Interview with Nick Appleyard, President & CEO of TriStar Gold Inc.

Our previous interview:

Recording date: 11th September 2025

TriStar Gold Corporation represents a compelling high-risk, high-reward investment opportunity centered on the exceptional economics of its Castelo de Sonhos gold project in Brazil's Pará state. The project's fundamentals are outstanding, containing 1.4 million ounces of probable gold reserves that generate a post-tax net present value of $1.4 billion at conservative $3,200 per ounce gold assumptions. This creates a remarkable valuation disconnect with TriStar's current market capitalization of approximately $55 million.

The investment thesis is built on the project's technical simplicity and robust economics. CEO Nick Appleyard characterizes the operation as "sand and gold. Nothing else. Simplest processing you're ever going to see." This straightforward metallurgy reduces both technical risk and capital requirements while supporting strong margins throughout the mine life. Production profiles indicate significant scale, with the first seven years averaging 150,000 ounces annually before stabilizing at 120,000 ounces, positioning Castelo de Sonhos as a meaningful mid-tier gold operation.

Location advantages further enhance the project's attractiveness. Proximity to existing road infrastructure reduces capital requirements typically associated with remote site development, while the technical simplicity of processing sand-hosted gold mineralization supports both economic viability and development timeline efficiency.

The current investment opportunity stems from regulatory challenges that have created substantial valuation dislocation. TriStar faces permit suspension recommendations from Brazilian prosecutors based on allegedly insufficient indigenous consultation. However, the factual basis for these concerns appears questionable, with referenced indigenous groups located over 100 kilometers from the project site and no demonstrated environmental or cultural impact from exploration activities.

Importantly, TriStar maintains strong local support where it matters most. Communities within reasonable proximity to the project support the company's activities, benefiting from employment opportunities and development programs. State regulatory agencies have provided robust defense of TriStar's permit applications, with the state environmental agency emphasizing that the company has followed all proper procedures and operates far from any potential impact areas.

The legal process follows a defined timeline with defense filings expected by mid-October 2025, followed by judicial review through early 2026. Management estimates that approximately $1.5 million in legal and consultation expenses could provide project clarity and unlock construction licensing, representing modest capital deployment relative to potential value creation.

Risk mitigation factors support the investment thesis despite regulatory uncertainty. TriStar maintains sufficient capital to navigate the legal process without forced fundraising at disadvantageous terms, while the company's single-asset focus allows management to concentrate entirely on resolution. The involvement of FUNAI, Brazil's federal indigenous affairs agency, provides procedural safeguards through evidence-based assessment standards rather than subjective claims.

Historical precedent supports optimism for resolution. Similar regulatory challenges in Pará state have generally been resolved with projects advancing to production, suggesting these hurdles follow predictable patterns with established resolution mechanisms. Brazilian mining attorneys view such challenges as part of the operating environment rather than terminal project risks.

For investors comfortable with Brazilian regulatory complexity and willing to accept defined timeline risk, TriStar Gold offers exceptional return potential through what management estimates could be a $100 million market value recovery upon regulatory clarity.

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