Episode Details

Shane Williams, President and CEO Of West Red Lake Gold Mines (TSX.V:WRLG – OTCQB:WRLGF), joins me to review the key metrics from Q2 operations which demonstrated substantially higher mined ounces and gold produced at their flagship Madsen Gold Project, in the Red Lake district of Ontario, Canada. 

Q2 Operating Highlights

• Mined tonnage increased 46% to 75,524 tonnes in Q2 from 51,616 tonnes in Q1, while mined ounces increased 73% to 10,459 ounces from 6,033 ounces in the first quarter, reflecting both higher mining rates and an increase in average mined grade.
• Gold production totaled 8,576 ounces during Q2 2026, representing a 51% increase from the 5,667 ounces produced in Q1 2026.
• Due to increased mine productivity a surface stockpile of approximately 10,768 tonnes had been generated by the end of Q2 representing approximately 1,500 contained ounces of gold based on estimated grades.
• The mill achieved average processing rates of approximately 842 tonnes per day (“tpd”). Over the second half of 2026, processing rates are expected to increase to approximately 1,000 tpd.

Shane reviewed that the development-focused strategy implemented during the first half of 2026 is now translating into measurable operating improvements as mine sequencing advanced to unlock multiple stoping fronts and operational flexibility continued to improve.  Additionally, all the exploration success had at the 4447 Zone is now factoring into mining and production here in H2, and he points to all the recent success at the 904 Zone having a similar trajectory with first mining anticipated in H2 of 2027.

Next we discussed the higher All-In Sustaining Costs (AISC) in Q4 and Q1 and how the ongoing ramp-up in production will steadily lower the costs over the next few quarters.  Shane highlighted that in the second half of this year that the shaft will be rehabilitated and begin hoisting ore, and this will further drive down costs over the next few quarters. The steady nameplate run-of-mine production and costs will likely be achieved in 2027 and beyond.  We also discussed that the higher oil and diesel prices were not a major cost input and have very muted effect on their underground mining operations where the site mostly runs on cheap hydroelectric power.

We then discussed the next phase of growth which will see satellite deposits like Fork, Starratt-Olsen, and eventually Rowan augment the production at Lower Austin and Austin South at Madsen.   The Company will be putting out a Pre-Feasibility Study in September wrapping updated economics around Madsen and factoring in how future production from Rowan would increase production growth and take the company to the next level of producer.

Wrapping up we discussed the many areas of focus for exploration and resource expansion, including greenfield surface targets, past producing brownfield areas like Starratt-Olsen and Mt Jamie, and underground targets as the company continues to dewater areas of Madsen that haven’t been touched by modern exploration or mining; with last mining occurring back in the 1960s and 1970s.

If you have any follow up questions for the team over at West Red Lake Gold please email me at  Shad@kereport.com.

• In full disclosure, Shad is a shareholder of Goliath Resources at the time of this recording and may choose to buy or sell shares at any time.

Click here to visit the West Red Lake Gold website and read over the recent news we discussed.

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