M&A / Property
Revival Gold exercises Mercur project option

RVG · Price
Executive Summary
- Revival Gold Inc. has exercised its option to acquire 100% of Barrick Mining Corp.'s interest in the Mercur gold project in Utah, consolidating control over the entire project area.
- The acquisition involves a total cash consideration of $20 million (paid upfront and over three anniversaries of commercial production) plus royalty interests, with closing expected around April 1, 2026.
- The move completes the consolidation of a large Carlin-style gold system, supporting Revival Gold's goal to restart production at Mercur, which has a preliminary economic assessment (PEA) indicating a 10-year mine life with significant NPV potential.
Key Details
- Transaction Structure: Revival Gold exercises an option granted under a mineral lease and option to purchase agreement dated May 13, 2021 (as amended) to acquire Barrick Resources (USA) Inc. (or successor) via a membership interest purchase agreement (MIPA).
- Consideration:
- $5 million (U.S.) cash (or common shares at Barrick's discretion) on closing of the option.
- $5 million (U.S.) cash (or common shares) on the first anniversary of commercial production.
- $5 million (U.S.) cash (or common shares) on the second anniversary of commercial production.
- $5 million (U.S.) cash (or common shares) on the third anniversary of commercial production.
- Royalties:
- 2% net smelter return (NSR) royalty on the mineral interests subject to the option agreement.
- 1% NSR royalty on all other mineral properties held by Revival Gold within one kilometer of the mining claims.
- Project Scope: The option covers 996 hectares, bringing the total Mercur project area to approximately 7,200 hectares. This consolidates interests previously held by Barrick, a successor to Homestake Mining Company, and other owners.
- Exploration & Permitting Status:
- Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) completed in mid-2025.
- 13,000-meter drill program completed this year to support a planned 2026 prefeasibility study and Utah state mine permitting.
- Mine permitting is expected to take approximately two years to complete.
- $6 million in exploration expenditures were incurred prior to Jan. 2, 2026, satisfying option conditions.
- PEA Highlights (Mercur Heap Leach):
- Life-of-mine average production: 95,600 ounces of gold per year over a 10-year mine life.
- After-tax NPV: $294 million at a 5% discount rate and gold price of $2,175/oz.
- After-tax NPV: $752 million at a gold price of $3,000/oz.
- Closing Conditions: Closing is expected on or around April 1, 2026, subject to regulatory approvals, execution of the MIPA, and Revival Gold taking on environmental surety bonding.
Notable Quotes
- "Barrick produced 1.4 million ounces of gold at Mercur, but never controlled the contiguous Homestake claims and west Mercur land position. This option exercise completes the consolidation of a large Carlin-style gold system -- a rarity outside the Nevada gold majors -- and comes with paved road access, an energized powerline to the site and extensive technical information," said Hugh Agro, president and chief executive officer.
- "Mercur is our top priority to move to production. Utah is a favourable jurisdiction, and we expect a relatively short timeline to repermit Mercur for mining."
- "Mercur's PEA economics have the potential to drive transformational value for Revival Gold's shareholders."
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Jul 15, 2026 · 07:31