Challenger Gold Limited has outlined an integrated development road map for its Hualilán Gold Project in San Juan, Argentina, targeting commercial production from the stand-alone Phase 1 heap leach operation by early 2029. The plan builds on the 2026 Pre-Feasibility Study, which detailed 1.8 million gold equivalent ounces of production over a 14.25-year mine life, pre-production capital of approximately $267 million, and a 2.25-year payback period.
The Company’s 100%-owned Hualilán Gold Project is in San Juan Province, Argentina. Image Credit: Challenger Gold Limited
The road map covers four priorities:
- advancing detailed engineering with BBA Consultants;
- continuing a 35,000-meter drilling program across four rigs;
- refinancing the company's US$15 million convertible debenture;
- and progressing procurement and site works ahead of a construction ramp-up in the second half of 2027.
Key near-term catalysts include the Argentina’s Régimen de Incentivo para Grandes Inversiones (RIGI) application submission and debenture refinancing in Q3 2026, an exploration update and project development update in Q4 2026, and the NI 43-101 technical report and optimization study results in Q1 2027.