Lahontan Gold Corp. (TSXV: LG) (OTCQB: LGCXF) has appointed Billy Choi as its new chief financial officer, with Choi expected to assume full CFO responsibilities in October 2026 following a transition period. The announcement signals a deliberate strengthening of the company's financial management team as it moves closer to restarting production at its flagship Santa Fe Mine in Nevada.
Choi brings a wealth of experience in public company finance and strategic transactions. He most recently served as vice president of finance at Lithium Royalty Corp., where he played a key role in the company's initial public offering, managed public-company reporting and financial controls, and contributed to its subsequent acquisition by Altius Minerals. That background in both capital markets and M&A is likely to be directly applicable as Lahontan navigates the complex financial and regulatory pathways required to bring a past-producing mine back into operation.
The timing of the appointment underscores the significance of Lahontan's current phase. The company is advancing permitting for the Santa Fe Mine and targeting a production restart in 2027. A CFO with IPO and acquisition experience can be instrumental in securing financing, ensuring compliance, and optimizing financial strategy during this critical period. For investors, the move may be seen as a signal that Lahontan is serious about executing its development plan and potentially accessing public markets for growth capital.
Lahontan Gold Corp. is a Canadian mine development and mineral exploration company that holds, through its US subsidiaries, four top-tier gold and silver exploration properties in the Walker Lane of mining-friendly Nevada. Its flagship property, the 26.4 km2 Santa Fe Mine project, had past production of 359,202 ounces of gold and 702,067 ounces of silver between 1988 and 1995 from open pit mines utilizing heap-leach processing. The Santa Fe Mine has a Canadian National Instrument 43-101 compliant Indicated Mineral Resource of 1,539,000 oz Au Eq (48,393,000 tonnes grading 0.92 g/t Au and 7.18 g/t Ag, together grading 0.99 g/t Au Eq) and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 411,000 oz Au Eq (16,760,000 tonnes grading 0.74 g/t Au and 3.25 g/t Ag, together grading 0.76 g/t Au Eq), all pit constrained.
The company plans to continue advancing the Santa Fe Mine project towards production, update the Santa Fe Preliminary Economic Assessment, and drill test its satellite West Santa Fe project during 2025. For more details on the project, see the full press release. The technical content of this news release and the Company’s technical disclosure has been reviewed and approved by Michael Lindholm, CPG, Independent Consulting Geologist to Lahontan Gold Corp., who is a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 — Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. For more information, please visit the company’s website: www.lahontangoldcorp.com.
The appointment of a CFO with a track record of successful public market transactions and acquisitions could enhance Lahontan's credibility with investors and partners as it seeks to transition from explorer to producer. With gold prices remaining historically elevated, the economic potential of the Santa Fe Mine is substantial, and a strengthened financial team may help unlock that value. The market will be watching closely to see how Choi's expertise translates into tangible progress on permitting and financing milestones.
