Canadian mining company Equinox Gold has announced the inaugural gold pour at the Valentine Gold Mine in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
Equinox Gold stated that when fully operational, Valentine will become its second-largest mine, the largest gold mine in Atlantic Canada, and a major contributor to the economy of Newfoundland and Labrador.
The Valentine Gold Mine is expected to produce between 175,000 and 200,000oz of gold annually throughout the initial 12 years of its 14-year reserve lifespan.
The deposit contains 2.7 million oz of proven and probable reserves at a grade of 1.62 grams per tonne.
Equinox Gold CEO Darren Hall said: “Commissioning of the Valentine process plant is progressing extremely well, with mill throughput averaging 47% of nameplate for the first 15 days of operation, resulting in first gold being poured earlier than expected, on 14 September 2025. I am very pleased with commissioning progress, which positions Valentine to ramp-up to its nameplate capacity of 2.5 million tonnes per year in Q2 2026 [second quarter of 2026].”
Equinox Gold is actively pursuing initiatives to boost production and prolong the lifespan of the mine. This includes a phase two expansion aimed at enhancing plant throughput, as well as exploring the potential of several new discoveries on the property.
Valentine is Equinox's second Canadian mine to commence operations within a two-year period. Last November, the company launched commercial production at the larger Greenstone mine in northern Ontario.
Hall added: “First gold at Valentine reflects the vision, determination and teamwork of many people who advanced this mine from concept to reality. I extend my congratulations to Jason Cyr and the entire Valentine team for delivering first gold safely and responsibly. Today we celebrate not only this milestone but also the opportunities and benefits that Valentine will generate for our employees, communities and shareholders for many years to come.
“Commencing production at Valentine marks the beginning of a new chapter for Equinox Gold. With both Valentine and Greenstone now ramping up to capacity, the company is set to become the second-largest producer of Canadian gold.”
