Lahontan Gold Signals Production Push with New CFO, Eyes 2027 Restart

TORONTO, ON – September 10, 2026 – In the high-stakes world of mine development, personnel changes can often be the most telling signals of a company’s strategic direction. Lahontan Gold Corp. has just sent such a signal, announcing the appointment of Billy Choi as its new Chief Financial Officer. This isn't a routine executive shuffle; it's a calculated move to install a financial architect with a specific, proven skillset in public market transitions, timed precisely as the company accelerates towards a targeted 2027 production restart at its flagship Santa Fe Mine in Nevada.

For investors and industry observers decoding the signals from junior miners, this move speaks volumes. Lahontan is shifting its focus from exploration and resource definition to the complex, capital-intensive work of mine construction and operation. The decision to bring in a CFO seasoned in the entire corporate lifecycle—from IPO to public operations and strategic M&A—suggests the company is building the financial infrastructure necessary to execute on this ambition.

A Financial Architect for a Mine Builder's Blueprint

The strategic importance of this hire is underscored by Mr. Choi’s recent tenure at Lithium Royalty Corp. (LRC). He was not just a passenger but a key player during a transformative period, serving as Vice President of Finance. His experience there is a near-perfect analog for the path Lahontan aims to travel. He played an integral role in LRC’s successful C$150 million IPO in March 2023—the largest in Canada for nearly a year—and was instrumental in building the robust financial reporting systems and internal controls required of a public entity.

More telling, perhaps, was his involvement in LRC’s subsequent acquisition by Altius Minerals in a deal valued at approximately C$520 million, which closed in March 2026. This experience, spanning the full spectrum from IPO readiness to post-acquisition integration, provides a rare and valuable perspective. It demonstrates a capacity to navigate the intense scrutiny of public markets and the complexities of major corporate transactions, skills that will be paramount as Lahontan seeks to fund and develop the Santa Fe project.

Kimberly Ann, Lahontan's Founder, CEO, and President, directly linked the hire to the company's next phase. "As we advance permitting for the Santa Fe Mine and target a restart of production in 2027, we are building a financial management team with the operations experience required to take the Company into its next phase of growth," she commented. The message is clear: the theoretical phase is ending, and the execution phase is beginning. Choi's role is to ensure the financial engine is ready for the transition from developer to producer.

De-Risking the Path to Production in Nevada

Lahontan's strategic pivot is anchored by a tangible asset: the Santa Fe Mine, a past-producing project in Nevada's prolific Walker Lane. The project is a 'brownfields' site, having produced over 359,000 ounces of gold and 700,000 ounces of silver in the late 1980s and early 1990s. This history provides a critical advantage, de-risking the project by leveraging existing infrastructure, a known geological model, and established metallurgy for its oxide resources.

The company is making concrete progress on the ground. Permitting is advancing on two fronts. At the state level, Lahontan is working with the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection on the necessary permits for a Phase One oxide heap-leach operation. Favorable results from waste rock and groundwater studies are helping to streamline this process in a jurisdiction known for its established and predictable regulatory framework.

Federally, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has already deemed the company's Plan of Operations for exploration complete, clearing the way for extensive drilling. The company is now preparing its Mine Plan of Operations (MPOO), the critical document for full-scale production permitting. While navigating federal and state regulations is never simple, Lahontan appears to be on track for its goal of breaking ground in 2027. A January 2025 Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) outlined a manageable initial capital expenditure of US$135 million, and a recent C$13.6 million private placement has reportedly funded the company into 2027, covering the crucial pre-development activities.

Underpinning Ambition with Expanded Resources

The foundation for any mine is its resource base, and Lahontan has significantly strengthened this pillar. An updated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) announced in August 2026 revealed a 22% increase in pit-constrained resources. The project now boasts an Indicated Mineral Resource of 1.195 million ounces of gold equivalent and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 1.190 million ounces of gold equivalent.

Crucially, the new estimate highlights the project's long-term potential by quantifying a substantial sulfide resource that lies beneath the more easily processed oxides. The Santa Fe deposit alone contains an Indicated sulfide resource of 692,000 gold-equivalent ounces at a compelling grade of 1.41 g/t Au Eq. This suggests a potential second phase of operations that could extend the mine's life and dramatically enhance its overall economic value.

This expanded resource will be the cornerstone of an updated PEA, which the company aims to complete shortly. This new economic study will be the first to formally analyze the mining and processing of the sulfide material, providing the market with a much clearer picture of the project's full scope and profitability. It represents the next major catalyst and will be a key document for securing project financing.

Riding Favorable Tides in Precious Metals

Lahontan’s strategic preparations are unfolding against a highly favorable macroeconomic backdrop for precious metals. Gold prices are forecast by multiple major financial institutions to remain robust through 2026 and 2027, buoyed by central bank buying, geopolitical uncertainty, and expectations of future interest rate cuts. Silver is also benefiting from strong industrial demand, particularly from the solar and electric vehicle sectors, with a persistent supply deficit adding upward pressure on prices.

While the broader market for junior mining finance remains challenging, this strong commodity price environment makes projects like Santa Fe significantly more attractive to potential financiers. The appointment of a CFO with Billy Choi's capital markets credibility is a direct response to this landscape. His experience is precisely what is needed to build investor confidence, communicate a clear and compelling economic case based on the upcoming PEA, and navigate the various funding mechanisms available, from traditional debt and equity to royalty and streaming agreements. By aligning its leadership, project development, and resource base, Lahontan Gold is methodically assembling the pieces required to become Nevada's next gold and silver producer.