Mark Brennan, Founder, CEO, and Director of Cerrado Gold Inc (TSX.V: CERT) (OTCQX: CRDOF), joins me to review their full year 2025 financial and operational metrics at the producing Minera Don Nicolas (MDN) gold mine in Argentina. We discuss the aggressive 70,000 meter exploration program on tap for MDN into 2026, review the permitting process at the Lagoa Salgada VMS Project in Portugal and the key development catalysts on tap at the Mont Sorcier Iron-Vanadium project in Quebec.
2025 Financial Highlights
- Annual Production for 2025 of 50,238 Gold Equivalent Ounces (“GEO”); and AISC of US$1,746 per ounce, in line with guidance
- 2026 Production guidance of 50,000 to 60,000 GEO weighted to H2/26
- Adjusted EBITDA of $22.3 million for Q4, and $46.1 million for the full year
- AISC of $1,391 during Q4 vs $1,953 in Q4/24 due to higher production
- Completed hedging program provides full future leverage to high gold prices
- Focus remains on ramping up underground production during Q2/Q3, while water availability returns heap leach production to nameplate capacity and lower unit costs
- Extensive operational optimizations are completed and underway to reduce unit costs and expand production capabilities
- 70,000 meter Exploration Program positioned to support resource growth at MDN with four new owner-operated drill rigs currently turning at surface. Additionally underground is set to commence in the next couple of months.
Mark and I review their Minera Don Nicolas producing gold project in Argentina, and the combination of heap leach and underground gold equivalent ounce production for the quarter. With improved crushing for the quantity of ore being put on the leach pads and the contribution of new higher-grade areas from the underground mining running through the CIL plant, this will help reduce down unit costs in 2026. We highlight how the ongoing 70,000 meter drill program will be looking to extend mine life in a substantial way and find new high-grade areas for future mine sequencing.
Next we got an update on the ongoing work from the previously announced unfavourable opinion of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the Lago Salgada VMS Project in Portugal. This ‘unfavourable opinion’ was issued after expiry of statutory deadline under Portuguese EIA legislation. The Company maintains its position that the project has been tacitly approved. Mark reiterated that the purported unfavorable opinion was issued despite the project being the first mining project in Portuguese history to receive unanimous favourable opinion for the Project by all 17 people that make up the Technical Evaluation Committee. The Company is working on a resolution and will update the market when it has more information.
Moving on to the Mont Sorcier Iron Project in Quebec, there are final workstreams feeding into the Bankable Feasibility Study slated for release here in Q2 of 2026. Recent metallurgical test work has reaffirmed the potential to produce high-grade and high-purity iron concentrate grading in excess of 67% iron with silica and alumina content below 2.3%, which gets a premium in the iron marketplace. The NPV(8%) of the is project in the prior PEA was US$1.6Billion, so even at a very low multiple being applied to this Project, it more than underpins the current market cap that the company is currently receiving, and yet the market cap doesn’t even fully reflect the gold production asset.
We wrap up discussing the underappreciated valuation that the company is receiving for the both the producing MDN mine in Argentina, the development-stage Lagoa Salgada and large Net Present Value of the Mont Sorcier Project.
If you have questions for Mark regarding Cerrado Gold, then please email those to me at Shad@kereport.com.
- In full disclosure, Shad is a shareholder of Cerrado Gold at the time of this recording, and may choose to buy or sell shares at any time.
Click here to see the latest news from Cerrado Gold.
For more market commentary & interview summaries, subscribe to our Substacks:
The KE Report: https://kereport.substack.com/
Shad’s resource market commentary: https://excelsiorprosperity.substack.com/
Investment disclaimer:
This content is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, an offer, or a solicitation to buy or sell any security. Investing in equities and commodities involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Do your own research and consult a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decisions. Guests and hosts may own shares in companies mentioned.