West Red Lake Gold increases production at Madsen mine, Ontario
West Red Lake Gold Mines Ltd. [TSXV: WRLG; OTCQX: WRLGF; FSE: UJO] provided an operational update for the second quarter ended June 30, 2026, highlighting meaningful progress in the ramp up of the Madsen mine located in the Red Lake mining district of Ontario.
Q2 operating highlights: Mined tonnage increased 46 per cent to 75,524 tonnes in Q2 from 51,616 tonnes in Q1, while mined ounces increased 73% to 10,459 ounces from 6,033 ounces in the first quarter (Q1 2026 or Q1), reflecting both higher mining rates and an increase in average mined grade.
Gold production totalled 8,576 ounces during Q2 2026, representing a 51% increase from the 5,667 ounces produced in Q1 2026.
Due to increased mine productivity, a surface stockpile of approximately 10,768 tonnes had been generated by the end of Q2 representing approximately 1,500 contained ounces of gold based on estimated grades.
The mill achieved average processing rates of approximately 842 tonnes per day (tpd). Over the second half of 2026, processing rates are expected to increase to approximately 1,000 tpd.
Shane Williams, president and CEO, commented: “Q2 demonstrated that the development-focused strategy implemented during the first half of 2026 is translating into measurable operating improvements as mine sequencing advanced to unlock multiple stoping fronts and operational flexibility continued to improve.
“During the quarter, the mill sustained processing rates of approximately 842 tpd while underground mining rates averaged 878 tpd earlier in the quarter, however from mid quarter onward we mined over 1,000 tpd, allowing us to build a surface stockpile equivalent to approximately 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 tpd. 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, we expect throughput to continue increasing over the balance of the year toward a sustained processing rate of up to 1,000 tpd. The operational improvements demonstrated during Q2 reinforces our view that Madsen remains on track to achieve full-year production guidance of 35,000 to 45,000 ounces of gold.”
Performance continued to improve throughout Q2 2026 as the company benefited from additional mining fronts, improved mine sequencing, increasing mining rates, and continuing efforts to optimize mill throughput and overall operating efficiency.
Mining rates have increased while processing performance also improved throughout the quarter. 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-financed development and exploration activities that support both current operations and future growth opportunities across the broader Madsen property.
West Red Lake Gold Mines is advancing a high-grade, district-scale opportunity in the Red Lake district of Ontario. The company’s flagship Madsen mine has recently achieved commercial production and is positioned as the central hub of a growing multiasset platform.
The company controls a 47 km2 land package in one of the world’s most prolific mining districts, which has historically produced over 20 million ounces of gold from high-grade systems. West Red Lake also owns the Rowan property in Red Lake, covering 31 km2 that includes three past-producing mines (Rowan, Mount Jamie and Red Summit) and represents a key source of future production growth.