From the Field to the Future: Inside Exploration at Equinox Gold

Behind every operating Equinox Gold mine is a story that starts long before the first gold pour. No matter where it is, and no matter the project phase, exploration teams are always working on the next chapter: identifying targets, extending mine life and building the resource base that will support operations years, even decades, from now.

These are the people scanning vast land packages, building community ties and uncovering the opportunities that will shape the company’s future. Here’s a closer look at the teams, the work and what drives them.

The Role of Exploration at Equinox Gold

On the ground, exploration takes real persistence. Teams often spend long days in the field, hiking through brush, collecting samples, scouting for outcrops and following mineral clues in tough conditions. 

“It certainly would be nice if you could walk around in the bush and find bars of gold everywhere, but it’s not nearly that easy,” says Nic Capps, Equinox Gold Vice President of Exploration for Newfoundland & Labrador. Nic has spent 15 years at Valentine Gold Mine, helping guide it from an early-stage gold resource to Atlantic Canada’s largest gold mine, with a five-million-ounce resource and reserve.

Many people don’t realize that exploration isn’t a one-and-done affair, adds Nic. Even after a deposit is confirmed and mining begins at a site, exploration teams are already on to new targets. “We are responsible for building out the mine life, extending the mine life, building the resource,” Nic says. “We really need to be looking five, 10, 20 years away.”

Modern tools are also changing how teams understand large, complex land packages, says Alex Thompson, Equinox Gold Vice President of Exploration for Canada and the U.S. He points to geophysics – including airborne, drone and ground-based magnetic surveys – as one way exploration teams can scan broader areas, sharpen their targets and see patterns that fieldwork alone might miss.

“These methods can give us valuable insights that you wouldn’t be able to get if you’re walking on the ground,” he says. That combination of field experience and modern data helps teams move from discovery toward development.”

AI is emerging as another powerful addition to the exploration toolkit. At Valentine Gold Mine, a recent discovery at the site’s Minotaur Zone,  shows what’s possible when AI is integrated with traditional exploration methods. First flagged in 2013 but largely unexplored, the area was re-examined using DORA, an AI-powered platform developed by VRIFY, which helped the team identify a high-priority target, leading to the first-ever drill program in the area.

Building Relationships From the Ground Up

Exploration teams are often the first point of contact between a company and local communities. Long before a mine reaches production, they help build trust, listen to local perspectives and create the relationships that support responsible, long-term development.

For Pedro Silva, Vice President of Exploration, Nicaragua and Mexico, that means approaching exploration with care and respect from the start. “We work on the ground, with a relationship with the environment and respect for the area,” he says. “Protecting the environment, water, people – for us, this is one of the key aspects.”

Nic sees that same connection at Valentine Gold Mine, where local knowledge and community relationships helped shape the project from its earliest exploration days. Today, this connection shows up in the strength of the local workforce.The mine has an agreement with the provincial government to maintain more than 85 percent local hiring – a target the mine has exceeded, with about 95 percent of its workforce coming from, or living in, Newfoundland.

“One of the things I’ve learned is that Newfoundlanders really want to come home,” he says. “That’s been one of the real strengths that we’ve had as an operating mine.”

Where Exploration Meets Growth: Across the Equinox Gold Portfolio

Recent milestones – from commercial production at Valentine to significant reserve growth in Nicaragua – show what sustained exploration can make possible. Read on for a glimpse of what exploration has achieved across the Equinox Gold portfolio.

Valentine Gold Mine, Newfoundland & Labrador: From Potential to Production

At Valentine Gold Mine in Newfoundland, years of exploration have helped turn potential into production. Now Atlantic Canada’s largest gold mine, Valentine reached commercial production shortly after its first gold pour. “Being able to see that first gold bar and actually hold that in my hands was really special,” recalls Nic. 

Today, Valentine Gold Mine sits on a large, approximately 320 km² land package, with less than 15 percent explored to date, leaving significant room to keep building knowledge across the property.

Nic leads exploration work focused on understanding and expanding the opportunity, he says. “We’ve built this five-million-ounce resource,” Nic says. “I think the potential exists to really grow into a major gold district.”

Greenstone Gold Mine, Ontario: Gaining Momentum

At Greenstone Gold Mine in Ontario, exploration work is gaining momentum as the team grows. Iain Kelso, Director of Exploration for Ontario, recently joined Equinox Gold, bringing more than 25 years of global experience to the table. 

Greenstone Gold Mine is expected to average approximately 320,000 ounces of annual gold production over the next 10 years. The mine’s broader Beardmore-Geraldton land package includes underground resources, satellite deposits and historic production sites – all with exciting exploration potential.

The renewed focus on Ontario exploration has brought fresh energy to the team, says Alex. 

“We’re very bullish on what we could potentially discover in these areas.” 

Nicaragua Operations: Untapped Opportunity

In Nicaragua, Pedro sees plenty of untapped opportunity as well. Since the Nicaragua assets entered the Equinox Gold portfolio, mineral reserves have grown from 280,000 ounces to 1.1 million ounces of gold – nearly four times the original reserves.This leap forward has been supported every step of the way by a strong local geoscience team and a growing understanding of the region’s potential.

“I’m really proud of how local geologists are adapting new exploration techniques and learning,” he says.

Exploration work is continuing on several fronts in Nicaragua, including multi-rig drill programs across concessions, with teams focused on expanding known resources and testing for new discoveries. 

At the Libertad and El Limon Mines, additional exploration concessions give the team more ground to follow promising targets. And at Pavon and Eastern Borosi, a large prospective land package with potential for multiple deposit types is under evaluation. 

Mesquite and Castle Mountain, California: Going Deeper

In California, exploration work is ramping up as well. John Jory, Director of Exploration for the USA, is another recent hire who brings nearly four decades of exploration and operational leadership experience across the U.S., Canada and Australia. Supporting him is Jamison Ricks, Exploration Manager, California – recently promoted to this key exploration role.

They’ll have plenty of ground to cover. At Mesquite Gold Mine,  there are several exploration targets, within and adjacent to existing open pits. At the Castle Mountain Project, exploration remains part of the long-term opportunity, with Phase 2 already outlining a 14-year mine life and further expansion potential from exploration.

“We’re looking at some more deep drilling, and perhaps some deeper, penetrating geophysical imaging that can help resolve a few more targets there,” says Alex.

Exploration is the Start of What Comes Next

Across Equinox Gold’s portfolio, exploration connects the work happening today with the opportunities that may shape each site’s future. 

That makes exploration more than a technical discipline. It is one of the first places where growth, responsible mining and community relationships come together, and where the next chapter of each site takes shape.