Summary of i-80 Gold Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: i-80 Gold (NYSEAM:IAUX) - **Focus**: Refurbishment of the Lone Tree plant in northern Nevada, part of a hub-and-spoke mining and processing strategy Key Points Industry Context - The Lone Tree plant is a significant asset for i-80 Gold, designed to process high-grade refractory and oxide feed from three underground gold projects: Granite Creek, Archimedes, and Cove [3][4] - i-80 Gold is one of two companies in Nevada with autoclave processing facilities, the other being Nevada Gold Mines [3][4] Refurbishment Update - The refurbishment of the Lone Tree plant is a major milestone, expected to enhance processing capabilities and improve economic margins [4][5] - The engineering study was completed by Hatch Ltd, confirming the design and capital costs for the refurbishment [5][8] - The total estimated capital cost for the refurbishment is approximately $430 million, which includes a contingency of 12% and capital spares [13][18] Economic Impact - Once operational, the plant is expected to improve margins by $1,000 to $1,500 per ounce of gold, significantly enhancing free cash flow generation [4][12] - The project is anticipated to have a payback period of 12 to 24 months, depending on gold prices and ore grades [14][18] Project Timeline - Early works commenced in Q3 2025, with full construction targeted to begin in the second half of 2026 and commissioning expected by the end of 2027 [15][16] - Permitting applications for new operational components are projected to be submitted in Q1 2026 [16] Recapitalization Strategy - i-80 Gold is advancing a recapitalization plan to fund the refurbishment and restructure existing debt obligations of approximately $200 million [18][21] - The company is evaluating multiple financing options, including senior debt and a potential royalty sale [19][20] Operational Insights - The plant is designed to process up to 2,268 metric tons per day, with a focus on processing sulfide ore from the underground mines [12][26] - The updated design incorporates an acid-based POX process, expected to enhance gold recovery compared to previous designs [13][11] Team and Execution Risk - The internal team has extensive experience in autoclave operations, which is expected to reduce execution risk and support permitting [10][11] - Approximately 600,000 direct construction hours are estimated for the refurbishment, with a peak workforce of about 400 personnel [9][10] Future Production Goals - i-80 Gold aims to increase production from less than 50,000 ounces in the current year to over 600,000 ounces by the early 2030s [32] Additional Insights - The refurbishment includes environmentally responsible upgrades, such as a mercury abatement circuit and a tailings filtration system [11][12] - The company has hired a dozen new technical staff to support the development plan [32] This summary encapsulates the critical aspects of the i-80 Gold conference call, highlighting the company's strategic initiatives, financial outlook, and operational plans.