Equinox Gold Corp. announced a new gold discovery at its Valentine Mine in Newfoundland & Labrador. The Minotaur Zone, located 8 km northwest of the mill, was confirmed by the 2025 diamond drill program and is backed by surface grab samples grading as high as 650 g/t Au.
The company also reported continuous high‑grade mineralization in the Frank Zone, situated southwest of the existing Leprechaun pit. Drill results delineated a broad gold corridor extending over 1 km along the trend, indicating the potential for a new open‑pit operation that could extend the mine’s life beyond the current 14‑year plan.
The Minotaur Zone was first flagged in 2013 through grab samples and has now been validated using VRIFY’s DORA AI‑powered exploration software, which integrated geochemical, geophysical and structural data. Equinox plans to drill 15 000–20 000 m in the Minotaur Zone in 2026 to further define the resource.
Valentine produced its first gold on September 14 2025 and achieved commercial production on November 18 2025. The mine is expected to produce 150 000–200 000 ounces of gold in 2026, and the new discoveries could boost those figures and extend the mine’s economic life. Equinox’s overall 2026 production target for its portfolio is 700 000–800 000 ounces.
The company will drill approximately 100 km of new holes across the Valentine property in 2026, focusing on the Minotaur and Frank Zones as well as additional greenfield targets. The aggressive exploration program underscores Equinox’s commitment to unlocking value in Atlantic Canada and demonstrates the strategic use of AI to accelerate discovery.
CEO Darren Hall said, "These latest drill results continue to strengthen our confidence in the scale and quality of the Valentine Gold District." The statement signals confidence in resource expansion and mine life extension.
The discovery highlights Equinox’s growth strategy, leveraging AI and aggressive exploration to unlock value in a high‑potential region, positioning the company for sustained production growth and a longer mine life.
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