Lode Gold Initiates Permit Process For Surface Drilling At Fremont Gold Mine

Executive Summary

• Lode Gold engaged a San Francisco‑based legal and permitting advisory group to support the Mariposa County permit application for an upcoming 10‑hole, ~1,500 m surface drilling program at the Fremont Gold Mine.
• The drill program is intended to collect material for updated metallurgical testing and geotechnical data to de‑risk engineering parameters ahead of a planned Pre‑Feasibility Study (PFS).
• A contractual dispute has arisen with a business partner; a Notice of Claim has been filed, and Lode Gold has retained legal counsel while asserting it has met its obligations.

Key Details

• Permitting Advisory Group: Experienced firm with prior California project permits engaged to assist with Mariposa County application.
• Proposed Drilling Program: 10 surface drill holes, total depth ≈ 1,500 m; purpose is technical validation (metallurgical sampling, geotechnical data) rather than resource expansion.
• Objective: Provide data for updated metallurgical test work, rock mechanics study, and to refine underground mine design parameters ahead of the PFS.
• Legal Dispute: Lode Gold, its subsidiary 1475039 BC Ltd., and a business partner are in disagreement over contractual terms; partner filed a Notice of Claim seeking compensation. Lode Gold believes it has fulfilled obligations and has retained counsel.
• Qualified Person: Gary Wong, PEng, Vice‑President Exploration, reviewed and approved technical information per NI 43‑101.

Notable Quotes

• “The engagement of this advisory group underscores our commitment to advancing Fremont toward a robust Pre‑Feasibility Study while ensuring all permitting requirements are met.” – Wendy T. Chan, CEO & Director, Lode Gold.