EXPLORATION & DEVELOPMENT

Leprechaun delivers more 'abundant visible gold'

Marathon Gold (TSX: MOZ) has reported more “abundant visible gold” in further drilling from the Leprechaun deposit as it advances towards a preliminary feasibility study for its Valentine gold camp project in Central Newfoundland.

Staff reporter
 Visible gold from Marathon Gold’s Valentine project in Central Newfoundland

Visible gold from Marathon Gold’s Valentine project in Central Newfoundland

The latest highlights from drilling at Leprechaun's Main Zone corridor included 126m at 4.27g/t gold; 153m at 3.02g/t and 42m at 4.11g/t.

President and CEO Phillip Walford said the results were expected to increase the Leprechaun resource and had increased the true width of the Main Zone corridor from 20-30m to 30-80m, with a strike length of more than 270m.

Walford announced two weeks ago he'd retire once a successor was hired, saying it was the "ideal time" to step aside but would continue to serve as a director.

The company is focused on "developing the largest gold deposit in Atlantic Canada".
 
Leprechaun and Marathon are the two main deposits of the four at the project, which have a combined 2.7 million ounce indicated resource and an inferred 1.5Moz.

An updated preliminary economic assessment last year outlined a 12-year mine producing 225,100oz a year at an all-in sustaining cost of US$666/oz, for an initial capex of $355 million, with an after-tax NPV (5%) of $493 million and an IRR of 30%.

The company has a treasury of about C$20 million (US$15 million), according to a presentation last month, having sold a 2% NSR over Valentine Lake to Franco-Nevada in February for $18 million (US$13.6 million).

Marathon Gold's shares were worth more than $1 a year ago but fell as low as 65c in November.

They last traded at 83c, capitalising it about $134 million.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the farming sector, brought to you by the Kondinin team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the farming sector, brought to you by the Kondinin team.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Investor Sentiment Report 2024

Survey revealing the plans, priorities, and preferences of 120+ mining investors and their expectations for the sector in 2024.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Mining Equities Report 2023

Access an exclusive, inside look on the quarterly mining IPOs and secondary raisings data and mining equities performance tables with an annual Stock Exchange Comparisons supplement.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence World Risk Report 2023 (feat. MineHutte ratings)

A detailed analysis of mining investment risks across 121 jurisdictions globally, built on 11 ‘hard risk’ metrics and an industrywide survey.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Global Leadership Report 2023: Social licence

Gain insights into social licence trends and best practices from interviews with 20+ top mining company executives and an industrywide survey.