Wedoany.com Report-Oct. 29, West Red Lake Gold (WRLG) has commenced a 5,000-meter drilling program at its Rowan project, located in the Red Lake gold district of northwestern Ontario, Canada. The program aims to upgrade inferred resources to the indicated category through targeted infill drilling on veins 001 and 004, which form a key part of the company’s resource base.

The report indicates an underground mine at Rowan could yield an average of 35,230oz of gold annually.

This drilling campaign follows the findings of a preliminary economic assessment (PEA) released on July 8, 2025. The PEA indicated that an underground operation at Rowan could produce an average of 35,230 ounces of gold annually over a five-year mine life, with an average grade of eight grams per tonne. Approximately 63% of the tonnage and 72% of the gold ounces from veins 001 and 004 are already classified as indicated resources, providing a strong foundation for further resource conversion and project advancement.

In addition to these main targets, WRLG will also conduct infill drilling on veins 006b and 013. These efforts are intended to extend the mine’s life and potentially allow for earlier ore extraction, which could improve the project’s overall net present value. Results from this phase will contribute to the planned combined pre-feasibility study (PFS), which will assess both the Rowan and Madsen projects. The study will focus on identifying shared infrastructure opportunities and operational efficiencies to enhance project economics.

WRLG President and CEO Shane Williams said: “It is very exciting to have a drill turning again at Rowan. The Rowan project, according to the PEA, is projected to produce 35,000oz of gold a year. Success in advancing Rowan through permitting and development could position WRLG to target a combined production rate of up to 100,000oz per year gold in Red Lake in the coming years.” He added that the drilling would not only strengthen confidence in existing resources but also provide material for advanced metallurgical and geotechnical studies ahead of the PFS.

Additional studies at Rowan, including geotechnical, metallurgical, and engineering work, are scheduled to inform the PFS. These efforts will run parallel with ongoing permitting activities aimed at advancing the project toward the advanced exploration stage. This status is required to authorize bulk sample extraction and underground development, with permits targeted for 2027.

The permitting process aligns with Ontario’s newly introduced “One Project, One Process” framework, which seeks to streamline mine permitting and reduce review times by up to 50%. Williams noted: “With gold prices continuing to trade around all-time highs we anticipate strong economics in the combined PFS, which is expected to be completed by Q3 2026. This study will be a significant milestone for WRLG, establishing a valuation benchmark for our total Red Lake assets.”

The completion of the PFS will provide the company with key insights for its future development strategy, positioning WRLG for potential production growth within the Red Lake mining district.