According to Mining.com, Lundin Gold has intersected high-grade mineralization in drilling at its Fruta del Norte (FDN) mine, located 400 kilometers southeast of Quito, Ecuador. The most significant intercept was 9 meters grading nearly 140 g/t gold.
Drill hole FDN-C25-238, targeting the Fruta del Norte South (FDNS) deposit, intersected mineralization at 62.2 meters depth. In addition to the high-grade intercept, the hole also revealed:
11.5 meters at 28.62 g/t gold
9.45 meters at 9.77 g/t gold
Another hole, FDN-C25-245, encountered 9.8 meters at 43.77 g/t gold at 102.7 meters depth.
Ron Hochstein, President and CEO of Lundin Gold, stated in a press release:
"Ongoing resource upgrade drilling at FDNS continues to intersect high-grade mineralization beyond the current inferred resource boundary, along a newly discovered vein structure."
"Recent drilling at Fruta del Norte East (FDNE) continues to demonstrate its significant exploration potential, located adjacent to our existing underground workings."
Extending Mine Life
These results are part of the company’s near-mine exploration strategy, aimed at extending FDN’s 12-year mine life through resource expansion, new discoveries, and upgrading inferred resources to indicated status. Ongoing engineering studies aim to integrate FDNS into FDN’s long-term mine plan next year.
Exploration efforts over the past three years have significantly increased resources and led to new discoveries. FDN, which began production in 2020, achieved a record output of 502,029 ounces of gold last year, making it one of Ecuador’s two large-scale commercial mines.
Additional High-Grade Intercepts at FDNS
Another notable intercept at FDNS was 8.1 meters at 31.63 g/t gold at 38.6 meters depth.
The resource upgrade drilling has confirmed continuity of the FDNS mineralization, while high-grade intercepts outside the current geological model suggest strong potential for further resource growth.
Growth Potential at FDNE
At Fruta del Norte East (FDNE), drill hole UGE-E-25-207 intersected 10 meters at 6.61 g/t gold at 497 meters depth.
Recent drilling has expanded FDNE’s northern extension, highlighting additional areas for growth.
2024 Drilling Program
This year’s drilling program includes at least 108,000 meters, with 83,000 meters dedicated to exploration and 25,000 meters for resource upgrades. The company currently has 10 rigs operating on site.
FDNS Deposit Overview
FDNS is an epithermal vein system with an estimated inferred resource of:
12.4 million tonnes
5.25 g/t gold
2.09 million ounces of gold
Source: https://geoglobal.mnr.gov.cn/zx/kcykf/ztjz/202508/t20250807_9944985.htm
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