Lahontan Gold Corp. has released significant findings from its recent cyanide extraction analysis program at the West Santa Fe project, revealing promising recovery rates for precious metals that validate earlier metallurgical assessments. The company's comprehensive testing demonstrates strong potential for efficient heap leach processing at the Nevada-based mining operation.
Impressive Cyanide Extraction Results
The Toronto-based mining company reported that cyanide extractable gold averaged an impressive 81% compared to original fire assay values from individual pulp samples. This represents a notably high cyanide extraction ratio that exceeds the projected gold recovery rates indicated in previous metallurgical testing conducted for the West Santa Fe project.
Equally significant, cyanide extractable silver averaged 60% when compared to original ICP and fire assay analyses. This silver recovery rate is particularly noteworthy given the typical challenges associated with silver extraction through cyanide processes, and it similarly surpasses earlier projected recovery estimates for the precious metal.
Testing Methodology and Historical Context
Lahontan submitted 158 pulp samples from its 2025 reverse-circulation drilling program for cyanide-extractable gold and silver analyses. This testing methodology effectively simulates potential gold and silver recoveries that would be achievable through cyanide heap leach processing techniques. The samples represented all significant gold and silver intercepts from the 2025 drilling campaign as previously disclosed in company press releases.
The current findings align with and support conclusions from a 1982 Kappes Cassiday and Associates report that reviewed all available metallurgical test data for the project. That historical assessment concluded that a cyanide heap leach process would yield approximately 70% recovery of contained gold and 50% recovery of contained silver, with processing including crushing to below one inch and agglomeration.
Company Leadership Perspective
Kimberly Ann, Lahontan's Executive Chair, President, CEO, and Founder, expressed confidence in the project's potential, stating: "The results of the cyanide extractable gold and silver analyses confirm our belief that precious metal mineralization at West Santa Fe is amenable to cyanide heap leach processing for gold and silver recovery."
Ann further elaborated on the company's strategic direction, noting: "Combined with the results of the 2025 reverse-circulation drilling program, which replicated the gold and silver results from historic drilling, we are checking all the boxes. Exploration will now continue at West Santa Fe, seeking to expand the footprint of the precious metal system in anticipation of the preparation of a Mineral Resource Estimate later this year."
Technical Details and Future Plans
The cyanide-extractable gold assays ranged from 41% to over 100%, with the majority of results clustering around the average value of 81%. Recoveries exceeding 100% reflect the analytical uncertainty and accuracy of the combined analytical procedures employed during testing.
Lahontan has indicated that considerable metallurgical test work has already been completed on the project, including cyanide column leach tests and conventional grinding with carbon-in-pulp precious metal recovery. The company plans additional metallurgical test work focused on optimizing precious metal recovery rates while simultaneously working to lower overall processing costs.
These encouraging results come as the company continues to advance its exploration activities at West Santa Fe, with the goal of expanding the known precious metal system ahead of preparing a formal Mineral Resource Estimate. The validation of heap leach processing viability represents a significant milestone in the project's development timeline.
