Lode Gold Completes First Six Holes of Expanded 20-Hole Drill Program at Fremont Gold Mine
Lode confirms technical progress at California’s Fremont Gold Mine through a drill program expansion.
Lode Gold Resources Inc. (LOD) has completed the first six drill holes of its expanded 20-hole campaign at the Fremont Gold Mine in California. The drilling program has been expanded to 4,200 meters to prioritize PQ-diameter core recovery for both gold assaying and subsequent metallurgical test work.
Samples from the initial two holes (PT-J_001 and PT-J_002) have been dispatched to the laboratory, with assay results currently pending. The technical focus remains on refining the geometallurgical model and establishing baseline hydrogeological parameters to support the upcoming Preliminary Feasibility Study (PFS).
The company plans to proceed with in-situ hydrogeological drilling from Q4 2026 through Q1 2027, followed by step-out exploration in untested zones.
Lode Gold Resources Inc. (LOD) released a standard operational update confirming the execution of its drill program, which was previously announced in July and August 2026. The progress aligns with management's stated timeline and does not introduce new surprises or material changes to the project's economics or development path.
The expansion to 4,200 meters and the strategic use of PQ-core for metallurgy are consistent with prior expectations to de-risk the PFS and optimize processing parameters. The news is incremental and expected, serving as operational validation rather than a fundamental shift in the investment thesis or valuation model.
Lode Gold Resources Inc. is focused on the Fremont Gold Mine, a brownfield project in Mariposa County, California, situated on the southern extension of the Mother Lode Belt. The property features over 43,000 meters of historical drilling, 23 kilometers of underground workings, and a history of high-grade production (10.7 g/t Au) prior to suspension in 1942.
The company has pivoted to a 100% underground bulk mining strategy, supported by a 2026 Mineral Resource Estimate of 1.11 million ounces in Measured & Indicated categories and 1.99 million ounces in Inferred categories. The project sits on over 3,000 acres of 100% owned patented land designated as an Opportunity Zone, simplifying permitting and offering tax incentives.
The primary objective is to advance the project toward a PFS by Spring 2027, followed by a Definitive Feasibility Study in 2028/2029.