i-80 Gold Announces Lone Tree Plant Refurbishment Update; Study Highlights Material Increase in Margins and Short Payback Period

Core Viewpoint - The refurbishment of the Lone Tree Plant is a significant step in i-80 Gold's strategy to transition from toll-milling to an owner-operator processing model, which is expected to enhance margins and free cash flow generation [1][3]. Development Plan - The refurbishment is part of a broader development plan aimed at establishing i-80 Gold as a mid-tier gold producer [1]. - The capital cost estimate for the refurbishment is $430 million, which includes $412 million for direct and indirect costs and $18 million for capital spares [4][17]. Engineering and Technical Aspects - The engineering study conducted by Hatch Ltd. confirms that the refurbishment will involve standard upgrades to improve operational efficiency with low execution risk [3]. - Approximately 30% of detailed engineering is complete, providing improved accuracy in capital cost estimates [3]. - The plant will have a nameplate capacity of 2,268 tonnes per day, processing both refractory and non-refractory materials [4][13]. Financial Projections - The transition to an owner-operated model is projected to reduce processing costs to about one-third, increasing margins by approximately $1,000 to $1,500 per ounce of gold [4][19]. - A potential payback period for the refurbishment is estimated at 12 to 24 months, depending on the grade processed and gold prices [4]. Timeline and Next Steps - Early works have commenced, and construction activities are expected to begin in the second half of 2026, with commissioning anticipated by the end of 2027 [4][22][23]. - The company aims to complete its recapitalization plan by the end of the second quarter of 2026 or earlier [1][19]. Environmental and Compliance Considerations - The refurbishment will include upgrades to meet new environmental compliance standards, such as a new mercury abatement circuit and a tailings filtration system [6][9]. - The company is on track to complete engineering designs for construction and environmental permits by the fourth quarter of 2025, with applications to be submitted in the first quarter of 2026 [20][22]. Company Background - i-80 Gold is focused on building a mid-tier gold producer in Nevada, leveraging its existing infrastructure and strategic asset portfolio [30]. - The Lone Tree property, acquired from Nevada Gold Mines in October 2021, includes significant existing infrastructure and has a history of production [24][30].