Cerrado Gold (TSX-V:CERT) produced 12,842 gold-equivalent ounces for Q1 2026 at the Minera Don Nicolas Mine in Argentina.
The Q1 production results represent an increase from the same time last year, which totalled 11,163 gold-equivalent ounces.
Cerrado Gold says the focus on underground development continued during the quarter, which reduced the ore available for immediate processing. The increased development will also allow access to more material amounts of ore during the coming quarters and is expected to lift production and improve head grades to the plant during Q2 and Q3 2026.
During 2026, underground ore operations are anticipated to follow a cycle of development and then ore extraction, as the underground workings follow the ore zone deeper under the current pit.
CEO Mark Brennan says Q1 represents a “strong and steady” production quarter at Minera Don Nicolas, with its two production fronts of heap leach and carbon-in-leach (CIL) continuing to provide production stability during development cycles in the underground.
“The exploration program is now progressing at the expected rate, and while assays continue to be delayed, we are working on both internal and external resolutions to these challenges,” Brennan says.
“Cerrado also continued to make good progress to advance the Mont Sorcier Project, with completion of the Feasibility Study on track for late Q2 2026. At Lagoa Salgada, the company continues to work closely with the relevant authorities and agencies regarding permitting.”
Argentinian exploration
At Minera Don Nicolas, the ongoing exploration program is focusing on near-mine targets with the potential to materially extend resources and extend mine life.
This includes supporting medium-term operational sustainability through underground feed to the CIL plant, alongside increasing resources available for heap leach processing.
Current drilling is aimed at defining the depth and lateral extent of mineralisation in the Sulfuro vein, which was historically exploited as the Paloma open pit and is now exploited as an underground operation.
To expedite progress and enable simultaneous testing of multiple high-priority targets, Cerrado has expanded its drilling capacity to include four rigs and associated logistical support.
In 2026, exploration efforts will include surface and underground drilling, targeting several zones to further grow the resource base.
Assay turnaround remains a constraint. However, Cerrado is addressing this through engagement with external laboratories and by certifying its internal laboratory which is expected to be completed in Q3 2026.
Cerrado Gold is a Toronto-based gold producer, developer, and explorer which owns the Minera Don Nicolas and Las Calandrias Mine in Santa Cruz, Argentina.
The Minera Don Nicolas Mine, covering 333,340 hectares, consists of more than 10 separate deposits discovered to date. The mine operates from two separate open pits which in turn feed a central 1,000-tonnes-per-day CIL gold recovery plant.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Cerrado Gold
