Interview with Shane Williams, President & CEO of West Red Lake Gold Mines

Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/west-red-lake-gold-mines-tsxvwrlg-poised-for-success-in-restarting-historic-madsen-mine-6164

Recording date: 15th November 2024

West Red Lake Gold Mines (TSXV:WRLG) is on the cusp of revitalizing the historic Madsen gold mine in the renowned Red Lake mining district of Ontario. Under the stewardship of a new management team, the company has dedicated the past 18 months to systematically de-risking the project, setting the stage for a potential resumption of production in late 2025.

Central to WRLG's efforts has been a focus on validating the geological understanding of the deposit and the integrity of the resource base. The company has undertaken an extensive 50,000m underground drilling campaign to augment the existing data set. Crucially, WRLG engaged three independent groups to review the data and construct their own resource models. The results align closely with WRLG's internal estimates, providing a strong third-party endorsement of the company's methodology and conclusions.

With a firm geological foundation established, WRLG has shifted its attention to the operational preparations required to bring the Madsen mine back online. The recent arrival of key infrastructure components, such as the crusher and camp, mark tangible progress on this front. The company has also successfully scaled its on-site workforce to 150, with plans to reach 200-250 in the coming months. Importantly, WRLG has been able to draw heavily from the experienced local labor pool in the Red Lake area, underscoring the project's advantageous location.

Looking ahead, two key milestones are expected to further solidify the Madsen project's trajectory. By early December, WRLG anticipates completing a pre-feasibility study (PFS) centered on an 800-1000 tons/day operating scenario. Management has emphasized the importance of focusing the study on a "base case" that demonstrates the economics of restarting the mine based solely on the Madsen resource. While exploration upside certainly exists, the PFS is intended to present a conservative, achievable starting point for the operation. Concurrent with the PFS, WRLG is conducting a test mining program to reconcile actual results with the resource model. This will provide a final level of confirmation as the company prepares to make a production decision. 

For investors, the coming months are likely to be transformative for the Madsen project and, by extension, WRLG. The delivery of the PFS should provide the first detailed look at the anticipated economics of the re-started operation. The test mining results will offer another key data point in evaluating the risk profile of the asset ahead of a full production decision. 

While not without risks, the Madsen project benefits from extensive existing infrastructure, a strategic location, and a management team that has demonstrated a methodical, disciplined approach to resource development. As WRLG transitions from explorer to producer, the value proposition for investors is poised for a potential re-rating, making the story one to watch closely in the junior gold space.

View West Red Lake Gold Mines' company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/west-red-lake-gold-mines-inc

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