikes north-west and dips shallowly to the north-east. The deposit measures 2,000 ft along strike and 740 ft down dip and is up to 300 ft thick. The majority of West Archimedes was mined in an open pit before mining at East Archimedes. The mineralization in the West Archimedes deposit is oxidized and has a high ratio of cyanide soluble to fire assay total gold.
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East Archimedes Geology and Mineralization - The East Archimedes Zone occurs east of the Graveyard Fault and proximal to the Graveyard Stock. Mineralization extends eastward from the West Archimedes Zone in the Upper Goodwin Formation and extends downward in the Lower Laminated and Lower Goodwin units along the contact with the Graveyard Stock. Silver and base metal grades are elevated in the East Archimedes zone in comparison with the other zones in the Ruby Hill Project in an envelope around the Blackjack zone replacement-style zinc mineralization described below. Mineralization in East Archimedes is roughly 1,200 ft wide and 1,200 ft long in plan and extends from surface where it is well defined by shallow drilling to several mineralized intersections over 1,800 ft below surface. The upper portion of the East Archimedes deposit, above an elevation of approximately 5,000 ft, is oxidized and transitional oxide-sulfide mineralization with a high ratio of cyanide soluble to total fire assay gold. The upper portion of the East Archimedes zone has been mined from surface.
426 Zone Geology and Mineralization - The 426 zone occurs in the Lower Laminated unit of the Goodwin Formation and the upper part of the underlying basal Goodwin unit of the Goodwin Formation in the nose of a fold. The mineralized zone forms a rod-shaped body plunging shallowly to the northeast that is 1,400 ft long, 200 ft wide and 200 ft thick. The top of the zone is approximately 1,000' below surface, but it is 500' below the bottom of the current East Archimedes pit bottom. Majority of the higher-grade mineralization occurring in the Goodwin Formation Lower Laminated unit is sulfide-style mineralization with a low ratio of cyanide soluble to total fire assay gold but the lower portion of the zone that is hosted in the basal Goodwin Unit has a moderate cyanide soluble to total fire assay gold mineralization.
Ruby Deeps Zone Geology and Mineralization - The Ruby Deeps zone is a north-northeast striking, shallowly east dipping zone of mineralization hosted in the Windfall Formation in proximity to bodies of Bullwhacker Sill intrusive bound by the Graveyard Fault to the east and the Holly Fault to the west. The zone is 2,400 ft long 500 ft wide and 600 ft thick. The top of the zone is 1,600 ft below surface and 1,000 ft below the bottom of the West Archimedes pit. Within the zone there are several tabular horizons of higher-grade mineralization that are 40 ft to 100 ft thick.
Blackjack Zone Geology and Mineralization - The Blackjack zone is a pod of replacement style zinc mineralization hosted by the Lower Goodwin Unit directly in contact with the Graveyard Stock within the East Archimedes Zone. Mineralization occurs as a pod of sphalerite mineralization with elevated lead, copper, and silver. The base metal-rich carbonate replacement style mineralization has been overprinted by later Carlin-style gold mineralization. The Blackjack zone measures approximately 500 ft wide, 500 ft long, and 950 ft high. The upper part of the Blackjack zone is partially oxidized with a high-to-moderate ratio of cyanide soluble to total fire assay gold, but sphalerite is un-oxidized. The lower portion of the zone is un-oxidized.
Deposit Types
Mineralization at Ruby Hill is characterized by intrusion-related distal-disseminated, carbonate replacement, and skarn deposits that have been overprinted by younger Carlin-type gold mineralization.
Polymetallic Replacement Deposits - The carbonate replacement mineralization is similar to other polymetallic (Pb-Zn-Ag ±Au) deposits found worldwide that are spatially associated with Cretaceous age intrusive units.
Carlin - Type Gold Deposits - Gold and silver mineralization within the Ruby Hill deposits is predominantly attributed to a Carlin-type overprint interpreted to temporally coincide with the onset of extensional tectonics and Eocene-Oligocene magmatism.
The structural setting, alteration mineralogy, and mineralization characteristics of the Ruby Hill gold deposits is consistent with Carlin-type deposits.
Carbonate Replacement and Carlin Style Mineralization at Ruby Hill - Elevated concentrations of zinc, lead, copper and silver are found in the Mineral Point Trend and the Blackjack zone and deeper parts of the Ruby Deeps zone of the Archimedes deposit. This mineralization is attributed to the earlier polymetallic carbonate replacement phase of mineralization and is found in favorable carbonate units proximal to the Graveyard Stock and Bullwhacker Sill.
The gold mineralization at Ruby Hill precious metal deposits have features typical of Carlin-type gold deposits and can consider to be members of the broad spectrum of Carlin-type gold deposits found in the Great Basin. These include:
• Complex structural and stratigraphic controls on gold mineralization.
• Nature of alteration (jasperoid formation, decalcification, sanding, argillic alteration).
• Association of micron scale gold with fine grained pyrite.
• General geochemical signature of anomalous As-Sb-Hg.
• Tertiary age of gold mineralization coinciding with Basin and Range extension.
The authors concluded that the local structural setting, host rocks and mineralization style of the Blackjack zone and deeper parts of the Ruby Deeps Zone and Mineral Point Trend are consistent with a carbonate replacement or skarn type Zn-Pb-Cu-Ag-Au style mineralization.
The tectonic and local structural settings, lithological characteristics of the host rock, alteration mineralization style of the Mineral Point, Hector, East Archimedes, West Archimedes 426 and Ruby Deeps zones are consistent with the Carlin-style sedimenthosted precious metal mineralization found in northern Nevada.
The authors expressed an opinion that deposit model concepts, and the understanding of the geological features of the Ruby Hill Project that control precious and base metal mineralization are sufficiently advanced to support exploration activities and Mineral Resource estimation.
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Exploration & Drilling
The RHMC drillhole database consists of data from over 3,600 drillholes and 2.3 million feet of drilling from throughout the southern portion of Eureka County. The database includes holes that have been drilled to test 24 different targets and includes reverse circulation, diamond core, reverse circulation pre-collar with diamond core tail and percussion and churn drill hole types. A total of 2,491 drillholes have been drilled on the current Ruby Hill property and 2,100 drillholes totaling 1.5 million feet of drilling define the Mineral Point Trend and Archimedes deposits.
The dataset used to produce the Mineral Resource Estimate for the Mineral Point Trend consists of drillhole data compiled from eight companies and work carried out from 1950 to 2015; however, 95% of the drilling was completed from 1992 to 2015 by Homestake, and subsequently by Barrick following completion of its acquisition of Homestake in 2004.
Just over 75% of drilling carried out at Ruby hill has been reverse circulation drilling. Diamond drilling has been used to provide drill core for detailed geological and geotechnical logging, metallurgical sampling, to extend reverse circulation holes below the water table to ensure representative sampling for assaying and as twin holes to confirm reverse circulation hole sampling. Mud rotary and other drill types have mainly been used to drill pre-collar holes for diamond drilling.
i-80 completed 9,883 feet of drilling in 2021 at Ruby Deeps for infill. Holes were drilled using RC pre-collars followed by HQ core-tails. In 2022, 137,210 feet of drilling was completed with a mix of core and RC. Core drilling was conducted by National Drilling (Salt Lake City, UT) with RC conducted by Envirotech Drilling (Winnemucca, NV). Where documented, core sizes drilled include PQ (3.345 in), HQ3 (2.406 in), HQ (2.5 in), and NQ (1.875 in). Most holes were inclined. Thirty-six i-80 holes totaling 75,546.5 feet contributed to the current resource estimation, representing about 30 percent of holes flagged for use in the Ruby Deeps and 426 deposits. The remainder of the i-80 drilling was in exploration areas including Hilltop, Ruby Deeps expansion, Blackjack definition, 428, and Blue Sky. All of the i-80 holes contributing to the current resource estimation were drilled using core or RC precollar with core tail.
Drill hole collars are surveyed by the Ruby Hill surveyor using Trimble equipment with sub-centimeter accuracy referencing a local base station with GNSS rover. Coordinates are collected in the Ruby Hill mine grid, NAD83(2011), US survey feet. Downhole surveys are performed by IDS using a north seeking gyro.
i-80 logs geological characteristics of drill samples in Excel, filling data fields similar to those recorded by Barrick and Homestake but with additional focus on sulfides to support characterization of CRD mineralization. Data is organized in Excel sheets with tabs for geotechnical, sampling, lithology, alteration, oxide, sulfide, structure, point data, veins, density and water level information. Core recovery averaged about 93%, which is comparable to core recovery of Barrick’s drilling campaigns. Recovery within the modeled mineral envelopes is similar to overall recovery, about 93% for Ruby Deeps and about 95% for 426. The slightly higher recovery within the 426 zone correlates with relatively high RQD values in the OGLL host unit.
Geometry of Carlin type mineralization at Ruby Hill is well understood, and drill spacing is close enough to allow true thickness to be reasonably represented by interpolating between mineralized intercepts in adjacent drill holes. Most holes intersect the mineralization at near-normal orientations.
Sampling, Analysis and Data Verification
Since 2021, Carlin-type mineralization exploration samples have been submitted to ALS Minerals, an ISO/IEC 17025:2017 certified and accredited laboratory of Sparks, Nevada. Base-metal mineralization exploration samples have been submitted to American Assay Laboratories, which is an ISO 9001 and 17025 certified and accredited laboratory in Sparks, Nevada, for sample preparation and analysis. American Assay Laboratory is used for umpire check sample analysis of Carlin-type mineralization. ALS Minerals is used for umpire check sample analysis of base-metal mineralization. The drill and geochemical samples are collected in accordance with accepted industry standards. Data verification was completed as part of the generation of the mineral resources estimate. All data collected, including but not limited to collar location, downhole survey, geological, and analytical data, are subject to i-80 Gold’s Quality Assurance, Quality Control (“QAQC”) procedures.
RC samples were collected on 5-foot intervals using an adjustable cyclone splitter. The target weight for each interval was approximately 8 kg of sample caught directly in a sample bag placed below the splitter. Each sample was tied and placed in a sample bin. Sample bins were transported from the drill site to the core yard area by a Company employee and then from there samples were picked up by either ALS Minerals, American Assay Laboratories, or Paragon Geochemical. Core samples were cut by Company technicians using core saws at the Company’s core processing facility at Lone Tree. Technicians prepare sample bags for the sample intervals specified in the logging geologist’s cut sheet. Core sample intervals may range from one foot to ten feet. The technician cuts the core in half, places one half into the sample bag and returns one half to the core box. When the entire sample interval is split, the technician ties the bag and places it into a sample bin. When splitting is complete for the hole, the sample bin is picked up by a driver for ALS Minerals, American Assay Laboratories, or Paragon Geochemical and delivered to the respective lab.
Both Core and RC samples were submitted to either ALS Minerals, American Assay Laboratories, or Paragon Geochemical, all located in Sparks, Nevada. All labs are independent of the Company. Paragon is certified under ISO/IEC 17025:2017. ALS Minerals and American Assay Laboratories are ISO 9001 and 17025:2017 certified. Samples were dried, weighed, screened, crushed to 70% passing 10 mesh, split to 250g with a riffle splitter, then pulverized to 85% passing 200 mesh. Samples submitted through Paragon Geochemical were analysed with a 50 element suite (code 50AR-MS) using 0.5g aqua regia digestion with ICP-MS finish. Samples submitted through ALS Minerals (4977 Energy Way, Reno, NV 89502 or 1345 Water St. Elko, NV 89801) were analysed with a 35 element suite (code ME-ICP41) using 0.5g 4-acid digestion with ICP-AES finish. The ALS ICP-AES facility is located at 2103 Dollarton Hwy, North Vancouver, BC, Canada. Samples submitted through American Assay Laboratories (1506 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431) were only analysed for gold with pulps sent to ALS Minerals for multi-element analysis. Each sample sent to Paragon Geochemical (1555 Industrial Way, Sparks, NV 89431) was analysed for Au using 30g fire assay, aqua regia digestion with AAS finish (code Au-AA30) with detection range 0.005 to 5 ppm Au. Samples with Au result greater than 5 ppm Au were analysed using 30g fire assay with
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gravimetric finish (code Au-GR30), detection range 0.14 to 10,000 ppm Au. Each sample sent to ALS Minerals was analysed for Au using 30g fire assay, aqua regia digestion with AAS finish (code Au-AA23), with detection range 0.005 to 10 ppm Au. Samples with Au result greater than 10 ppm Au were analysed using 30g fire assay with gravimetric finish (code Au-GRAV21), detection range 0.05 to 10,000 ppm Au. Each sample sent to American Assay Laboratories was analysed for Au using 30g fire assay, aqua regia digestion with AAS finish (code FAPB30- ICP), with detection range 0.003 to 10 ppm Au. Samples with Au result greater than 10 ppm Au were analysed using 30g fire assay with gravimetric finish (code GRAVAu30), detection range 0.103 to 10,000 ppm Au.
Core is transported from the drill to the Ruby Hill core shed, a rented facility near Ruby Hill which is fenced and locked. It is stored in the core yard until it can be logged. Once logging is complete, core is transported to Lone Tree by Company personnel for splitting. Lone Tree is fenced and access is controlled with ID key cards. Once splitting is complete, lab drivers pick up the samples, maintaining chain of custody.
RC samples are stored at the drill site under supervision of the drillers until the hole is complete. It is then transported to the Ruby Hill core yard and stored for a short time until it can be picked up by the lab driver, maintaining chain of custody.
Split core retained in the original box is stored at the Lone Tree core yard. Pulps are initially returned to the Lone Tree lab for check analysis before being stored at Lone Tree.
Several standards with various characteristics (high, medium and low grade, oxide and refractory) are in use at Ruby Hill. The provenance of most of the standard material is Carlin type deposits. Standards are inserted at a rate of approximately 5% with the goal of matching the standard grade to the nearby grade of the rock. Blanks are inserted at a rate of approximately 5%. Duplicates are made at approximately 5% (2.5% sample duplicates generated during the core splitting phase or at the drill rig with a Y-splitter in the case of RC samples, 2.5% prep dups generated after the pulverizing phase of sample prep by the assay laboratory.) QAQC is inserted at the discretion of the geologist performing the logging on core material. QAQC for RC samples is pre-determined by the sample sheet which is made prior to drilling the hole.
The Company uses crushed marble for blanks, and for standards purchases certified reference materials from OREAS, a reputable supplier of reference materials for the mining industry.
Check samples are conducted at the Lone Tree assay lab facility once pulps are returned to the site. All samples with values >1 ppm Au have a check assay performed, with a target check rate of about 10% of total sample stream.
It is the opinion of the qualified person responsible for Section 8 of the Ruby Hill Technical Report that sample preparation, security, and analytical procedures meet industry standard practices.
In 2023, Practical Mining updated the resource estimate in the Ruby Deeps and 426 areas to include new drilling. 102 drillholes were flagged for use in the estimate, and 15 holes (representing about 15% of the data set) were chosen for detailed review. The holes selected for review were chosen to represent the area of interest in an even spatial distribution as well as represent different operators over time (i-80, Barrick and Homestake).
Practical Mining requested original hardcopy data records for the selected holes including collar location surveys, downhole deviation surveys, geology logs, and assay certificates. Collar survey records were available for only four holes, two drilled by Barrick and two drilled by Homestake. Another Barrick hole, BRH2C, was located a significant distance from the planned location recorded on the geology log. Company geologists were subsequently able to recover survey data confirming the location of BRH2C. Practical Mining recommends continuing to recover missing survey records, as well as systematically archiving data in digital and hard copy formats as new holes are drilled. Practical Mining viewed holes in Vulcan to confirm collars coincide with topography. Hole HC1399 lies about 32.5 feet above the original topography, but it is located in the topsoil stockpile area and was apparently drilled during construction of the stockpile.
All holes used in the estimation have downhole deviation surveys, although some hard copy records were not archived. Downhole survey records were available for all of the selected Company and Barrick holes, and three of the Homestake holes. All of the selected records match the database, except the most recently drilled Company hole, iRH22-57, which had an intermediate version of the survey taken before the final 1011 feet were drilled. Updating the final survey will affect the location of a mineralized interval in the Ruby Deeps zone, but should not have a significant effect on the mineral estimation due to its location within the modeled zone and the small magnitude of the change relative to wide drillhole spacing. All hole traces were viewed in Vulcan and no excessive deviation was noted.
Geology logs were available for all requested holes. Logs match the database quite well. Two Homestake holes had logs digitized for the core tail but not the RC pre-collars, and one Homestake hole had not been entered in the digital database at all. Practical Mining recommends digitizing the data for consistency and to make the database more comprehensive, although it is unlikely to have an effect on the geology model since drill spacing is close and the geology data is interpolated between adjacent holes. Practical Mining viewed all drillhole traces coded by lithology in Vulcan and observed that the drill data coincides very well with the Company’s lithological and structural models.
Assay certificates were unavailable for one requested Barrick hole and two Homestake holes. Certificates for 12 holes were compared with the database and only one mismatch was identified, a minor error where the preliminary value was exported instead of the final value. Practical Mining viewed all drillhole traces coded by assay grades in Vulcan and noted that grade and thickness correlate well between adjacent holes and along geological contacts.
Practical Mining recommended continuing to recover collar survey records and archiving all drilling records properly. Practical Mining concluded the database was suitable for use in the Mineral Resource estimation.
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Mineral Processing and Metallurgical Testing
For the Archimedes Underground, four test programs have been completed between 2008 and 2024 focused on refractory processing methods including flotation, roasting and pressure oxidation. Based on the review of the testing programs, estimated gold recoveries in acidic pressure oxidation conditions with CIL are 96.8% for the 426 Zone, 96.0% for the Ruby Deeps Windfall mineralization type, 98.1% for the Ruby Deeps Dunderberg Shale mineralization type and 38.8% for the Ruby Deeps Intrusive mineralization type.
For the Mineral Point Open Pit Project, from 2011 to 2014, three test work programs were carried out by Kappes Cassiday Associates (KCA), focusing on column leaching and bottle roll leach testing of the Mineral Point deposit. The metallurgical test work confirms the amenability of oxide material to heap leaching for precious metals extraction. Mineral Point estimated recoveries are based on alteration type, ranging from 83% to 84.4% gold and 40% to 45.2% silver for oxide mineralization.
Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Estimates
Archimedes Open Pit
The Archimedes deposit was previously mined by Homestake and Barrick for West Archimedes and East Archimedes respectively. Mining ceased after a pit wall failure. In the Technical Report Summary an updated estimation of the Archimedes mineral resource has been developed Forte Dynamics, Inc. (Forte), and the mining potential for continuing the surface exploitation of the deposit was evaluated to estimate a current open pit mineral resource estimate.
Forte Dynamics, Inc. estimated the Archimedes open pit mineral resources detailed in the table below. Mineral resources are not Mineral Reserves and have not been demonstrated to have economic viability. There is no certainty that the mineral resource will be converted to Mineral Reserves. Inferred mineral resources do not have sufficient confidence that modifying factors can be applied to convert them to mineral reserves. The quantity and grade or quality is an estimate and is rounded to reflect the fact that it is an approximation. Quantities may not sum due to rounding.
Summary Mineral Resources for Archimedes Open Pit at End of the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2025
Deposit Cutoff Au
(g/t)
Tonnes
(kt)
Au
(g/t)
Ag
(g/t)
Au (koz) Ag (koz)
Indicated Mineral Resources
Archimedes Pit 0.20 4,280 1.98 10.7 272 1,460
0.10 4,320 1.96 10.6 272 1,490
0.05 4,340 1.95 10.6 272 1,480
Inferred Mineral Resources
Archimedes Pit 0.20 820 1.18 8.9 31 230
0.10 870 1.12 8.5 31 250
0.05 880 1.11 8.5 31 250
Notes:
(1) Mineral resources in the Ruby Hill Technical Report have an effective date of December 31, 2024. Aaron Amoroso, a Qualified Person and an employee of the Company, has reviewed the Archimedes Open Pit mineral resources and material assumptions included in the Ruby Hill Technical Report and confirmed that they remain current as of December 31, 2025.
(2) Mineral resources are the portion of Mineral Point that can be mined profitably by open pit mining method and processed by heap leaching.
(3) Mineral resources are below an updated topographic surface (below Archimedes pit).
(4) Mineral resources are constrained to economic material inside a conceptual open pit shell. The main parameters for pit shell construction are a gold price of $2,175/oz Au, a silver price of $26.00/oz, average gold recovery of 77%, average silver recovery of 40%, open pit mining costs of $3.31/tonne, heap leach average processing costs of $3.47/tonne, general and administrative cost of $0.83/tonne processed, gold refining cost of $1.85/oz, silver refining cost of $0.50, and a 3% royalty; metal price determinations were from 2024 Q3
(5) Mineral resources are reported above a 0.1 g/t Au cutoff grade. Silver revenues were not considered in the cutoff grade.
(6) Mineral resources are stated as in situ.
(7) Mineral resources have not been adjusted for metallurgical recoveries.
(8) Reported units are metric tonnes.
(9) Reported table numbers have been rounded as required by reporting guidelines and may result in summation discrepancies.
Criteria for Reasonable Prospects for Economic Extraction
The potential for economic extraction was determined by use of an economic pit limit program, MineFlow, from the Colorado School of Mines. This utilizes a unique algorithm, but provides similar results to a Lerchs-Grossman (LG) analysis. The economic parameters applied are equal to those used in the more detailed Mineral Point study shown in Table 13-13 of the Ruby Hill Project Technical Report Summary. The bulk of the surface minable Archimedes deposit has been mined previously, leaving about 5 million tonnes of ore and 300 thousand gold ounces within the optimized pit shell and below the depleted topo surface.
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Mineral Point Open Pit Mineral Resource Statement
Forte Dynamics, Inc. estimated Mineral Point open pit mineral resources detailed in the table below. The estimated tonnages and grades in the mineral resource estimate have not been adjusted for mining recovery and dilution. Contained metal estimates in the mineral resource statement table have not been adjusted for metallurgical recoveries.
Mineral resources are not Mineral Reserves and have not been demonstrated to have economic viability. There is no certainty that the mineral resource will be converted to mineral reserves. The quantity and grade or quality is an estimate and is rounded to reflect the fact that it is an approximation. Quantities may not sum due to rounding.
There is no guarantee that mineral resources can be converted to mineral reserves. Inferred mineral resources do not have sufficient confidence that modifying factors can be applied to convert them to mineral reserves.
Summary Mineral Resources form Mineral Point Open Pit at End of the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2025
Deposit
Tonnes
(kt)
Au
(g/t)
Ag
(g/t)
Au (koz)
Ag (koz)
Indicated Mineral Resources
Mineral Point
216,982
0.48
15.0
3,376
104,332
Total Indicated
216,982
0.48
15.0
3,376
104,332
Inferred Mineral Resources
Mineral Point
194,442
0.34
14.6
2,117
91,473
Total Inferred
194,442
0.34
14.6
2,117
91,473
(1) Mineral resources in the Ruby Hill Technical Report have an effective date of December 31, 2024. Aaron Amoroso, a Qualified Person and an employee of the Company, has reviewed the Mineral Point Open Pit mineral resources and material assumptions included in the Ruby Hill Technical Report and confirmed that they remain current as of December 31, 2025.
(2) Mineral resources are the portion of Mineral Point that can be mined profitably by open pit mining method and processed by heap leaching.
(3) Mineral resources are below an updated topographic surface.
(4) Mineral resources are constrained to economic material inside a conceptual open pit shell. The main parameters for pit shell construction are a gold price of $2,175/oz Au, a silver price of $26.00/oz, average gold recovery of 77%, average silver recovery of 40%, open pit mining costs of $3.31/tonne, heap leach average processing costs of $3.47/tonne, general and administrative cost of $0.83/tonne processed, gold refining cost of $1.85/oz, silver refining cost of $0.50, and a 3% royalty; metal price determinations were from 2024 Q3.
(5) Mineral resources are reported above a 0.1 g/t Au cutoff grade.
(6) Mineral resources are stated as in situ.
(7) Mineral resources have not been adjusted for metallurgical recoveries.
(8) Reported units are metric tonnes.
(9) Reported table numbers have been rounded as required by reporting guidelines and may result in summation discrepancies.
Criteria for Reasonable Prospects for Economic Extraction
A mineral resource optimized LG pit shell was constructed to define the portion of the Mineral Point resource having reasonable prospects for economic extraction amenable to open pit mining and processing by heap leaching using the 25 ft x 25 ft x 25 ft block model. Conceptual mining, processing and economic assumptions for the open pit resource shell are presented in Table 11-22 of the Ruby Hill Project Technical Report Summary. Open pit mineral resources contained within the pit shell are reported above a fixed cut-off grade of 0.1 g/t Au.
Archimedes Underground
Practical Mining LLC estimated the Archimedes Underground mineral resource using all drilling and geological data available through October 31, 2022.
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Summary Mineral Resources for Archimedes Underground at End of the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2025
Deposit
Tonnes
(kt)
Au
(g/t)
Ag
(g/t)
Au (koz)
Ag (koz)
Indicated Mineral Resources
426
899
6.9
0.8
199
22
Ruby Deeps
892
8.3
2.4
237
69
Total Indicated
1,791
7.6
1.6
436
92
Inferred Mineral Resources
426
1,038
6.6
1.2
219
40
Ruby Deeps
3,150
7.6
2.4
769
246
Total Inferred
4,188
7.3
2.1
988
286
Notes:
(1) Underground mineral resources have been estimated at a gold price of $2,175 per troy ounce and a silver price of $27.25 per ounce; metal price determinations were from 2024 Q3
(2) Mineral resources have been estimated using pressure oxidation gold metallurgical recoveries of 96.8% and 89.5% for the 426 and Ruby Deeps deposits respectively.
(3) Pressure oxidation cutoff grades are 5.06 and 5.48 Au g/t (0.148 and 0.160 opt) for the 426 and Ruby Deeps deposits respectively.
(4) Detailed input mining, processing, and G&A costs are defined in Section 18.1.
(5) Units shown are metric.
(6) The contained gold ounces estimates in the mineral resource table have not been adjusted for metallurgical recoveries.
(7) Numbers have been rounded as required by reporting guidelines and may result in apparent summation differences.
(8) A mineral resource is a concentration or occurrence of solid material of economic interest in or on the Earth’s crust in such form, grade or quality and quantity that there are reasonable prospects for economic extraction. The location, quantity, grade or quality, continuity and other geological characteristics of a mineral resource are known, estimated or interpreted from specific geological evidence and knowledge, including sampling. The dimensions of a minimum minable stope cross section are 20 feet wide x 15 feet high. Individual stope lengths can vary from a minimum of 20 feet to a maximum of 100 feet.
(9) An inferred mineral resource is that part of a mineral resource for which quantity and grade or quality are estimated on the basis of limited geological evidence and sampling. Geological evidence is sufficient to imply but not verify geological and grade or quality continuity. An inferred mineral resource has a lower level of confidence than that applying to an indicated mineral resource and must not be converted to a Mineral Reserve. It is reasonably expected that the majority of inferred mineral resources could be upgraded to indicated mineral resources with continued exploration.
(10) Mineral resources, which are not Mineral Reserves, do not have demonstrated economic viability. The estimate of mineral resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant factors.
(11) Mineral resources in the Ruby Hill Technical Report have an effective date of December 31, 2024. A Qualified Person and employee of Practical Mining LLC, has reviewed the Ruby Hill Underground mineral resources and material assumptions included in the Ruby Hill Technical Report and confirmed that they remain current as of December 31, 2025.
(12) The reference point for mineral resources is in situ.
Criteria for Reasonable Prospects for Economic Extraction
Stope optimizer software is well suited to meet the requirement for Reasonable Prospects for Economic Extraction. The software will produce stope designs that meet minimum minable geometric shapes that exceed the cutoff grade. These shapes will include necessary low grade or waste dilution included with the stope design. Mineral resources are defined by a mining geometry consistent with the drift and fill or drift and bench mining methods chosen. The dimensions of a minimum minable stope cross section are 20 feet wide x 15 feet high. Individual stope lengths can vary from a minimum of 20 feet to a maximum of 100 feet.
Mineral Resources Comparison
There has been no change in either the indicated or inferred mineral resources from December 31, 2024 to December 31. 2025.
The comparison of the Mineral Resources as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2025 can be found in the table below. No resource material depletion occurred in 2025.
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December 31, 2025
December 31, 2024
Percent Change
Category
Ounces
Gold (k)
Ounces
Silver (k)
Ounces
Gold (k)
Ounces
Silver (k)
Gold
Silver
Ruby Hill Mineral Point Open Pit - Indicated
3376
104332
3376
104332
-%
-%
Ruby Hill Mineral Point Open Pit - Inferred
2117
91473
2117
91473
-%
-%
Ruby Hill Archimedes Underground - Indicated
436
92
436
92
-%
-%
Ruby Hill Archimedes Underground - Inferred
988
286
988
286
-%
-%
Ruby Hill Archimedes Open Pit - Indicated
272
1490
272
1490
-%
-%
Ruby Hill Archimedes Open Pit - Inferred
31
250
31
250
-%
-%
Mining and Operations
Archimedes Open Pit
The Archimedes Open Pit was previously mined using conventional truck and shovel open pit mining methods and future exploitation is expected to utilize the same methods.
Mineral Point Open Pit
Mineral Point is a large, disseminated gold and silver deposit. The majority of the mineralization in the Mineral Point deposit is oxidized and has a high ratio of cyanide solubility. Open pit optimizations have been performed to determine that Mineral Point is amenable to open pit mining methods. The open pit optimization was performed using the Pseudo Flow algorithm in Hexagon Mine Plan software. The pit optimizer delineates an economic pit shell that maximizes the value of the extractable material by incorporating the mining cost, processing cost, selling cost, gold recovery values, and an overall pit slope.
The Mineral Point Project is expected to consist of an open pit mining operation using conventional equipment. The Project is a conventional hard rock open pit, and mining is planned to be self-performed. Mining is planned on 50-foot (15-meter) benches using haul trucks, shovels, and conventional drill and blast activities.
Archimedes Underground
The Archimedes Underground is being developed as an underground underhand cut and fill mine. The deposit will be accessed through portals being developed inside of the Archimedes pit and use truck haulage on ramps to transport material. The deposit gold grade and depth makes it amenable to underground mining, however the depth is not great enough to anticipate the need for shaft mining. The mine is planned as underhand cut and fill utilizing cemented rock fill (CRF) to backfill stopes. This method is common in Northern Nevada and amenable to the ground conditions and geometry of the deposit. As the resource is better defined and developed, opportunities will be explored to mine amenable portions of the deposit using long hole stoping or similar mining methods to reduce mining costs and increase production rates.
Processing and Recovery Operations
Historically, there have been three destinations for treatment of mineralization from the Ruby Hill Mine: (i) run-of-mine (ROM) and crushed mineralization sent to a heap leach pad, (ii) crushing and tank leached mineralization, with agglomerated tailings routed to the heap leach pad, and (iii) higher-grade sulfide mineralization routed to the then-Barrick Goldstrike Operation for autoclave processing.
Current Heap Leach Operations
Residual leaching of the East Archimedes heap leach pad is ongoing with no additional mineralized material being added to it. Leached gold is recovered by a carbon-in-column circuit and loaded carbon is treated off-site by a third party to produce doré.
Mineral Point Open Pit
The proposed process for Mineral Point Open Pit material includes primary and secondary crushing, conveyor stacking on a heap leach pad, extraction with cyanide solution, Merrill-Crowe recovery of precious metals and refining.
Archimedes Underground
Refractory production from the Ruby Hill operation will be processed via milling, and pressure oxidation followed by CIL. It will be processed at a third-party destination capable of processing refractory material via an autoclave under a toll-milling agreement, until such time that i-80 has refurbished the Lone Tree Autoclave facility. At this point, i-80 will begin processing the refractory material at Lone Tree, as part of a blended feed comprised of Ruby Hill material along with material from i-80’s other mining operations.
The Lone Tree Autoclave Facility is located immediately adjacent to I-80, approximately 160 miles from the Ruby Hill project. The Lone Tree autoclave processing facilities were shut down at the end of 2007. Since that time, the mills have been rotated on a regular basis to lubricate the bearings. The facility is still in place with, in general, most of the equipment sitting idle. For more information see Sections Strategy Overview and Discussion of Operation Results in the 10-K for more information on the Lone Tree Facility refurbishment.
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Infrastructure, Permitting and Compliance Activities
Infrastructure
Mining conditions anticipated are typical for northern Nevada underground mines. Underhand drift and fill along with long hole open stoping will be the primary mining methods. Mining will be undertaken by a qualified contractor, eliminating the need to recruit a workforce and purchase mining equipment.
Transportation, electrical and support infrastructure already exists at Ruby Hill. The project will leverage existing infrastructure from previous mining activities at the Ruby Hill site, including site access, haul roads, waste rock storage, and power supply, with necessary upgrades. As of the date of the technical report, there were active dewatering wells, active monitoring wells, and active vibrating wire piezometers (VWPs).
Additional infrastructure requirements are limited to:
• Overhead power line and transformer at the portal site.
• Backfill and shotcrete plants.
• Fuel and oil storage near the portal.
• Contractor’s maintenance facility and office.
• Mine water supply tank.
Permitting
Permitting approval for underground development and mining above the 5100 elevation was received in August 2025 and underground development commenced immediately thereafter. Production mining in the 426 deposit will start in 2026 and continue through 2027 with oxide material processed on site in the existing heap leach facility, sold to a third party as an ore purchase agreement or processed at Lone Tree when it becomes operational, and refractory material sent to a third party for toll processing or processed at Lone Tree when it becomes operational. Permits for mining below the 5100 elevation are anticipated in the second quarter of 2027 with development mining for the Ruby Deeps deposit beginning shortly thereafter.
In conjunction with the permitting actions associated with the Archimedes Underground Mine Project in-pit surface support facilities, a DNA was deemed sufficient for the PoO Amendment NVN-067782 approved by the BLM March 30, 2023. Additionally, on June 23, 2023, the NDEP-BMRR approved an EDC to WPCP NEV0096103 for the construction of the surface facilities.
Water Use Permits
RHMC controls a total of 8,107 acre feet per annum (AFA) of water rights for consumption and occupation (RHMC, 2024).
Due to a history of over pumping in the region based on a heavy agricultural reliance, the Diamond Valley Basin was categorized as a CMA by the Nevada State Engineer’s office in 2015. The designation allowed the State Engineer and the community to agree on certain tools to reduce over-pumping, including the implementation of a Diamond Valley GMP. Following resolution of a lengthy legal dispute by senior water rights holders in the Basin, the GMP was reinstated effective January 1, 2023. As a groundwater user within the GMP designated area, RHMC controls sufficient water rights to support its mining operations.
Compliance
RHMC is currently permitted to carry out mining operations and reclamation activities at the Project site. This permitting allows it to carry out the exploration, geotechnical and metallurgical field work recommended in this Report. Specific permits related to site activities are presented in the following table.
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Table of Contents
Permit Name Permitting Agency/Authority Permit Number
Mine Plan of Operations BLM NVN-067782
Rights of Way BLM N-60801; N-60802; N-60359; N-61422
Class II Air Quality Operating Permit NDEP/BAPC AP1041-0713.05
Mercury Operating Permit to Construct NDEP/BAPC AP1041-2252
Water Pollution Control Permit –
Infiltration Project
NDEP/BMRR NEV2005106
Water Pollution Control Permit – Mine NDEP/BMRR NEV0096103
Reclamation Permit (Mine) NDEP/BMRR 0.000107
Mining Stormwater General Permit NDEP/BWPC NVR300000: MSW-44886
Public Drinking Water System NDEP-BSDW EU-0885-NTNC: NV0000885
Nitrate Removal System NDEP-BSDW EU-0885-TP02: NV0000885
Onsite Sewage Disposal System NDEP/BWPC GNEVOSDS09 L0107
Industrial Artificial Pond Permit NDOW S479016
Hazardous Materials Permit Nevada State Fire Marshal 0.125455
Class III Waivered Landfill NDEP-BSMM SWW362
EPA RCRA Hazardous Waste ID (Small Quantity Generator) NDEP-BSMM NVR000002899
Waters of the United States Jurisdictional Determination USACE USACE Jurisdictional Determination approval received 10/01/2025 and is valid for five years
Capital and Operating Costs
Archimedes Underground
Th e Company has a contract mining agreement with a reputable contractor for development mining at the Archimedes Underground Mine.
Because of this and the infrastructure in place from previous mining activity on the property, capital requirements for the project are only for the construction of underground mine infrastructure, and underground development. The latter comprises 83% of total estimated capital expenditures. The table below details the timing and total of capital expenditures required for the Archimedes Underground project. Contingencies include 15% on capital mine development and resource delineation drilling and 25% on all other capital.
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Table of Contents
Project Capital Costs ($M)
Item Total 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033
Mine Development 100.0 7.8 21.0 12.8 25.1 21.7 2.6 3.7 3.0 2.4
Resource Conversion Drilling 10.6 2.1 0.0 8.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Facilities
Environmental Permitting 5.0 0.0 2.0 2.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Feasibility Study 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Admin and Management 3.9 3.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
NV Energy 1.4 0.8 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Metallurgical Testing 0.5 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Dewatering Wells 3.9 3.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Contractor Mobilization 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Portal Construction 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Escape Hoist 0.5 0.0 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
UG Electrical 3.7 0.2 1.0 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.0 0.0
Fans/Ventilation 2.8 0.0 1.2 0.2 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.0 0.0
Facilities Total 22.6 9.7 5.3 3.2 1.9 0.9 0.8 0.8 0.0 0.0
Contingency 22.3 2.9 4.5 4.5 4.7 3.5 0.6 0.7 0.5 0.4
Total Capital 155.4 22.5 30.8 29.0 31.7 26.0 4.0 5.2 3.5 2.8
Underground operating costs are listed in the table below. Underground mining unit costs are from similar northern Nevada mining contracts and include allowances for owner supplied materials and commodities. Other costs are Company estimates or supplier quotations.
Underground Mine Operating Costs
Item Unit Cost Units
Variable Costs
Stope Development Mining (15x20) $ 100.00 $/ton
Long Hole Stoping $ 80.00 $/ton
Sill Breasting (Floor Pull) $ 80.00 $/ton
Cemented Rockfill $ 37.93 $/fill ton
Unconsolidated Fill $ 13.00 $/ton
Lone Tree Pressure Oxidation – Acid $ 106.45 $/ton
Lone Tree Pressure Oxidation – Alkaline $ 70.81 $/ton
Over the Road Haulage – Lone Tree $ 39.15 $/wet ton
Over the Road Haulage – Third Party Sales $ 48.81 $/wet ton
Crush, Screen and Agglomerate Heap Leaching $ 8.63 $/ton
Run of Mine Heap Leaching $ 2.41 $/ton
Electrical Energy $ 0.08 $/kw-hr
Electrical Demand $ 10.39 $/kw
Fixed Costs
Mine G&A
$7.3M
$/year
Property Holding Costs
$0.3M
$/year
Electrical Power
$2.8M
$/year
Total Fixed Cost $10.4M
$/year
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Financial statistics are presented in the table below:
Financial Statistics
Parameter
With Inferred
Without Inferred
Gold price - base case (US$/oz)
$2,175 $2,175
Silver price - base case (US$/oz)
$27.3 $27.3
Mine life (years)
10 10
Mining Rate (tons/day)
1,600 400
Tons Processed Autoclave (kton)
4,846 1,451
Average grade Autoclave (Au oz/ton)
0.209 0.209
Average gold recovery (Autoclave %)
91.9% 91.9%
Autoclave Gold Produced (koz)
910 272
Tons Processed Heap Leach (kton)
188 56
Average Grade Heap Leach (Au oz/ton)
0.111 0.111
Average gold recovery (Heap Leach %)
87.4% 87.4%
Heap Leach Gold Produced (koz)
18 5
Average annual gold production (koz) 102 31
Total recovered gold (koz) 928 272
Cash cost (US$/oz)
$1,769 $3,908
Sustaining Capital (M$)
$98 $149
All-in sustaining cost (US$/oz)
$1,893 $4,443
Pre-Production Capital (M$)
$49 $69
All in Costs (US$/oz)
$1,938 $4,692
Project after-tax NPV (M$)
$127 $(566.1)
Project after-tax NPV (M$)
$91 $(501.4)
Project after-tax IRR
23% NA
Payback Period
7.8 Years NA
Profitability Index 8
1.7 (1.8)
Notes:
1. Net of byproduct sales;
2. Profitability index (PI), is the ratio of payoff to investment of a proposed project. It is a useful tool for ranking projects because it allows you to quantify the amount of value created per unit of investment. A profitability index of 1 indicates breakeven;
3. Excludes, construction capital, exploration, corporate G&A, interest on debt, and corporate taxes;
4. Excludes exploration, corporate G&A, interest on debt, and corporate taxes; and
5. The financial analysis contains certain information that may constitute "forward-looking information" under applicable United States securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements regarding the Company’s achievement of the full-year projections for ounce production, production costs, AISC costs per ounce, cash cost per ounce and realized gold/silver price per ounce, the Company’s ability to meet annual operations estimates, and statements about strategic plans, including future operations, future work programs, capital expenditures, discovery and production of minerals, price of gold and currency exchange rates, timing of geological reports and corporate and technical objectives. Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking information, including the risks inherent to the mining industry, adverse economic and market developments and the risks identified in Premier's annual information form under the heading "Risk Factors". There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. All forward-looking information contained in this Presentation is given as of the date hereof and is based upon the opinions and estimates of management and information available to management as at the date hereof. i-80 disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Mineral Point Open Pit
The capital and operating costs used in the Ruby Hill Technical Report were based on costs from similar project work performed recently by Forte Dynamics, high-level quotes from vendors, and interpolation from CostMine™ models. The qualified person believes that the estimates are appropriate for inclusion in this report and that these costs comply with the precision requirements for a Preliminary Economic Assessment/Initial Assessment.
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The following table provides a summary of the capital costs by category for the project:
Mineral Point Project Capital Cost Summary
Category US$M
Mining Equipment $420.7
Process $316.0
Preproduction & Facilities $80.1
Owner’s Cost $93.6
CAPEX Waste Stripping $287.3
Total Contingency $185.5
Total CAPEX $1,383.2
Operating costs for the mine were benchmarked against other similar Northern Nevada sites. The plant was estimated by scaling other simpler projects and interpolating published data from CostMine™. This gave a total cash cost (net of by-product credit) of $1,270.19 per Au toz produced. The following table provides a detailed breakdown of operating costs for the project.
Mineral Point LOM Operating Cost Summary
Operating Costs
Unit
LOM (USD $M)
$/oz Au Produced
Mining to Process
$$2.50 per ton
$988.6
$280.11
Mining Heap Leach Relocation
$$1.50 per ton
$39.7
$11.24
Mining Waste
$$2.50 per ton
$2,846.1
$806.40
Processing
$$3.90 per ton
$1,542.2
$436.97
Mine Site G&A
$$0.75 per ton
$296.6
$84.03
Total Operating Costs:
$5,713.2
$1,618.75
Refining Cost Au
$$1.85 per toz
$6.5
$1.85
Refining Cost Ag
$$0.50 per toz
$36.0
$10.20
Royalties & State Taxes
$679.8
$192.6
Total Cash Costs:
$6,435.5
$1,823.4
Silver Revenue (by-product)
$$27.25 per toz
$1,953.0
$553.21
Total Cash Cost (net of by-product credit)
$4,482.5
$1,270.19
The detailed economic model for the Mineral Point Open Pit is included as Appendix B to the Ruby Hill Technical Report.
A constant dollar cash flow analysis for the Ruby Hill Project is presented in the table below:
Cash Flow Statement – Ruby Hill
Total
2025
2026
2067
2028
2029
2030
2031
2032
2033
2034
2035
2036
2037-2045
Net Income
97.4 0.0
(1.9)
(0.2)
19.3
15.2
10.6
13.8
(12.2)
26.7
27.2
7.3
(8.4)
0.0
Depreciation
270.0 0.0
1.0
7.2 24.1
33.7
34.3
33.9
33.2
37.9
38.4
24.8 1.5
0.0
Reclamation
0.0 (0.4)
(0.3)
(0.0)
0.5
0.7
0.7
0.6
0.6
0.7
0.7
0.3
(0.5)
(3.5)
Working Capital
0.0 0.0
(1.5)
(6.2) (11.5)
(5.1)
(0.4)
1.5
(1.7)
2.0
(0.3)
7.0 14.1
2.0
Operating Cash Flow
367.4 (0.4)
(2.7)
0.7
32.4
44.5
45.3
49.9
19.8
67.3
66.0
39.4
6.7
(1.5)
Capital Costs
Capitalized Development
(100.0) (7.8)
(21.0)
(12.8)
(25.1)
(21.7)
(2.6)
(3.7)
(3.0)
(2.4)
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
Definition and Conversion Drilling
(10.6) (2.1)
0.0
(8.5) 0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0 0.0
0.0
Mine Facilities
(22.7) (5.8)
(5.3)
(5.2)
(3.9)
(0.9)
(0.8)
(0.8)
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
Contingency
(22.3) (2.9)
(4.5)
(4.5) (4.7)
(3.5)
(0.6)
(0.7)
(0.5)
(0.4) 0.0
0.0 0.0
0.0
Total Capital
(155.5) (18.6)
(30.8)
(31.0)
(33.7)
(26.0)
(4.0)
(5.2)
(3.5)
(2.8)
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
After Tax Cash Flow
211.9 (19.0)
(33.5)
(30.2) (1.3)
18.4
41.3
44.7
16.4
64.6
66.0
39.4 6.7
(1.5)
Cumulative Cash Flow
(19.0)
(52.5)
(82.7)
(84.1)
(65.6)
(24.4)
20.4
36.7
101.3
167.2
206.7
213.4
1,918
Reasonable Prospects for Economic Extraction
A mineral resource optimized LG pit shell was constructed to define the portion of the Mineral Point resource having reasonable prospects for economic extraction (RPEE) amenable to open pit mining and processing by heap leaching using the 25 ft x 25 ft x 25 ft block model. Open pit mineral resources contained within the pit shell are reported above a fixed cut-off grade of 0.1 g/t Au. See Section 11.4 of the Ruby Hill Report.
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Parameters for Mineral Resource Pit Shell Construction
Parameter
Unit
Value
Metals Price
Gold
US$/toz 2,175
Silver
US$/toz 26
Au Process Recovery
% 77
Ag Process Recovery
% 40
Mining Operating Cost
US$/tonne 3.31
Processing Cost
US$/tonne 3.47
G&A Cost
US$/tonne processed 0.83
Royalty
% 3.0%
Payable Metal
Gold
% 99.90
Silver
% 99.50
Treatment & Refining Cost - Gold
US$/toz 1.85
Treatment & Refining Cost - Silver
US$/toz 0.50
Overall Slope Angles (OSA)
Dumps
degree 30.00
Alluvium
degree 55.00
Sanded
degree 45.00
Unsanded
degree 45.00
Note: Au and Ag presented recoveries are weighted averages for all materials.
Net Book Value
The net book value of the Ruby Hill Complex and its associated plant, equipment and mineral interests was approximately $112.9 million as of December 31, 2025.
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Cove Project
Current Technical Report
Unless otherwise indicated, information in this section entitled “ Material Mineral Properties – Cove Project ” is summarized or extracted from the technical report entitled “ S-K1300 Initial Assessment & Technical Report Summary for the Cove Project, Lander County, Nevada ” effective December 31, 2024 prepared by Practical Mining LLC., TR Raponi Consulting Ltd. and Montgomery & Associates (the “ Cove Technical Report ”).
Portions of the following information are based on assumptions, qualifications and procedures which are set out only in the full Cove Technical Report. For a complete description of the assumptions, qualifications and procedures associated with the following information, reference should be made to the full text of the Cove Technical Report, which is available for review as an exhibit to the Company’s Form 10-K under its profile on Edgar at www.sec.gov.
An employee of Practical Mining LLC, has approved the Cove mineral resources included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K as of December 31, 2025 and reviewed the mineral resources and the material assumptions in the Cove Technical Report.
Property Description and Location
The Cove deposit consists of the Helen, Gap, CSD, and 2201 zones. They are located beneath the historically mined Cove open pit and extend approximately 2,000 feet northwest from the pit. The Cove deposit was mined by Echo Bay Mines Ltd. (Echo Bay) between 1987 and 2001. During this period the Cove deposit produced 2.6 million ounces of gold and 100 million ounces of silver. Gold and silver production from heap leach pads continued until 2006. The following figure shows the location of the McCoy-Cove Property.
On June 14, 2012, Premier USA, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Au-Reka, acquired a 100% interest in the Cove portion of the McCoy-Cove Property (the "Cove Deposit") from Victoria Gold Corporation ("Victoria") pursuant to an asset purchase agreement dated June 4, 2012. In the event of production from the Cove Deposit, the Corporation will make additional payments to Victoria in the aggregate amount of C$20 million. Figure 1-1 Cove Property Area/Royalty Map.
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Figure 1-1 Cove Property Area/Royalty Map
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Location - Access to the McCoy-Cove Property area is via State Highway 305, 30 miles south from the Town of Battle Mountain, and then west approximately seven miles along the secondary paved McCoy Mine Road. Battle Mountain is off Interstate Highway 80, approximately 70 miles west of Elko, Nevada. See Figure 1-2 Location of Cove Property within Nevada.
Figure 1-2 Location of Cove Property within Nevada
Climate - The climate in Lander County is typical of the high-desert environment. Average July temperatures range between 65°F and 75°F in the lower valleys and cooler in the higher elevations. Summer highs in the valleys are approximately the mid-90°F, with temperatures in the range of 50°F or 60°F at night. Winter temperatures average between 25°F and 45°F in the valleys with the possibility of frost from early September through June. Average rainfall is 10 in to 15 in, with less than 10 in. of rain in the lowest areas and up to 20 in. occurring in the mountains. The majority of precipitation falls between November and May, with the possibility of summer thunderstorms.
Land Rights - The Cove Project covers 32,110 acres and is located 32 miles south of the Town of Battle Mountain, in the Fish Creek Mountains of Lander County, Nevada. It is centered approximately at 40°22’ N and 117°13’ W and lies within the McCoy Mining District. The project area contains 1,728 unpatented claims (approximately 35,700.48 acres), and 9 patented mining claims (approximately 185.9 acres), owned 100% by i-80, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries Premier Gold Mines USA, Inc. and Au-Reka Gold Corp. The unpatented claims are on land administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The BLM MLRS mining claim database shows all claim fees paid through September 2026. County NIH fee payments are current. Patented claims are subject to property taxes, which were current at the time of this report.
Royalties - The Cove Property is subject to several royalties. As of the date of this Annual Report, the following table summarizes the royalties present on the various properties making up the Cove Property. See Figure 1-1 above for a detailed royalty map.
Several royalties are in effect on various areas of the property. Some royalties were retained by previous owners upon sale of the property while others were negotiated as lease agreements with claim holders.
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Cove Royalties
Lessor/Grantor
Lease Type
Maverix Metals (Nevada) Inc., a Nevada corporation 2% NSR
60% R. E. Chiara & W. B. Chiara, as Co-Trustees of The R. E. Chiara Family Trust,
40% L. L. Chiara & M. K. Chiara, 2% NSR
Maverix Metals (Nevada) Inc., a Nevada corporation 1.5% NSR
Pursuant to the Cove Purchase Agreement in the event of production from the Cove portion of the Project, Premier will make additional payments to Victoria in the aggregate amount of C$20,000,000 (consisting of cash and/or the equivalent value of Premier common shares, at Premier's option), payable in four installments of $5,000,000 each upon the cumulative production, to Premier's account, of 250,000, 500,000, 750,000 and 1,000,000 troy ounces of gold from the Cove potion of the Project (Deferred Bullet Payment Consideration).
Environmental Considerations - The Corporation is responsible for all environmental liabilities related to the closure of the McCoy-Cove Property as well as final clean-up of surface drill pads and minor drill roads. All closure activities other than reclamation of three water treatment ponds, evaporation of the tailings facility and water quality testing have been temporarily put on hold pending the potential for future production out of the Cove underground.
Social & Community Considerations - Over its history, the operation has contributed significantly to the economic development of Lander County through job creation and both direct and indirect economic benefits.
Au-Reka Gold LLC periodically hosts Town Hall meetings in Battle Mountain, Nevada, to offer operational updates to local stakeholders. The company also collaborates with the Lander County School District and Mining Industry Foundation on various educational initiatives and activities. Additionally, Au-Reka Gold LLC maintains strong, positive relationships with local government officials, ranchers, landowners, and nearby residents.
History
Gold was first discovered in the McCoy Mining District in 1914 by Joseph H. McCoy. Production through 1977 included approximately 10,000 ounces of gold plus minor amounts of silver, lead and copper. Production in these early years came from placers and from gold-quartz veins that occurred in northeast striking faults and in intersections of northeast and northwest striking faults. Most of the non-placer production, however, came from argillized and oxidized skarn at what became the McCoy open pit mine.
Summa Corporation ("Summa"), a Howard Hughes company, acquired most of the mining claims in the McCoy Mining District in the 1950s and 1960s. In 1977, Houston Oil and Minerals Corporation ("Houston") purchased the McCoy-Cove Property. Gold Fields Mining Corporation ("Gold Fields") leased the property in 1981 until September 1984, whereupon the property was returned to Tenneco Minerals Company ("Tenneco"), which had acquired Houston. Echo Bay Mines Ltd. ("Echo Bay") purchased the precious metal holdings of Tenneco in October 1986. Newmont took ownership of the Cove and McCoy properties in February 2003 following the merger between TVX Gold Inc., Echo Bay and Kinross Gold Corporation.
Victoria leased a portion of the property from Newmont in June 2006. In June 2012, Premier entered into an agreement to acquire the lease of the McCoy-Cove Property from Victoria and subsequently acquired a 100% interest in the land package from Newmont in September 2014.
Modern exploration for copper and gold in the McCoy Mining District started in the 1960s by Bear Creek Mining Company and Pilot Exploration drilling in 1967. Summa conducted extensive exploration on the McCoy skarn deposit from 1969 to 1977. Summa also undertook regional geologic mapping of 55 square miles (including the McCoy-Cove Property area) and extensive rock chip surveys. Houston explored the property in 1980, including geologic mapping, soil geochemical surveys, ground magnetic surveys and drilling. Gold Fields conducted an extensive induced polarization program, airborne magnetic surveys, detailed rock chip sampling, as well as limited geologic mapping and drilling between 1981 and 1984.
In 1985, Tenneco undertook drilling, metallurgical testing, and engineering and feasibility studies and began mining the McCoy deposit in February 1986. Tenneco also began systematic district-wide exploration in 1985 with the collection of 500 stream sediment samples from an eight-square mile area around the McCoy deposit. Evidence of what would become the Cove deposit was found in early 1986, when seven samples yielded gold values of between 15 parts per billion ("ppb") and 72 ppb with associated anomalous silver, arsenic, mercury, antimony and thallium. Subsequent detailed geologic mapping identified jasperoid, manganiferous limestone and outcrops of altered felsic dikes in the area of the anomalous samples. Surface rock chip samples of these rocks all contained significant gold mineralization. Tenneco's detailed mapping covered a large area that included both McCoy and Cove and extended to the north, west and south. In September and October 1986, a total of 147 soil samples were collected from the B and C soil horizons over the altered area at Cove on a 100-foot by 200-foot grid.
Echo Bay continued the systematic district exploration program initiated by Tenneco that included stream sediment, soil and rock chip sampling, plus geologic mapping, exploration trenching using a bulldozer and drilling. Later soil sampling at Cove defined a gold anomaly measuring 2,800 feet long by 100 feet to 600 feet wide, with gold values ranging from 100 ppb to 2,600 ppb. Bulldozer trenching exposed ore grade rock over the entire length of this soil anomaly. Echo Bay discovered the Cove deposit with drilling in January 1987. By March 1987, Echo Bay had drilled 42 shallow exploration holes and development drilling began in late March. Echo Bay drilled 458 reverse circulation ("RC") holes totaling 315,000 feet from January 1987 through June 1988, and 51 core holes totaling approximately 65,800 feet through 1989.
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In 1999, Echo Bay drilled eight surface drill holes totaling 6,700 feet on the Cove South Deep ("CSD") deposit. This drilling, combined with bulk sampling from an underground exploration drift, confirmed the presence of a high-grade zone (0.25 troy ounces per short ton ("opt") Au) that could be mined by underground methods. Detailed underground drilling of this deposit continued during 2000 as mining proceeded.
Newmont drilled 15 vertical holes on the property from 2004 to 2005. Victoria began exploring the property in 2006, resulting in the discovery of the Carlin-style Helen zone immediately northwest of the Cove pit.
The earliest known significant mining was in the early 1930s at the Gold Dome mine, previously located on the northeast side of the present McCoy open pit mine. This operation included a 250-foot shaft and five levels of workings at 50-foot intervals producing gold grades ranging between 0.25 opt and 2.0 opt.
Tenneco commenced mining at the McCoy open pit mine in 1986 and Echo Bay began open pit mining of the Cove deposit in 1988, accompanied by three phases of underground mining. Underground access at the Cove mine was via a decline with rubber-tire machines using a room and pillar mining method. From 1988 to 1993, underground mining was used to recover high grade ore ahead of the pit. In 1999, additional underground mining at CSD recovered approximately 300,000 tons of mineralization beyond the ultimate pit limits. The mineralization was relatively flat-lying from 10 feet to 80 feet thick. Longhole stoping and drift and fill methods were used with cemented rock fill. ("CRF").
Conventional open pit mining methods were utilized at the Cove open pit, with drilling and blasting of ore on 20-foot benches (double benched to 40 feet) and waste on 30 foot benches (double benched to 60 feet). The lower sulfide orebody was reached in late 1991.
Processing of low grade, run-of-mine heap leach ores from Cove began in 1992 and mining of high grade ores was completed in 1995. Open pit mining ended at Cove in October 2000.
In 1996, the mill facility was expanded from 7,500 stpd to 10,000 stpd, with milling of stockpiled ores from the Cove open pit beginning in the second half of 1997. Mill recoveries declined during the remaining life of the mine as lower grade, more refractory ores were processed. By October 2000, the mill was processing 11,369 stpd. As of that date, the gold grade was 0.055 opt Au and plant gold recovery was 51.8%; silver grade was 4.00 opt Ag and plant silver recovery was 71.5%.
The mill contained gravity, flotation and cyanide leach circuits. Through 2006, a total of 3.41 million ounces of gold and 110.2 million ounces of silver were produced from Cove and McCoy, with the vast majority of both metals reportedly coming from the Cove deposit. Approximately 2.6 million ounces of gold were produced from the Cove open pit.
Geological Setting, Mineralization and Deposit Types
Regional Geology
The McCoy-Cove Property is located in the central Nevada portion of the Basin and Range Province, which underwent regional extension during the Tertiary Period, creating the present pattern of alternating largely fault bounded ranges separated by alluvial filled valleys. Prior to this extension, central Nevada had been the site of numerous tectonic events, including at least two periods of regional compression. The property lies west of the central part of the Battle Mountain-Eureka Trend.
During the Paleozoic, central Nevada was the site of the generally north-northeast trending continental margin of North America, along which pre-orogenic rocks of Cambrian to Early Mississippian age were deposited. A carbonate platform sequence was deposited to the east along the continental margin, with siliceous and volcanic rocks deposited to the west. In Late Devonian to Early Mississippian time during the Antler Orogeny, rocks of the western assemblage moved eastward along the Roberts Mountains thrust, perhaps as much as 90 miles over the eastern assemblage carbonate rocks. A post-orogenic assemblage of coarse clastic sedimentary rocks of Mississippian to Permian age was shed eastward from an emerging highland to the west, overlapping the two earlier facies. Mesozoic rocks, primarily shallow water siliciclastic and carbonate units with minor volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks, are found in this part of Nevada.
Local Geology
The stratigraphy of the McCoy Mining District is well documented. The major lithological units of the McCoy-Cove Property are listed below in order of oldest to youngest:
1. Havallah Formation;
2. Koipato Formation;
3. Dixie Valley Formation;
4. Favret Formation;
5. Augusta Mountain Formation – Home Station Member;
6. Augusta Mountain Formation – Panther Canyon Member;
7. Augusta Mountain Formation – Smelser Pass Member;
8. Tuff of Cove Mine;
9. Intrusive Igneous Rocks;
10. Quaternary Alluvium.
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Structural Geology
Deposits on the McCoy-Cove Property are related to specific structural features.
1. Major Defining Structures : The major structure and control on fluid movement is the broad northwest-striking, gently southeast-plunging Cove anticline interpreted as a fault propagation fold over a deep northwest striking reverse fault identified in deep drill holes under the Cove pit. While the reverse fault can be identified in the 2201 zone, its presence at the Gap and Helen Zones is uncertain due to limited drilling in areas that would confirm its continuation. A northwest striking vertical dike called the Northwester Dike (classified as “type 2 and 3”) extends from the Bay fault through the Gap and into the Helen. It appears to prohibit the flow of mineralizing fluids to the southwest in areas between the major northeast striking faults. Though there is no discernible separation on the dike, it may be related to a near vertical to steeply southwest dipping fault mapped in the pit by Echo Bay geologists called the Northwester fault. The other major structures for fluid movement and mineralization are a number of northeast striking normal faults (Cay, Blasthole, Bay, 110, and Gold Dome). The northeast striking faults commonly host altered granodioritic dikes, the largest of which is the Gold Dome. The north-south striking Lighthouse fault also contains altered granodioritic dikes and is believed to have had both pre- and post-mineralization movement.
2. Mineralization Controls: Carlin-style mineralization appears to be controlled by a combination of the axis of the Cove anticline, normal faults that cut the anticline, mafic sills and dikes throughout the property and contacts between different sedimentary units. Generally, the highest grades are found where the rhythmically bedded unit of the Favret limestone is cut by mafic dikes and sills along the axis of the anticline, and especially where this area is cut by apparent small-scale, unmapped faults. The northeast striking faults commonly contain quartz-sericite-pyrite and argillic altered granodioritic dikes that carry low to anomalous values of silver and gold. In the 2201 zone, structural controls are poorly defined, however, vein-bearing gold occurrences do trend northwest and may be related to structures formed in the hanging wall of the deep-seated reverse fault or to the near vertical to steeply southwest dipping Northwester fault.
3. Post-Mineral Faulting: There is at least one instance of significant post-mineral faulting. The Striper splay is believed to be a splay off of the Lighthouse fault which is known to have both pre- and post- mineralization movement. It dips steeply northeast and strikes approximately 320° along the northeast limb of the Cove anticline causing significant post-mineral normal displacement before terminating against the Bay/110 fault complex. The overlying volcanics are not significantly faulted, as defined by holes NW-1, NW-2 & 2A and NW-3. It is likely there is minor post-mineral movement on all northeast and north striking faults as a result of Basin and Range extension beginning during the Miocene and continuing through present day.
The below sets out the four distinct mineralization types known on the property, and a brief description of each:
1. Carlin-Style (Au-Ag): The gold in Carlin-style deposits is usually sub-micron in size and generally occurs in pyrite and arsenical pyrite. An envelope characterized by decalcification, silicification and argillization accompanied by anomalous amounts of silver, arsenic, antimony, thallium and mercury often accompanies mineralization. The Carlin-style mineralization at Cove is relatively rich in silver compared to similar deposits elsewhere in northern Nevada. When Carlin-style mineralization occurs in the silty limestones and packstones of the Favret Formation and Home Station dolomite, decarbonatization replaces fine-grained calcite and/or dolomite with quartz and forms very fine-grained illite and pyrite. Diagenetic pyrite was probably present in the Helen zone before Carlin-style mineralization based on the abundant presence of subhedral pyrite grains that bear no arsenian rims. The arsenic-bearing pyrite precipitated as a product of Carlin-style mineralization in the Helen are fine-grained (~10 microns) patchy, anhedral "fuzzy" pyrite generally smaller than the diagenetic pyrite grains. In the CSD zone, most pyrite grains in high-grade samples are larger (~20 microns), display spectacular, sharp geochemical zonations, and are rimmed with arsenian pyrite or stoichiometric arsenopyrite. The few samples studied from the Gap under the scanning electron microscope ("SEM") suggest it shares more in common with the CSD zone, though its silver content is lower overall.
2. Polymetallic Sheeted Veins (Au-Ag±Pb-Zn) : The polymetallic veins in the 2201 zone are enveloped by a zone of illitic of the conglomerate matrix detected by sodium cobaltinitride staining and confirmed by SEM analysis. Minor silicification is relatively common, especially in the conglomerate, however, it is not present everywhere and not always directly associated with mineralization.
3. Carbonate Replacement (Ag-Pb-Zn±Au): Carbonate replacement mineralization occurs as local pods of manto-style mineralization characterized by massive sulfide (pyrite-sphalerite-galena) replacing basal limestone at the Dixie Valley/Favret contact. Mineralization is discontinuous and generally defined by high-grade Ag-Zn-Pb±Au.
4. Skarn (Au-Ag±-Cu) : Skarn mineralization at the historic McCoy pit occurs as both endoskarn and exoskarn mineralization characterized by a predominantly garnet-diopside-magnetite mineral assemblage.
The Carlin-style mineralization across the deposit appears to represent an evolving system from a "primary" end-member represented by the CSD zone with higher silver/gold, coarser-grained pyrite and a close proximal relationship to Ag-Pb-Zn-(Au) mineralization to the "evolved" end-member represented by the Helen zone with lower silver/gold, very fine-grained pyrite and weak spatial association with any other styles of mineralization. The Gap can be considered a "transition" zone between the two end-members until more petrography is conducted on the recently discovered Gap to test this hypothesis. Helen zone geochemistry is distinct from the CSD zone in many ways. For samples greater than 1 parts per million ("ppm") Au, less than or equal to 100 ppm Ag and confirmed to be Carlin-style mineralization by core photo review, the Helen zone has an average silver/gold ratio of approximately 0.85 whereas the CSD zone is 2.25. Gold in both the Helen and CSD zones correlates with arsenic, antimony and mercury, however, gold correlates moderately (0.52 correlation coefficient) with silver in the CSD zone but more weakly (0.3652 correlation coefficient) in the Helen zone. Like the geochemistry, the mineralization in the Helen and CSD is also distinct. The arsenic-bearing (assumed to also be gold-bearing) pyrite in the Helen are generally finer-grained, less euhedral and more poorly zoned than the arsenic-bearing CSD zone pyrite. The complicated nature of the mineralized pyrite at the CSD zone is suggestive of a more complex and long-lasting mineralizing event in comparison to
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the seemingly simple Helen mineralization. In the 2201 zone, gold correlates with silver, arsenic, copper, iron, lead, antimony and zinc – a distinctly different grouping of elements from the CSD, Gap and Helen zones.
Deposit Types
The Cove-Helen deposit consists of two mineralization styles, Carlin-style and polymetallic sheeted veins. The Carlin-style mineralization within the Helen, Gap and CSD zones comprises approximately 85% of the existing resource with high gold and silver grades occurring as both stratabound and structurally controlled mineralization at the intersection of the Cove anticline and favourable lithologic beds, structures, intrusive dikes and sills.
The polymetallic 2201 zone is a separate deposit from the shallower Carlin-style mineralization and is believed to be a structurally controlled sheeted vein system. Veining is oriented northwest, with vein geometry being controlled by a deeper northwest striking reverse fault. Due to its depth, the 2201 zone has seen limited drilling since its original discovery in late 2013, however, additional infill and step-out drilling in the future will help to better define deposit potential and mineralization controls.
Exploration & Drilling
All drilling since January 2023 has been conducted from recently mined underground drill platforms for resource conversion of the Helen and Gap zones. The drill project is ongoing and is not included in the resource. The resource will be updated in 2026 to include the resource conversion holes now that the drill project is complete. The project included about 125 drillholes totaling 140,000 feet of drilling.
The McCoy-Cove drill hole database is large, containing many holes drilled across the large land package. For the current resource estimate, the drill data was filtered to contain only holes within and near the Helen, CSD, CSD-Gap, Gap Hybrid and 2201 zones. A total of 1,397 holes totaling 1,127,481 feet of drilling were included in the current estimate. Holes were drilled using both core and RC methods. Premier drilled 123 of the holes and the remainder were drilled by Victoria, Newmont and Echo Bay.
Recent drill projects have predominantly been completed by coring, while RC drilling was used extensively to delineate historic pit and underground resources. Accordingly, the recently discovered Helen, 2201 and CSD-Gap zones were modeled almost exclusively using core holes, while the pit-proximal CSD zone and low-grade lenses were modeled using a mix of RC drilling and core. The authors of the McCoy-Cove Report consider both core and RC data to be reliable.
Hydrogeology
Hydrogeological data, including groundwater elevation measurements were collected in conjunction with exploration in pre-construction studies and later from hydrogeological studies in the pit and planned underground mining areas. Groundwater elevations were used to develop a piezometric surface and determine the direction of groundwater flow (hydraulic gradient).
A network of vibrating wire piezometers (“VWPs”) was the primary method of determining water levels to support mine site characterization. Some water levels were collected from wells. Most wells that were drilled underwent hydrologic testing to estimate aquifer parameters. These tests included short-term and long-term pumping tests. Data obtained from well testing were analyzed using industry standard analytical methods. Analytical and numerical groundwater flow models were developed based on 3D geological modeling and supported by the site-specific aquifer test analysis results.
The Hydrogeologic Study Area (“HSA”) lies within the Basin and Range province which stretches from the Sierra Nevada to the Wasatch Front. Beginning in 2022, Montgomery and Associates (“M&A”) began monitoring seeps and springs. In 2023, additional seeps and springs were added to the group being monitored along with flows and wet/dry reaches of select drainages. M&A has continued to conduct these surface water surveys each year, with one sampling event during high spring runoff and a second in late fall during low flow.
In 2021, M&A updated the groundwater flow model. Over the past five years, M&A has updated and recalibrated the groundwater flow model two additional times, with the most recent model prepared for National Environmental Protection Act baseline characterization.
The proposed Cove Project will mine the Gap and Helen deposits beneath the bottom of the westernmost portion of the Cove Pit and extend to the west-northwest of the Cove Pit. The underground mine begins with the decline at the surface along the northern side of the Cove Pit and then extends down to approximately 3,400 ft amsl. With the decline primarily constructed down to the approximate water table of 4,630 ft amsl, mining down to the 3,400 ft level would occur over 9 years from 2029 through the end of 2037.
Dewatering will be required because the ore body is hosted entirely below the current water table. The hydrogeological impacts from the proposed Cove Project are largely related to the required dewatering of approximately 1,000 feet during the first couple of years of mining ending in 2030. To simulate Helen and Gap mining, the groundwater model is temporally extended through the end of mining, 2037, and then for an additional 500 years to simulate post-mining hydrogeologic recovery.
Predictive modeling is undertaken to simulate the dewatering efforts needed for the Cove Project in addition to its related simulating hydrogeological impacts. Dewatering will occur through direct pumping from the Cove Pit Lake and from dewatering wells. The water to be managed peaks in 2027 at approximately 55,000 gallons per minute (“gpm”) and declines to approximately 24,000 gpm at the end of 2037. Pit lake pumping also peaks in 2027 at approximately 27,500 gpm and declines to nothing when the pit lake becomes dewatered at the end of 2032. Well dewatering peaks in 2028 at approximately 33,000 gpm. Dewatering was simulated using 15 wells screened through the vertical extent of the underground workings and extending down approximately 100 ft below the workings. Of these 15 dewatering wells, 2 are the existing test wells (WE-01 and WE-02). The remaining 13 dewatering wells will need to be constructed.
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Residual passive inflow (“RPI”) represents seepage water within the underground workings that would need to be managed and sumped. RPI is limited to approximately 100 gpm throughout the predictive simulation. All managed water is discharged to RIBs. The peak annual discharge to RIBs is approximately 43,000 gpm in 2028. The annualized average discharge rate to the RIBs declines from the peak value in 2028 to approximately 24,000 gpm in 2037.
A numerical groundwater flow model was developed to estimate dewatering rates required for the Cove Project. Existing hydrologic datasets, including measured water levels and results from pumping tests, were used to calibrate the numerical flow model. Following model calibration, the model was used to simulate predictive dewatering rates.
Current Drilling Methodology
Drill Hole Placement
Initial surface collar locations are based on drill plan targeting – collar locations are marked in the field by a geologist using a hand held global positioning system (GPS) device loaded with coordinates from drill plans in either Gemcom or MapInfo project files. A wooden collar picket is marked with both the azimuth and dip designations. The azimuth is also painted in a line on the ground directly in-line with the collar picket allowing the drill rig to line up on the correct bearing from the collar location. The geologist re-confirms both azimuth and dip once the rig is lined up on the drill pad using a Brunton compass. After drilling is complete, holes are abandoned and marked with a metal tag cemented into the collar. A final collar location survey is performed by a professional contract surveyor. A UTM NAD83 Zone 11N coordinate system is used.
RC Drilling Procedures
Holes are drilled using industry standard RC drilling equipment. Samples are collected on five-foot intervals using a cyclone sample collector. The sample interval is written on the sample bag using permanent marker. Drilling advances are paused at the end of each sample run to ensure the complete sample has been collected and avoid contamination of the following sample. The optimum sample size collected is approximately one quarter to one half of a 17-inch by 22-inch sample bag (about 4.5 to 9 kilograms or 10 to 20 pounds).
Core Drilling
Core holes are drilled using HQ (about 3-inch diameter) core. Holes may be reduced to NQ (about 2.4-inch diameter) to permit continuation of a hole in difficult drill conditions. Premier has used both standard and triple-tube tooling. Triple-tube is preferable in broken ground because it facilitates placement of core into the core box, allowing the sample to remain more intact. Drilled material is placed in wax-impregnated core boxes. Drillers label the end of the core run to the nearest half of a foot and measure and record the recovery in feet on wooden blocks, which are placed in the core box at the end of each drilled interval. Core boxes are labeled with company name, property, bore hole identifying number (BHID), box number and drilled interval. The authors of the McCoy-Cove Report believe the drilling procedures are adequate.
Sampling Methodology
Boxed core is transported by i-80 personnel from Cove to the Lone Tree core storage yard adjacent to the logging facility. When a geologist is ready to log the hole, a geotechnician moves the core inside the logging facility, places it on logging tables and washes off any drill mud. A geologist records detailed geology data directly into acQuire software. Data fields include geotechnical, sampling intervals, lithology, alteration, oxide, sulfide, structure, point data, veins and density.
Sample intervals are chosen by the geologist based on detailed geologic observations. Sample intervals may range from ten feet to a minimum of one foot, with a maximum of five feet in areas of interest. The geologist marks sample intervals on the core and staples a sample ticket double-stub in the core box at the end of the sample interval. Sample IDs are automatically generated in acQuire, with a prefix that designates the project. Sample tickets are then printed out with sample IDs. Logged core boxes are photographed with a high-resolution camera while wet and then stacked on a wooden pallet prior to being moved to the sample cutting area.
The geologist prints a cut-sheet from acQuire software with the sample numbers and intervals and gives the cut-sheet to the geotechnician. The geotechnician places a sample bag in a five-gallon plastic bucket on the floor next to the core saw. The core is sawed in half, the left piece is placed into the sample bag, and the right piece goes back into the core box. In the case of broken core, the sampler does their best to divide the sample equally. Once the interval is split, the geotechnician takes one part of the double sample stub from the core box and staples it to the sample bag. The remaining sample stub remains in the core box for future reference. The geotechnician then ties the sample bag shut and marks the sample off the cut-sheet. The tied sample bags are stored in a sample bin for the lab driver to pick up.
The geologist assigns QAQC samples while logging targeting 5% blanks, 5% standards, and 2.5% field duplicates. The geologist attempts to place blanks after high-grade samples where available. The geologist also attempts to place standards proximal to mineralized zones with standard gold values approximately that of the mineralized zone gold values. However, since the gold value of the rock cannot be known prior to assay, the standard value may not always compare well to the mineralized zone. The geotechnician places the blanks and duplicates with their sample tags in the sample bin with the regular core samples. The standards are placed in a small sample bag with the corresponding sample ID. The standards corresponding to a single hole are then placed in a larger bag prior to shipment to the assay lab.
The geologist completes a sample submittal sheet. The assay lab driver picks up the samples from the Lone Tree core shed and is given a chain of custody form with sample ID’s for the shipment. An electronic copy of the sample submittal form is emailed to the assay lab.
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Drill hole status, such as splitting, sample dispatch date, batch ID, and dates of both preliminary and final results, are tracked in acQuire as well as on ALS Mineral’s online portal.
Core Recovery
The average recovery for core drilled by Premier is about 90%, which is consistent with historic recovery measurements. Recovery is calculated by measuring the length of material between blocks in the core box and dividing that length by the drilled interval length. It is difficult to measure length accurately for a broken interval of core, and the tendency is to over-estimate recovery in broken intervals. This is a typical problem for drilling in northern Nevada, and the authors believe that 90% is a reasonable estimate of recovery. Although any sample with less than 100% recovery is sub-optimal, the authors believe the samples provide a reasonable representation of the rock package.
Sampling, Analysis and Data Verification
Exploration samples are submitted to ALS Minerals, an ISO/IEC 17025:2017 certified and accredited laboratory in Sparks, Nevada, for sample preparation and analysis. American Assay Laboratory in Sparks, Nevada is used for umpire check sample analysis. The drill and geochemical samples are collected in accordance with accepted industry standards. Data verification was completed as part of the generation of the mineral resources estimate. All data collected, including but not limited to collar location, downhole survey, geological, and analytical data, are subject to i-80 Gold’s Quality Assurance, Quality Control (“QAQC”) procedures. Property Grid and Drill Hole Collars
Mineral Processing and Metallurgical Testing
Testing programs completed demonstrate that samples from the Gap and Helen zones are refractory to standard cyanide leaching. The samples showed significant levels of preg robbing from naturally occurring carbonaceous matter and refractory gold in sulfide minerals. Some samples showed better amenability to roasting while others showed better amenability to pressure oxidation. Processing of Cove production will require a facility with refractory treatment either in a new process plant or through an existing operation that can provide third-party processing. Head assaying for both the Helen Zone and Gap indicated that the gold in the two resources will likely be finely disseminated and not amenable to gravity gold recovery.
Metallurgical testing reviewed in regard to the Cove Project including date, laboratory, and listed accreditation are shown below:
Metallurgical Testing Program
Date
Laboratory
Accreditation
Program
2008
Kappes Cassiday & Associates (KCA)
No certifications listed on website. Independent of i-80.
Whole Ore Leaching and Flotation Tests
2009
Kappes Cassiday & Associates (KCA)
No certifications listed on website. Independent of i-80.
Roasting and Cyanidation of Calcine, Hot Lime Treatment, and Flotation Tests
2017
SGS Lakefield Research Ltd. (SGS)
Conforms to the requirements of the ISO/IEC 17025 standard for specific registered tests. Independent of i-80.
Whole ore leaching, roasting, pressure oxidation and cyanidation of oxidation products
2021
Kappes Cassiday & Associates (KCA)
No certifications listed on website. Independent of i-80.
Whole ore chlorination oxidation and leaching
2022
FLSmidth Minerals Testing and Research Center
No certifications listed on website. Independent of i-80.
Whole ore pressure oxidation
Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Estimates
The mineral resource estimate presented herein has been prepared following the guidelines of S-K 1300 as well as NI 43-101 and Form 43-101F1 and in conformity with generally accepted "CIM Estimation of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves Best Practice Guidelines 2019". Mineral resources have been classified in accordance with the definitions set forth in S-K 1300 and "CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves" adopted by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) Council on May 10, 2014.
The Cove area includes four distinct mineralized zones: CSD, GAP, Helen, and 2201. The mineralized zones follow a southeast to northwest trend beginning below the historic Cove pit and extending over 6,000 feet to the northwest.
The cutoff grade for mineral resources varies by process type and estimated recovery. It is anticipated that total gold production will be limited by mine capacity and cut off grades will range from a low of 0.112 Au opt to a high of 0.155 Au opt. Details of Cutoff grade estimation are given in section 18.4. of the Cove Technical Report.
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Summary of Cove Mineral Resources at the End of the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2025
Tons
(kton)
Tonnes
(kt)
Au
(opt)
Au
(g/t)
Ag
(opt)
Ag
(g/t)
Au
(koz)
Ag
(koz)
Indicated Mineral Resource
Helen
743
674
0.271
9.3
0.074
2.6
201
55
Gap
280
254
0.219
7.5
0.239
8.9
61
72
CSD
275
249
0.175
6.0
1.603
55.0
48
441
Total Indicated
1,298
1,177
0.239
8.2
0.438
15.0
310
568
Inferred Mineral Resource
Helen
1,743
1,582
0.245
8.4
0.083
2.9
427
146
Gap
2,229
2,022
0.244
8.4
0.262
9.0
543
585
CSD
319
290
0.173
5.9
1.685
57.8
55
538
2201
168
153
0.780
26.7
1.016
34.8
131
171
Total Inferred
4,459
4,047
0.259
8.9
0.323
11.1
1,156
1,439
Notes:
(1) Mineral resources have been estimated at a gold price of $2,175 per troy ounce and a silver price of 27.25 per troy ounce; metal price determinations were from 2024 Q3;
(2) Mineral resources have been estimated using gold metallurgical recoveries ranging from 73.2% to 93.3% for roasting and 78.5% to 95.1 % for pressure oxidation;
(3) Roaster cutoff grades reported in grams per metric tonne (g/t) and ounce per ton (opt), range from 4.15 to 5.29 Au g/t (0.121 to 0.154 opt) and pressure oxidation cutoff grades range from 3.83 to 4.64 Au g/t (0.112 to 0.135 opt);
(4) The effective date of the mineral resource estimate is December 31, 2024; Qualified Person and an employee of the Practical Mining LLC Company, has reviewed the Cove mineral resources and material assumptions included in the Cove Technical Report and confirmed that they remain current as of December 31, 2025.
(5) Mineral resources, which are not mineral reserves, do not have demonstrated economic viability. The estimate of mineral resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant factors;
(6) An inferred mineral resource is that part of a mineral resource for which quantity and grade or quality are estimated on the basis of limited geological evidence and sampling. Geological evidence is sufficient to imply but not verify geological and grade or quality continuity. An inferred mineral resource has a lower level of confidence than that applying to an indicated mineral resource and must not be converted to a mineral reserve. It is reasonably expected that the majority of inferred mineral resources could be upgraded to indicated mineral resources with continued exploration; and
(7) The reference point for mineral resources is in situ.
Grade Estimation and Resource Classification
The gold and silver variables in the block model were estimated using inverse distance cubed (ID3) and nearest neighbor methods. The estimations were completed with one pass.
Anisotropic search parameters were set to the average orientation of each zone. Average orientation was determined by loading the modeled 3 g/t lenses by zone in Vulcan and visually estimating average dip and dip direction. Distances were selected based on the drill spacing of samples intercepting the lenses and on the general orientation and shape of the interpreted solids. Blocks inside of the modelled 3 g/t lenses were estimated using only composites flagged with the corresponding lens code. Blocks outside of the 3 g/t lenses were estimated using composites with the corresponding low-grade flag. Blocks lying outside the low-grade halo were not estimated. The estimation search parameters are listed below and discusses in Section 11.8 of the Cove Technical Report.
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Estimation Parameters
Zone
Mineral Lens Code
Bearing
Plunge
Dip
Major Search Axis (ft)
Semi-major Search Axis (ft)
Minor Search Axis (ft)
Min Samp
Max Samp
CSD_GAP
220X
315
4.8
10.3
300
300
100
1
3
GAP Hybrid
500X
315
5.0
0.0
300
300
100
1
3
CSD
110X
315
6.3
7.1
300
300
100
1
3
Upper Helen
310X
315
10.7
7.0
300
300
100
1
3
Upper Helen Wedge
330X
315
6.2
-7.4
300
300
100
1
3
Lower Helen
320X
315
0.0
0.0
300
300
100
1
3
Lower Helen Wedge
340X
315
-1.5
0.0
300
300
100
1
3
2201 high angle vein 1
1301
342
0.0
73.6
300
300
300
1
3
2201 high angle vein 2
1302
342
0.0
73.6
300
300
300
1
3
2201 high angle vein 3
1303
322
0.0
73.6
300
300
300
1
3
2201 low angle
140X
315
7.6
15.7
300
300
100
1
3
Low_CSD_GAP and GAP Hybrid
22000
315
4.8
10.3
300
300
100
1
3
Low_CSD
11000
315
6.3
7.1
300
300
100
1
3
Low_Upper Helen
31000
315
10.7
7.0
300
300
100
1
3
Low_Upper Helen Wedge
33000
315
6.2
-7.4
300
300
100
1
3
Low_Lower Helen
32000
315
0.0
0.0
300
300
100
1
3
Low_Lower Helen Wedge
34000
315
-1.5
0.0
300
300
100
1
3
Low_NE of CR fault
10000
315
0.0
0.0
300
300
100
1
3
Low_Other_1100X
1100X
315
6.3
7.1
300
300
100
1
3
Low_Other_2200X
2200X
315
4.8
10.3
300
300
100
1
3
Low_Other_3300X
3300X
315
6.2
-7.4
300
300
100
1
3
Low_Other_3400X
3400X
315
-1.5
0.0
300
300
100
1
3
A script was run on the estimated block model to populate the classification variable. The classification categories are indicated, inferred and none. Classification was determined based on three block model variables: au_dist, au_ndh and au_nn_dist. These three variables represent, respectively, the average distance to the composites used to estimate the grade of the block, the number of drill holes contributing to the grade of the block, and the distance to the nearest composite. The default value was defined as ‘none’, which was over-written by indicated or inferred where the required conditions were satisfied. The conditions of the classification script are listed below.
Classification Conditions
Class
Script Condition
au_dist (ft)
au_ndh
au_nn_dist (ft)
Indicated
if
<100
at least 2
50 or less
Inferred
elseif
<=300
at least 2
None
default
Significant parameters used in the gold and silver estimations included:
1. Only composites with a value of greater than or equal to zero were used;
2. A minimum of one and maximum of three composites were used;
3. Only one composite per drill hole was allowed;
4. Composites were selected using anisotropic distances oriented to the local dip and dip direction of the zone;
5. Only composites within a lens were used to estimate blocks within the lens;
6. Grades were capped using a top cut method; and
7. Gold and silver for blocks outside modelled 3 g/t and low-grade shells were not estimated.
Criteria for Reasonable Prospects for Economic Extraction
To satisfy the requirement for “Reasonable Prospects for Economic Extraction” (RPEE). Stope optimizer software is well suited to meet this requirement. The software will produce stope designs that meet minimum minable geometric shapes that exceed the cutoff grade. These shapes will include necessary low grade or waste dilution included with the stope design. Cove mineral resources are defined by a mining geometry consistent with the drift and fill or drift and bench mining methods chosen. The dimensions of a minimum minable stope cross section are 20 feet wide x 15 feet high. Individual stope lengths can vary from a minimum of 20 feet to a maximum of 100 feet.
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Mineral Resources Comparison
There has been no change in either the indicated or inferred mineral resources from December 31, 2024 to December 31. 2025.
The comparison of the Mineral Resources as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2025 can be found in the table below. No resource material depletion occurred in 2025.
December 31, 2025
December 31, 2024
Percent Change
Category
Ounces
Gold
Ounces
Silver
Ounces
Gold
Ounces
Silver
Gold
Silver
Indicated
310
568
310 568 —% —%
Inferred
1156
1439
1156 1439 —% —%
Mining and Operations
Due to the mostly flat geometry of the ore lenses, all planned production mining will be completed using drift and fill mining. The final choice of mining method will depend upon the geometry of the stope block, proximity to main access ramps, ventilation and escape routes, the relative strength or weakness of the mineralized material and adjacent wall rock, and finally the value or grade of the mineralized material. The choice of mining method will not be finalized until after the stope delineation and definition drilling is completed.
Drift and Fill is a very selective mining method. A drift and fill stope is initiated by driving a waste crosscut from the access ramp to the ore. The initial ore drift is driven at planned 13-feet wide by 13-feet high dimensions, with gradient varying between +/-20% to follow the geometry of the mineralization. The minimum cut and fill drift height is eight feet to minimize dilution on the thinner mineralized lenses. Once the initial drift is driven, floor may be pulled and/or back may be breasted down to capture the full thickness of the lens. Where mining is planned adjacent to the drift, it will be backfilled with CRF prior to mining the subsequent drifts.
Processing and Recovery Operations
Mineralization from the Cove operation which is amenable to roasting will be processed via dry grind, roasting followed by carbon in leach (CIL) at a third-party processing facility. Up to 750 tons per day of Cove production will be processed at this facility.
Beginning in 2028, amenable production will also be processed through the Lone Tree Autoclave facility. Operating conditions will be determined. Production will likely be blended with feed from other i-80 operations.
The Lone Tree Plant and Autoclave Facility is located immediately adjacent to the i-80 highway and approximately 50 miles from the Cove Property. The Lone Tree processing facilities were shut down at the end of 2007. Since that time, the mills have been rotated on a regular basis to lubricate the bearings. The facility is still in place with, in general, most of the equipment sitting idle.
Pursuant to a Class 3 Engineering Study for the refurbishment of the Lone Tree processing plant, as disclosed on Form 8-K by the Company on Form 8-K on December 18, 2025 the Company’s objective is to refurbish and restart the pressure oxidation (POX) circuit and associated unit operations, including building a new oxygen plant, while meeting new regulatory requirements for allowable mercury emissions. The POX circuit will operate under acidic conditions and is planned to process up to 2,268 tonnes per day with total annual throughput of 827,806 tonnes based on 85% plant availability, consistent with historic production data.
Infrastructure, Permitting and Compliance Activities
Access to the mineralized zones is through a portal located just north of the Cove Pit. Primary development totals 23,048 feet with gradients up to +/- 15%. Ventilation and secondary egress will be gained through a ventilation intake portal in the southwest pit wall and an exhaust raise equipped with a personal hoist for evacuation.
Drift and fill mining with mining heights of fifteen feet will be the primary method for extraction of the Helen and Gap mineral resource. Where the mineralized lenses thicken, breasting the sill or back can recover additional mineralization. Waste rock from development and waste reclaimed from historic dumps will be used for Cemented Rock Fill (CRF) or unconsolidated (GOB) fill as appropriate to achieve high levels of extraction. Development and production mining will be performed by a qualified mining contractor thus reducing the capital requirements for the Project.
A trucking contractor will transport mineralization mined over local, state, and federal roads for processing at a third party roaster or at i-80’s Lone Tree pressure oxidation (POX) facility.
Dewatering will be accomplished using multiple surface and underground wellsand a pit lake barge. Dewatering water will be piped to a series of Rapid Infiltration Basins (RIBs). The RIB locations have been selected to prevent recharge into the Cove hydrogeologic system.
Long term electrical power demands up to 11.5 MW will be supplied by NV Energy via an existing 120kV transmission line which connects the Project site to NV Energy’s Bannock substation. A new substation and 13.8kV distribution system will be constructed at Cove.
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Power for initial mine development and underground delineation drilling will be provided from an existing 24.9kV distribution line that also terminates on the property. A substation for the 24.9kV line and a distribution line to the portal site was constructed in 2019. Power will be stepped down from the 120kV substation and use the same distribution line.
Baseline environmental studies have been undertaken per National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) permitting requirements administered by the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM). This, along with dewatering, constitutes the critical path to production. A majority of the baseline studies have been submitted and approved.
All of the historical dewatering infrastructure has been removed except the water monitoring wells and piezometers. i-80 will be required to construct the following:
• Dewatering wells with production string;
• Pit lake dewatering barge;
• Electrical distribution lines and transformers to the dewatering wells and pit lake barge;
• Collection pipelines to each well and pit lake barge’
• Rapid Infiltration Basins, and;
• Pipeline from the collection piping system to the RIBs.
Mine Facilities
The laydown area of the mine will contain the main office, maintenance shop, equipment wash down bay, fuel and oil storage, employee dry facilities and warehouse.
Backfill
Backfill material for unconsolidated waste fill can be obtained from any suitable source, such as development waste, open pit waste dumps or leach pads. Backfill material for CRF will need to meet specifications designed to achieve minimum uniaxial compressive strength specifications. This specification is designed to provide the pillar strength needed to maintain stability of adjacent underground excavations and may require screening and/or crushing. CRF material will be mixed at a backfill plant located near the portal and transported underground using the same truck fleet used to remove mineralized material and waste from the mine.
Impact
Au-Reka is the owner and operator of the Cove Project and is responsible for all permitting requirements associated with the site including ensuring that mineral exploration activities are conducted in compliance with all applicable environmental protection legislation. The Cove Project is primarily located on public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and is subject to both Federal and State permitting requirements. Au-Reka is unaware of any existing environmental issues or compliance problems that have the potential to impede production at the Project. Au-Reka is working closely with both State and Federal regulators to ensure that the permitting and compliance strategies are acceptable and will not cause delays in production or mine development. At this time, there are no community or social impact issues regarding work being completed at the Project. Au-Reka continues to engage with the surrounding community and other external stakeholders.
The Cove Project site is located within a previously mined area and most activities are currently being conducted or are planned on existing previously disturbed or mined areas, thereby limiting the potential environmental impacts to the site. All necessary studies and permits are in place to support the permitted exploration and test mining activities at the site.
The underground exploration decline was advanced in 2022-2023 followed by infill drilling of the ore body that continued in 2025.
Au-Reka is currently in the process of advancing the full-scale underground mining permitting phase of the Project and, during 2023-2024, baseline studies were conducted to support the federal permitting action which is expected to be an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) through the BLM. In addition, an associated Plan Of Operations (POO) Amendment will also be completed and submitted to address the Project specifics for full-scale underground mining. Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) permits will also be secured as the Project permitting progresses.
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McCoy-Cove Property Existing Permits
Permit Name
Agency
Permit Number
Plan of Operations - Cove Helen UG
BLM
NVN-088795
Plan of Operations - McCoy Cove Mine
BLM
NVN-067086
Plan of Operations - McCoy Cove Exploration
BLM
NVN-067716
Mine Reclamation Permit - Cove Helen UG
NDEP-BMRR
0342
Mine Reclamation Permit - McCoy Cove Mine
NDEP-BMRR
0147
Mine Reclamation Permit - McCoy Cove Exploration
NDEP-BMRR
0062
Surface Area Disturbance Permit - Cove Helen UG
NDEP-BAPC
AP1041-2192.03
Surface Area Disturbance Permit - McCoy Cove Exploration
NDEP-BAPC
AP1041-3762
Water Pollution Control Permit - Cove Helen UG
NDEP-BMRR
NEV2010102
Water Pollution Control Permit - Cove Helen RIBs
NDEP-BMRR
NEV2010107
Water Pollution Control Permit - McCoy Cove Mine
NDEP-BMRR
NEV0088009
Mining Stormwater General Permit
NDEP-BWPC
NVR300000: MSW-678
Onsite Sewage Disposal System General Permit
NDEP-BWPC
GNEVOSDS09L0112
Industrial Artificial Pond Permit
NDOW
S400418
Dam Safety Permit
NDWR
J-495
Class III Waivered Landfill
NDEP-BSMM
SWW335
Closure and Reclamation Requirements
Reclamation bonding requirements during the pre-construction phase of the project are $166k per year and increase to $826k per year during construction and operation of the mine. Regulatory bonding requirements will be satisfied by the purchase of surety for an annual cost of 2% per year. Estimated reclamation costs net of salvage total $22.9M. Post closure monitoring is forecast to continue for 5 years following final reclamation at a cost of $250k per annum. Closure and reclamation costs on a per unit basis total $42.30 per gold ounce.
Economic Analysis
Royalties include both the 1½ % Newmont NSR and the 2% Summa Corporation NSR. The Summa royalty applies only to a portion of the mine production.
Federal income taxes of 21% apply to taxable income after appropriate deductions for depreciation and depletion. The gold percentage depletion rate is 15%. Nevada’s commerce tax is 0.051% on all revenue above $4M per annum. The excise tax is 0.75% on all revenue above $20M and less than $150M and 1.1% on revenues over $150M.
Capital spending over the life of the project is subdivided into three categories. Pre-development spending of $17.3M encompasses definition drilling, baseline data collection, engineering, hydrogeologic investigations, metallurgical testing and permitting. Construction capital is required for Helen and Gap dewatering, infrastructure and mine development and is projected at $157.4 M over a two-year period commencing in 2028. Sustaining capital includes mine development and facilities. Sustaining capital totals $49.1M commencing in 2030.
Gold recovery will total 740,000 ounces over the eight-year mine production life. Material mined for processing averages 0.305 Au opt. Full production is reached after two years of ramp up in 2031 and averages 1,190 tpd from 2031 through 2036.
The Helen and Gap zones contain 70% and 89% inferred mineral resources respectively. The results without inferred are the result of a gross factorization of the production stream. There has been no adjustment to capital development, dewatering capital or mine facilities capital. Furthermore, there has not been any recalculation of productivities or operating costs due to the lower production rates.
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Financial Statistics
With Inferred Without Inferred
Gold price (US$/oz) $2,175
Silver price (US$/oz) $27.25
Mine life (years) 8
Average mineralized mining rate (tons/day) 1,010 200
Average grade (oz/t Au) 0.305 0.313
Average gold recovery (roaster %) 79% 79%
Average gold recovery (autoclave %) 86% 86%
Average annual gold production (koz) 92 19
Total recovered gold (koz) 740 148
Pre-development capital ($M) $17.3 $17.2
Mine construction capital ($M) $157.4 $157.4
Sustaining capital (M$) $49.1 $49.1
Construction Start Date 1/1/2028
Economic Indicators Post Construction Decision 3
Cash cost (US$/oz) 1
$1,201 $1,697
All-in sustaining cost (US$/oz) 2
$1,303 $2,240
All in cost (US$/oz) 5
$1,635 $3,302
Project after-tax NPV 5% (M$)
$274 ($160)
Project after-tax NPV 8% (M$)
$216 ($159)
Project after-tax IRR 30% NA
Payback Period 5.5 Years NA
Profitability Index 5% 4
— —
Financial Statistics Including Pre-Construction Period (1/1/2025 – 12/31/2027) 6
All in cost (US$/oz) 5
$1,658 $3,419
Project after-tax NPV 5% (M$)
$256 ($178)
Project after-tax NPV 8% (M$)
$198 ($177)
Project after-tax IRR 25% NA
Payback Period 6.8 years NA
Profitability Index 5% 4
— —
Notes:
1. Net of byproduct sales;
2. Excluding income taxes, construction capital, corporate G&A, corporate taxes and interest on debt;
3. Discounted to 2028, Construction Start;
4. Profitability index (PI), is the ratio of payoff to investment of a proposed project. It is a useful tool for ranking projects because it allows you to quantify the amount of value created per unit of investment. A profitability index of 1 indicates breakeven;
5. Excluding corporate G&A, corporate taxes and interest on debt;
6. Discounted to 2025;
7. This IA is preliminary in nature, it includes inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves, and there is no certainty that the IA will be realized. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability;
8. Inferred mineral resources constitute 70 % of the Helen zone and 89% of the Gap zone. The “Without Inferred” statistics presented are a gross factorization of the mine plan without any redesign of mine excavations or recalculation of productivities and costs. Capital costs are the same for the “With Inferred” and “Without Inferred” scenarios. The “Without Inferred” scenario is presented solely to illustrate the projects dependence on inferred mineral resources.
9. The financial analysis contains certain information that may constitute "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian and United States securities regulations. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements regarding the Company’s achievement of the full-year projections for ounce production, production costs, AISC costs per ounce, cash cost per ounce and realized gold/silver price per ounce, the Company’s ability to meet annual operations estimates, and statements about strategic plans, including future operations, future work programs, capital expenditures, discovery and production of minerals, price of gold and currency exchange rates, timing of geological reports and corporate and technical objectives. Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking information, including the risks inherent to the mining industry, adverse economic and market developments and the risks identified in Premier's annual information form under the heading "Risk Factors". There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. All forward-looking information contained in this Presentation is given as of the date hereof and is based upon the opinions and estimates of management and information available to management as at the date hereof. Premier disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
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Table of Contents
Capital and Operating Costs
Capital costs were generated from estimates provided by local suppliers and contractors and from similar work performed at other area mines. All cost estimates include Lander County and Nevada sales taxes of 7.1%, freight, contractor mobilization and demobilization, engineering procurement, and construction management. Capital cost estimates for the project are summarized in the table below.
Project Capital Costs ($M)
Pre-Construction
Construction
Sustaining
2025
2026
2027
2028
2029
2030
2031
2032
2033
2034
Total
Mine Development
—
—
—
0.4
24.8
12.1
5.8
12.3
0.6
10.5
66.5
Dewatering
—
—
—
69.9
18.0
—
—
—
—
—
87.9
120kv Substation
—
—
—
3.1
—
—
—
—
—
—
3.1
Mine Facilities
—
—
—
1.3
0.9
1.0
0.1
0.2
—
—
3.5
Pre-Production
1.7
1.7
1.7
10.9
—
—
—
—
—
—
15.9
Env. Permitting & Feas.
4.0
2.0
1.0
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
7.0
Drilling
2.0
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
2.0
Contingency
1.7
0.9
0.7
19.5
8.5
2.1
0.9
1.9
0.1
1.6
37.8
Total
9.4
4.6
3.3
105.2
52.2
15.2
6.8
14.4
0.7
12
223.8
17.3
157.4
49.1
223.8
Contingency - 15% development and drilling, 25% dewatering, substation, mine facilities and pre-production expenses.
The unit mining costs presented in the table below are typical contractor costs for the anticipated conditions at Cove. Operating cost estimates are suitable for Initial Assessments and are accurate to within +/- 50%.
Unit Operating Costs
Item
Unit Cost
Units
Stope Development
$110.59
$/ ton
Production
$80.00
$ /ton
Cemented Backfill
$37.93
$ /fill ton
Gob Fill
$13.00
$ /fill ton
Expensed Waste
$110.59
$ /waste ton
Hauling to Roaster
$24.38
$ /ton
Trucking to Lone Tree
$14.68
$ /ton
Toll Roasting
$75.00
$ /ton
Alkaline Pressure Oxidation
$70.81
$ /ton
Total operating and capital cost estimates are presented in the table below:
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Table of Contents
Operating and Capital Costs
Category
Total Cost ($M)
$/ton Processed
$/Au oz
Mining
408
139
552
Transportation and Processing
270
91
365
Electrical Power
71
24
96
G&A, Royalties, and NV Taxes
138
49
186
By Product Credits
(3)
(1)
(4)
Total Operating Costs
883
303
1,194
Closure and Reclamation
31
11
42
Sustaining Capital
49
17
66
All in Sustaining Costs
963
330
1303
Federal Income Tax
83
28
112
Construction Capital
157
54
213
All in Cost Excluding Pre-Construction Capex
1209
706
1,628
Pre-Construction Capex
17
6
23
All in Costs
1226
401
1651
Constant dollar cash flow analysis is presented below. Royalties include both the 11/2 % Newmont NSR and the 2% Summa Corporation NSR. The Summa royalty applies only to a portion of the mine production.
Federal income taxes of 21% apply to taxable income after appropriate deductions for depreciation and depletion. The gold percentage depletion rate is 15%. Nevada’s commerce tax is 0.051% on all revenue above $4 million per annum. The excise tax is 0.75% on all revenue above $20 million and less than $150 million and 1.1% on revenues over $150 million.
Cash Flow Statement
Pre-Const.
Construction
Production
2025-2027
2028
2029
2030
2031
2032
2033
2034
2035
2036
2037
2038-2045
Total
Net Income
0
0
10
16
6
20
113
79
37
28
0
3
312
Depreciation
0
0
13
16
25
32
70
64
44
30
0
0
295
Reclamation
(0)
(1)
1
1
2
3
7
5
3
(2)
(5)
(15)
0
Working
Capital
0
0
(7)
(0)
(6)
(0)
(6)
2
3
5
10
0
0
Operating
Cash Flow
(0)
(1)
17
33
27
54
185
150
87
61
6
(12)
606
Capital Costs
(17)
(105)
(52)
(15)
(7)
(14)
(1)
(12)
0
0
0
0
(224)
Net Cash Flow
(18)
(106)
(35)
18
20
40
184
138
87
61
6
(12)
382
All in Cost 1,2 ($/oz)
0
2,893
1,804
1,828
1,723
1,159
1,300
1,387
1,353
0
0
1,658
1. Net of Byproduct Sales
2. Note: All in Cost Exclusive of Corporate Taxes, Exploration, Corporate G&A and Interest on Debt
Results from the preliminary economic assessment indicate a post construction decision NPV 5% of $271 million (excluding $17.3 million pre-development capital), an internal rate of return (“IRR”) of 30%, and payback period of 5.5 years.
Exploration, Development & Production
The project pre-feasibility or feasibility study should address the following components and the work should be planned to minimize the permitting time required to achieve positive cash flow.
Resource Delineation and Exploration
1. Completion of the underground drilling program;
2. Update the resource model;
3. Expansion of the Gap and 2201 Zones could add high grade mineralization to the project which would be accessed through the planned Helen and Gap infrastructure.
Dewatering
1. Detailed review and selection of well locations, and;
2. Fine tune hydrogeologic model, pumping rates and drawdown rates.
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Table of Contents
Mining
1. A geotechnical characterization program should be implemented along with resource delineation: a. The objectives of the program are to characterize the mining horizons using the Rock Mass Rating (RMR) system; b. Collect downhole Acoustic Tele Viewer (ATV) drill logs to collect joint orientation data for mine designs and accurately estimate ground support requirements; and, c. Collect full core samples for physical rock property testing.
2. Complete additional testing of potential back fill sources to optimize the Cemented Rock Fill (CRF) mix design;
3. Run trade off studies between aquifer pumping rates and alternative mining scenarios; and, 4. Complete a ventilation simulation to predict Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM), carbon monoxide, and other contaminate concentrations.
Metallurgical Testing
Additional metallurgical testing will be needed to thoroughly investigate the variability and viability of Helen and Gap resources to evaluate pressure oxidation with CIL cyanidation under Lone Tree conditions. Testing also is expected to include baseline CIL tests and roasting testing as a comparison. Sampling objectives will include:
• Samples from GAP and Helen zones and their major lithological units; Favret, Panther Dolomite. The samples should also address spatial variability within each zone.
• Sample intrusive formations in each zone.
• Assess variability of the responses to roasting and calcine cyanidation across the resources;
• Assess variability of the responses to pressure oxidation and residue cyanidation across the resources;
• Testing should attempt to establish head grade and extraction relations for use in more detailed resource modelling;
• Mineralogy impacts need to be established and geologic domains within each resource need to be determined, and;
• Additional comminution data should be collected to assess hardness variability within the zones and any potential impacts in throughput in the Lone Tree process plant.
The resource model should be advanced to include arsenic, organic carbon, mercury, lead, zinc, total copper selenium, barium, cobalt, nickel, and cadmium as these will be important for predicting grades if toll process offsite is used and potentially for estimating extractions within the resources.
Net Book Value
The net book value of the Cove Project and its associated plant, equipment and mineral interests was approximately $52.8 million as of December 31, 2025.
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Lone Tree Project
Current Technical Report
Unless otherwise indicated, information in this section entitled “Material Mineral Properties – Lone Tree Project” is summarized or extracted from the technical report entitled “S-K 1300 Technical Report Summary on the Mineral Resource Estimates for the Lone Tree Deposit, Nevada” effective December 31, 2024 prepared by GeoGlobal LLC, Abani R. Samal, RM-SME, Brian Arthur, RM-SME and Paul Gates, PE (the “Lone Tree Technical Report”).
Portions of the following information are based on assumptions, qualifications and procedures which are set out only in the full Lone Tree Technical Report. For a complete description of the assumptions, qualifications and procedures associated with the following information, reference should be made to the full text of the Lone Tree Technical Report, which is available for review as an exhibit to the Company’s Form 10-K under its profile on Edgar at www.sec.gov.
Lone Tree is considered an exploration stage project because the Company has not determined mineral reserves at the project and the Company has continued extraction through heap-leaching without determining mineral reserves.
Aaron Amoroso, a QP and an employee of the Company, has approved the Lone Tree mineral resources included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K as of December 31, 2025 and their material assumptions.
Property Description, location and access
The Lone Tree project (the "Lone Tree Project") was acquired on October 14, 2021, by i-80 Gold Corp. ("i-80") from Nevada Gold Mines LLC ("NGM"). NGM is a joint venture in respect of the Lone Tree mineral deposit located in Nevada, U.S.A., between Newmont Mining Corporation ("Newmont") and Barrick Gold Corporation ("Barrick").
Resource expansion potential exists down-plunge of the main Lone Tree deposit and in the unmined Sequoia zone discovery where previous drilling returned multiple wide, high-grade, intercepts. The Lone Tree Technical Report focuses only on the Lone Tree mine properties (the "Lone Tree Properties").
The site of the Lone Tree Project has an autoclave and flotation mill, which as of the date of the Lone Tree Technical Report, are not operational. The autoclave and flotation mill last operated in 2007. Major components are largely in place but require refurbishment to be put back into service. The list of processing plants includes the following facilities:
• Lone Tree Autoclave, which processes higher-grade refractory ore.
• Lone Tree Flotation Plant, which processes lower-grade refractory ore.
• Lone Tree leach pad (Phases one-four), which treats oxide ore in a cyanide heap leach process.
• Lone Tree leach pad (Phase five), which treats oxide ore in a cyanide heap leach process.
• Lone Tree leach pad (Phase six), which treats oxide ore in a cyanide heap leach process.
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Location - The Lone Tree mine project is approximately 30 miles east of Winnemucca, Nevada, and 20 miles northwest of Battle Mountain, Nevada at 40° 50' 19" N, 117° 12' 37" W. The land package includes the process area, the Lone Tree Pit, and the Buffalo Mountain Property. Processing infrastructure at Lone Tree includes an autoclave, carbon-in-leach mill, flotation mill, and heap leach facility. The mine office is accessible from Interstate 80 by a paved highway. See Figure 1-2 Location of Lone Tree Property within Nevada.
Figure 1-2 Location of Lone Tree Property within Nevada
Climate - The climate in Humboldt County is typical of the high-desert environment. Average July temperatures range between 65°F and 75°F in the lower valleys and cooler in the higher elevations. Summer highs in the valleys are approximately the mid-90°F, with temperatures in the range of 50°F or 60°F at night. Winter temperatures average between 2 5 °F and 45 °F in the valleys with the possibility of frost from early September through June. Average rainfall is 10 in to 15 in, with less than 10 in. of rain in the lowest areas and up to 20 in. occurring in the mountains. The majority of precipitation falls between November and May, with the possibility of summer thunderstorms. Mining operations can continue year-round with brief pauses for summer lightning storms or unusually heavy winter snowstorms.
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Land Rights - The Lone Tree Properties include interests in fee lands covering approximately 3989.2 acres for surface and mineral rights, approximately 5.03 acres for surface only rights, approximately 1,925.93 acres for minerals only rights, and 621.96 acres for leased fee rights, 6 patented mining claims covering approximately 79.1 acres, and 394 unpatented mining claims covering approximately 8,140.04 acres which are leased or owned by the Corporation through its subsidiary Goldcorp Dee LLC.
Royalties - The Lone Tree Property is subject to several royalties. As of the date of this Annual Report, the following table summarizes the royalties present on the various properties making up the Lone Tree Property. See Figure 1-3 for a detailed royalty map.
Several royalties are in effect on various areas of the property. Some royalties were retained by previous owners upon sale of the property while others were negotiated as lease agreements with claim holders.
Lone Tree Royalties
Lessor/Grantor
Lease Type
Newmont proportionate to ownership interest
1.5% NSR
Newmont proportionate to lessor interest
0.5% NSR
Vek/Andrus successors (41.6667% ownership interest)
5% NSR
Richardson
5% NSR
BTF Properties
5% NSR
Franco-Nevada Mining Corporation, Inc.
1% NSR
Marigold Mining Company
4-5% NSR
$25/oz not exceeding $50M to Nevada Gold Mines LLC
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Figure 1-3 Lone Tree Property Area/Royalty Map
91
Permits/Licenses - The Lone Tree Project has the required permits, licenses and authorizations from the BLM and Nevada state agencies, primarily the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, to conduct current operations.
Specific to the autoclave facility (Plant), permits and licenses are in place for the existing operational components in use. The approval of new and revised permit applications pertaining to air quality, mercury abatement, water pollution control, reclamation and other secondary permits related to the new Plant design and associated facilities will be secured prior to beginning of construction activities.
Environmental Considerations - Reclamation activities from past mining and processing at the Lone Tree project are ongoing. A reclamation cost estimate prepared in March 2022 estimated cost to close and reclaim the project is $87.1 M. This amount includes closure of all permitted mining and exploration disturbance at the project and is calculated using the Nevada Standardized Reclamation Cost Estimator.
Social & Community Considerations - Over its history, the operation has contributed significantly to the economic development of both Humboldt and Lander County, Nevada, through job creation and both direct and indirect economic benefits.
Goldcorp DEE LLC periodically hosts Town Hall meetings in Winnemucca and Battle Mountain, Nevada, to offer operational updates to local stakeholders. The company also collaborates with Humboldt and Lander County School Districts and Mining Industry Foundation on various educational initiatives and activities. Additionally, Goldcorp DEE LLC maintains strong, positive relationships with local government officials, ranchers, landowners, and nearby residents.
History
In the early days the Lone Tree area was explored for copper, but no significant resources were discovered. The initial discovery hole at Lone Tree was drilled in July 1989 by Cordex Exploration Co. ("Cordex") on the southern extension of what was to become the Lone Tree gold deposit. This southern portion of the deposit was referred to as the Stonehouse deposit. Santa Fe Pacific Gold ("Santa Fe") discovered the main part of the Lone Tree deposit in the pediment on the west flank of the hill in 1989 and acquired the Stonehouse portion of the deposit from Cordex. Newmont acquired the deposit from Santa Fe through a merger and began operations in 1991, continuing mining operations until 2006. Operations were discontinued in 2006 due to the increased production costs, largely resulting from the influx of groundwater into the deepening pit. The pit was allowed to flood which created a lake within the pit. Approximately 4.6 million ounces of gold were produced from the Lone Tree mine and approximately 5.2 million ounces of gold were produced at the Lone Tree processing facilities during this time.
Mining on the Brooks deposit, which lies to the southwest of the main Lone Tree pit, was conducted in 2015-2019. Approximately 52,000 ounces were placed on the heap leach pad and residual leaching is ongoing. Residual leaching and ongoing reclamation activities from the Lone Tree mine continued until 2007. In July 2019 the non-operating Lone Tree project became part of NGM, and i-80 then, through its subsidiary Goldcorp Dee LLC, acquired the Lone Tree property and processing facilities from NGM on October 14, 2021.
Geological Setting, Mineralization and Deposit Types
Mineralization is structurally controlled within three Paleozoic rock sequences at the Lone Tree deposit. The oldest of these three is the Valmy Formation which is unconformably overlain by rocks of the Pennsylvanian Antler Sequence of the Battle and Edna Mountain Formations. The Pennsylvanian-Permian Havallah sequence rocks were thrust over the Antler Sequence rocks in the mine area. The Havallah Sequence is dominated by siltstones, chert and basalts with lesser sandstones and conglomerates. Amongst the three mineralized Paleozoic sequences, Antler Sequence rocks appear to have been preferentially mineralized within the structural zones.
Out of three principal mineralized zones namely the Wayne Zone, the Sequoia Zone, and the Antler High Zone, the Wayne zone is the most preferred zone with higher amount of mineralized material. The main structural component of the Wayne zone is the north-sound trending Powerline Fault. While the pit bottom is currently under water, the footwall of the Powerline fault seems to be exposed on the east wall of the Lone Tree mine.
Regional Geology
The Lone Tree deposit occurs in Humboldt County, Nevada, within the Basin and Range physiographic province, in the northern part of the Battle Mountain mining district. The Battle Mountain mining district is dominated by Late Cretaceous and Eocene age magmatism with a variety of ore deposit types including porphyry Cu-Au, porphyry Mo, skarn, distal disseminated +/- Carlin-type deposits. A number of Cu-Mo porphyry along with sedimentary rock-hosted gold deposits, such as Lone Tree, Buffalo Valley, Marigold, North Peak, and Trenton Canyon, have been classified as distal disseminated and Carlin-type deposits and Au-skarn deposits, such as those at Buckingham, Copper Canyon, Copper basin, and Elder Creek. Au/Ag ratios are consistent with most other Carlin-type deposits, although the lower ratios of some ores overlap with the distal-disseminated Au-Ag deposits such as Lone Tree, Nevada.
The high Au/Ag ratios and lack of base metals have been used to differentiate Carlin-type Deposits from other sedimentary rock-hosted deposits in northern Nevada such as Lone Tree, Nevada, which are classified as pluton-related or distal-disseminated Ag- Au.
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Regional tectonic activities in northern Nevada, occurred over a period of two billion years starting with Precambrian rocks occurring in the East Humboldt. Paleozoic rocks in this region generally comprise four distinct tectonostratigraphic assemblages:
• Cambrian-Ordovician miogeoclinal carbonate shelf-slope rocks identified through deep drilling in the district but not exposed at the surface.
• Ordovician-Mississippian eugeoclinal siliciclastic rocks of the Roberts Mountain allochthon, including the Valmy Formation.
• Autochthonous Pennsylvanian to Permian shallow-water facies of the Antler overlap sequence.
• Mississippian to Permian deep-water siliciclastic rocks and basalts of the Golconda allochthon, which were thrust on top of the Antler overlap sequence by the Golconda thrust during the Permian-Triassic Sonoma orogeny (Theodore, 2000), constituting the Havallah sequence; many of the clastic constituents of these rocks appear to be sourced from the Antler highlands.
Gold deposits are hosted in a variable stratigraphic package of Ordovician through lower Mississippian shallow-water rocks that have been overthrust by deep-water, siliciclastic allochthonous rocks along the Roberts Mountains Thrust during the late Devonian to Early Mississippian Antler orogeny. Subsequent orogenic shortening during the Pennsylvanian and Permian (Humboldt disturbance), Early Triassic (Sonoma orogeny), Middle Jurassic (Elko orogeny) and Early Cretaceous (Sevier orogeny) have reactivated earlier basement and Antler-related faults. The sedimentary rocks are intruded or unconformably overlain by igneous rocks of three magmatic episodes: Cretaceous, Eocene, and Miocene age.
The current regional physiography is the result of extensional tectonics during the Tertiary. High angle faults formed during this period are interpreted as the main pathways for ore forming fluids. Economic concentrations of gold typically occur near the intersections of northeast and north-south faults, along the margins of intrusive bodies, or at contacts between siliceous and carbonate lithologies. Geochemical enrichment in trace elements such as silver, arsenic, antimony, mercury, and thallium are common to nearly all trend deposits.
Local Geology & Mineralization
Mineralization is hosted within structures which crosscut all three Paleozoic rock sequences present in the mine area. The oldest of these three sequences is the Ordovician Valmy Formation, which is a part of the Roberts Mountain Allochthon.
In the mine area, the Valmy consists primarily of quartzite, with lesser amounts of chert, argillite, and minor basalt. The Valmy rocks are unconformably overlain by rocks of the Pennsylvanian Antler Sequence, which belong to the Battle and Edna Mountain Formations. The Edna Mountain Formation at Lone Tree is typified by a sandy siltstone unit grading downward into a lithic sandstone unit. The Battle Formation is observed as a poorly sorted cobble conglomerate of varying thickness. A thin calcareous sandstone tentatively identified as a lateral equivalent of the Antler Formation rocks present at the Marigold Mine has been encountered in drill holes on the southeastern margin of the mine area. Rocks of the Pennsylvanian-Permian Havallah sequence were thrust over the Antler Sequence rocks in the mine area during the Sonoma Orogeny. The Havallah Sequence at Lone Tree encompasses several rock types within at least three packages, but is dominated by siltstones, chert and basalts with lesser sandstones and conglomerates. Although gold mineralization is present in all three Paleozoic sequences, Antler Sequence rocks appear to have been preferentially mineralized within the structural zones. Alluvial cover over the deposit ranges from a minimum of two feet to a maximum in excess of 400 feet. Bedrock has been sharply down-dropped to the north and to the southeast by post-mineral faulting, creating alluvium-filled basins in excess of 1,000 feet deep.
Three principal mineralized structural zones and at least one lesser zone is currently recognized. The three principal structural zones are known as the Wayne Zone, the Sequoia Zone, and the Antler High Zone. The most significant of the three major zones, in terms of known strike length as well as contained tons and ounces, is known as the Wayne Zone. The Wayne Zone encompasses more than fifty percent of the contained tons and ounces within the overall deposit. The most widely recognized of the lesser zones is known as the Chaotic Zone, aptly named for the structural complexity associated with it.
The Wayne Zone has been described as a system of relatively narrow north-northwest and north-northeast trending faults forming an anastomosing complex of brittle shears enveloping rhomboid blocks of relatively competent but highly fractured domains of lesser strain. With few exceptions, ore-grade mineralization does not extend along the north-northeast and north-northwest faults beyond the margins of the Wayne Zone. Detailed examination of blast hole data clearly demonstrates a "zig-zag" pattern of mineralization within the principal component structure of the Wayne Zone, known as the Powerline Fault. Higher gold grades within the Powerline Fault are commonly associated with the hanging wall and footwall margins of the fault, which averages 50 feet in width.
The Powerline fault zone is a North - South trending high angle fault zone, extends at least 2,500 m along strike. Mineralization is truncated to the north by the NE trending Poplar Fault. Mineralization in the Wayne Zone is hosted in all three rock packages (Valmy, Antler, Havallah) as breccia within the complex structure.
The southern zones of mineralization (Sequoia, Antler High zones) are primarily hosted in the Edna Mtn. Fm. of the Antler sequence. This mineralization is a combination of structural (Sequoia Fault) and stratiform control. Gold is primarily hosted in arsenopyrite rather than arsenian pyrite found in most Carlin-type systems. Lone Tree has always been considered a horst block cored by the Valmy Fm. siliciclastic sediments with the Powerline Fault on west side and Sequoia Fault on east side being the main controls to mineralization.
Mineralization is hosted both within the fault plane itself, and within the highly shattered rocks of the adjacent hanging wall block. The age of the Redwood Fault is not known, but certain evidence suggests that it pre-dates the Sonoma Orogeny.
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Mineralized structures have been identified in the hanging wall of the Wayne Zone, and within the footwall of both the Wayne Zone and the Sequoia Zone. Many structures controlling gold mineralization are moderate to high angle, west- or east-dipping normal faults or fractures. Some lower-angle mineralized structures, which are thought to have been re-activated during extension, have been noted. As within the Wayne Zone, mineralization most often occurs at the intersection of NNW and NNE-trending faults of varying dip angles. Strike-slip or oblique-slip motion has been noted on some structures, although kinematic indicators are essentially non-existent in the highly silicified, brittle rocks of the Edna Mountain Formation, or in the Valmy quartzite.
A principal characteristic of the Lone Tree deposit is the spatial coincidence of several structurally controlled episodes of mineralization. Hydrothermal breccias, with as much as 25% matrix expansion, host a significant portion of the gold mineralization. High grade ore occurs at fault or fracture intersections, or at jogs in the faults, which form dilatant zones.
Silicified, multiple phase breccias have been noted along the margins of the principle mineralized zones. These appear to be early, and in general, are lower in grade. Later tectonic breccias have been superposed on the hydrothermal breccias. The most recent structures tend to be milled-breccia post-mineral faults and shears, which often possess >50% clay gouge, and display a crude lamination produced by streaks of iron oxide, pyrite, or angular clasts. Reactivation of high-angle faults is demonstrated by barren, vuggy silica-cemented structures overprinting similarly oriented mineralized zones.
Mineralization is also known to occur in crackle breccias within the more brittle rocks of the Edna Mountain and Valmy Formations, which are crosscut by the Wayne Zone. Zones of intense micro-fracturing noted in the highly silicified Edna Mountain rocks are the closest approximation to "classical" disseminated mineralization yet noted at Lone Tree.
Numerous cross-structures have been identified at Lone Tree. Significant gold mineralization has not been observed in association with any of these structures. The Wayne Zone is cut on the north by a major northeast-trending fault zone known as the Poplar Fault zone. While the Wayne Zone as a structural zone does not appear to be terminated by the Poplar Fault zone, down drop of the bedrock surface, thinning of the mineralized faults, and decreased grade all currently limit the economic potential of the Wayne Zone north of the Poplar. Other northeast-trending faults, such as the Willow Fault in Section 11, have significant effects on the mineralization even though they do not offset the Wayne Zone.
A west-northwest-trending zone of southerly dipping normal faults known as the Pinon Fault zone truncates Lone Tree Hill to the south and is associated with a change in the strike direction of the Wayne Zone at that location. At the extreme southern end of the known mineralization, the Wayne Zone and Sequoia Fault converge. Drilling has identified at least one major northeast-trending structural zone in this area which appears to have some effect on mineralization.
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