Could you introduce SolGold and your tier-one copper-gold Cascabel project?

Cascabel ranks among the world’s top five undeveloped copper projects, with a resource of 18.2 million t CuEq and 31.3 million oz Au. According to the 2024 PFS, it will produce an average of 277,000 oz/y of gold and 123,000 t/y of copper over an initial 28-year mine life. Our story is supported by high-profile investors, including Jiangxi Copper (12%), BHP (10%), and Newmont (10%), with approximately 55% of our shares held by major investors. 

The company is now at the financing stage to turn Cascabel into reality. Most junior developers get acquired before they have the chance to get into construction, which of course can be a good outcome for their shareholders, but at SolGold, we are not here to sit around waiting for that eventuality: We want to progress Cascabel to the point where Ecuador can have the confidence that this mine will come to fruition. 

The country has placed a lot of hope in this asset due to its size and its potential to unlock economic growth in the north. 

It has been announced that SolGold is evaluating an open-pit, early-production plan, as a way to de-risk the operation. What is motivating this direction?

Similar to what Oyu Tolgoi (Rio Tinto) has done in Mongolia at the open-pit operation that preceded block caving—we see an opportunity to stage development in a similar way. Our vision is to initiate early works and potentially bring Tandayama into production in the next three to four years, rather than in the next seven to eight years. Early production offers several de-risking advantages, offering us an alternative ore supply from the open pit, as well as improving the financeability of the project since we’d be building our capabilities and credibility as operators. 

SolGold secured a gold stream agreement with Franco Nevada and Osisko Gold Royalties last year. Could you comment on the significance of this support? 

Both Osisko Gold Royalties and Franco-Nevada have a great track record in financing top-tier projects. Their support alone is a vote of confidence in Cascabel. The first US$100 million of the stream is designated for pre-development, while the larger chunk of US$650 million will actually finance a large proportion (approximately 42%) of our CapEx requirement. I believe the markets have yet to fully appreciate the significance of having this huge head-start. 

How do you find the business environment in Ecuador, and how have local communities received your presence?

We are situated in the Imbabura province in northern Ecuador and there are no indigenous communities within our area. However, that does not mean we can be complacent, and we have a very strong community relations team in place. The government itself has also been proactive and constructive - a refreshing contrast to some other jurisdictions where governments can be combative over natural resources. The re-election of President Daniel Noboa adds an element of political stability, which is positive for long-term investment. Success stories like Ron Hochstein’s fantastic work at Fruta del Norte have also laid the groundwork for a more supportive view of mining in Ecuador.

What has driven the spinout of your exploration licenses outside of Cascabel into ExploreCo?

We are in the process of separating all our exploration tenements outside of Cascabel – a package of 89 licenses over 3,000 km2 – into a new entity called ExploreCo. This includes 18 prospective copper-gold exploration targets, of which 12 we consider of high priority, including Porvenir, in Southern Ecuador, which currently holds a resource of 493.7 million t @ 0.43% CuEq, as well as Blanca, which sits 8 km north of Cascabel. Numerous mining companies have expressed interest in these assets. 

We don’t want to sit on these licenses, paying land fees without progress. As SolGold, we are channeling our expertise into Cascabel, so partners are key to unlocking the value of these discoveries and greenfield exploration plays. This is a huge portfolio and a compelling entry point into Ecuador. 

Do you have a final message for prospective investors or partners?

Cascabel is not only a globally significant resource—it is a project of national importance to Ecuador, and we are committed to delivering it responsibly, with the intent and pace that a world-class asset deserves.