Lode Gold Resources Inc has initiated a new Mineral Resource Estimation block model for its Fremont Gold Project in Mariposa, California, incorporating over 7,000 historical underground channel samples recently recovered and digitized from original mine maps. This significant expansion of data density within historically mined areas marks a pivotal step in re-evaluating the project's potential.
The updated model will reinterpret the Fremont deposit as a continuous mineralized body rather than discrete vein-only domains and will apply a lower cut-off grade supported by updated underground mining cost assumptions. This methodological shift aligns with the company's strategic focus on bulk underground mining, as outlined in recent technical studies. The inclusion of the extensive historical dataset is expected to enhance geological continuity, improve confidence in grade distribution, and support the evaluation of wider mining widths suitable for bulk extraction.
Jonathan Hill, Director and Chair of the Technical Committee, stated the new model represents an important evolution in interpreting the Fremont deposit, better reflecting its scale, continuity, and mining potential. The work is being conducted in accordance with NI 43-101 standards, with results to be disclosed upon completion and review by Qualified Persons.
The Fremont Gold Mine is an advanced brownfield project with a storied history, having been one of the first mines started during the California Gold Rush in 1849. Production halted in 1942 when gold mining was prohibited during World War II. The property sits on the prolific 190 km Mother Lode Belt, with seven deposits along a 4km strike; only two have seen exploitation. According to a 2025 mineral resource estimate, only 8% of the resource has been mined, leaving 92% potentially available for future extraction.
The project boasts substantial infrastructure, located on 3,351 acres of patented private land with 100% ownership of surface and mineral rights. It has road access, electricity, and proximity to rail and an airport, being approximately 1.5 hours from Fresno, California. The company's technical reports, including a recent Preliminary Economic Assessment, are available on its website and on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
This development is important as it utilizes previously inaccessible historical data to potentially redefine the economic foundation of a historic gold asset. A successful re-estimation could demonstrate increased resource confidence and viability for modern bulk mining methods, impacting investment appeal and the project's path toward potential resumption of operations. For the mining industry, it highlights how integrating historical data with contemporary modeling techniques can revitalize brownfield projects in established mining districts.
