Mr. Darren Hall reports
EQUINOX GOLD'S CASTLE MOUNTAIN ACCEPTED INTO FAST-41 PERMITTING PROGRAM
Equinox Gold Corp.'s Castle Mountain mine phase 2 project in California has been accepted into the U.S. Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council's FAST-41 program. FAST-41 is a federal permitting framework designed to streamline environmental reviews, improve interagency co-ordination and increase transparency. Acceptance into the program is expected to enhance regulatory certainty through a defined permitting schedule that may reflect reduced permitting timelines. Based on the permitting timeline posted to the FAST-41 project dashboard on Aug. 8, 2025, the federal permitting process should be completed in December, 2026.
Darren Hall, chief executive officer of Equinox Gold, stated: "Castle Mountain is a high-quality growth opportunity for Equinox Gold in a Tier 1 jurisdiction. Based on the March, 2021, Feasibility Study, the project is expected to produce approximately 200,000 ounces of gold annually over a 14-year mine life, totalling 3.2 million ounces. With FAST-41 permitting status in place, we've initiated study updates and project optimization to align with the permitting timeline and position the project for a timely construction decision. Once in production, Castle Mountain will be a cornerstone asset, reinforcing our strategy of building a portfolio of long-life, low-cost mines in top-tier jurisdictions."
Castle Mountain is located in San Bernardino county, California, approximately 200 miles north of Equinox Gold's Mesquite mine. Equinox Gold acquired Castle Mountain in December, 2017, and operated a small open-pit, heap-leach gold mine from Q4 2020 to Q3 2024. The mine is currently performing releaching procedures while the company advances permitting, engineering and optimization work. While the project is expected to operate within the existing approved mine boundary, the changes to previously analyzed effects, such as increased land disturbance within the mine boundary and increased water use, require modification to the company's approved mine and reclamation plan and an updated environmental impact statement/environmental impact report.
The technical information contained in this news release was approved by David Schonfeldt, PGeo, vice-president, mining geology, for Equinox Gold and a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101.
About Equinox Gold Corp.
Equinox Gold is a Canadian mining company positioned for growth with a strong foundation of high-quality, long-life gold operations in Canada and across the Americas and a pipeline of development and expansion projects. Founded and chaired by renowned mining entrepreneur Ross Beaty and guided by a seasoned leadership team with broad expertise, the company is focused on disciplined execution, operational excellence and long-term value creation. Equinox Gold offers investors meaningful exposure to gold with a diversified portfolio and clear path to growth.
We seek Safe Harbor.
© 2026 Canjex Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.