Lode Gold Resources Inc. (TSXV: LOD | OTCQB: LODFF | FSE: X27) has announced the appointment of Patrick W. Garretson as Senior Technical Advisor to its Fremont Gold Mine project in Mariposa, California. Garretson brings 35 years of international mining experience gained at major corporations including South32, Newmont, Goldcorp, Barrick, and BHP Billiton. The appointment comes as Lode Gold advances engineering studies at Fremont, with milestones including an internal scoping study, resource upgrade, and a preliminary feasibility study on the horizon.

Key Points

  • Lode Gold Resources Inc. (TSXV: LOD | OTCQB: LODFF | FSE: X27) announced the appointment of Patrick W. Garretson as Senior Technical Advisor to Fremont Gold Mine.
  • Garretson brings 35 years of international mining experience spanning mine operations, development, and feasibility studies at major global mining companies.
  • Fremont Gold Mine's current Mineral Resource Estimate includes 1.16 Moz at 1.90 g/t Au Indicated and 2.02 Moz at 2.22 g/t Au Inferred, updated in 2026.
  • Investors may be watching progress on the internal scoping study, expansion drilling, permitting initiation, and advancement toward a prefeasibility study.

Garretson's Major-Company Track Record at South32, Newmont, and Barrick

Patrick W. Garretson's career spans senior technical and corporate roles at some of the mining industry's largest operators. Most recently, he served as Project Lead overseeing Technical Services and the Feasibility Study for South32's Hermosa Project in Arizona, where the release states he was instrumental in the successful delivery of the Taylor-Hermosa Feasibility Study. His responsibilities have included life-of-mine planning, resource and reserve development, mine design, and permitting. He holds a B.Sc. in Geology from Fort Lewis College and is a member of the Geological Society of Nevada, Arizona Geological Society, and AusIMM.

Fremont Gold Mine's Current Development Stage and Resource Base

The Fremont Gold Mine is a brownfield project situated on more than 3,000 acres of 100% owned private and patented land in Mariposa, California. The 2026 updated Mineral Resource Estimate reports 1.16 Moz at 1.90 g/t Au within 19.0 Mt Indicated and 2.02 Moz at 2.22 g/t Au within 28 Mt Inferred. The company notes that 89% of ounces remain unmined compared to historical production. The project carries Opportunity Zone designation under the Trump Administration, which the company states provides special tax incentives.

CEO Chan Outlines Milestones Garretson Is Positioned to Support

CEO and Director Wendy T. Chan stated in the release that Garretson's experience is "highly relevant and valuable" to Fremont's current development stage. The company is conducting engineering studies covering mine planning and permitting. Disclosed upcoming milestones include an internal scoping study, expansion drilling, resource upgrade, initiation of environmental and permitting work, mine planning optimisation, and progression toward prefeasibility and feasibility studies, followed by mine construction — all areas the release confirms align directly with Garretson's expertise.