Lode Gold Identifies Upside Potential at Fremont Mine, Mariposa - Mother Lode Belt: 9 New Exploration Targets
Lode Gold Identifies Upside Potential at
Fremont Mine, Mariposa - Mother Lode Belt: 9
New Exploration Targets
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 1, 2025) -
Lode Gold Resources Inc (TSXV:
LOD) (the "Company" or "Lode Gold")
is pleased to announce it has identified additional upside
potential at the Fremont Mine, Mariposa - Mother Lode Belt. Based on VRIFY's findings, in addition to
the seven previously identified deposits, only two of which have been mined, an additional nine
potentially mineralized targets have been identified outside the Central Trend.
Nine additional exploration targets have been identified:
Figure 1 Lode Gold's Fremont Mine new targets from VRIFY
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4064/268685_e8500b90246b5a41_001full.jpg
VRIFY's DORA is an AI tool that analyzes hundreds of layers of information at once and integrates
geology, geophysics, geochemistry, structural interpretations, and drill data into one predictive
framework. This allows the platform to recognize complex correlations and generate new high-probability
exploration targets while validating known zones.
Leveraging VRIFY's DORA, Lode Gold analyzed and validated prospectivity results by compiling
geoscientific and geospatial data. The Company has comprehensive data that includes geochemistry,
geophysics, metallurgy, rock mechanics, hydrology, 43,000 metres ("m") of drill core and 8,000 channel
samples. Using the Company's existing data DORA identified potential extensions of known
mineralization at the project, alongside entirely new zones where no drilling has been completed.
To maximize the value of this dataset, additionally, VRIFY applied proprietary data augmentation
resulting in:
28 enhanced layers from cleaned, smoothed, and filtered geophysics
231 engineered rasters, including:
44 element prediction maps (rock and soil geochemistry)
26 geology "distance factor" and structural maps
100 geophysics-derived filters (using ResNet50 and Haralick algorithms)
22 lineament and structural complexity maps from 11 unique interpretations
"We are very excited to partner with Lode Gold on Fremont, a data-rich brownfield project with over
40,000 meters of drilling. Deploying DORA, we combined AI with geological expertise to transform
more than 40 input layers into hundreds of engineered datasets, ultimately defining nine high-priority
targets,"
said
Steve de Jong, CEO of VRIFY.
Lode Gold intends to advance several of the new targets toward drilling in the near future as it
progresses on technical and engineering work to re-activate the Fremont Mine. Near term, drilling and
channel sampling are in the plans as we move towards Pre-Feasibility.
Lode Gold's PEA 2023
is based on a mineral resource estimate of 1 million ("M") ounces ("oz") in the
Measured and Indicated ("M&I") category and 2 M oz in Inferred category; most of the gold
mineralization is concentrated on 800 m of strike and is relatively shallow - in the first 500 m in two of the
seven known mineralized zones.
Currently 23 kilometers ("km") of underground workings extend from surface to 500 m, and the deposit is
open on strike and at depth.
Three step-out diamond drill holes at 1,300 m hit structure and were
mineralized. Nearby mines, Kennedy and Argonaut were mined at 13 g/t gold, at depths of up to 1,800
m.
Consistent with other orogenic deposits, the Fremont Mine has structural controls.
Figure 2 Disseminated vein system mined mostly in the first 250 meters
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4064/268685_e8500b90246b5a41_004full.jpg
At the Fremont Mine, mining primarily occurred in the first 250 m from surface on the Pinetree vein, and
minimally on the second vein, Josephine.
Of note, 100% of the mineralization outside the veins, in the disseminated ore body, was left untouched,
with grade consistency similar to that in the veins. Selective vein extraction by previous owners has left
much of the deposit unmined. Only 8% of the resource identified in the
2025 MRE
has been extracted.
The deposit has great continuity and impressive widths.
Figure 3 Grade & Continuity at Fremont Mine
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4064/268685_e8500b90246b5a41_005full.jpg
At 1 g/t gold cut-off grade the average true- width is 50 m, at 3 g/t gold cut-off grade the average truth
width is 17 m.
The average grade thickness at 1 g/t gold cut-off is 143 gram-meters; and, at 3 g/t gold
cut-off it is 74 gram meters.
The Fremont Mine is a brownfield project that was previously mined at 10.7 grams per tonne ("g/t") at a
time when price of gold was US $35 per ounce. Mining activity at the Fremont Mine was halted in 1942
due to a gold mining prohibition during World War II and the mine has not operated since.
Lode Gold is currently working with engineering and mining companies to evaluate the potential for
underground bulk mining. The Company recently completed the transfer of the Mine Safety and Health
Administration ("MSHA") property MSHA Individual Identification Number, or MIIN, for its wholly owned
Fremont Mine. This is a critical regulatory milestone in the potential re-activation of the historical mine.
Discussions are in progress with potential joint venture partners to initiate near-term work starting with
drilling and underground channel sampling.
The plan is to upgrade the resources to M&I and initiate Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) early 2026. With
8,000 channel samples, 43,000 m drilled, and the drill cores preserved much of the work can be
expedited. Completion of PFS is estimated to be December 2026.
The goal is to advance to test mining and pour gold by early in 2028.
Test mining employing a portable
mill with a processing capacity of 300-500 tonnes per day ("tpd") will allow the Company to generate
critical data while staying within the original site footprint and minimize surface disturbance. The
Company does not intend to use cyanide and a 2-step gravimetry recovery is being explored.
Planned surface drilling will be done mostly at the original drill pads. Step out holes to expand resources
are being evaluated. Pending rock mechanics and engineering analysis, the eventual mine plan being
contemplated will range from 4,000-6,000 tpd, generating 130,000-200,000 ounces of gold per annum.
Lode Gold is investigating the potential to optimize and update the 2023 Preliminary Economic
Assessment based on an underground mining operation with 3 active stopes of approximately 30 m by
30 m by 30 m in size and a mine life of 9 years.
About VRIFY:
How DORA identified the additional 9 Targets at Fremont
Using DORA, Lode Gold developed a VRIFY Prospectivity Map via an iterative workflow that began with
data ingestion and compilation, followed by leveling and gap-filling, specifically with geophysics. From
there, the dataset was enhanced and augmented using DORA's proprietary AI algorithms to generate
new layers of information. The result is a heat map where all colours in the white to purple gradient
indicate areas of high potential prospectivity, with brighter, hotter colors representing areas with higher
probability. Using this process, eight compelling new targets have been identified and validated for
further investigation in collaboration with Lode Gold's geoscience team.
Multi-Source Data Integration and Augmentation
The VRIFY Prospectivity Map for the Fremont Mine was built on a comprehensive stack of more than
259 data layers derived from 32 initial inputs. The process brought together data provided by Lode Gold,
public datasets sourced by VRIFY, and entirely new data layers generated within DORA.
Lode Gold contributed drilling data, surface rock and soil samples, lithology maps, structural
measurements, high-resolution magnetic and radiometric surveys, and previous structural
interpretations. VRIFY sourced publicly available datasets, including regional magnetic, gravity, and
radiometric surveys, satellite DEM and Sentinel imagery, and regional lithology and structural maps,
bringing the total number of input layers from company and public sources to 32.
The data expansion process did not just repackage what was known. Instead, it unlocked entirely new
insights, effectively augmenting existing data to improve predictions and accuracy. The most influential
layers for property-scale results were high-resolution magnetic filters, structural lineaments, and distance
factors that tied mineralization closely to SRK-defined fault structures.
Technical Context and Next Steps
The 300 data layers informed the VRIFY Prospectivity map, which quickly highlighted nine new targets
outside of those already identified by Lode Gold at the Fremont Mine. These targets are rooted in robust
geological signals-high-resolution magnetic data revealed subtle variations associated with
mineralization, while lineament and distance-factor layers correlated mineralization to key structures.
Together, these datasets explain why the AI outputs are considered highly credible.
Lode Gold will plan future exploration efforts to advance these targets as part of a project exploration
strategy.
Additional data gathered through further exploration can be ingested by DORA to iterate on
experiments and further refine predictions and resulting targets.
How DORA Works
DORA is the world's first AI-Assisted Mineral Discovery Platform built specifically for geoscientists. By
integrating geology, geophysics, geochemistry, structural interpretations, and drill data into one
predictive framework, DORA analyzes hundreds of layers of information at once. This allows the platform
to recognize complex correlations and generate new high-probability exploration targets while validating
known zones.
Leveraging VRIFY's DORA, Lode Gold analyzed and validated prospectivity results by compiling
geoscientific and geospatial data, resulting in high prospectivity zones which displayed anomalous
values relative to surrounding areas, using topography, geology, lineament analyses, and geophysics.
These anomalies include proof of concept areas which were known targets before the AI analyses were
run.
About Lode Gold
Lode Gold is an exploration and development company with projects in highly prospective and safe
mining jurisdictions in Canada and the United States.
In the United States, the Company is focused on its advanced exploration and development asset, the
Fremont Mine in Mariposa, California. It has a recent
2025 NI 43-101 report and compliant Mineral
Resource Estimate
("MRE") that can be accessed here
https://lode-gold.com/project/freemont-gold-
usa/
.
The Fremont Mine was previously mined until operations ceased due to mining prohibitions during WWII
when its mining license was suspended. Only 8% of the resource identified in the 2025 MRE has been
extracted. The Freemont Mine has exploration upside and mineralization is open at depth (three step-out
holes at 1,300 meters hit structure and were mineralized) and on strike. This is a brownfield project with
over 43,000 meters drilled, 23 kilometers of underground workings and 14 adits. The project has
excellent infrastructure and is close to electricity, water, roads, railhead and port.
Recently, the Company completed an internal scoping study, with a strategic pivot to 100% underground
mining. Previously, in March 2023, the Company completed an NI 43-101 Preliminary Economic
Assessment ("PEA") with an open pit and underground combination mine. The NI 43-101 technical
reports are available on the Company's profile on SEDAR+ (
www.sedarplus.ca
) and the Company's
website (
www.lode-gold.com
).
In Canada, its Golden Culvert and WIN projects in Yukon, covering 99.5 square kilometres across a 27-
kilometre strike length, are situated in a district-scale, high-grade gold mineralized trend within the
southern portion of the Tombstone gold belt. A total of four RIRGS targets have been confirmed on the
property. A National Instrument 43-101 technical report on the property was completed in May 2024.
In New Brunswick, Lode Gold has created one of the largest land packages with its Acadian Gold JV
Co., consisting of an area that spans 445 square kilometres and a 44-kilometre strike. McIntyre Brook
covers 111 square kilometers and a 17-kilometre strike in the emerging Appalachian/Iapetus gold belt; it
is hosted by orogenic rocks of similar age and structure as New Found Gold's Queensway project. Riley
Brook is a 335-square-kilometre package covering a 26-kilometre strike of Wapske formation with its
numerous felsic units. An NI 43-101 technical
report has been completed in August 2024.
ON BEHALF OF THE COMPANY
Wendy T. Chan
CEO & Director
Information Contact:
Kevin Shum
Investor Relations
+1 (604) -977-GOLD (4653)
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the
policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this
release.
This news release includes "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the
meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements included in this news release, other than
statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements including, without limitation, statements with
respect to the use of proceeds, advancement and completion of resource calculation, feasibility studies,
and exploration plans and targets. Forward-looking statements include predictions, projections and
forecasts and are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "believe",
"plan", "estimate", "expect", "potential", "target", "budget" and "intend" and statements that an event or
result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions and
includes the negatives thereof.
Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and estimates that, while
considered reasonable by management based on the business and markets in which the Company
operates, are inherently subject to significant operational, economic, and competitive uncertainties, risks
and contingencies. These include assumptions regarding, among other things: the status of community
relations and the security situation on site; general business and economic conditions; the availability of
additional exploration and mineral project financing; the supply and demand for, inventories of, and the
level and volatility of the prices of metals; relationships with strategic partners; the timing and receipt of
governmental permits and approvals; the timing and receipt of community and landowner approvals;
changes in regulations; political factors; the accuracy of the Company's interpretation of drill results; the
geology, grade and continuity of the Company's mineral deposits; the availability of equipment, skilled
labour and services needed for the exploration and development of mineral properties; and currency
fluctuations.
There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and actual results,
and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that
could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include a deterioration of
security on site or actions by the local community that inhibits access and/or the ability to productively
work on site, actual exploration results, interpretation of metallurgical characteristics of the
mineralization, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, future metal prices,
availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business
conditions, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, delays or inability to receive required approvals,
business disruptions, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the
filings made by the Company with securities regulators, including those described under the heading
"Risks and Uncertainties" in the Company's most recently filed MD&A. The Company does not
undertake to update or revise any forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable law.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit
https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/268685