The Smart Money Case for Gold Stocks Is Getting Harder to Ignore
Issued on behalf of Lake Victoria Gold Ltd.
VANCOUVER – Baystreet.ca News Commentary – Gold is back in the spotlight as major banks ramp up their bullish forecasts, with Bank of America recently projecting a surge to $4,000 per ounce. Unlike past predictions tied to geopolitical risk, BoA now points to America’s mounting debt load as the core catalyst. Commerzbank shares a similar outlook, noting that gold’s recent move past $3,400 could be just the beginning. With multiple analysts now expecting a continued run, many believe mining stocks are still lagging far behind bullion’s trajectory. Among those attracting renewed investor attention are Lake Victoria Gold (TSXV: LVG) (OTCQB: LVGLF), Integra Resources Corp. (TSXV: ITR) (NYSE-American: ITRG), New Found Gold Corp. (TSXV: NFG) (NYSE-American: NFGC), Rio2 Limited (TSXV: RIO) (OTCQX: RIOFF), and IAMGOLD Corporation (NYSE: IAG) (TSX: IMG).
State Street Global Advisors continues to view gold as a strategic asset, highlighting both its staying power and upside potential. Jefferies analysts, meanwhile, believe the market hasn’t caught up—arguing that many gold equities still trade as if bullion were stuck at $2,500, even as prices push well beyond that level.
Lake Victoria Gold (TSXV: LVG) (OTCQB: LVGLF) is accelerating its push toward potential near-term production with the launch of a 7,750-meter drill program at Area C, the highest-grade zone within its fully permitted Imwelo Gold Project in northwestern Tanzania. Designed to support final mine planning and de-risk initial pit design, the campaign targets both grade control and deeper extensions to help shape what could become the project’s first open-pit operation.
“We’ve designed this program to maximize Imwelo’s short-term production readiness while extending the upside case,” said Marc Cernovitch, President and CEO of Lake Victoria Gold. “The drill data will help us finalize early mine scheduling, validate pit design, and potentially unlock high-grade extensions. With Area C now fully defined as our initial production zone, we’re making meaningful progress toward becoming Tanzania’s next gold producer.”
The program includes 3,750 meters of RC drilling on a tightly spaced 10x10 metre grid to define early-stage ore/waste boundaries, supported by another 4,000 meters of strike and depth extension drilling. Intercepts to date from Area C include 6.8 meters at 14.6 g/t gold and 2 meters at 7.5 g/t—results that have positioned it as a compelling starting point within the broader resource footprint. Completion is targeted for Q3 2025, with construction decisions expected to follow based on final engineering and economic evaluations.
“We’ve optimized this program to deliver multiple layers of value—from detailed grade control to geotech validation and deeper exploration,” said Seth Dickinson, P. Eng., Chief Operating Officer of Lake Victoria Gold. “The step-out and depth targets are especially compelling given the structural complexity we’ve seen to the west. The team is focused on accelerating toward a clean construction start with maximum technical confidence.”
Imwelo is located just 12 kilometers from AngloGold Ashanti’s Geita Mine and sits atop the Geita Greenstone Belt, one of Tanzania’s most productive gold terrains. The project holds a 10-year mining license and is backed by a 2021 prefeasibility study outlining a scalable, low-capex development plan. With recoveries above 90% and contractor support from Taifa Mining—Tanzania’s largest mining services group—the company is now advancing preparations to support a potential construction decision.
In parallel, Lake Victoria Gold continues to advance its high-priority Tembo Project, where a 3,000-meter drill program is planned at Ngula 1. This near-surface target has returned past intercepts of 28.57 g/t gold over 3 meters and 17.23 g/t over 4 meters. The current work is focused on confirming toll-milling potential while expanding geological understanding across the broader structural corridor—located adjacent to Barrick’s Bulyanhulu Mine.
Barrick’s Bulyanhulu (Buly) joint venture is quietly building shareholder exposure to potential long-term upside. Barrick and its partner (the Government of Tanzania) have now completed over 21,600 meters of drilling across six non-core licenses acquired from LVG in 2021—having already spent more than US$5.56 million out of a US$9 million commitment.
This is all part of Buly’s commitment that was made as part of the Asset Purchase Agreement (APA) signed in December 2021, under which Buly acquired six non-core prospecting licenses from LVG. In addition to the US$6M upfront consideration received, LVG retains exposure to future exploration success through contingent payments of up to US$45 million tied to gold discoveries on the Project.
To support its near-term pathway, Lake Victoria Gold has signed a non-binding LOI with Nyati Resources for potential toll milling at Nyati’s nearby 120-tpd processing plant. A new 500-tpd facility is expected to come online in the months ahead. Third-party firm Nesch Mintech Tanzania has been brought in to assess the plant’s performance and technical readiness, and to help outline any modifications needed to support production.
Tembo’s current 45-hole RC campaign at Ngula 1 is targeting near-surface gold zones with toll-milling potential, building on historical intercepts like 28.57 g/t gold over 3 meters and 17.23 g/t over 4 meters. By focusing on shallow targets first, LVG is aiming to establish early production optionality while advancing structural understanding of a district-scale system.
To support its development strategy, LVG has secured a gold prepay agreement with Monetary Metals tied to up to 7,000 ounces of future output, alongside a recent C$3.52 million equity investment from Taifa Group—part of a three-tranche investment set to total C$11.52 million. With field activity ramping up at both projects and financing structures in place, LVG continues to execute on a phased growth model in one of Africa’s most prospective gold belts.
CONTINUED… Read this and more news for Lake Victoria Gold at: https://usanewsgroup.com/2025/04/02/with-funding-commitments-in-place-a-gold-mine-is-being-built-and-this-stock-is-still-under-0-20/
In other industry developments and happenings in the market include:
Integra Resources Corp. (TSXV: ITR) (NYSE-American: ITRG) recently marked a key milestone with its first full quarter of gold production, generating 19,323 ounces at Florida Canyon and achieving average realized gold prices of $2,888/oz. Adjusted earnings reached $4.4 million, and operating cash flow came in at $16.1 million, helping to lift its cash balance to $61.1 million.
"The mine continues to demonstrate its ability to generate cash flow to support Integra's growth strategy, which was the basis for its acquisition in late 2024,” said George Salamis, President, CEO and Director of Integra. “The focus for the remainder of 2025 continues to be optimizing and demonstrating growth at Florida Canyon, significant permitting advancement and a feasibility study planned for DeLamar, and continued de-risking activities and advanced study work at Nevada North."
The company is deploying capital into mine-site upgrades, pre-stripping, and leach pad expansion to boost Florida Canyon output. Meanwhile, permitting efforts continue at DeLamar, and study work advances at Nevada North, positioning Integra for multi-asset growth in the Great Basin.
New Found Gold Corp. (TSXV: NFG) (NYSE-American: NFGC) has expanded its 2025 work program at the Queensway Project in Newfoundland, allocating C$40 million toward a 300,000-meter drill program across multiple zones.
"With the recent closing of our bought deal financing, the Company is well-financed to expand our 2025 work program,” said Melissa Render, President of New Found Gold. “The primary focus remains the key deliverables to advance Queensway on the path to development."
The initiative aims to build on existing resource growth at Iceberg, Keats, and Lotto, while ramping up generative drilling along the Appleton and JBP Faults. Additional metallurgical testing, engineering, and baseline environmental studies are also underway to support potential future development.
Rio2 Limited (TSXV: RIO) (OTCQX: RIOFF) recently confirmed that its Fenix Gold Project remains on track and on budget for initial gold production in January 2026, with construction reaching 19% completion by the end of Q1 2025. The $30.1 million spent to date aligns with planned expenditures, as work continues on critical elements like the leach pad, ADR plant, and PLS pond.
The company has also begun grade control drilling across pit areas earmarked for the first three years of production. Upcoming milestones include ADR plant commissioning by November and mine expansion study completion in December.
IAMGOLD Corporation (NYSE: IAG) (TSX: IMG) confirmed a major milestone at its Côté Gold Mine, reaching nameplate processing throughput of 36,000 tpd over a 30-day period. This marks a successful ramp-up just 15 months after first gold, and solidifies confidence in 2025 production guidance of 360,000 to 400,000 ounces.
"To bring a gold project from first gold to the design nameplate rate within this timeframe, while ensuring a safe workplace for all, exemplifies the commitment to excellence and accountability that is at the core of IAMGOLD today," said Renaud Adams, President and CEO of IAMGOLD. "Further, we are excited at the opportunities the installation of the second cone crusher will bring, including improving plant availability and maintenance cycles, while providing potential for further throughput increases."
With additional upgrades in motion, the company is now positioning Côté as a cornerstone asset in its long-term growth strategy.
Article Source: https://usanewsgroup.com/2025/04/02/with-funding-commitments-in-place-a-gold-mine-is-being-built-and-this-stock-is-still-under-0-20/
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