Canadian gold producer and developer West Red Lake Gold Mines has reported that meaningful progress has been made in the ramp-up of its Madsen mine, in the Red Lake mining district of Ontario, Canada.

In its operational update for the second quarter ended June 30, the company reports that mined tonnage increased by 46% quarter-on-quarter to 75 524 t, while mined ounces increased by 73% quarter-on-quarter to 10 459 oz, reflecting both higher mining rates and an increase in average mined grade.

Gold production totalled 8 576 oz during the second quarter, representing a 51% increase from the 5 667 oz produced in the first quarter.

Owing to increased mine productivity, a surface stockpile of about 10 768 t had been generated by the end of the second quarter representing about 1 500 contained ounces of gold based on estimated grades.

The mill achieved average processing rates of about 842 t/d. The company notes that over the second half of 2026, processing rates are expected to increase to about 1 000 t/d.

President and CEO Shane Williams says the second quarter demonstrated that the development-focused strategy implemented during the first half of the year is translating into measurable operating improvements as mine sequencing advanced to unlock multiple stoping fronts and operational flexibility continued to improve.

During the quarter, he notes, the mill sustained processing rates of about 842 t/d while underground mining rates averaged 878 t/d earlier in the quarter.

However, Williams explains that from mid-quarter onward, the company mined over 1 000 t/d, allowing it to build a surface stockpile equivalent to about half a month of mill feed inventory.

“Our ability to generate a stockpile of this size speaks to the operational efficiency of the team and our ability to mine at rates that exceed the currently permitted mill throughput of 800 t/d.”

Williams says mining rates in excess of current mill capacity are an important indicator that the mine is developing greater flexibility and overall consistency for sustained operations.

As processing rates during the first half of the year reflected the early stages of the ramp up, he says the company expects throughput to continue increasing over the balance of the year toward a sustained processing rate of up to 1 000 t/d.

“The operational improvements demonstrated during the second quarter reinforce our view that Madsen remains on track to achieve full-year production guidance of 35 000 oz to 45 000 oz of gold.”

OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE

Meanwhile, West Red Lake Gold notes that performance continued to improve throughout the second quarter of this year as the company benefited from additional mining fronts, improved mine sequencing, increasing mining rates and ongoing efforts to optimise mill throughput and overall operating efficiency.

The company says mining rates have increased while processing performance also improved throughout the quarter, adding that these improvements reflect the continued advancement of the operation toward its targeted production profile for 2026.

“Looking ahead, management remains focused on safely improving operational consistency, increasing production rates and advancing self-funded development and exploration activities that support both current operations and future growth opportunities across the broader Madsen property,” the company says.

The company will release its unaudited financial and operating results for the three and six months ended June 30 on August 25.