San Juan: Challenger Gold Targets Gold Production at Hualilán in Q2 2025

San Juan: Challenger Gold Targets Gold Production at Hualilán in Q2 2025
San Juan: Challenger Gold Targets Gold Production at Hualilán in Q2 2025
Share:
The company aims to accelerate the development of the deposit located in San Juan to take advantage of the rising gold price environment.

By Panorama Minero

Challenger Gold (ASX: CEL) has signed a Binding Term Sheet that includes a private placement by Dolphin Real Assets Fund SPC Ltd., part of the Elsztain Group, and a toll milling opportunity for Hualilán ore, which is expected to finance the costs of mining, transporting, and processing until the firm, operating through its subsidiary Golden Mining SA, begins to generate revenue from its first gold sales.

The Toll Milling Agreement will guarantee CEL a minimum of 450,000 tons of high-grade near-surface Hualilán ore containing approximately 85,000 ounces of gold and 495,000 ounces of silver. Of this total, approximately 79,044 ounces of gold are indicated and 18,240 ounces are inferred, along with 448,861 ounces of indicated silver and 88,782 ounces of inferred silver. "The successful execution of this agreement will be a transformational event for the company," they stated.

The primary objective of this strategy is to capitalize on the current high gold price, exceeding US$2,500 per ounce, to generate early cash flow. This revenue will be allocated towards the construction of the standalone Hualilán gold project, which will include a Flotation with Tails Leach (FTL) circuit, a potential Heap Leach pad, and an open-pit mining fleet.

Challenger Gold plans to publish a preliminary study on the startup of the toll milling, with results that will subsequently be integrated into the life-of-mine (LOM) plan for Hualilán and included in the Pre-Feasibility Study.

Additionally, the company has submitted an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) application for approval of mining activities, which is the final requirement for Hualilán to obtain full production permitting. Furthermore, CEL is preparing a separate EIA for the road transport of Hualilán ore, which will be the final permit required before commencing toll milling.

The closing of these agreements is subject to the completion of due diligence, execution of Definitive Agreements, and the necessary approvals under ASX listing rules. To date, due diligence has included further metallurgical testing of Hualilán ore, a detailed economic analysis of the tolling agreement terms conducted by a leading San Juan mining consultancy, and the design of the toll milling pits.

Finally, Challenger Gold intends to apply for a listing on the TSX or another recognized Canadian stock exchange as soon as practically possible following the closing of these agreements. This TSX listing will serve as a catalyst for a board renewal process, seeking to incorporate one to two independent directors based in Canada, who would replace the current CEL directors.

Published by: Panorama Minero

Category: News

Join our mining community!


Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive news, insights, and updates on the mining industry and Panorama Minero's latest initiatives.

Illustrative image for the article: Lunahuasi: NGEx Drills 12.25m at 23.35% CuEq and 11.90m at 10.74% CuEq

Lunahuasi: NGEx Drills 12.25m at 23.35% CuEq and 11.90m at 10.74% CuEq

NGEx Minerals Ltd. provided the first update on its ongoing Phase 3 drill program at the 100% owned Lunahuasi high-grade copper-gold-silver project in San Juan province. Drilling started in mid-October 2024, and six diamond drill rigs are currently working on the project.
Illustrative image for the article: Catamarca present in the Raw Materials Business Forum in Brussels

Catamarca present in the Raw Materials Business Forum in Brussels

As part of the Raw Materials Week held in Belgium, the representatives of Catamarca, Marcelo Murua, Minister of Mining, and Susana Peralta, president of CAMYEN, held several meetings with European Union authorities, companies, and financial entities to present investment opportunities.
Illustrative image for the article: AbraSilver: Step-Out Drilling at Diablillos Expands High-Grade Silver Mineralization

AbraSilver: Step-Out Drilling at Diablillos Expands High-Grade Silver Mineralization

AbraSilver Resource Corp. announced assay results from the ongoing, fully-funded 20,000 metre (“m”) Phase IV drill program, on its wholly-owned Diablillos project, located in Salta province. Step-out drilling at the JAC Zone continues to deliver high-grade silver intercepts, further expanding the mineralized footprint of the deposit. Key highlights from the latest assay results include:
Illustrative image for the article: Argentina Reaches Record Figures in Mining Exploration in 2024, with San Juan Leading Investments

Argentina Reaches Record Figures in Mining Exploration in 2024, with San Juan Leading Investments

According to data presented by the Group of Exploration Companies of Argentina (GEMERA) at the "Argentina Gold, Silver and Copper" seminar, organized last week by Panorama Minero, foreign investment in mining exploration reached US$493.4 million in 2024, representing a 15.7% increase compared to the previous year. This progress positions Argentina as the sixth global destination for mining investments, surpassing countries such as Peru and Brazil.
McEwen Copper Secures Environmental Permit for Los Azules

McEwen Copper Secures Environmental Permit for Los Azules

McEwen Copper Inc., a subsidiary of McEwen Mining Inc., has obtained approval for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the Los Azules copper project. The Environmental Impact Declaration (DIA), issued by the Ministry of Mining of the Province of San Juan, marks a crucial step toward the project's feasibility, construction, and future operation.
Argentina Exports US$3.611 Billion in Mining in 2024

Argentina Exports US$3.611 Billion in Mining in 2024

Mineral product exports from Argentina reached a total of US$442 million in October 2024, bringing the total for the first 10 months of the year to US$3.611 billion. This performance represents a 61% year-on-year increase in October and a 12.6% growth for the year-to-date, compared to the same period in 2023. Mining exports accounted for 7.0% of Argentina's total exports in October and 5.6% for the year-to-date, exceeding the average mineral exports from 2010 to 2023 by 17.8%. This was reported in the latest update from the Ministry of Mining.
Aldebaran Reports a Very Significant Increase in Mineral Resources at the Altar Copper-Gold Project in San Juan

Aldebaran Reports a Very Significant Increase in Mineral Resources at the Altar Copper-Gold Project in San Juan

Aldebaran Resources Inc. announced the results of an updated mineral resource estimate for the Altar copper-gold project in San Juan province. This updated resource estimate includes three main porphyry discoveries (Altar Central, Altar East, and Altar United) reported within a single conceptual open pit. The 2024 Altar Resource Estimate is reported using the same cut-off (US$13.99 NSR/t) as the 2021 mineral resource estimate, to allow for a direct comparison.
Aldebaran Announces Commencement of 2024/2025 Altar Project Field Program

Aldebaran Announces Commencement of 2024/2025 Altar Project Field Program

Aldebaran Resources Inc. announced that field activities are underway and drilling has commenced at the Altar project in San Juan province.. The Company has secured five drill rigs for the 2024/2025 field program, with an option on a sixth, and is targeting approximately 25,000 m of drilling.
Events: The Mining Industry Gathers in Buenos Aires to Close Out 2024

Events: The Mining Industry Gathers in Buenos Aires to Close Out 2024

Panorama Minero will organize its double event, "Argentina Gold, Silver & Copper" and the annual sector dinner "The Mining Awards Night", on December 4-5 in Buenos Aires, with an estimated audience of over 650 people. This platform will highlight the current state of the mining industry.