Video: Liberty targets 2026 feasibility at Black Pine

Liberty Gold (TSX: LGD; US-OTC: LGDTF) is looking to publish a feasibility study later next year for its Black Pine oxide project in Idaho, CEO Jon Gilligan said.

It is to follow a 40,000-metre drill campaign this year focused on upgrading the Rangefront deposit and tightening the model for a resource update early in the new year. The 2024 study outlined a 17-year, run-of-mine heap-leach operation. This year’s work is aimed at folding more Rangefront ounces into the early mine plan, Gilligan said.

“Last year we drilled 25,000 meters and found extensions of high-grade mineralization on the margins of that pit that did not go into the pre-feasibility resource. This year we’re focusing on building that out,” Gilligan said last month during the Mining Forum Americas in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Permitting is advancing with Black Pine’s operations plan under federal review. Liberty expects to receive a notice of intent soon that is to start the federal clock and align the project with FAST-41 tracking. The company’s timeline targets feasibility completion in late 2026, positioning Black Pine for build decisions and early production steps in 2028, subject to obtaining permits and securing financing.

Meanwhile, Centerra Gold (TSX: CG; NYSE: CGAU) has taken a 9.9% stake in Liberty. “It’s a vote of confidence in the operating team to take Black Pine through feasibility into construction,” Gilligan said.

Watch the full interview below with The Northern Miner’s Western Editor, Henry Lazenby.