Lahontan Gold Corp. (TSX.V: LG) (OTCQB: LGCXF) has announced three strategic additions to its management team, signaling a significant step forward in its transition from mine developer to mine builder. The company is targeting a production restart at its flagship Santa Fe Mine in Nevada by 2027, and the new hires are expected to bolster its technical, operational, and business development capabilities.
Tony Gesualdo rejoins Lahontan as vice president of exploration, a role he previously held from 2020 to 2023. During his earlier tenure, he contributed to the initial Mineral Resource Estimate for the Santa Fe Mine, which underpins the project's current resource base. His reappointment brings continuity and deep knowledge of the project's geology.
Michael Kubel joins as senior mine engineer, bringing over a decade of experience in Nevada open-pit gold mining and heap-leach operations. His background includes work at the Florida Canyon and Hycroft mines, both of which are large-scale operations in the state. This experience is directly relevant to the Santa Fe Mine, which historically utilized open-pit and heap-leach processing methods.
Jen Earle assumes responsibilities in investor relations and business development. With two decades of experience in natural resources, capital markets, and investor engagement across the LSE, ASX, and TSX markets, she is expected to enhance Lahontan's communication with the investment community as the company progresses toward production.
Kimberly Ann, founder, executive chair, CEO, and president of Lahontan, commented on the appointments: "These additions strengthen our technical, operational, and business development capabilities as we advance Santa Fe permitting, mine planning, and our planned transition toward construction and operations."
The Santa Fe Mine project, which spans 26.4 square kilometers, has a rich history of past production: between 1988 and 1995, it produced 359,202 ounces of gold and 702,067 ounces of silver from open-pit mines using heap-leach processing. The project hosts a National Instrument 43-101 compliant Indicated Mineral Resource of 1,539,000 ounces of gold equivalent (Au Eq) (48,393,000 tonnes grading 0.92 g/t Au and 7.18 g/t Ag, together grading 0.99 g/t Au Eq) and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 411,000 ounces Au Eq (16,760,000 tonnes grading 0.74 g/t Au and 3.25 g/t Ag, together grading 0.76 g/t Au Eq), all pit constrained.
Looking ahead, Lahontan plans to continue advancing the Santa Fe Mine toward production, update the Preliminary Economic Assessment, and drill test its satellite West Santa Fe project during 2025. The company's technical content has been reviewed and approved by Michael Lindholm, CPG, an independent consulting geologist, who is a Qualified Person under NI 43-101.
The announcement underscores Lahontan's commitment to rebuilding its management team to meet the challenges of project development and eventual operations. With a clear timeline for production restart and a strengthened team, the company is positioning itself to capitalize on its substantial resource base in the mining-friendly jurisdiction of Nevada.
For more information on Lahontan Gold Corp., visit the company's website at www.lahontangoldcorp.com.
