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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

 

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 6, 2025 (February 3, 2025)

 

 

 

DAKOTA GOLD CORP.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware 001-41349 85-3475290
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation)
(Commission
File Number)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
     

106 Glendale Drive, Suite A,

Lead, South Dakota, United States 57754

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

(605) 906-8363

(Registrant's telephone number,
including area code)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

¨Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class   Trading Symbol(s)   Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share   DC   NYSE American LLC
Warrants, each warrant exercisable for one share of the Registrant's common stock at an exercise price of $2.08   DC.WS   NYSE American LLC

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

Emerging growth company                 x

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.       ¨

 

 

 

 

Item 1.01.Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

Second Amendment Agreement

 

On February 3, 2025, Dakota Gold Corp. (the “Company”) and DTRC LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“DTRC”), entered into a second amendment (the “Second Amendment Agreement”) to the option agreement for the purchase and sale of real property dated October 14, 2021, as amended on September 8, 2022 (the “Richmond Hill Option Agreement”), to acquire LAC Minerals (USA) LLC and Homestake Mining Company of California’s (“HMCC”) Richmond Hill Property in the Homestake District, South Dakota.

 

Under the terms of the Second Amendment Agreement, the term of the LAC Option Agreement was extended from March 7, 2026 to December 31, 2028. As consideration for the Second Amendment Agreement, DTRC will provide a cash payment of $170,000 to HMCC on each of March 1, 2026, March 1, 2027 and March 1, 2028.

 

The foregoing description of the Second Amendment Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Second Amendment Agreement, a copy of which is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Third Amendment Agreement

 

On February 3, 2025, DTRC entered into a third amendment (the “Third Amendment Agreement”) to the option agreement for the purchase and sale of real property dated September 7, 2021, as amended on September 30, 2021 and November 20, 2023 (the “Homestake Option Agreement”), to acquire certain of Homestake Mining Company of California’s surface rights and residual facilities in the Homestake District in South Dakota.

 

Under the terms of the Third Amendment Agreement, the term of the Homestake Option Agreement was extended from March 7, 2026 to December 31, 2028. As consideration for the Third Amendment Agreement, DTRC will provide a cash payment of $340,000 to HMCC on each of March 1, 2026, March 1, 2027 and March 1, 2028.

 

The foregoing description of the Third Amendment Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Third Amendment Agreement, a copy of which is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.2 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 7.01.Regulation FD Disclosure.

 

On February 6, 2025, the Company issued a press release announcing (i) the Second Amendment Agreement, (ii) the Third Amendment Agreement and (iii) the results and publication of an updated and revised S-K 1300 Initial Assessment and Technical Report Summary for the Company’s Richmond Hill Gold Project (the “2025 Initial Assessment”). The 2025 Initial Assessment, dated February 3, 2025 was prepared in accordance with Subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K. A copy of the press release is furnished with this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1.

 

In accordance with General Instruction B.2 of Form 8-K, the information set forth in this Item 7.01 and in the press release is deemed to be “furnished” and shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

 

Item 8.01.Other Events.

 

A copy of the Initial Assessment is attached as Exhibit 96.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

 

 

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
   
  (d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.   Description
10.1   Second Amendment to Option Agreement for Purchase and Sale of Real Property dated February 3, 2025 between Homestake Mining Company of California, LAC Minerals (USA) LLC, Dakota Gold Corp. and DTRC LLC.
10.2   Third Amendment to Option Agreement for Purchase and Sale of Real Property dated February 3, 2025 between Homestake Mining Company of California and DTRC LLC.
23.1   Consent of Qualified Person – Independent Mining Consultants, Inc.
23.2   Consent of Qualified Person – Woods Process Service, LLC
96.1   S-K 1300 Initial Assessment and Technical Report Summary for Richmond Hill Gold Project.
99.1   Press Release dated February 6, 2025.
104   Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted in Inline XBRL and included as Exhibit 101).

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

  DAKOTA GOLD CORP.
   
  /s/ Shawn Campbell
  Name: Shawn Campbell
  Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

Date: February 6, 2025

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

SECOND AMENDMENT TO

OPTION AGREEMENT FOR PURCHASE AND SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

 

THIS SECOND AMENDMENT (the “Amendment”) to the Option Agreement for Purchase and Sale of Real Property dated as of October 14, 2021 (the “Richmond Hill Option Agreement”), is entered into as of February 3, 2025 (the “Amendment Effective Date”), by and among Homestake Mining Company of California, a California corporation (“Homestake” or “Owner”) and LAC Minerals (USA) LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“LAC Minerals”), DTRC LLC (formerly known as Dakota Territory Resource Corp.), a Nevada limited liability company (the “Option Holder”), and Dakota Gold Corp., a Nevada corporation (“Dakota Gold”). Homestake shall act as the “Administrative Agent”) of Owners under this Amendment. Homestake, LAC Minerals, Option Holder and Dakota Gold sometimes may be referred to in this Amendment individually as a “Party”, and collectively as the “Parties”.

 

RECITALS

 

A.Owner, LAC Minerals, and Option Holder entered into the Richmond Hill Option Agreement.

 

B.The Richmond Hill Option Agreement was amended on September 8, 2022, to, among other things, extend the option period until March 7, 2026.

 

C.By Agreement and Plan of Merger dated effective as of September 30, 2023, Homestake and LAC Minerals merged, with Homestake continuing as the surviving entity assuming all rights and obligations of LAC Minerals.

 

D.The Parties desire to further extend the option period as set forth in this Amendment.

 

E.Option Holder is the successor entity to Dakota Territory Resource Corp. pursuant to that certain Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of September 10, 2021, between Dakota Gold Corp. (formerly known as JR Resources Corp.), Dakota Territory Resource Corp., DGC Merger Sub I Corp. and DGC Merger Sub II LLC.

 

F.Option Holder is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dakota Gold, which is made a Party for the purpose of the share issuance contemplated under Richmond Hill Option Agreement as amended.

 

AGREEMENT

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements, representations and warranties herein set forth and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the Parties agree as follows:

 

1.            Extension of Option Period. The definition of Option Period in Section 1.38 of the Option Agreement hereby is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

 

“The period that begins on the Effective Date and ends on the earlier of (a) December 31, 2028, and (b) the date the Option Holder delivers to the Administrative Agent the Option Exercise Notice.”

 

 

 

 

2.            Consideration. In consideration for this Amendment, on the Amendment Effective Date, Option Holder shall provide a payment of $170,000 to Owner on each of the following dates: March 1, 2026, March 1, 2027, and March 1, 2028. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no payments under this provision shall be required after the date upon which the Option Holder delivers to the Administrative Agent the Option Exercise Notice.

 

3.            Miscellaneous Provisions.

 

(a)          The Parties agree that, except as specifically modified by this Amendment, the Option Agreement as amended remains in full force and effect in accordance with its terms. This Amendment shall not be construed as a waiver or amendment of any other provision of the Option Agreement or for any purpose, except as expressly set forth herein.

 

(b)          This Amendment shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of South Dakota without reference to the conflict of law provisions thereof.

 

(c)          This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. This Amendment may be validly executed and delivered by facsimile, portable document format (.pdf) or other electronic transmission, and a signature by facsimile, portable document format (.pdf) or other electronic transmission shall be as effective and binding as delivery of a manually executed original signature.

 

(d)          This Amendment shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and assigns permitted by the Option Agreement.

 

[REMAINDER OF PAGE LEFT BLANK]

 

2 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the Effective Date.

 

HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY OF CALIFORNIA    
     
By: /s/ Michael McCarthy                     
Name: Michael McCarthy    
Title: Director    

 

DTRC LLC   DAKOTA GOLD CORP.
     
By: /s/ Patrick Malone                    By: /s/ Patrick Malone           
Name: Patrick Malone   Name: Patrick Malone
Title:    Senior Vice President of Dakota Gold Corp., its manager   Titile:    Senior Vice President

 

3 

 

Exhibit 10.2

THIRD AMENDMENT TO OPTION AGREEMENT

FOR PURCHASE AND SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

This Third Amendment to Option Agreement for Purchase and Sale of Real Property (“Second Amendment”) is made and entered into as of February 3, 2025 (the “Effective Date”), by and between Homestake Mining Company of California, a California corporation (“Owner”), and DTRC LLC, a Nevada limited liability company (“Option Holder”). Owner and Option Holder sometimes may be referred to in this Contract individually as a “Party”, and collectively as the “Parties.

RECITALS

A.           Owner and Dakota Territory Resource Corp, a Nevada corporation entered into that certain Option Agreement for Purchase and Sale of Real Property, dated September 7, 2021, (the “Homestake Option Agreement”) as amended on September 30, 2021, and November 20, 2023, to, among other things, extend the option period until March 7, 2026.

B.           Option Holder is the successor entity to Dakota Territory Resource Corp. pursuant to that certain Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of September 10, 2021, between Dakota Gold Corp. (formerly known as JR Resources Corp.), Dakota Territory Resource Corp., DGC Merger Sub I Corp. and DGC Merger Sub II LLC.

C.           Owner and Option Holder wish to amend the Homestake Option Agreement to extend the Option Period.

AGREEMENT

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual promises and covenants contained in this Second Amendment, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the Parties, hereby covenant and agree as to the following:

1.             Extension of the Option Period. The definition of Option Period in Section 1.37 of the Option Agreement as amended is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“The period that begins on the Effective Date and ends on the earlier of (a) December 31, 2028, and (b) the date the Option Holder delivers to the Owner the Option Exercise Notice.”

2.            Consideration. In consideration for this Amendment, on the Amendment Effective Date, Option Holder shall provide a payment of $340,000 to Owner on each of the following dates: March 1, 2026, March 1, 2027, and March 1, 2028. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no payments under this provision shall be required after the date upon which the Option Holder delivers to the Administrative Agent the Option Exercise Notice.

 

 

3.             Miscellaneous Provisions.

(a)             The Parties agree that, except as specifically modified by this Amendment, the Option Agreement as amended remains in full force and effect in accordance with its terms. This Amendment shall not be construed as a waiver or amendment of any other provision of the Option Agreement or for any purpose, except as expressly set forth herein.

(b)             This Amendment shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of South Dakota without reference to the conflict of law provisions thereof.

(c)             This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. This Amendment may be validly executed and delivered by facsimile, portable document format (.pdf) or other electronic transmission, and a signature by facsimile, portable document format (.pdf) or other electronic transmission shall be as effective and binding as delivery of a manually executed original signature.

(d)             This Amendment shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and assigns permitted by the Option Agreement..

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FOLLOW]

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Contract as of the Effective Date.

  OWNER:
 
  HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY OF CALIFORNIA, a California corporation
   
  By: /s/ Michael McCarthy                
  Name: Michael McCarthy
  Title: Director
 
  OPTION HOLDER
 
  DTRC LLC, a Nevada limited liability company
 
  By: /s/ Patrick Malone
  Name: Patrick Malone
  Title: On behalf of Dakota Gold Corp., its manager

 

Exhibit 23.1

 

CONSENT OF QUALIFIED PERSON

 

In connection with the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 6, 2025 and any amendments or supplements and/or exhibits thereto (the “Form 8-K”), the undersigned consents to:

 

·the filing and use of the technical report summary titled “S-K 1300 Initial Assessment and Technical Report Summary – Richmond Hill Gold Project, South Dakota, U.S.A.” (the “TRS”) dated Feb 3, 2025 as an exhibit and referenced in the Form 8-K;

 

·the incorporation by reference of the TRS in the Registration Statements on Form S-3 (File Nos. 333-263883 and 333-266155) and Form S-8 (File Nos. 333-265399 and 333-267210) (collectively, the “Registration Statements”);

 

·the use of and references to the undersigned’s name, including the undersigned’s status as an expert or “qualified person” (as defined in Subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission) in connection with the TRS, the Form 8-K and the Registration Statements; and

 

·Any extracts or summaries of the TRS included or incorporated by reference in the Form 8-K and the Registration Statements, and the use of any information derived, summarized, quoted or referenced from the TRS, or portions thereof, that was prepared by the undersigned, that the undersigned supervised the preparation of and/or that was reviewed and approved by the undersigned, that is included or incorporated by reference in the Form 8-K and the Registration Statements.

 

The undersigned is the qualified person responsible for authoring, and this consent pertains to, Sections of the TRS: Section 1 except 1.5, 2-8, 9.1, 11-21, 22 except 22.2, 23 except 23.2 and 23.6, 24-26

 

Dated February 3, 2025

 

For Independent Mining Consultants, Inc.

 

/s/ Michael G. Hester  

 

 

Exhibit 23.2

 

CONSENT OF QUALIFIED PERSON

 

In connection with the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 6, 2025 and any amendments or supplements and/or exhibits thereto (the “Form 8-K”), the undersigned consents to:

 

·the filing and use of the technical report summary titled “S-K 1300 Initial Assessment and Technical Report Summary – Richmond Hill Gold Project, South Dakota, U.S.A.” (the “TRS”) dated Feb 3, 2025 as an exhibit and referenced in the Form 8-K;

 

·the incorporation by reference of the TRS in the Registration Statements on Form S-3 (File Nos. 333-263883 and 333-266155) and Form S-8 (File Nos. 333-265399 and 333-267210) (collectively, the “Registration Statements”);

 

·the use of and references to the undersigned’s name, including the undersigned’s status as an expert or “qualified person” (as defined in Subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission) in connection with the TRS, the Form 8-K and the Registration Statements; and

 

·Any extracts or summaries of the TRS included or incorporated by reference in the Form 8-K and the Registration Statements, and the use of any information derived, summarized, quoted or referenced from the TRS, or portions thereof, that was prepared by the undersigned, that the undersigned supervised the preparation of and/or that was reviewed and approved by the undersigned, that is included or incorporated by reference in the Form 8-K and the Registration Statements.

 

The undersigned is the qualified person responsible for authoring, and this consent pertains to, Sections of the TRS: 1.5, 9.2, 10, 22.2, 23.2, 23.6

 

Dated February 3, 2025

 

For Woods Process Service, LLC.

 

/s/ Jeffrey Woods  

 

 

 

Exhibit 96.1

 

 

 

 

 

Richmond Hill Project

Mineral Resource Estimate

 

RICHMOND HILL PROJECT

Mineral REsource Estimate

 

Table of Contents

 

SECTION PAGE
   
Table of Contents ii
List of Figures and Illustrations vii
List of Tables x

 

1Executive Summary 1

 

1.1Property Description 1
1.2Geology and Mineralization 1
1.3Exploration, Development, and Operations 2
1.4Sample Preparation, Analysis, Security, and Data Verification 2
1.5Mineral Processing and Metallurgy 2
1.6Mineral Resource Estimate 3
1.7Environmental 5
1.8Conclusion and Recommendations 5

 

2Introduction 7

 

2.1Registrant 7
2.2Terms of Reference 7
2.3Qualified Persons 9
2.4Date 9
2.5Sources of Information 9
2.6Previous Technical Report Summaries 9
2.7Acronyms and Abbreviations 9
2.8Units of Measure and Metric Equivalents 13

 

3Property Description 14

 

3.1Project Location 14
3.2Ownership 14
3.3Mineral Tenure Holdings 14
3.4Richmond Hill Option Agreement 22
3.5Surface Rights 23
3.6Water Rights 23
3.7Royalties 23
3.8Permitting 32

 

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3.8.1Existing Permitting 32
3.8.2Future Permitting 33

 

3.9Potential Significant Encumbrances 35
3.10Violation and Fines 35
3.11Significant Factors and Risks That May Affect Access, Title or Work Programs 35

 

4Accesibility, Climate, Local Resources, Infrastructure and Physiography 36

 

4.1Topography, Elevation, and Vegetation 36
4.2Property Access 37
4.3Climate 37
4.4Local Resources and Infrastructure 37

 

5History 39

 

5.1Explorations 39
5.2Mining 42
5.3Dakota Gold Corp 43

 

6Geological Setting, Mineralization and Deposit 44

 

6.1Local Geology 44
6.2Regional Geology 51
6.3Lithology 53
6.4Landforms and Structures 58
6.5Deposit Type 58
6.6Mineralization 59

 

7Exploration 61

 

7.1Airborne Geophysics 61
7.2Gravity Compilation and Survey 62
7.3Induced Polarization Survey 63
7.4Geological Mapping 65
7.5Drilling 67

 

7.5.1Summary 67
7.5.2Freeport (1981 – 1983) 69
7.5.3St. Joe, Bond Gold, and Homestake (1984 – 1994) 69
7.5.4Coeur (2019 – 2020) 69
7.5.5Dakota Gold (2022 – 2024) 70
7.5.6Opinion 72

 

7.6Hydrogeology and Geotechnical 72

 

8Sample Preparation, Analyses, and Security 73

 

8.1Drilling Programs 74

 

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Mineral Resource Estimate

 

8.2Procedures for Historical Drilling Programs from 1981 to 1994 74

 

8.2.1Freeport (1981-1983) 74
8.2.2St. Joe, Bond Gold, and Homestake (1984-1994) 74

 

8.3Procedures for Drilling Programs from 2019 to 2020 76

 

8.3.1Drilling Programs 76
8.3.2Sampling, Sample Preparation, Analysis, and Security 76
8.3.3Quality Assurance and Quality Control Procedures 77

 

8.4Procedures for Drilling Programs from 2022 to 2024 77

 

8.4.1Drilling Programs 77
8.4.2Sampling, Sample Preparation, Analysis, and Security 77
8.4.3Quality Assurance and Quality Control Procedures 78

 

8.5Summary 87

 

9Data Verification 91

 

9.1Drillhole Sampling Data 91

 

9.1.1Dakota Gold Drilling 91
9.1.2Coeur Drilling 91
9.1.3St. Joe/Bond Gold, LAC and Homestake Drilling 91
9.1.4Other Reviews 92

 

9.2Mineral Processing 95

 

10Mineral Processing and Metallurgical 96

 

10.1Preliminary Geometallurgical Data Model Development 96
10.2Oxide and Mixed Metallurgical Testing 97

 

10.2.1Historical Bottle Roll Tests 98
10.2.2Historical Metallurgical testing: Oxide & Transition Heap Leach 100

 

10.3Sulfide and Transition Metallurgical Testing 103

 

10.3.1Historical Metallurgical Reports: Sulfide & Transition Flotation 104
10.3.2Metallurgical Report – BL1244 104
10.3.3Metallurgical Report – BL1346 107

 

10.4Richmond Hill Historical Operating Data 110
10.5Recovery Estimates 111
10.6Summary and Recommendations 111

 

11Mineral Resource Estimate 112

 

11.1Mineral Resource 112
11.2Price Sensitivity 114
11.3Mineral Resource Parameters 116
11.4Additional Information 118
11.5Description of the Block Model 118

 

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11.5.1General 118
11.5.2Drilling Data 119
11.5.3Geologic Controls 121
11.5.4Cap Grades and Compositing 126
11.5.5Summary Statistics 127
11.5.6Variogram Analysis 131
11.5.7Block Grade Estimation 140
11.5.8Resource Classification 145
11.5.9Bulk Density 150

 

11.6Reconciliation of January 2025 and October 2023 Mineral Resources 151

 

11.6.1Leach Mineral Resource 151
11.6.2Mill Resource 152
11.6.3Reconciliation Summary 158

 

12Mineral Reserve Estimates 159
13Mining Methods 160
14Process and Recovery Methods 161
15Infrastructure 162
16Market Studies 163

 

17Environmental Studies, Permitting and Plans, Negotiations, or Agreements with Local Individuals or Groups 164

 

17.1Results of Environmental Studies 164
17.2Requirements and Plans for Waste and Tailings Disposal, Site Monitoring, and Water Management During Operations and After Mine Closures 164
17.3Project Permitting Requirements, Permit Application Status, and Requirements to Post Performance or Reclamation Bonds 165
17.4Requirements and Plans for Waste and Tailings Disposal, Site Monitoring, and Water Management During Operations and After Mine Closure 165
17.5Mine Closure, Remediation, and Reclamation Plans, and Associated Costs 166
17.6Qualified Person’s Opinion on the Adequacy of Current Plans to Address Any issues Related to Environmental Compliance, Permitting, and Local Individuals or Groups 168
17.7Descriptions of Any Commitments to Ensure Local Procurement and Hiring 168

 

18Capital and Operating Costs 169
19Economic Analysis 170
20Adjacent Properties 171
21Other Relevant Data and Information 172

 

21.1Homestake Mine Facilities 172
21.2Sanford Underground Research Facility 172

 

22Interpretation and Conclusions 173

 

22.1Mineral Resources 173

 

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22.2Processing 174
22.3Mineral Tenure 174
22.4Summary Conclusion 175

 

23Recommendations 176

 

23.1Initial Assessment with Economic Analysis 176
23.2Metallurgical Testing and Process Design 176
23.3Additional Drilling 177
23.4Environmental Data Collection 179
23.5Resource Estimation 179
23.6Mineral Processing and Metallurgical Testing 179

 

24References 180

 

25Reliance on Information Provided by the Registrant 185

 

25.1Legal Matters 185
25.2Tenure 185
25.3Significant Encumbrances and Permitting 185
25.4History 185
25.5Exploration 185
25.6Environment 185

 

26Date and Signature Page 186

 

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List of Figures and Illustrations

 

FIGURE DESCRIPTION PAGE
     
Figure 2-1: Property Location 8
Figure 3-1: Richmond Hill Project Location and Ownership 16
Figure 3-2: Richmond Hill Project Royalties 31
Figure 4-1: Richmond Hill Gold Property Location 36
Figure 4-2: Richmond Hill Gold Project Access 38
Figure 6-1: Exploration Zones 45
Figure 6-2: Geology of Richmond Hill 46
Figure 6-3: Richmond Hill Gold Project Target Zones on 0.01 oz/ton Grade Shell Plot 47
Figure 6-4: Regional Geologic map of the Black Hills Uplift (from Lufking et. Al, 2009) 52
Figure 6-5: Southwest to Northeast Structural Cross-Sections (modified from Redden and DeWitt 2008) 53
Figure 6-6: Precambrian Stratigraphic Section of the Northern Black Hills 55
Figure 6-7: Black Hills General Stratigraphic Section 56
Figure 7-1: Airborne Magnetics Survey Flightline Limits 61
Figure 7-2: Gravity Survey Station Locations 63
Figure 7-3: Geophysical IP – Resistivity Survey Line Locations 64
Figure 7-4: Dakota Gold Geologic Field Work 66
Figure 7-5: Richmond Hill Gold Project Drillholes by Company 68
Figure 8-1: Control Chart for CRM OXE182 Gold Assays 81
Figure 8-2: Control Chart for CRM OXD183 Gold Assays 82
Figure 8-3: Control Chart for CRM SJ121 Gold Assays 83
Figure 8-4: Control Chart for CRM SG115 Gold Assays 84
Figure 8-5: Control Chart for CRM Si96 Gold Assays 85
Figure 8-6: Original Gold Assay versus Pulp Duplicate 88
Figure 8-7: Original Gold Assay versus Crusher Duplicate 89
Figure 8-8: Original Gold Assay versus Sample Duplicate 90
Figure 10-1: Preliminary Cluster Analysis Interval Analytical KPI’s by Cluster 97
Figure 10-2: Richmond Hill Bottle Roll Test KPIs: Calculated Heads Au opt 98
Figure 10-3: Richmond Hill Bottle Roll Test KPIs: Calculated Heads Ag opt 99
Figure 10-4: Richmond Hill Bottle Roll Test KPIs: Ag:Au ratio 99
Figure 10-5: Richmond Hill Bottle Roll Test KPIs: Au Recovery Distribution 100
Figure 10-6: Richmond Hill Bottle Roll Test KPIs: Ag Recovery Distribution 100

 

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Figure 10-7: Richmond Hill Column Test KPIs: Calculated Heads Au opt 101
Figure 10-8: Richmond Hill Column Test KPIs: Calculated Heads Ag opt 102
Figure 10-9: Richmond Hill Column Test KPIs: Ag:Au Ratio 102
Figure 10-10: Richmond Hill Column Test KPIs: Recovery % Au 103
Figure 10-11: Richmond Hill Column Test KPIs: Recovery % Ag 103
Figure 10-12: Rougher Flotation Flowsheet—BaseMet 2023, BL1244 105
Figure 10-13: Rougher Mass vs. Gold Recovery—BaseMet 2023, BL1244 106
Figure 10-14: Diagnostic Leach Test Flowsheet – BaseMet 2023, BL1244 107
Figure 10-15: Gold Rougher Concentrate Recovery vs. Mass Recovery – BaseMet 2023, BL1346 108
Figure 10-16: Gold Rougher Concentrate Recovery vs. Mass Recovery – BaseMet 2023, BL1346 109
Figure 10-17: Gold Recovery vs. Sulfur Head Grade – BaseMet 2023, 1346 110
Figure 10-18: Gold Recovery vs. Gold Head Grade – BaseMet 2023, BL1346 110
Figure 10-19: Historical Richmond Hill Heap Leach KPI’s Au and Ag Recovery, Recovered Ag:Au Ratio 111
Figure 11-1: Constraining Shell for Mineral Resource Estimate 114
Figure 11-2: Drillhole Locations by Company 120
Figure 11-3: Rock Types on the Resource Shell 122
Figure 11-4: Rock Types on Cross Section A-A’ 123
Figure 11-5: Rock Types on Section B-B’ 124
Figure 11-6: Oxidation Zones on the Resource Shell 126
Figure 11-7: Probability Plot of Gold by Rock Type – 10 ft. Composites (IMC, 2024) 129
Figure 11-8: Probability Plot of Silver by Rock Type – 10 ft. Composites (IMC, 2024) 130
Figure 11-9: Variogram for Tertiary Breccia – Azimuth 90°, Dip 85° 132
Figure 11-10: Variogram for Tertiary Breccia – Azimuth 22°, Dip -2° 133
Figure 11-11: Variogram for Precambrian Greenstone – Azimuth 292°, Dip 67° 134
Figure 11-12: Variogram for Precambrian Greenstone – Azimuth 202°, Dip 0° 135
Figure 11-13: Variogram for Precambrian Flagrock – Azimuth 45° - Dip 0° 136
Figure 11-14: Variogram for Precambrian Flagrock – Azimuth 135° – Dip 45° 137
Figure 11-15: Variogram for Cambrian Deadwood – Azimuth 0° – Dip 12° 138
Figure 11-16: Variogram for Cambrian Deadwood – Azimuth 270° – Dip 0° 139
Figure 11-17: Gold Grade on Cross Section A-A’ (See Figure 11-2) 142
Figure 11-18: Gold Grades on Cross Section B-B’ (See Figure 11-2) 143
Figure 11-19: Silver Grades on Cross Section A-A’ (See Figure 11-2) 144
Figure 11-20: Probability Plot of Average Distance to Nearest 3 and 4 Holes – Tertiary Breccia 146
Figure 11-21: Probability Plot of Average Distance to Nearest 3 and 4 Holes – Cambrian Deadwood 147

 

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Figure 11-22: Resource Classification on Cross Section A-A’ 148
Figure 11-23: Resource Classification on Cross Section B-B’ 149
Figure 17-1: LAC’s Reclamation Liability Release Map (SDBME, 2016) 167
Figure 23-1: Recommended Richmond Hill 2024 Diamond Drill-Hole Locations 178

 

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List of Tables

 

TABLE DESCRIPTION PAGE
     
Table 1-1: Mineral Resource Estimate 3
Table 1-2: Summary of Reconciliation Analysis for Contained Gold Ounces 4
Table 1-3: Budget for Recommended Work 5
Table 2-1: Qualified Persons Responsibilities 9
Table 3-1: Richmond Hill Gold Property Claims 16
Table 3-2: Richmond Hill Project Parcels with Holding Costs and Royalties 24
Table 3-3: Current Environmental Permits 32
Table 3-4: Potential Environmental Permits 33
Table 5-1: Summary of Richmond Hill’s Recent History 40
Table 7-1: Drilling by Company 67
Table 8-1: Groups of Drilling Programs at Richmond Hill Gold Project 74
Table 9-1: Comparison of Assay Certificates with Database for Dakota and Coeur Drilling 92
Table 9-2: Comparison of Assay Certificates with Database for Legacy Drilling – Gold 92
Table 9-3: Comparison of Assay Certificates with Database for Legacy Drilling – Silver 93
Table 10-1: Preliminary Geometallurgical Cluster Analysis Summary Table 96
Table 10-2: Historical Metallurgical Reports 104
Table 10-3: Master Composite Head Assays – BaseMet2023, BL1244 104
Table 10-4: Rougher Flotation Results – BaseMet 2023, BL1244 105
Table 10-5: Diagnostic Leach – BaseMet 2023, BL1244 107
Table 10-6: Rougher Flotation Grind Series MC-TT-S – BaseMet 2023, BL1346 107
Table 10-7: Rougher Flotation Results – BaseMet 2023, BL1346 109
Table 10-8: Projected Precious Metal Recoveries 111
Table 11-1: Mineral Resource Estimate 112
Table 11-2: Mineral Resource at Various Prices – Leach Resources 115
Table 11-3: Mineral Resource at Various Prices – Mill Resources 115
Table 11-4: Economic Parameters for Mineral Resource Estimate 117
Table 11-5: Drilling by Company in Model Limits 119
Table 11-6: Model Rock Types 121
Table 11-7: Model Oxidation Zones 125
Table 11-8: Cap Grades and Number of Assays Capped 127
Table 11-9: Summary Statistics of Assays 127

 

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Table 11-10: Summary Statistics of 10 ft. Composites 128
Table 11-11: Estimation Parameters 140
Table 11-12: Specific Gravity Measurements 150
Table 11-13: Reconciliation of January 2025 and October 2023 Mineral Resources – Leach Resource 154
Table 11-14: Reconciliation of January 2025 and October 2023 Mineral Resources – Mill Resource 156
Table 11-15: Summary of Reconciliation Analysis for Contained Gold Ounces 158
Table 22-1: Mineral Resource 173
Table 23-1: Budget for Recommended Work 176

 

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1Executive Summary

 

Dakota Gold Corp. (Dakota Gold) is a Delaware-incorporated gold exploration and development company traded on the NYSE American with a head office in Lead, South Dakota. The company is focused on revitalizing the Homestake District in South Dakota and has multiple gold mineral projects surrounding the historical Homestake mine, including the Richmond Hill Gold Project (the Project), which is the subject of this Initial Assessment.

 

Dakota Gold contracted Independent Mining Consultants, Inc. (IMC) of Tucson, Arizona to develop an updated mineral resource estimate and prepare an S-K 1300-compliant Initial Assessment and Technical Report (the Report) for the Richmond Hill Gold Project. Mineral resources are reported using the definitions in Regulation S-K 1300, 17 CFR 229.1300. In this report, “resource” means “mineral resource” as defined therein.

 

1.1Property Description

 

The Project property is comprised of more than 3000 acres of private surface and mineral rights (the Property). The Project includes the past-producing Richmond Hill mine and the historical mines of the Carbonate District, as well as multiple prospective areas where gold has been drill-intersected.

 

The Project is in the western portion of Lawrence County, South Dakota (Figure 2-1), approximately 4.5 miles northwest of Lead, South Dakota. The former Richmond Hill mine is approximately 44° 22’ 45” N latitude and 103° 51’ 30” W longitude.

 

In 2021, Dakota Territory Resources Corp, now DTRC LLC, entered into a three-year option agreement (the Option) with Barrick subsidiaries Homestake Mining Company of California and LAC Minerals (for convenience referred to collectively at times as Barrick) to acquire their interests in the Richmond Hill Project area. In 2022, the Option was amended to extend the Option period until March 7, 2026. The Option was again amended in February 2025, extending the option until December 31, 2028. Most parcels in the Option area include both surface and mineral rights, but in some instances the Option only includes mineral rights, as discussed further in Section 3 of this Report. Under the Option, Dakota Gold is obligated to file a 1% royalty against the Option properties upon exercise of the Option. Certain portions of the Project are subject to additional royalties, as described further in Section 3 of this Report.

 

1.2Geology and Mineralization

 

The Project is near the northwest end of the Black Hills which is an oval-shaped north-northwest-striking mountain range approximately 45 miles by 90 miles in extent along the western side of South Dakota and extending into Wyoming. The Black Hills is a domal uplift where erosion has exposed a window of Precambrian igneous and metamorphic rocks flanked by a 6500 to 7000 feet deep sequence of Paleozoic to Mesozoic-aged sedimentary rocks dipping off in all directions on the margin of the uplift, all subjected to intrusive activity in the Tertiary.

 

The Project is located on the northwestern portion of the Lead dome, a subsidiary dome north of the main Black Hills uplift. The Lead dome developed in response to a major Tertiary intrusive event that also led to development of the Tertiary-aged gold deposits. These Tertiary intrusive rocks have a wide range of compositions and occur as stocks, sills, dikes, laccoliths, and breccia pipes. The Property forms a circular area approximately 2 miles in diameter.

 

Two major terranes underlie the claims. Precambrian metamorphic rocks outcrop on the southern portions of the Property and consist of metamorphosed volcanic and sedimentary rocks. The western portion of this terrane contains primarily extrusive metavolcanic rocks that appear to be mostly mafic in composition. The metasedimentary rocks on the eastern side consist of phyllite, iron formations, and quartzites. Overlying the Precambrian rock on the north end of the Property is a nearly complete Paleozoic section, which includes the Cambro-Ordovician Deadwood Formation; Ordovician to Mississippian Englewood and the Whitewood and Winnipeg Formations; Mississippian Pahasapa Limestone; and the Pennsylvanian Minnelusa Formation. Tertiary igneous rocks of varying composition have intruded extensively into both terranes.

 

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Several gold–silver deposits and prospective areas exist within the Project boundary. Within the Precambrian terrane, Tertiary-aged mineralization occurs within breccia pipes and altered Precambrian rocks, with minor mineralization in the Tertiary intrusive rocks. Examples include the Richmond Hill deposit, Twin Tunnels, Turnaround, Richmond Hill North, West Thumb, Huskie West, Cleveland, Calvin P, Cole Creek Heights, and Earle.

 

Within the Paleozoic terrane, mineralization occurs in the Cambro-Ordovician Deadwood Formation along two primary horizons containing the most consistent mineralization. Examples within the Deadwood Formation are Cole Creek in the upper portion and MW-3 Main, MW-3 East, and Chism Gulch in the lower portion. Localized gold mineralization also occurs in the Pahasapa Limestone but is limited to narrow veins and structures in the old Carbonate Camp area.

 

1.3Exploration, Development, and Operations

 

Prior to Dakota Gold’s tenure, the Property was drilled by at least 1,056 rotary, RC, and core holes testing multiple prospective areas within the claim boundary. Several of these holes are excluded from the final database due to missing collar coordinates, downhole surveys, or other issues. Since optioning the Property in 2021 to the effective date of this report, Dakota Gold has included an additional 148 diamond drill holes in this resource estimate, representing 157,504 feet of core drilling. As of the date of this Report, the Project remains open in multiple directions and Dakota Gold continues to conduct exploratory drilling of the Property.

 

Prior to entering into the Option agreement for the Property, Dakota Gold also flew a high-resolution helicopter-borne magnetic and gamma-ray spectrometric survey over the Homestake District. The survey covered an area of 962.4 km2 and included the Project area, with the objective of mapping Precambrian lithologies and structure as well as Tertiary intrusive rocks and associated alteration in outcrop, subsurface, and beneath cover. The results of this survey are not publicly available.

 

1.4Sample Preparation, Analysis, Security, and Data Verification

 

From 1984 to 1994, project drilling was completed by St Joe, Bond Gold, and Homestake. Current industry QA/QC standards were not part of these programs. However, IMC has compared historical drilling data against more recent data using current QA/QC protocols and found that the two populations of historical and current data are similar with no evident errors or biases.

 

From 2019 to the present, current industry standards for QA/QC have been followed. It is the opinion of the QP for this section that the Richmond Hill assay database of historical and current data is adequate for the estimation of mineral resources and subsequent mineral reserves.

 

1.5Mineral Processing and Metallurgy

 

Historical oxide metallurgical testing was conducted primarily at St. Joe’s Technical Center and on-site at the Richmond Hill Metallurgical Testing laboratory. Additional work was conducted at Dawson Metallurgical Laboratories, Bondar-Clegg, Kappes Cassiday & Associates and Heinen Lindstrom and Associates. This data was used to support the design and engineering of the production processing facility at Richmond Hill which operated from 1988 to 1993. Recent metallurgical testing focused on froth flotation of the transition and sulfide material was completed at Basement laboratories in 2024.

 

The metallurgical testwork shows that Richmond Hill oxide material is amenable to cyanide heap processing for the recovery of precious metals. Oxide heap leach recoveries are projected at 89% and 30% for gold and silver respectively. The testwork also indicates that the Richmond Hill sulfide material is amenable to froth flotation resulting in a precious metal rich sulfide concentrate. Precious metal recoveries via flotation are estimated at 85% for both gold and silver. Testing of the transition material indicates it is possible to process this transition material via heap leaching or flotation depending on the level of oxidation. Flotation of low sulfide transition material is estimated at 65% gold and 20% for silver. Flotation of high sulfide transition material is estimated at 80% gold and 70% silver.

 

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Additional metallurgical testwork is planned to further define the metallurgical response and facilitate development of the Richmond Hill geometallurgical mode.

 

1.6Mineral Resource Estimate

 

The mineral resource estimate for Richmond Hill includes mineral resources amenable to heap leaching and mineral resources amenable to milling. The mineral resource amenable to heap leaching consists of the oxide and transition material types, and the mineral resource amenable to milling consists of the sulfide material. Table 1-1 presents the mineral resource estimate. The measured and indicated mineral resource amenable to leaching amounts to 269.8 million tons at 0.0135 oz/t gold and 0.141 oz/t silver for 3.65 million ounces of contained gold and 38.1 million ounces of contained silver. Inferred mineral resource amenable to leaching is an additional 254.2 million tons at 0.0103 oz/t gold and 0.090 oz/t silver for 2.61 million ounces of contained gold and 22.8 million ounces of contained silver.

 

The measured and indicated mineral resource amenable to milling amounts to 69.6 million tons at 0.0141 oz/t gold and 0.139 oz/t silver for 982,100 ounces of contained gold and 9.68 million ounces of contained silver. Inferred mineral resource amenable to milling is an additional 202.2 million tons at 0.0121 oz/t gold and 0.145 oz/t silver for 2.45 million ounces of contained gold and 29.3 million ounces of contained silver.

 

The measured and indicated mineral resource for leach and mill material amounts to 339.4 million tons at 0.0137 oz/t gold and 0.141 oz/t silver for 4.64 million ounces of contained gold and 47.8 million ounces of contained silver. Inferred mineral resource for leach and mill material is an additional 456.4 million tons at 0.0111 oz/t gold and 0.114 oz/t silver for 5.06 million ounces of contained gold and 52.1 million ounces of contained silver.

 

Table 1-1: Mineral Resource Estimate

 

Resource Category 

AuEq COG

(oz/t)

  Ktons 

AuEq

(oz/t)

 

Gold

(oz/t)

 

Silver

(oz/t)

 

Gold

(koz)

 

Silver

(koz)

 
Leach Resource:                      
Measured Mineral Resource     113,748  0.0164  0.0158  0.160  1,793.4  18,208 
Oxide  0.0026  94,537  0.0165  0.0158  0.167  1,493.7  15,788 
Transition  0.0041  19,211  0.0161  0.0156  0.126  299.7  2,421 
Indicated Mineral Resource     156,019  0.0125  0.0119  0.128  1,860.0  19,884 
Oxide  0.0026  127,237  0.0122  0.0117  0.128  1,488.7  16,286 
Transition  0.0041  28,783  0.0134  0.0129  0.125  371.3  3,598 
Meas/Indic Mineral Resource     269,768  0.0141  0.0135  0.141  3,653.3  38,092 
Oxide  0.0026  221,774  0.0140  0.0134  0.145  2,982.4  32,074 
Transition  0.0041  47,994  0.0145  0.0140  0.125  671.0  6,018 
Inferred Mineral Resource     254,186  0.0106  0.0103  0.090  2,613.4  22,787 
Oxide  0.0026  211,994  0.0101  0.0098  0.085  2,077.5  18,019 
Transition  0.0041  42,192  0.0131  0.0127  0.113  535.8  4,768 
Mill Resource (Sulfides):                      
Measured Mineral Resource  0.0050  20,703  0.0184  0.0165  0.151  341.6  3,126 
Indicated Mineral Resource  0.0050  48,893  0.0147  0.0131  0.134  640.5  6,552 
Meas/Indic Mineral Resource  0.0050  69,596  0.0158  0.0141  0.139  982.1  9,678 
Inferred Mineral Resource  0.0050  202,221  0.0139  0.0121  0.145  2,446.9  29,322 
Leach and Mill Mineral Resource:                      
Measured Mineral Resource     134,452  0.0167  0.0159  0.159  2,135.0  21,334 
Indicated Mineral Resource     204,912  0.0130  0.0122  0.129  2,500.5  26,436 
Meas/Indic Mineral Resource     339,364  0.0145  0.0137  0.141  4,635.4  47,770 
Inferred Mineral Resource     456,407  0.0121  0.0111  0.114  5,060.3  52,109 

 

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Notes:

 

1. The Mineral Resource estimate has an effective date of 3 February 2025.

2. All figures are rounded to reflect the relative accuracy of the estimate and therefore numbers may not appear to add precisely. 

3. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. 

4. Mineral Resources are based on prices of $2000/oz gold and $25/oz silver. 

5. Mineral Resources for leach material are based on a gold equivalent cut-off of 0.0026 oz/t for oxide material and 0.0041 oz/t for transition material. Mineral Resources for mill material are based on a gold equivalent cut-off of 0.0050 oz/t. 

6. The gold equivalent value for each material is as follows: 

Oxide (Leach): Gold equivalent (oz/t) = gold (oz/t) + 0.00418 x silver (oz/t), based on gold recovery of 89% and silver recovery of 30%. 

Transition (Leach): Gold equivalent = gold (oz/t) + 0.00382 x silver (oz/t), based on gold recovery of 65% and silver recovery of 20%. 

Sulfide (Mill): Gold equivalent = gold (oz/t) + 0.0127 x silver (oz/t), based on gold recovery of 85% and silver recovery of 85%. 

7. The gold equivalent values account for metal recoveries, treatment charges, refining costs, and refinery payable percentages. 

8. Table 11-4 accompanies this Mineral Resource statement and shows all relevant parameters for mineral resources. 

9. Includes a preliminary estimated royalty rate of 3.8% averaged across the Project property. The QP has determined that the resource is not sensitive to nominal changes in the royalty rate but has recommended that this estimate be updated for the Project economic and cash flow analysis. 

10. Mineral Resources are reported in relation to a conceptual constraining pit shell to demonstrate reasonable prospects for economic extraction, as required by the definition of Mineral Resource in S-K 1300; mineralization lying outside of the pit shell is excluded from the Mineral Resource. 

11. The Mineral Resource estimate is also constrained by the Richmond Hill Project Boundary. Only mineralization inside this boundary is included in the Mineral Resource Estimate, though waste removal outside the boundary is allowed. 

12. The Mineral Resources reported are contained on mineral titles owned or controlled by Dakota Gold. 

13. The Mineral Resources are reported in-situ without any dilution or loss considerations, as a point of reference.

 

Table 1-2 presents a reconciliation of the January 2025 mineral resource estimate with the SK-1300 Initial Assessment published in April 2024 (analysis dated current as of October 5, 2023) estimate for mineral resources amenable to leaching. This includes the oxide and transition material. Notable changes include conversion of hard grade estimation boundaries to soft boundaries based on additional data and analysis and updated domains for oxide, transition, and sulfide materials. Updates to cut off grade, recovery rates, costs, gold price, and addition of silver also positively impacted the model.

 

Table 1-2: Summary of Reconciliation Analysis for Contained Gold Ounces

 

   Oxide/Transition (Leach)  Sulfide (Mill)  All Mineral Resource 
   Meas/Indic  Inferred  Meas/Indic  Inferred  Meas/Indic  Inferred 
Parameter  Au (koz)  Au (koz)  Au (koz)  Au (koz)  Au (koz)  Au (koz) 
Start - October 2023 Mineral Resource  859  836  469  296  1,328  1,132 
Due to Updated Oxide/Transition/Sulfide Domains  453  461  (302) (197) 151  264 
Due to Internal versus Breakeven Cut-off Grade  35  69  10  6  45  75 
Due to Updated Recoveries  5  37  65  138  70  175 
Due to $2,000/oz Price  11  47  1.6  5  13  53 
Due to Dakota Gold Costs  51  182  (0.4) (10) 51  172 
Due to Updated Resource Model (Note 1)  2,215  910  698  1,855  2,914  2,765 
Due to Silver (Note 2)  24  72  41  353  64  425 
Cumulative Change for All Parameters  2,794  1,778  513  2,151  3,307  3,929 
Final - January 2025 Mineral Resource  3,653  2,613  982  2,447  4,635  5,060 

 

Note 1. Only gold used to develop resource shell.

Note 2. Silver economics allowed to contribute to resource shell

 

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1.7Environmental

 

In the 1980s and 1990s, considerable environmental baseline information was collected to support historical mine permitting and to support reclamation and closure activities. This information, along with new and additional or updated data, will be required to support future mine development and permitting efforts.

 

Dakota Gold collects select environmental baseline information required to support planned exploration permitting and assist with reclamation of disturbed sites. Key environmental baseline disciplines required to support exploration drilling permitting include: vegetation, wildlife, cultural, archaeology, and historical. Dakota Gold will also be negotiating additional baseline requirements with South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (SDDANR) as part of its permitting process for a new mine at Richmond Hill.

 

As part of LAC’s closure program at Richmond Hill Mine, all material classified as acid generating was removed from the Spruce Gulch waste dump and placed in truck compacted lifts back into the historical Richmond Hill mining area. Following placement of that material, the material was capped with clay to minimize oxygen and water infiltration into the compacted potentially acid-generating material. LAC also used this method to remediate the ore material on the heap leach pads, isolating the pads with a similar clay cap. The leach pad and backfilled historical Richmond Hill mining area impoundment covers have met or exceeded original design specifications for limiting infiltration. 

 

Any potentially impacted groundwater from the former process area, pit impoundment, or Spruce Gulch waste dump facility is actively managed by two on-site water management and treatment systems that have continued to operate throughout the post-closure period. Continued water treatment at these sites would be the responsibility of Dakota Gold once the Option is exercised. The associated costs are subject to post-closure bonding, the obligation for which would be assumed by Dakota Gold upon exercise of the Option.

 

1.8Conclusion and Recommendations

 

Under the assumptions presented in this Initial Assessment Technical Report, and based on the available data, the Mineral Resource Estimates show reasonable prospects of economic extraction. In addition, due to the nature of the Project and the ability to advance Richmond Hill towards production, the recommendation section also outlines an estimate for a complete feasibility level work program. Of the feasibility level work outlined, certain areas of work can be advanced concurrently with the recommended Initial Assessment with cash flow analysis, while others may be informed by the work.

 

The recommended program is for the company to complete an economic and cash flow analysis.

 

The following are recommendations for the next stages of work to advance the Project:  

 

·Advance the Project to an Initial Assessment that includes an economic analysis.
·Additional metallurgical testwork and process design.
·Additional drilling to infill the current mineral resource and test additional prospective areas. This will also improve definition of geological domains and provide material for metallurgical testing.
·Advancement of baseline environmental data collection to support initiation of Project permitting.

 

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Table 1-3 summarizes the budget cost for these items.

 

Table 1-3: Budget for Recommended Work

 

Item  2025   2026   Total 
1. Program To Initial Assessment W/ Cash Flow (IACF)  $842,000    -   $842,000 
2. Program For Feasibility Study (FS) Metallurgy and Environmental  $2,700,000   $3,000,000   $5,700,000 
- Metallurgy Program  $500,000   $400,000   $900,000 
- Monitoring Wells  $600,000    -   $600,000 
- Environmental Geochemistry  $120,000   $300,000   $420,000 
- Environmental Samples/Analytics  $840,000   $1,000,000   $1,840,000 
- Environmental Studies/Modeling/Other  $640,000   $1,300,000   $1,940,000 
3. Drilling Program  $15,500,000   $18,000,000   $33,500,000 
- Target Additional 500k oz For Resource  $9,000,000   $2,000,000   $11,000,000 
- Target To Conversion of Resource to Three Years Reserves  $1,500,000   $9,500,000   $11,000,000 
- Drilling For Metallurgical Testing  $5,000,000   $6,500,000   $11,500,000 
Total  $19,042,000   $21,000,000   $40,042,000 

 

It is anticipated that these items would be performed over the next two years. Given the robust nature of the resource identified, Dakota Gold may choose to defer some portion of additional exploration drilling.

 

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2Introduction

 

2.1Registrant

 

Dakota Gold Corp. (Dakota Gold) is a Delaware-incorporated company traded on the NYSE American and with a head office in Lead, South Dakota. Dakota Gold is focused on revitalizing the Homestake District in South Dakota. Dakota Gold has multiple gold mineral projects surrounding the historical Homestake mine, including the Richmond Hill Gold Project, which is the subject of this technical report summary. The Project hosts the former Richmond Hill gold mine that operated from 1988 to 1993 as an open pit mine with heap leach facilities. The Project location is shown in Figure 2-1.

 

2.2Terms of Reference

 

Dakota Gold contracted Independent Mining Consultants, Inc. (IMC) of Tucson, Arizona to develop an updated mineral resource estimate and prepare an SK 1300-compliant Initial Assessment and Technical Report for the Richmond Hill Gold Project (the Project). Mineral resources are reported using the definitions in Regulation S-K 1300, 17 CFR 229.1300. IMC’s scope of work was as follows:

 

·Validate gold and silver assays in the database with original assay certificates for a representative portion of the data.

·Review the quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) programs and results for drilling database.

·Review geologic solids developed by Dakota Gold personnel and incorporate them into the resource model.

·Develop gold and silver grade estimates and resource classification for the resource model.

·Develop an updated mineral resource for the Project.

·Prepare the updated Technical Report.

 

Dakota Gold contracted Woods Process Services, LLC (Woods) of Sparks, Nevada to perform the following scope of work for the Project:

 

·Review existing metallurgical testing data and make estimates of process recoveries and processing costs for the various mineral types.

·Design solids to define the various mineral types in the resource model.

·Provide recommendations on additional metallurgical testing.

·Provide sections for the updated Technical Report.

 

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Figure 2-1: Property Location

 

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2.3Qualified Persons

 

Table 2-1 shows the Qualified Persons (QPs) for this technical report and their respective areas of responsibility.

 

Table 2-1: Qualified Persons Responsibilities

 

Qualified Person  Company   Report Section(s) of Responsibility
Michael G. Hester  IMC   1 except 1.5,2-8,9.1,11-21,22 except 22.2, 23 except 23.2 and 23.6,24-26
Jeffrey L. Woods  Woods   1.5,9.2,10,22.2,23.2,23.6

 

Michael G. Hester visited the Property on January 16th and 17th, 2025 to review site conditions and interview site personnel. This included the core logging, processing and storage facilities.

 

Jeffrey L. Woods did not visit the site. There is currently no on-site process-related infrastructure to examine.

 

2.4Date

 

Information in this Report is current as of February 3, 2025.

 

2.5Sources of Information

 

The main sources of information for this technical report include:

 

·The drillhole database compiled and maintained by Dakota Gold.

·Various geologic and ore type solids developed by Dakota Gold and Woods personnel.

·The report “S-K 1300 Initial Assessment and Technical Report Summary – Richmond Hill Gold Project, South Dakota, U.S.A” dated April 30, 2024, by AKF Mining Services Inc.

·Reports and documents cited in Sections 24 and 25 were used to support the preparation of this Report.

 

2.6Previous Technical Report Summaries

 

The Registrant filed a technical report summary on the Project, dated April 30, 2024, that included a maiden mineral resource estimate for the Project.

 

2.7Acronyms and Abbreviations

 

$U.S. dollar
3Dthree-dimensional
AASatomic absorption spectroscopy
Agsilver
AKFAKF Mining Services Inc.
AOIArea of Interest
ARDacid-rock drainage
ARSDAdministrative Rules of South Dakota
Augold
AueqGold equivalent
BCBondar-Clegg
B.C.British Columbia
BarrickBarrick Gold Corporation

 

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Mineral Resource Estimate

 

BaseMet Base Metallurgical Laboratories
BLK blank
BMA bulk mineral analysis
BVMM Bureau Veritas Metals and Minerals
BWi Bond ball mill work index
CC Cole Creek
CDP crushed duplicate
CF Chism Flat
CG Chism Gulch
CN Cyanide
COd Cambro-Ordovician Deadwood Formation
COdcs Deadwood Formation basal conglomerate-sandstone
Core Central Crystalline Core
CP Calvin Point
CRM certified reference material
Cu copper
CUP Conditional Use Permit
CV Cleveland
Dakota Gold Dakota Gold Corp.
DO dissolved oxygen
DTRC Dakota Territory Resource Corp.
DUP duplicate
ERM Environmental Resources Management
EXNI Exploration Notice of Intent
Fe iron
Freeport Freeport Exploration Company
GRG gravity-recoverable gold
Homestake Homestake Mining Company of California
ICP-ES inductively coupled plasma-emission spectroscopy
ID2 inverse distance squared
IMC Independent Mining Consultants, Inc.
IP induced polarization
IRR internal rate of return
JV joint venture
Koz 1000 troy ounces
K-Met K-Met Consultants Inc.
LAC LAC Minerals
LDL lower detection limit
Magee Magee Geophysical Surveys LLC
MC master composite
Mia coarse ore index
MRE mineral resource estimate
NaCN sodium cyanide
NPV net present value
NSR net smelter return
NWS National Weather Service

 

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Mineral Resource Estimate

 

OK ordinary kriging
P80 80% passing
PAX potassium amyl xanthate
pC undivided Precambrian
PDP pulp duplicate
PEA preliminary economic assessment
Pef Precambrian Ellison
Pfl Precambrian Flagrock
Pgn Precambrian Greenstone
POX pressure oxidation
Property Richmond Hill Gold Project
QA/QC quality assurance and quality control
Q/C quality control
QP qualified person
RC reverse circulation
RH Richmond Hill
RHN Richmond Hill North
RO reverse osmosis
RQD rock quality designation
S sulfur
SAG semi-autogenous grinding
SCSE SAG circuit specific energy
SD standard deviation
SDBME South Dakota Board of Minerals & Environment
SDDANR South Dakota Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources
SDDENR South Dakota Department of Environment & Natural Resources
SDP sample duplicate
SMC SAG mill comminution
St. Joe St. Joe Gold Corporation
SURF Sanford Underground Research Facility
SWD surface water discharge
SWPPP Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan
TA Turn Around
Tbx Tertiary hydrothermal breccia
Tbx RH Richmond Hill Tertiary hydrothermal breccia
Tbx RHN-NN Richmond Hill North No Name Tertiary hydrothermal breccia
Tdk Tertiary dike
Ti Tertiary intrusive
Tsl Tertiary sill
TT Twin Tunnels
U.S. United States of America
Viable Viable Resources Inc.
WOL whole ore leach
   
Units of Measure  
   
μm micrometer (micron)

 

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Mineral Resource Estimate

 

° degrees azimuth
°F degrees Fahrenheit
% percent
$ United States dollar
ft foot
ft3/ton cubic feet per US ton
g gram
g/cm3 grams per cubic meters
g/mt grams per tonne
Ga giga-annum (billion years)
gal/min U.S. gallons per minute
h hour
kg kilogram
kg/t kilogram per tonne
km2 kilometer squared
kton 1000 US tons
ktonne 1000 metric tonnes
kV kilovolt
kW kilowatt
kWh/m3 kilowatt hours per cubic meter
kWh/t kilowatt hour per tonne
L liter
m3 cubic meter
m meter
Ma mega-annum (one million years)
mg milligram
mg/L milligram per liter
ml milliliter
mm millimeter
Moz million ounces
ms millisecond
Mton megaton (one million tons)
Opt ounces per short ton
oz troy ounce
oz/t ounces per short ton
oz/ton ounces per short ton
ppm parts per million
t tonne
ton short ton
ton/ft3 tons per cubic foot
t/m3 tonnes per cubic meter
wt% weight percentage

 

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Mineral Resource Estimate

 

2.8Units of Measure and Metric Equivalents

 

Currency

 

Currency is expressed in United States dollars ($).

 

Units of Measure and Metric Equivalents

 

All units of measure used in this Report are United States (US) customary units unless otherwise noted.

 

Linear Measure

 

1 centimeter = 0.3937 inches  
     
1 meter = 3.2808 feet = 1.0936 yards
     
1 kilometer = 0.6214 miles  

 

Area Measure

 

1 hectare = 2.471 acres = 0.0039 square miles

 

Capacity Measure (liquid)

 

1 liter = 0.2642 United States (US) gallons

 

Weight

 

1 tonne = 1.1023 tons = 2,205 pounds
     
1 kilogram = 2.205 pounds  
     
1 troy ounce (oz) = 31.1034768 grams  

 

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Technical Report

 

3Property Description

 

Dakota Gold’s Richmond Hill Gold Project comprises 3002.07 acres, including 3000.62 acres of private surface and mineral rights. The Project includes the past-producing Richmond Hill mine and the historical mines of the Carbonate District, as well as multiple prospective areas where gold has been drill-intersected.

 

3.1Project Location

 

The Project is in the western portion of Lawrence County, South Dakota (Figure 2-1), approximately 4.5 miles northwest of Lead, South Dakota.

 

The center of the main claim block for the Project is at approximately 44° 23’ N latitude and 103° 51’ W longitude. The former Richmond Hill mine is approximately 44° 22’ 45” N latitude and 103° 51’ 30” W longitude.

 

3.2Ownership

 

St. Joe Gold Corporation (St. Joe) developed the former Richmond Hill gold mine in 1987. Bond Gold Corporation (Bond Gold) acquired the St. Joe Gold Corporation gold division in 1988. The mine was permitted, and construction of the mine facilities began in April 1988 under the ownership of Bond Gold.

 

In November 1989, LAC Minerals Ltd. Acquired Bond Gold. After the merger, the Project was held by the LAC subsidiary Richmond Hill Inc. In 1993, Richmond Hill Inc merged into LAC Minerals (USA) Inc. LAC Minerals (USA) Inc. converted to LAC Minerals (USA) LLC in 1999. Barrick Gold Corporation (Barrick) acquired LAC Minerals Ltd., the parent of LAC Minerals (USA) LLC in November 1994.

 

The Homestake Mining Company was acquired by Barrick in 2001. LAC Minerals (USA) LLC (hereafter “LAC”) and Homestake Mining Company of California (hereafter “Homestake”), a subsidiary of Homestake Mining Company, merged in October 2023, with Homestake as the surviving entity. Homestake is the current owner of the properties formerly held separately by LAC and Homestake.

 

Dakota Territory Resources Corp, now DTRC LLC, entered into a three-year Option agreement with Homestake and LAC (for convenience referred to collectively at times as Barrick) in 2021 to acquire the Homestake/LAC interests in the Richmond Hill Project area, with the mineral tenure primarily held in the names of LAC and Homestake (see discussion in 3.3 and 3.4). In 2022, the Option was amended to extend the Option period until March 7, 2026. In February 2025, the Option was again amended to extend the Option until December 31, 2028.

 

In addition to the optioned Property, Dakota Gold (or its subsidiaries), acquired ~324 acres of private property in the Richmond Hill Project area of which ~76 acres are of surface interest only on Property included in the Richmond Hill Option Agreement.

 

3.3Mineral Tenure Holdings

 

Within the western portion of Lawrence County, South Dakota, the Property covers portions of Sections 9 to 11, 13 to 16, 21 to 24, 26 to 28, and 33 to 35, Township 5 North, Range 2 East, Black Hills Meridian, plus portions of Sections 1, 3, 4, 12, and 13, Township 4 North, Range 2 East, Black Hills Meridian, and a portion of Section 31, Township 5 North, Range 3 East, Black Hills Meridian, plus portions of Sections 6 and 7, Township 4 North, Range 3 East, Black Hills Meridian (Dakota Gold n.d. c 2023) (Figure 3-1). The Property is contiguous with Dakota Gold’s West Corridor and Blind Gold Properties and is approximately two and a half miles north of the producing Wharf Gold mine owned by Coeur Mining.

 

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The Richmond Hill Project consists of both property subject to the Option (further discussed below) comprising of 94 Lawrence County, South Dakota, Land parcels and two unpatented mining claims as well as 3 additional Lawrence County, South Dakota, Land Parcels owned by Dakota Gold Corp. (DTRC LLC). The 94 land parcels of the Option agreement comprise 246 mineral survey patented lode claims, purchased government lots, and subdivided lots. Twenty-nine (29) parcels consist only of the mineral rights, with the surface belonging to various owners. The 3 additional land parcels comprise 16 mineral survey patented lode claims. Table 3-1 contains a claims listing.

 

In October 2023, LAC and Homestake merged, and Homestake now owns or controls the entire Option property. At the Report date, Homestake and LAC remain listed in the agreement as owning their respective claims.

 

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Technical Report

 

 

 

Figure 3-1: Richmond Hill Project Location and Ownership

 

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Table 3-1: Richmond Hill Gold Property Claims

 

Map
ID
County Tax Parcel ID Mineral Property Type Mineral
Survey #
Patented Lode or
Government Lot
Property Owner
1 16000-00502-110-10 Patented Mineral Properties   Govt. Lot 10 Homestake Mining Company of California
2 16000-00502-130-12 Patented Mineral Properties   Govt. Lot 12 Homestake Mining Company of California
3 16000-00502-140-02 Patented Mineral Properties   Govt. Lot 2 Homestake Mining Company of California
  Govt. Lot 3
  Govt. Lot 4
  Govt. Lot 7
  Govt. Lot 8
  Govt. Lot 9
  Govt. Lot 10
4 16000-00502-150-00 Patented Mineral Properties   Govt. Lot 3 LAC Minerals (USA) LLC
  Govt. Lot 9
  Govt. Lot 10
  Govt. Lot 12
  Govt. Lot 13
5 16000-00502-150-10 Patented Mineral Properties   Tract 0102-A LAC Minerals (USA) LLC
  Tract 0102-B
  Tract 0103-B
  Tract 0103-A
6 16000-00502-220-01 Patented Mineral Properties   Govt. Lot 1 LAC Minerals (USA) LLC
7 16000-00502-220-04 Patented Mineral Properties   Govt. Lot 2 LAC Minerals (USA) LLC
  Govt. Lot 4
8 16000-00502-220-10 Patented Mineral Properties   Govt. Lot 5 LAC Minerals (USA) LLC
9 16000-00502-230-00 Patented Mineral Properties   Govt. Lot 9 LAC Minerals (USA) LLC
  Govt. Lot 10
10 16000-00502-230-01 Patented Mineral Properties   Govt. Lot 1 Homestake Mining Company of California
  Govt. Lot 2
  Govt. Lot 3
  Govt. Lot 4
  Govt. Lot 5
  Govt. Lot 6
  Govt. Lot 7
  Govt. Lot 8
11 16000-00502-240-12 Patented Mineral Properties   Govt. Lot 12 Homestake Mining Company of California
  Govt. Lot 13
  Govt. Lot 14
12 26280-00348-000-00 Minerals Only 348 Old Reliable Homestake Mining Company of California
13 26280-00407-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties 407 Enterprise LAC Minerals (USA) LLC
14 26280-00408-000-10 Patented Mineral Properties 408 Surprise LAC Minerals (USA) LLC
15 26280-00417-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties 417 Carbonate LAC Minerals (USA) LLC
16 26280-00425-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties 425 Jay Gould LAC Minerals (USA) LLC
17 26280-00426-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties 426 Garfield LAC Minerals (USA) LLC
18 26280-00428-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties 428 Far West LAC Minerals (USA) LLC
19 26280-00437-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties 437 Katie LAC Minerals (USA) LLC
20 26280-00438-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties 438 Arthur LAC Minerals (USA) LLC
21 26280-00440-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties 440 Hartshorn LAC Minerals (USA) LLC
22 26280-00441-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties 441 Minnie LAC Minerals (USA) LLC
23 26280-00442-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties 442A Ultimo LAC Minerals (USA) LLC
24 26280-00443-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties 443 Tidiout LAC Minerals (USA) LLC
25 26280-00447-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties 447A Utica LAC Minerals (USA) LLC
26 26280-00448-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties 448A Antietam LAC Minerals (USA) LLC
27 26280-00449-000-10 Patented Mineral Properties 449 Blue Bird LAC Minerals (USA) LLC
28 26280-00450-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties 450 Carbonate Fraction #1 LAC Minerals (USA) LLC
29 26280-00451-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties 451 Carbonate Fraction #2 LAC Minerals (USA) LLC
30 26280-00465-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties 465 Mutual LAC Minerals (USA) LLC

 

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Map
ID
County Tax Parcel ID Mineral Property Type Mineral
Survey #
Patented Lode or
Government Lot
Property Owner
31 26280-00466-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties 466 Washington LAC Minerals (USA) LLC
32 26280-00473-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties 473 May Queen LAC Minerals (USA) LLC
33 26280-00474-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties 474 Hercules LAC Minerals (USA) LLC
34 26280-00489-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties 489 Adelphi LAC Minerals (USA) LLC
35 26280-00675-000-00 Minerals Only 675 General Grant Homestake Mining Company of California
36 26280-00679-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties 679 Spanish LAC Minerals (USA) LLC
37 26280-00680-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties 680 Richmond LAC Minerals (USA) LLC
38 26340-00839-000-00 Minerals Only 839 Boss Homestake Mining Company of California
39 26340-00874-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties 874 Brooklyn LAC Minerals (USA) LLC
40 26340-00930-000-00 Minerals Only 930 Big Sam Homestake Mining Company of California
930 Francis
930 Marseillase
930 Minnie
930 Ruby Hill
930 Glenwood
41 26340-00935-000-20 Minerals Only 935 South Lyon

Homestake Mining Company of California;

Parcel # 26340-00935-000-20 excludes Gov’t Lot 5.

44 26342-00935-010-00
45 26342-00935-020-00
42 26340-00977-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties 977 J.M. LAC Minerals (USA) LLC
977 Todd
977 Earle
977 Minnie C
977 Lyda B
977 Sister
977 Arthur L
977 Cass
977 Newell
977 Calvin P
977 Emma
977 Virginia
977 Juliett
977 Donald W
977 Helen
977 Atwood
977 Little Bonanze
977 Ella
977 Ralph K

 

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Map
ID
County Tax Parcel ID Mineral Property Type Mineral
Survey #
Patented Lode or
Government Lot
Property Owner
43 26340-01022-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties 1022 Chloride Fr. LAC Minerals (USA) LLC
1022 Calkins
1022 Logan
1022 Anis
46 26380-01043-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties 1043 Rattler LAC Minerals (USA) LLC
1043 Gilroy
47 26380-01092-000-00 Minerals Only 1092 Dakota Homestake Mining Company of California & Willis Aye
1092 Granite
1092 Columbia
1092 Union
48 26380-01109-000-00 Minerals Only 1109 Argenta Homestake Mining Company of California
1109 Oro
1109 Oro Fraction
49 26380-01109-000-05 Minerals Only 1109 Glyn Homestake Mining Company of California
50 26380-01109-000-10 Minerals Only 1109 Lemans Homestake Mining Company of California
51 26380-01114-000-00 Minerals Only 1114 West Wedge Fraction Homestake Mining Company of California
1114 West End
1114 Jackson
1114 Moonlight
1114 Sunrise
1114 Sunset Fraction
1114 Lizzie
52 26420-01141-000-20 Minerals Only 1141 Camden Homestake Mining Company of California
1141 Ford
1141 Georgia
53 26460-01168-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties 1168 Blue Homestake Mining Company of California & Dakota Gold Corp. (DTRC LLC) Surface
1168 Rocklyn
54 26540-01247-000-00 Minerals Only 1247 White House Homestake Mining Company of California
1247 Congress
1247 China Fraction
1247 Japan Fraction
55 26540-01278-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties 1278 Nanki-Poo LAC Minerals (USA) LLC
1278 Dalaunay
56 26540-01283-000-10 Minerals Only 1283 May Homestake Mining Company of California
57 26540-01283-000-20 Minerals Only 1283 Deadwood Homestake Mining Company of California
58 26540-01283-000-30 Minerals Only 1283 Buffalo Homestake Mining Company of California
1283 Link Fraction
59 26540-01288-000-10 Minerals Only 1288 Longpoint Fraction Homestake Mining Company of California
60 26540-01288-000-20 Minerals Only 1288 Cardinal Homestake Mining Company of California
61 26540-01289-000-05 Minerals Only 1289 Ames Homestake Mining Company of California
1289 Ames Fraction
62 26540-01289-000-10 Minerals Only 1289 Cloud Homestake Mining Company of California
1289 Dick
1289 Lightning
1289 Thunder
63 26540-01289-000-15 Minerals Only 1289 Ester Homestake Mining Company of California
64 26580-01349-000-00 Minerals Only 1349 James G. Blaine Homestake Mining Company of California
65 26580-01376-000-88 Patented Mineral Properties 1376 Tract PR2 LAC Minerals (USA) LLC

 

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Map
ID
County Tax Parcel ID Mineral Property Type Mineral
Survey #
Patented Lode or
Government Lot
Property Owner
66 26580-01376-000-90 Patented Mineral Properties 1376 Aliance LAC Minerals (USA) LLC
1376 Sucker
1376 Little Ellen
1376 Black Bird
1376 Golden Eagle No. 2
1376 Rubicon
1376 Rubicon No. 2
1376 Rubicon No. 4
1376 Dakota
1376 Darboy
1376 Havana No. 1
1376 Havana No. 3
67 26580-01382-000-00 Leased Mineral Rights 1382 Rubicon PETERSON, JAMES E
1382 Cleveland
1382 Lizzie Johnson
1382 Standard
68 26580-01382-000-10 Leased Mineral Rights 1382 Grayback PETERSON, JAMES E
69 26580-01398-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties 1398 Independent LAC Minerals (USA) LLC
1398 Independent No. 1
1398 Republik
70 26620-01406-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties 1406 Yankee Boy Homestake Mining Company of California
1406 Yankee Boy No. 3
1406 Yankee Boy No. 4
1406 Alliance No  2
1406 Little Bonanza No. 2
1406 Magna Charta
1406 General Joe Hooker
71 26620-01406-000-10 Minerals Only 1406 Arthur No. 1 Homestake Mining Company of California
1406 Little Hill
1406 Little Hill No. 2
72 26620-01436-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties 1436 Joplin No. 1 LAC Minerals (USA) LLC
1436 Joplin No. 2
1436 Joplin No. 3
1436 Julia-Etta
1436 Magnetic
73 26620-01440-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties 1440 Crest LAC Minerals (USA) LLC
1440 Samoa
1440 Co-moa
1440 Sylvanite No. 1
1440 Sylvanite No. 2
1440 Grove
1440 Volt
1440 Seven-B
1440 Storm King
1440 Vigor
74 26620-01468-000-00 Minerals Only 1468 Loyd Homestake Mining Company of California
75 26620-01469-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties 1469 Cashier LAC Minerals (USA) LLC
1469 LaPlata

 

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Map
ID
County Tax Parcel ID Mineral Property Type Mineral
Survey #
Patented Lode or
Government Lot
Property Owner
76 26620-01529-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties 1529 Maryland LAC Minerals (USA) LLC
1529 Baltimore
1529 Maverick
1529 Badger
1529 North Side Fraction
77 26680-01569-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties 1569 Lola LAC Minerals (USA) LLC
78 26680-01616-000-60 Minerals Only 1616 Genessee Homestake Mining Company of California
1616 Grenada
1616 Peerless
79 26680-01616-000-70 Minerals Only 1616 Trenton Homestake Mining Company of California
80 26680-01617-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties 1617 Los Angeles No. 1 Homestake Mining Company of California
1617 Los Angeles No. 2
1617 Los Angeles No. 3
81 26680-01643-000-00 Minerals Only 1643 Snorter Homestake Mining Company of California
1643 Snorter Fraction
82 26680-01655-000-10 Patented Mineral Properties 1655 Zelpha Mable LAC Minerals (USA) LLC
1655 Josephine
1655 St. Cloud No. 1
1655 St. Cloud No. 3
1655 Comstock
1655 Victor Fraction #3
1655 Grand Deposit No. 2
1655 Tartar
1655 Red Cloud
1655 Red Cloud Frac.
1655 Valley Frac.
83 26680-01655-000-20 Patented Mineral Properties 1655 St. Cloud No. 5 LAC Minerals (USA) LLC
84 26680-01659-000-20 Minerals Only 1659 Maid of Erin Homestake Mining Company of California
1659 Telegram
1659 Gannon
1659 B&M Fraction
85 26680-01673-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties 1673 Belligerent Homestake Mining Company of California & Dakota Gold Corp. (DTRC LLC) Surface
1673 Belligerent Fraction
1673 Belligerent No. 3
1673 Belligerent No. 4
1673 Bull Hill
86 26760-01769-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties 1769 Edmonia LAC Minerals (USA) LLC
87 26760-01792-000-00 Minerals Only 1792 Marconi Homestake Mining Company of California
88 26760-01822-000-00 Minerals Only 1822 Bessie Homestake Mining Company of California
1822 Cross No. 1
1822 Dixie
1822 Geneva
1822 Hattie
1822 Tan
89 26760-01829-000-10 Patented Mineral Properties 1829 Tract 1 Homestake Mining Company of California
90 26760-01851-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties 1851 Mars No. 1 LAC Minerals (USA) LLC
91 26760-01862-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties 1862 Stella No. 3 Homestake Mining Company of California
1862 Stella No. 5
1862 Margarite No. 6
1862 Margarite No. 7
92 26760-01872-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties 1872 Legal Tender LAC Minerals (USA) LLC
1872 Diamond Point
1872 Joe Craig
1872 Gremmel No. 1
1872 Cotton Tail Frac.

 

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Map
ID
County Tax Parcel ID Mineral Property Type Mineral
Survey #
Patented Lode or
Government Lot
Property Owner
93 26800-01910-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties 1910 Dante LAC Minerals (USA) LLC
1910 Creston
1910 Morning Glory
1910 Vindicator
94 26880-02033-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties 2033 Bison LAC Minerals (USA) LLC
2033 Trent
95 N/A Unpatented Mining Lodes N/A L&O No. 1 St. Joe Minerals
96 N/A Unpatented Mining Lodes N/A NJB 7 Bond Gold Richmond
97 26620-01401-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties 1401 Mammouth Dakota Gold Corp. (DTRC LLC)
98 26680-01709-000-20 Patented Mineral Properties 1709 Dague #1 Dakota Gold Corp. (DTRC LLC)
        Dague #2  
99 26760-01862-000-10 Patented Mineral Properties 1862 Stella Dakota Gold Corp. (DTRC LLC)
        Stella #1  
        Stella #2  
        Stella #4  
        Stella #6  
        Stella #7  
        Margarite  
        Margarite #1  
        Margarite #2  
        Margarite #3  
        Margarite $4  
        Margarite #5  
        Margarite #8  

 

Notes: DGC = Dakota Gold Corp.; LAC = Homestake; as of early October 2023, LAC Minerals (USA) LLC and Homestake merged, and the Option property interests are now owned or controlled entirely by Homestake.

 

3.4Richmond Hill Option Agreement

 

On October 14, 2021, Dakota Territory Resource Corp. (DTRC) (now Dakota Gold) entered into an Option agreement with Barrick to acquire the Richmond Hill Gold Project jointly held in the names of Barrick’s wholly owned subsidiaries, LAC and Homestake. Under the terms of the Option agreement, Dakota Gold was provided a three-year option to acquire the surface and mineral rights with attendant facilities comprising the Richmond Hill Project.

 

On signing, Dakota Gold issued 400,000 shares to Barrick and agreed to make three $100,000 payments (all paid) during the Option period. The Option could be exercised at any time before September 7, 2024, by assuming all the liabilities and bonds currently held by LAC and Homestake for the Richmond Hill Gold Project. In addition, upon exercise of the Option, Dakota Gold would issue Barrick an additional 400,000 shares and grant Barrick a 1% net smelter return (NSR) concerning any gold recovered from the Project.

 

On September 8, 2022, Dakota Gold announced an amendment to the original Richmond Hill Option agreement whereby the Option period was extended by 18 months to March 7, 2026. In addition, more than 560 acres of 100% mineral rights owned by Homestake were added to the properties subject to the Option, and Dakota Gold issued an additional 180,000 shares to Barrick. All other terms and obligations under the original Option agreement remained unchanged. The Option was again amended on February 3, 2025, extending the Option period until December 31, 2028, in return for Dakota Gold agreeing to make three annual payments of $170,000, with the first of these due on March 1, 2026.

 

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Dakota Gold

Technical Report

 

The current Richmond Hill Option agreement (as amended) is summarized as follows:

 

·Option to purchase all of the mineral rights, surface rights, attendant facilities, and patented properties owned by Homestake or Lac in the Project area.
·Issue an aggregate of 980,000 Dakota Gold shares to Barrick through a combination of shares issued at signing and upon exercise of the Option (580,000 shares have been issued to date).
·Assume all property liabilities and bonds upon exercise of Option.
·Issue a 1% NSR upon executing the Option to Barrick from any gold production from the Option property.
·Three annual payments of $100,000 have been paid previously. Dakota Gold will make three additional annual payments $170,000 to Barrick beginning on March 1, 2026.
·Unless further extended, the Option period extends until December 31, 2028.

 

Dakota Gold was current with all Option agreement terms and conditions as of the Report date.

 

3.5Surface Rights

 

The Option agreement included surface rights to many of the properties included in the Project area. Table 3-1 details parcels that include mineral rights, surface rights, or both. Pursuant to SDCL 45-5-1, surface rights are subservient to the development of mineral rights.

 

3.6Water Rights

 

Dakota Gold does not own any water rights in the Project area. Water for exploration drilling programs has been sourced locally and either pumped or trucked to the drills. One of three wells that supplied water to the Richmond Hill mine is still active, and Homestake maintains the water right.

 

3.7Royalties

 

In addition to the 1% NSR that Dakota Gold must grant to Barrick, several claims have underlying royalties. Table 3-2 lists the claims and any extra royalties payable to underlying claim owners. Figure 3-2 identifies claims with underlying royalties.

 

The document numbers for deeds, warranty deeds, agreements, and others refer to documents recorded at the Lawrence County Court House in Deadwood, South Dakota. The following information regarding royalties is extracted from these public documents (Dakota Gold, pers. Comm.):

 

Aye/Gali Royalty

 

The original Aye/Gali royalty is defined in Warranty Deed, 82-05846, dated June 2, 1976, between Iwalana L. Gali (Grantor, formally Aye, a married woman) and Homestake Mining (Grantee). The 5% Gross Royalty on all minerals produced is calculated less sales, severance and other similar taxes, charges for transportation from mine to treatment, smelting and/or refining, as well as cost for treatment, smelting and/or refining. In the event royalties are paid, the aggregate paid to the Grantor shall not exceed the sum of $200.00 per acre times the total number of acres conveyed by the Grantor to the Grantee. Dakota Gold calculated a total 416.8 acres are under the Aye (Gali) royalty agreement in 8 land parcels. At $200.00 cap per acre, that would mean the maximum royalty would be $83,360.00 if all parcels were impacted.

 

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Technical Report

 

Bohlen/Hoffman Royalty

 

The Bohlen/Hoffman royalty is defined in a Grant, Bargain and Sale Deed, 2014-01458, dated April 11, 2014, between Sharlene J. Hoffman and Earl D. and Helen L. Bohlen (Grantor) and Homestake Mining (Grantee). The 4% Net Smelter Returns Royalty on all minerals produced is calculated less refining and delivery costs and taxes but does not allow for deduction of costs related to trading activities or mining, milling, leaching, or any other on-site processing costs.

 

Fillmore Royalty

 

The Fillmore royalty is defined in a Mining Deed, 84-01176, dated May 24, 1968, between Fillmore and Company, Inc, W. O. and Lillian G. Filmore (Grantor) and Congo Uranium Company (Grantee). The Filmore Royalty is a 5% Net Smelter Returns Royalty on all minerals produced. Under earlier agreements, the royalty was initially established at 10% but was bought down to 5% in 1974.

 

Peterson Royalty

 

The Peterson royalty is defined in a First Amendment to Lease Agreement, dated November 15, 1984, between James E. and Arlene Peterson (Grantor) and St. Joe American Corporation (Grantee). The 5% Net Smelter Returns Royalty on all minerals produced is due within 30 days of each calendar quarter end, and is calculated less any weighing, sampling, penalty, processing, or other charges assessed by purchaser, selling charges, any sales, severance, gross production, privilege or similar taxes assessed or in connection with the ore measured by the value thereof, and less cost of transportation. The cost of leaching or other solution techniques shall be also deducted from the selling price.

 

Whitehouse Royalty

 

The Whitehouse royalties are defined by two agreements, Mining Deed, 76-01230, dated June 1, 1976, and Warranty Deed, 76-01231, dated June 1, 1976, between White House Congress, Inc. (Grantor) and Homestake Mining (Grantee). The 5% Gross Royalty on all minerals produced is calculated less sales, severance and other similar taxes, charges for transportation from mine to treatment, smelting and/or refining, as well as cost for treatment, smelting and/or refining. In the event royalties are paid, the aggregate paid to the Grantor shall not exceed the sum of $200 per acre times the total number of acres conveyed by the Grantor to the Grantee. The property subject to the Whitehouse Royalty currently sits outside of the resource evaluated in this Initial Assessment. The claims under the Whitehouse Royalty are scattered and mostly not contiguous. There are approximately 27 parcels for a total of 486.26 acres at $200 cap per acre, the maximum royalty would be $97,252 if all parcels were impacted.

 

Orion Future Royalty

 

Upon the exercise of the Richmond Hill Option, a 1% NSR Royalty shall come into effect in favor of OMF Fund IV SPV A LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, for the lode claims in Mineral Surveys 1406 and 1822 (Chism Gulch).

 

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Technical Report

 

Table 3-2: Richmond Hill Project Parcels with Holding Costs and Royalties

 

Map

ID

County Parcel ID Number Mineral Property Type Legal Description Property Owner Annual Property Maintenance 2024 Taxes Paid Other Cost First Royalty Owner

Royalty

%

Second Royalty Owner

Royalty

%

Third Royalty Owner

Royalty

%

Royalty % Total Comments
1 16000-00502-110-10 Patented Mineral Properties Lot 10 11-005-02

Homestake Mining Company of

California

Annual Lawrence Co. property tax $12.68   HMC 1         1  
2 16000-00502-130-12 Patented Mineral Properties Lot 12 13-005-02

Homestake Mining

Company of California

Annual Lawrence Co. property tax $2.34   HMC 1         1  
3 16000-00502-140-02 Patented Mineral Properties

Lots 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9 &

10 14-005-02

Homestake Mining Company of

California

Annual Lawrence Co. property tax $165.12   HMC 1         1  
4 16000-00502-150-00

Patented Mineral

Properties

 

Govt Lots 3, 9, 10,

12 & 13 15-005-02

LAC Minerals

(USA) LLC

Annual Lawrence Co.

property tax

$23.48   HMC 1         1  
5 16000-00502-150-10

Patented Mineral Properties

 

Tracts 0102-A & 0102-B of NE1/4,

Tract 0103-B of NW1/4 & Tract 103A of NW1/4 15-

LAC Minerals (USA) LLC Annual Lawrence Co. property tax $11.40   HMC 1         1  
6 16000-00502-220-01

Patented Mineral

Properties

 

Govt Lot 1 22-005-

02

LAC Minerals

(USA) LLC

Annual Lawrence Co.

property tax

$4.42   HMC 1            
7 16000-00502-220-04

Patented Mineral

Properties

 

Govt Lots 2 & 4 22-

005-02

LAC Minerals

(USA) LLC

Annual Lawrence Co.

property tax

$29.22   HMC 1         1  
8 16000-00502-220-10

Patented Mineral

Properties

 

Govt Lot 5 22-005-

02

LAC Minerals

(USA) LLC

Annual Lawrence Co.

property tax

$20.34   HMC 1         1  
9 16000-00502-230-00

Patented Mineral

Properties

 

Govt Lots 9 & 10

23-005-02

LAC Minerals

(USA) LLC

Annual Lawrence Co.

property tax

$0.48   HMC 1         1  
10 16000-00502-230-01 Patented Mineral Properties

Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,

7 & 8 23-005-02

Homestake Mining

Company of California

Annual Lawrence Co. property tax $153.06   HMC 1         1  
11 16000-00502-240-12 Patented Mineral Properties

Lots 12, 13 & 14 24-

005-02

Homestake Mining Company of

California

Annual Lawrence Co. property tax $23.94   HMC 1         1  
12 26280-00348-000-00 Minerals Only

M.S. 348 Old

Reliable Lode 14-

005-02

Homestake Mining Company of

California

      HMC 1 Aye/Gali 5     6 Capped Royalty
13 26280-00407-000-00

Patented Mineral

Properties

M.S. 407 Enterprise

Lode 10-005-02

LAC Minerals

(USA) LLC

Annual Lawrence Co.

property tax

$8.04   HMC 1 Fillmore 5     6

Subject to potential reversion of property

if not used for mining purposes

14 26280-00408-000-10

Patented Mineral

Properties

M.S. 408 pt Surprise

Lode 10-005-02

LAC Minerals

(USA) LLC

Annual Lawrence Co.

property tax

$12.46   HMC 1 Fillmore 5     6

Subject to potential reversion of property

if not used for mining purposes

15 26280-00417-000-00

Patented Mineral

Properties

M.S. 417 Carbonate

Lode 15-005-02

LAC Minerals

(USA) LLC

Annual Lawrence Co.

property tax

$12.22   HMC 1

Fillmore

 

5     6

Subject to potential reversion of property

if not used for mining purposes

16 26280-00425-000-00

Patented Mineral

Properties

M.S. 425 Jay Gould

Lode 10-005-02

LAC Minerals

(USA) LLC

Annual Lawrence Co.

property tax

$13.48   HMC 1 Fillmore 5     6

Subject to potential reversion of property

if not used for mining purposes

17 26280-00426-000-00

Patented Mineral

Properties

M.S. 426 Garfield

Lode 10-005-02

LAC Minerals

(USA) LLC

Annual Lawrence Co.

property tax

$11.30   HMC 1 -Fillmore 5     6

Subject to potential reversion of property

if not used for mining purposes

18 26280-00428-000-00

Patented Mineral

Properties

 

M.S. 428 Far West

Lode 15-005-02

LAC Minerals

(USA) LLC

Annual Lawrence Co.

property tax

$9.36   HMC 1       1
19 26280-00437-000-00

Patented Mineral

Properties

M.S. 437 Katie Lode

10-005-02

LAC Minerals

(USA) LLC

Annual Lawrence Co.

property tax

$13.08   HMC 1 Fillmore 5     6

Subject to potential reversion of property

if not used for mining purposes

20 26280-00438-000-00

Patented Mineral

Properties

M.S. 438 Arthur

Lode 10-005-02

LAC Minerals

(USA) LLC

Annual Lawrence Co.

property tax

$13.08   HMC 1

Fillmore

5     6

Subject to potential reversion of property

if not used for mining purposes

21 26280-00440-000-00

Patented Mineral

Properties

M.S. 440 Hartshorn

Lode 09-005-02

LAC Minerals

(USA) LLC

Annual Lawrence Co.

property tax

$11.20   HMC 1 Fillmore 5     6

Subject to potential reversion of property

if not used for mining purposes

 

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Dakota Gold

Technical Report

 

Map

ID

County Parcel ID Number Mineral Property Type Legal Description Property Owner Annual Property Maintenance 2024 Taxes Paid Other Cost First Royalty Owner

Royalty

%

Second Royalty Owner

Royalty

%

Third Royalty Owner

Royalty

%

Royalty % Total Comments
22 26280-00441-000-00

Patented Mineral

Properties

M.S. 441 Minnie

Lode 15-005-02

LAC Minerals

(USA) LLC

Annual Lawrence Co.

property tax

$9.36   HMC 1 Fillmore 5     6

Subject to potential reversion of property

if not used for mining purposes

23 26280-00442-000-00

Patented Mineral

Properties

M.S. 442ª Ultimo

Lode 15-005-02

LAC Minerals

(USA) LLC

Annual Lawrence Co.

property tax

$13.38   HMC 1 Fillmore 5     6

Subject to potential reversion of property

if not used for mining purposes

24 26280-00443-000-00

Patented Mineral

Properties

M.S. 443 Tidiout

Lode 15-005-02

LAC Minerals

(USA) LLC

Annual Lawrence Co.

property tax

$12.58   HMC 1 Fillmore 5     6

Subject to potential reversion of property

if not used for mining purposes

25 26280-00447-000-00

Patented Mineral

Properties

M.S. 447ª Utica

Lode 15-005-02

LAC Minerals

(USA) LLC

Annual Lawrence Co.

property tax

$14.60   HMC 1 Fillmore 5     6

Subject to potential reversion of property

if not used for mining purposes

26 26280-00448-000-00

Patented Mineral

Properties

M.S. 448A Antietam

Lode 15-005-02

LAC Minerals

(USA) LLC

Annual Lawrence Co.

property tax

$14.32   HMC 1 Fillmore 5     6

Subject to potential reversion of property

if not used for mining purposes

27 26280-00449-000-10

Patented Mineral

Properties

M.S. 449 Blue Bird

Lode 15-005-02

LAC Minerals

(USA) LLC

Annual Lawrence Co.

property tax

$2.62   HMC 1 Fillmore 5     6

Subject to potential reversion of property

if not used for mining purposes

28 26280-00450-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties

M.S. 450 Carbonate

Fraction #1 Lode 15-

005-02

LAC Minerals (USA) LLC Annual Lawrence Co. property tax $2.12   HMC 1 Fillmore 5     6 Subject to potential reversion of property if not used for mining purposes
29 26280-00451-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties

M.S. 451 Carbonate

Fraction #2 Lode 15-

005-02

LAC Minerals (USA) LLC Annual Lawrence Co. property tax $0.60   HMC 1 Fillmore 5     6 Subject to potential reversion of property if not used for mining purposes
30 26280-00465-000-00

Patented Mineral

Properties

M.S. 465 Mutual

Lode 15-005-02

LAC Minerals

(USA) LLC

Annual Lawrence Co.

property tax

$10.64   HMC 1 Fillmore 5     6

Subject to potential reversion of property

if not used for mining purposes

31 26280-00466-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties

M.S. 466

Washington Lode 15-

005-02

LAC Minerals (USA) LLC Annual Lawrence Co. property tax $8.90   HMC 1 Fillmore 5     6 Subject to potential reversion of property if not used for mining purposes
32 26280-00473-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties

M.S. 473

May Queen Lode 15-005-02

LAC Minerals (USA) LLC Annual Lawrence Co. property tax $6.56   HMC 1 Fillmore 5     6 Subject to potential reversion of property if not used for mining purposes
33 26280-00474-000-00

Patented Mineral

Properties

M.S. 474 Hercules

Lode 15-005-02

LAC Minerals

(USA) LLC

Annual Lawrence Co.

property tax

$4.14   HMC 1 Fillmore 5     6

Subject to potential reversion of property

if not used for mining purposes

34 26280-00489-000-00

Patented Mineral

Properties

M.S. 489 Adelphi

Lode 15-005-02

LAC Minerals

(USA) LLC

Annual Lawrence Co.

property tax

$13.96   HMC 1 Fillmore 5     6

Subject to potential reversion of property

if not used for mining purposes

35 26280-00675-000-00 Minerals Only

M.S. 675 General

Grant Lode 01-004-

02

Homestake Mining

Company of California

    HMC 1 Whitehouse 5     6 Capped Royalty
36 26280-00679-000-00

Patented Mineral

Properties

M.S. 679 Spanish

Lode 15-005-02

LAC Minerals

(USA) LLC

Annual Lawrence Co.

property tax

$10.86   HMC 1 Fillmore 5     6

Subject to potential reversion of property

if not used for mining purposes

37 26280-00680-000-00

Patented Mineral

Properties

M.S. 680 Richmond

Lode 15-005-02

LAC Minerals

(USA) LLC

Annual Lawrence Co.

property tax

$11.80   HMC 1 Fillmore 5     6 Subject to potential reversion of property if not used for mining purposes
38 26340-00839-000-00 Minerals Only M.S. 839 Boss Lode 06-004-03

Homestake Mining Company of

California

    HMC 1       1
39 26340-00874-000-00

Patented Mineral

Properties

M.S. 874 Brooklyn

Lode 15-005-02

LAC Minerals

(USA) LLC

Annual Lawrence Co.

property tax

$11.86   HMC 1 Fillmore 5     6

Subject to potential reversion of property

if not used for mining purposes

 

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Technical Report

 

Map

ID

County Parcel ID Number Mineral Property Type Legal Description Property Owner Annual Property Maintenance 2024 Taxes Paid Other Cost First Royalty Owner

Royalty

%

Second Royalty Owner

Royalty

%

Third Royalty Owner

Royalty

%

Royalty % Total Comments
40 26340-00930-000-00 Minerals Only M.S. 930 Big Sam Lode etc. 07-004-03

Homestake Mining Company of

California

    HMC 1 Whitehouse 5     6 Capped Royalty
41 26340-00935-000-20 Minerals Only M.S. 935 Tract 1 pt of South Lyon Lode

Homestake Mining Company of

California

    HMC 1 Whitehouse 5     6 Capped Royalty; Excluding Govt Lot 5 being a part of Tract 1
42 26340-00977-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties

M.S. 977 Donald W, Ella & Virginia Lodes Etal 22-005-

02

LAC Minerals (USA) LLC Annual Lawrence Co. property tax $239.02   HMC 1       1
43 26340-01022-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties

M.S. 1022 Chloride

Fraction Lode Etal 15-005-02

LAC Minerals (USA) LLC Annual Lawrence Co. property tax $15.18   HMC 1       1 Subject to potential reversion of property if not used for mining purposes
44 26342-00935-010-00 Minerals Only

M.S. 935 Lost

Irishman Lot 1

Homestake Mining Company of

California

    HMC 1 Whitehouse 5     6 Capped Royalty
45 26342-00935-020-00 Minerals Only

M.S. 935 Lost

Irishman Lot 2

Homestake Mining Company of

California

    HMC 1 Whitehouse 5     6 Capped Royalty
46 26380-01043-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties

M.S. 1043 Rattler & Gilroy Lodes 15-

005-02

LAC Minerals (USA) LLC Annual Lawrence Co. property tax $15.68   HMC 1 Fillmore 5     6 Subject to potential reversion of property if not used for mining purposes
47 26380-01092-000-00 Minerals Only

M.S. 1092 Union

Lode Etal 14-005-02

Homestake Mining Company of California   HMC 1 Aye/Gali 5     6 Capped Royalty
48 26380-01109-000-00 Minerals Only

M.S. 1109 Oro, Oro

Frac. & Argenta Lodes 12-004-02

Homestake Mining Company of

California

  HMC 1 Whitehouse 5     6 Capped Royalty
49 26380-01109-000-05 Minerals Only

M.S. 1109 Glyn

Lode 12-004-02

Homestake Mining Company of

California

  HMC 1 Whitehouse 5     6 Capped Royalty
50 26380-01109-000-10 Minerals Only

M.S. 1109 Lemars

Lode 12-004-02

Homestake Mining Company of

California

  HMC 1 Whitehouse 5     6 Capped Royalty
51 26380-01114-000-00 Minerals Only

M.S. 1114 Jackson

Lode etc. 12-004-02

Homestake Mining

Company of California

  HMC 1 Whitehouse 5     6 Capped Royalty
52 26420-01141-000-20 Minerals Only M.S. 1141 Camden, Ford & Georgie, etc

Homestake Mining Company of

California

  HMC 1 Whitehouse 5     6 Capped Royalty
53 26460-01168-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties

M.S. 1168

Rocklyn & Blue Lodes 34-005-02

Homestake Mining Company of

California

Annual Lawrence Co. property tax $19.20   HMC 1 Whitehouse 5     6 Capped Royalty
54 26540-01247-000-00 Minerals Only

M.S. 1247

Whitehouse & Congress Lodes Etal 14-005-02

Homestake Mining Company of

California

  HMC 1 Aye/Gali 5     6 Capped Royalty
55 26540-01278-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties

M.S. 1278

Delaunay & Nanki- Poo Lodes 15-005-

02

LAC Minerals (USA) LLC Annual Lawrence Co. property tax $25.34   HMC 1     1 Subject to potential reversion of property if not used for mining purposes
56 26540-01283-000-10 Minerals Only M.S. 1283 May Lode 33-005-02

Homestake Mining Company of

California

  HMC 1 Whitehouse 5     6 Capped Royalty
57 26540-01283-000-20 Minerals Only

M.S. 1283

Deadwood Lode 33-

005-02

Homestake Mining Company of

California

  HMC 1 Whitehouse 5     6 Capped Royalty
58 26540-01283-000-30 Minerals Only M.S. 1283 Buffalo & Link Frac. Lodes 33- 005-02

Homestake Mining Company of

California

  HMC 1 Whitehouse 5     6 Capped Royalty
59 26540-01288-000-10 Minerals Only

M.S. 1288 Long

Point Frac Lode 35- 005-02

Homestake Mining Company of

California

  HMC 1 Whitehouse 5     6 Capped Royalty
60 26540-01288-000-20 Minerals Only

M.S. 1288 Cardinal

Lode 35-005-02

Homestake Mining Company of

California

  HMC 1 Whitehouse 5     6 Capped Royalty

 

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Dakota Gold

Technical Report

 

Map

ID

County Parcel ID Number Mineral Property Type Legal Description Property Owner Annual Property Maintenance 2024 Taxes Paid Other Cost First Royalty Owner

Royalty

%

Second Royalty Owner

Royalty

%

Third Royalty Owner

Royalty

%

Royalty % Total Comments
61 26540-01289-000-01 Minerals Only

M.S. 1289 Cloud,

Thunder, Lighting & Dick Lodes

Homestake Mining Company of

California

  HMC 1 Whitehouse 5     6 Capped Royalty
62 26540-01289-000-05 Minerals Only M.S. 1289 Ames & Ames Frac. Lodes

Homestake Mining Company of

California

  HMC 1 Whitehouse 5     6 Capped Royalty
63 26540-01289-000-15 Minerals Only

M.S. 1289 Ester

Lode 27-005-02

Homestake Mining Company of

California

  HMC 1 Whitehouse 5     6 Capped Royalty
64 26580-01349-000-00 Minerals Only

M.S. 1349 James g. Blain Lode 34-005-

02

Homestake Mining Company of

California

  HMC 1     1
65 26580-01376-000-88 Patented Mineral Properties

M.S. 1376 Tract PR2 of Porto

Rico #2 & Porto Rico Lodes 10, 11, 14, & 15- 005-02

LAC Minerals (USA) LLC Annual Lawrence Co. property tax $22.28   HMC 1     1
66 26580-01376-000-90 Patented Mineral Properties

M.S. 1376 Darboy, Rubicon & Dakota Lodes Etal 14-005-

02

LAC Minerals (USA) LLC Annual Lawrence Co. property tax $5202.04   HMC 1 Fillmore 5     6 Subject to potential reversion of property if not used for mining purposes
67 26580-01382-000-00 Leased Mineral Rights

M.S. 1382

Cleveland & Rubicon Lodes Etal 23-005-02

PETERSON, JAMES E $1647.36 $4,000.00 HMC 1 Peterson 5     6

Lease Term 10 years (1984)

$4000 annual extended by payment. See comments in parcel #26580-01382-000-10

68 26580-01382-000-10 Leased Mineral Rights

M.S. 1382 Grayback

Lode 23-005-02

PETERSON, JAMES E $299.72   HMC 1 Peterson 5     6

Lease Term 10 years (1984)

$4000 annual extended by payment. This annual cost is already calculated in parcel #26580-01382-000-00

69 26580-01398-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties

M.S. 1398

Independent Lode Etal 15-005-02

LAC Minerals (USA) LLC Annual Lawrence Co. property tax $71.00   HMC 1 Fillmore 5     6

Subject to potential reversion of property if not used for mining

purposes

70 26620-01406-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties

M.S. 1406 Yankee Boy, Yankee Boy #3 & #4, Manga

Charta, Alliance #2, Little Bonanza #2 & General Joe Hooker Lodes 14-005-02

Homestake Mining Company of California Annual Lawrence Co. property tax $97.00   HMC 1 Aye/Gali 5 OMF Fund 1 7 Capped Royalty
71 26620-01406-000-10 Minerals Only

M.S. 1406 Little Hill, Little Hill #2 & Arthur #1 Lodes 14-

005-02

Homestake Mining Company of

California

  HMC 1 Aye/Gali 5 OMF Fund 1 7 Capped Royalty
72 26620-01436-000-00

Patented Mineral

Properties

M.S. 1436 Julie Ette

Lode Etal 22-005-02

LAC Minerals

(USA) LLC

Annual Lawrence Co.

property tax

$75.72   HMC 1 1

Subject to potential reversion of property

if not used for mining purposes

 
73 26620-01440-000-00

Patented Mineral

Properties

M.S. 1440 Vigor

Lode Etal 21-005-02

LAC Minerals

(USA) LLC

Annual Lawrence Co.

property tax

$137.16   HMC 1 1

Subject to potential reversion of property

if not used for mining purposes

 
74 26620-01468-000-00 Minerals Only

M.S. 1468 Loyd

Lode 33-005-02

Homestake Mining Company of

California

  HMC 1 Whitehouse 5 6 -Capped Royalty  
75 26620-01469-000-00

Patented Mineral Properties

 

M.S. 1469 Cashier & La Plata Lodes 15-

005-02

LAC Minerals (USA) LLC Annual Lawrence Co. property tax $17.00   HMC 1 1  
76 26620-01529-000-00

Patented Mineral

Properties

M.S. 1529 Badger

Lode Etal 15-005-02

LAC Minerals

(USA) LLC

Annual Lawrence Co.

property tax

$66.02   HMC 1 Fillmore 5 6

Subject to potential reversion of property

if not used for mining purposes

 

 

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28

 

 

 

Dakota Gold

Technical Report

 

Map

ID

County Parcel ID Number Mineral Property Type Legal Description Property Owner Annual Property Maintenance 2024 Taxes Paid Other Cost First Royalty Owner

Royalty

%

Second Royalty Owner

Royalty

%

Third Royalty Owner

Royalty

%

Royalty % Total Comments
77 26680-01569-000-00

Patented Mineral

Properties

M.S. 1569 Lola

Lode 15-005-02

LAC Minerals

(USA) LLC

Annual Lawrence Co.

property tax

$24.78   HMC 1 Fillmore 5 6

Subject to potential reversion of property

if not used for mining purposes

 
78 26680-01616-000-60 Minerals Only

M.S. 1616

Grenada,

Genesee & Peerless Lodes 03-004-02

Homestake Mining Company of

California

  HMC 1 Whitehouse 5 6 Capped Royalty  
79 26680-01616-000-70 Minerals Only

M.S. 1616

Phonolite & Trenton Lodes 03-004-02

Homestake Mining Company of

California

  HMC 1 Whitehouse 5 6 Capped Royalty; Excludes Phonolite lode in this parcel #.  
80 26680-01617-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties

M.S. 1617 Los

Angeles #1, #2 & #3

Lodes 23-005-02

Homestake Mining

Company of California

Annual Lawrence Co. property tax $62.86   HMC 1 Aye/Gali 5 6 Capped Royalty  
81 26680-01643-000-00 Minerals Only M.S. 1543 Snorter & Snorter Frc Lodes 33-005-02

Homestake Mining Company of

California

  HMC 1 Whitehouse 5 6 Capped Royalty  
82 26680-01655-000-10

Patented Mineral

Properties

M.S. 1655 Victor #3

Lode Etal 15-005-02

LAC Minerals

(USA) LLC

Annual Lawrence Co.

property tax

$166.42   HMC 1 Fillmore 5 6

Subject to potential reversion of property

if not used for mining purposes

 
83 26680-01655-000-20 Patented Mineral Properties

M.S. 1655 pt St.

Cloud #5 Lode 22-

005-02

LAC Minerals (USA) LLC Annual Lawrence Co. property tax $17.04   HMC 1 Fillmore 5 6 Subject to potential reversion of property if not used for mining purposes  
84 26680-01659-000-20 Minerals Only M.S. 1659 Telegram, Maid of Erin, Gannon etc

Homestake Mining Company of

California

  HMC 1 Whitehouse 5   6 Capped Royalty
85 26680-01673-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties M.S. 1673 Blue Hill Frac, Belligerent, etc.

Homestake Mining Company of

California

Annual Lawrence Co. property tax $54.80   HMC 1 Whitehouse 5   6 Capped Royalty
86 26760-01769-000-00

Patented Mineral

Properties

 

M.S. 1769 Edmonia

Lode 14-005-02

LAC Minerals

(USA) LLC

Annual Lawrence Co.

property tax

$21.24   HMC 1   1
87 26760-01792-000-00 Minerals Only

M.S. 1792 Marconi

#2 Lode 31-005-03

Homestake Mining Company of

California

  HMC 1   1
88 26760-01822-000-00 Minerals Only

M.S. 1822 Hattie

Lode Etal 14-005-02

Homestake Mining Company of

California

  HMC 1 Aye/Gali 5 OMF Fund 1 7 Capped Royalty
89 26760-01829-000-10 Patented Mineral Properties

M.S. 1829 Tract 1

27-005-02 Plat 2014-

01022

Homestake Mining

Company of California

Annual Lawrence Co. property tax $47.16   HMC 1 Bohlen/ Hoffman 4   5
90 26760-01851-000-00

Patented Mineral

Properties

M.S. 1851 Mars #1

Lode 15-005-02

LAC Minerals

(USA) LLC

Annual Lawrence Co.

property tax

$14.44   HMC 1   1

Subject to potential reversion of property

if not used for mining purposes

 

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Map

ID

County Parcel ID Number Mineral Property Type Legal Description Property Owner Annual Property Maintenance 2024 Taxes Paid Other Cost First Royalty Owner

Royalty

%

Second Royalty Owner

Royalty

%

Third Royalty Owner

Royalty

%

Royalty % Total Comments
91 26760-01862-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties

M.S. 1862 Stella

#3 & #5 & Margarite

#6 & #7 Lodes 26-

-005-02

Homestake Mining Company of

California

Annual Lawrence Co. property tax $72.32   HMC 1    
92 26760-01872-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties

M.S. 1872 Cotton Tail Fraction Lode

Etal 22-05-02

LAC Minerals (USA) LLC Annual Lawrence Co. property tax $53.06   HMC 1   1 Subject to potential reversion of property if not used for mining purposes
93 26800-01910-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties

M.S. 1910 Dante,

Creston, Morning Glory & Vindicator Lodes 23-005-02

LAC Minerals (USA) LLC Annual Lawrence Co. property tax $56.18   HMC 1   1 Subject to potential reversion of property if not used for mining purposes
94 26880-02033-000-00 Patented Mineral Properties

M.S. 2033 Bison & Trent Lodes 10-005-

02

LAC Minerals (USA) LLC Annual Lawrence Co. property tax $35.96   HMC 1   1 Subject to potential reversion of property if not used for mining purposes
95 N/A

Unpatented Mining Lodes

 

L&O No. 1 – BLM

-SN MMC74914 sec. 15

St. Joe Minerals

Annual

BLM maintenance fee

$200.00 HMC 1   1
96 N/A

Unpatented Mining Lodes

 

NJB 7 – BLM SN MMC165019 sec 15 Bond Gold Richmond

Annual

BLM maintenance fee

$200.00 HMC 1   1
97 26680-01709-00-20 Patented Mineral Properties M.S. 1401 Mammouth Lode 22-005-02 Dakota Gold Corp. (DTRC LLC) Annual Lawrence Co. property tax $224.24        
98 26680-01709-000-20 Patented Mineral Properties M.S. 1709 Dague #1 & Dague #2 Lodes 22-005-02 Dakota Gold Corp (DTRC LLC) Annual Lawrence Co. property tax $305.12        
99 26760-01862-000-10 Patented Mineral Properties M.S. 1862 Stella, Stella #1, #2, #4, #6, & #7, Margarite, Margarite #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, & #8 Lodes 26-005-02 Dakota Gold Corp (DTRC LLC) Annual Lawrence Co. property tax $237.22   HMC 2   2

 

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Figure 3-2: Richmond Hill Project Royalties

 

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3.8Permitting

 

3.8.1Existing Permitting

 

Table 3-3 includes all currently active permits required by SDDANR for conducting current exploration activities being conducted at the Richmond Hill site under current approved Exploration Notice(s) of Intent(s) (EXNI) permits.

 

Table 3-3: Current Environmental Permits

 

Permit Authority Program
EXNI-440 SDDANR Minerals and Mining Program
EXNI-444 SDDANR Minerals and Mining Program
EXNI-446 SDDANR Minerals and Mining Program
EXNI-456 SDDANR Minerals and Mining Program
EXNI-457 SD DANR Minerals and Mining Program
EXNI-460 SD DANR Minerals and Mining Program

 

Dakota Gold’s current requirements and obligations as set out by SDDANR:

 

·Exploration shall be conducted and reclaimed in such a manner as to prevent any violation of the beneficial uses of specified water quality criteria of any water resources in the area.

 

·Any potential discharge from the site shall be directed to a settling pond or flat vegetated area to allow suspended solids to settle out.

 

·All affected lands shall have adequate sedimentation and erosion control measures applied pursuant to SDCL 45-6C-32 and according to Best Mineral Management Practices.

 

·Dakota Gold must construct stream crossings to protect creeks from erosion, sedimentation and other potential damage that may cause damage because of access to exploration activities.

 

·All topsoil shall be salvaged and stockpiled whenever possible for use in reclamation.

 

·When drilling fluids are used, and groundwater is encountered during drilling, the drilling fluids shall be sufficiently contained to prevent overland flow or discharge to any state waters.

 

·When mud pits are being used to drill a hole, where possible, these pits shall be constructed on the uphill side of the drill pad.

 

·Dakota Gold shall spray weeds up to 50 ft. from all disturbed and surrounding areas, including along access roads within the exploration permit boundary.

 

·Dakota Gold shall email a weekly schedule outlining when and where holes will be drilled so the SDDANR can plan inspections and witness plugging activities.

 

·Dakota Gold shall perform paste Ph analyses on mud pits and report the findings to SDDANR prior to reclamation. Dakota Gold shall amend the pit with lime or other buffer material if deemed necessary.

 

·All test holes shall be capped, sealed, and plugged according to the Administrative Rules of South Dakota ARSD 74:11:08 (Plugging Standards) immediately following drilling and probing.

 

·No drilling shall impact any historical Richmond Hill gold mine facilities designed to control, maintain, or prevent acid generation, such as the capped pit impoundment and leach pads.

 

·If surface casing is used in exploration holes, the following requirements shall be met:

 

oPrior to removal of surface casing, the hole shall be plugged in accordance with ARSD 74:11:08 to a level just below the bottom of the surface casing.

 

oThe surface casing will be removed (when possible) or cut off at least one foot below the ground surface.

 

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oThe remainder of the hole will be plugged in accordance with ARSD 74:11:08.

 

·Dakota Gold shall notify the department in writing when exploration drilling penetrates an aquifer.

 

·Where affected roads and drill pad areas are no longer necessary for further exploration purposes, reclamation must be completed on these disturbed areas within 12 months. If Dakota Gold plans to continue exploration in disturbed areas but must temporarily cease exploration activities, reclamation must be completed within 24 months. Dakota Gold may submit a request to extend these deadlines as necessary.

 

·Reclamation must be completed on all affected acreages within 12 months following completion of all exploration activities allowed under each EXNI.

 

·All tree clearing must be conducted outside of the migratory bird nesting season to avoid and minimize impacts on migratory bird nesting.

 

·Dakota Gold must use approved reclamation seed mixtures under each EXNI.

 

·Dakota Gold shall avoid bones, artifacts, foundation remains, or other evidence of previously unrecorded past human use.

 

·If any artifacts or other archaeological or cultural resources are discovered during exploration activities, the activities shall be halted, and the State Archaeologist must be notified.

 

3.8.2Future Permitting

 

In general, permitting a potential gold deposit at the Richmond Hill site may require the permits listed in Table 3-4. The final Project’s features, design, and location for construction may necessitate additional permitting considerations to those listed in this table.

 

Table 3-4: Potential Environmental Permits

 

Permit Authority Program
Conditional Use Permit(s) (CUP) Lawrence County P&Z Land Use
Air Quality Permit(s)  SDDANR Air Quality
Ground Water Discharge Permit(s) SDDANR Ground Water Quality
Mining Permit(s) SDDANR Minerals and Mining
NPDES/Surface water Discharge Permit(s) SDDANR Surface Water Quality
Storm Water Discharge Permit(s) SDDANR Surface Water Quality
Solid Waste Permit(s) SDDANR Waste Management
Hazardous Waste Permit(s) SDDANR Waste Management
Water Right Permit(s) SDDANR Water Rights

 

Note: SDDANR = South Dakota Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources.

 

3.8.2.1Addressing Potential Obstacles during Permitting Process

 

Conditional use permits through the Lawrence County Office of Planning and Zoning go through a formal review and approval process that provides public comment on the final permits during the Planning and Zoning and County Commissioner Board Hearings on the specific Lawrence County permit.

 

Large scale mine permits though SDDANR go through a formal review and approval process that provides for public comment to the final permits during the Board Hearings on the specific permit in South Dakota.

 

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3.8.2.2Pre-Mining Land Use

 

The pre-mining land use in the area of the Richmond Hill site includes logging, wildlife habitat, and recreation.

 

3.8.2.3Baseline Study Requirements

 

Conditional Use Permit Baseline Requirements can include:

 

·Proposed land uses
·Setbacks
·Existing and proposed structures, design specifications, and location of all facilities
·Existing and proposed grading, drainage patterns, and landscaping
·Existing and proposed improvements, including sewer and water facilities, parking, and roads
·Existing and proposed signs with locations
·Proposed timeline for completion of plans
·Proposed parking and loading plans
·Adjacent land use
·Relationship of the proposed development to the surrounding area
·Property lines and lot dimensions
·Existing and proposed wells
·Existing and proposed septic systems and drain fields.

 

Additional information that the Planning and Zoning Administrator may request could include:

 

·A description of the activity or operation being proposed
·Hours of operation, number of employees, number of employees reporting to site
·Traffic in and out of business
·Number of vehicles on site
·Number of parking places, including handicap accessible
·Use of existing and proposed structures
·Outdoor storage needs
·Water, sewage disposal, and waste management service
·Proposed signage including size, type, and location.

 

State of South Dakota Large Scale Mine Permit Baseline Requirements will require, at a minimum, the following:

 

·Hydrology Evaluation/Report
·Meteorology Evaluation/Report
·Air Quality Evaluation/Report
·General Geology Evaluation/Report
·Slope Stability and Geotechnical Evaluation/Report
·Soils Evaluation/Report
·Vegetation Evaluation/Report
·Wildlife Evaluation/Report
·Aquatic Resources Evaluation/Report
·Cultural Resources Evaluation/Report
·Sound Evaluation/Report
·Socioeconomic Evaluation/Report

 

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·Visual Evaluation/Report
·Ground Water-Evaluation/Report
·Surface Water Evaluation/Report
·Critical Resources Evaluation/Report.

 

3.9Potential Significant Encumbrances

 

Three potentially significant encumbrances may affect the Project.

 

In 2017, Homestake sold several claims in M.S. 1862 (Stella, Stella No.1, Stella No.2, Stella No.4, Stella No 6, Stella No. 7, Margarite, Margarite, Margarite Nos. 1 through 5, Margarite No. 8) to Terrence T. Tyler (the Tyler Property) subject to an Area of Interest (AOI) buyback right reserved by Homestake. Under this AOI, Homestake had a right to buy back 51% of the property subject to the AOI if a resource of no less than 1 Moz Au is declared with the AOI. In May 2021, Dakota Gold purchased the Tyler Property. The AOI overlaps with the southeastern portion of the Richmond Hill Option Area, which is also owned by Homestake. This buyback right runs for a period of nine months from the declaration of a 1M+ oz resource within the AOI.

 

The Lakota Sioux assert ownership of the Black Hills of South Dakota. In United States v. Sioux Nation of Indians, 448 U.S. 371 (1980), the United States Supreme Court held that the United States government had “effected a taking of tribal property, property which had been set aside for the exclusive occupation of the Sioux by the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868.” Although compensation was awarded for this unconstitutional taking, the Lakota have not accepted the award (reportedly in excess of $2 billion) and continue to claim rights to the Black Hills.

 

Dakota Gold has indicated that they do not believe that the former Richmond Hill Mine either helps or hinders continued exploration in any significant manner. Once the Option is exercised and the Property is purchased from Barrick, all Richmond Hill mine site water-management obligations, along with other post-closure operations, would become Dakota Gold’s responsibility.

 

3.10Violation and Fines

 

Currently, there are no violations or fines.

 

3.11Significant Factors and Risks That May Affect Access, Title or Work Programs

 

To the extent known to the QP, no other known significant factors and risks may affect access, title, or the right or ability to perform work on the properties that comprise the Richmond Hill Project discussed in this Report.

 

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4Accesibility, Climate, Local Resources, Infrastructure and Physiography

 

4.1Topography, Elevation, and Vegetation

 

The Black Hills of southwestern South Dakota is an isolated mountain range rising from the Great Plains of North America and extending north northwest into Wyoming (Figure 4-1). The hills are so-called because of their dark appearance from a distance, as they are covered in a pine–spruce coniferous forest. Black Elk Peak (formerly Harney Peak) rises to 7,244 feet (2,208 meters) and is the range’s highest summit and the highest mountain in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains. The Black Hills have been described as an island in the plains, since they rise 3,000 to 4,000 feet above its surroundings—the Thunder Basin National Grassland of Wyoming lies to the west and the Buffalo Gap National Grassland to the east.

 

Several small rivers cut through the range, describing a roughly radial pattern, though most drainage is to the east—most notably Spearfish Creek in the north, Rapid Creek in the central region, and the Fall River in the south. Regardless of the original drainage direction, all rivers flow into either the Belle Fourche River, which wraps around the Hills to the north, or the Cheyenne River, wrapping around to the south. The Belle Fourche connects to the Cheyenne River east of the Black Hills; the Cheyenne in turn joins the southeast-flowing Upper Missouri River in central South Dakota.

 

 

 

Source: Dakota Gold (2024).

 

Figure 4-1: Richmond Hill Gold Property Location

 

The Black Hills is home to varied landscapes, such as prairie grasslands; rolling hills; badlands; karst features such as caves and sinkholes; craggy peaks; and granite spires. The hills are also noted for several unique topographic features, including the Badlands, Devils Tower, Missouri Buttes, Bear Butte, Cathedral Spires, and Mount Rushmore.

 

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An ecological crossroad, the Black Hills contains wildlife and plant species typical of habitats of the Rocky Mountains, Great Plains, northern boreal forests, and eastern deciduous forests. The local forest is dominated by ponderosa pine, but also includes dense spruce stands and areas of aspen, birch, and oak (United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service 2023). White-tailed deer and mule deer are common, and elk are encountered less often. Mountain lion sightings are rare, but coyotes are relatively common. Goshawk and osprey nest in the forest, and bald eagles may visit in the winter. Many songbird species are present, including brilliantly colored mountain bluebirds and western tanagers.

 

The Richmond Hill gold mine sits at an altitude of 6,000 feet, and the historical leach pad area is 5,600 feet, about one mile north of the pit area.

 

4.2Property Access

 

Access to the Property is gained by traveling 1 mile southwest of Lead, South Dakota, on Highway 85/14A, to State Highway 473, then west approximately 3.2 miles to the Wharf Mine Road, continuing west approximately 1.2 miles before turning and traveling 1 mile north on the Richmond Hill Road (Figure 4-2).

 

4.3Climate

 

The Black Hills climate is one of cool-to-cold snowy winters, and warm-to-hot dry summers, with four full seasons.

 

Precipitation amounts vary due to mountain influence, and Richmond Hill is rated as subhumid, with approximately 30 inches of rain annually. Average monthly snowfall ranges from 5 inches in Rapid City to 15 inches in the Black Hills. The snow on the plains usually melts within a few days, with deeper snow in the Black Hills lasting much longer.

 

Any future mining operations are expected to be year-round. During January and February, daytime temperatures average in the 30s Fahrenheit, but Chinook winds can warm temperatures into the 50s and 60s. Occasional intrusions of Arctic air are short-lived, and temperature inversions sometimes produce warmer conditions in the Black Hills.

 

July and August are the warmest months of the year, when daytime temperatures climb into the 70s and 80s Fahrenheit—and sometimes the 90s. Breezy winds and low humidity help make the hot days comfortable.

 

4.4Local Resources and Infrastructure

 

The Project is within 5 miles of the twin towns of Lead and Deadwood. Dakota Gold has its base of operations in Lead, with separate facilities for office and core processing. Historical Richmond Hill Project documents are housed in secured storage at the Armories in Lead. Two other towns, Central City and Sturgis, are within 20 miles of the Project. The larger cities of Spearfish and Rapid City are within 40 miles of the Project, and most supplies can be obtained from one of these two centers. Personnel for exploration or development programs may be sourced from or housed in the four nearby communities.

 

Major transportation systems, including road, rail, and air, exist proximally to the northern Black Hills. Rapid City has a major rail freight station and regional airport, while an Interstate highway passes through the city and wraps around the northern end of the Black Hills.

 

Multiple facilities related to the historical Richmond Hill Mine still exist on the Property, including a water treatment plant and maintenance and storage buildings. Containment ponds are still operational, although an impermeable clay membrane has capped the open pit and leach pads.

 

Water for exploration drilling programs has been sourced locally and either pumped or trucked to the drills. One of three wells that supplied water to the Richmond Hill mine is still active.

 

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A 69 Kv transmission line supplies power to communities, and internal power is supplied by a 12.47 Kv line to the Project site.

 

 

 

Source: Dakota Gold (2023).

 

Figure 4-2: Richmond Hill Gold Project Access

 

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5History

 

Gold was first recorded in the Black Hills in 1874, although prior rumors existed of prospectors discovering placer gold. The ensuing 1875 gold rush produced limited success, except in the Whitewood and Deadwood Creeks area. Other prospectors sought the hard-rock source of the placer gold upstream of the placer workings, and in 1876, the Homestake lode was discovered. It was mined almost continuously until 2002. Numerous gold deposits were subsequently discovered in the Black Hills in different geologic environments, with several turning into significant mining camps.

 

5.1Explorations

 

The Richmond Hill mine is in the historical Carbonate Mining District approximately five miles northwest of Lead, South Dakota, in the northern Black Hills. Mining in the area started in the 1870s, during the gold-rush era. The only known production from the Property was from the Carbonate camp, which was primarily mined for lead and silver. The bulk of this production was from the Iron Hill mine. The mining was such that it supported a nearby town and smelter. Mining continued in this area until the silver price collapsed in the 1880s. About 2,500 ounces of gold were produced from the Spanish R mine on the western side of the camp in the late 1800s.

 

Prior to 1981, Viable Resources Inc. (Viable) assembled a land package that included most of the Carbonate camp. The bulk of the Richmond Hill deposit lies on Mineral Survey 977, obtained by a lease from Richard McQuire that included a 2.6% NSR royalty. LAC subsequently bought out this royalty in the early 1990s. In 1981, Freeport Exploration Company (Freeport) leased several claims from various individuals within the area now known as the Property. Also in 1981, Freeport formed both a lease agreement and joint venture (JV) agreement with Viable and drilled 52 rotary and core holes near the Richmond Hill topographical high and near the Carbonate camp several thousand feet to the north. The drilling project did not return the results Freeport needed to continue exploration, and the JV was terminated in 1983. Freeport subsequentially allowed their leases to lapse.

 

St. Joe American, owned by the Fluor Corporation, first started reviewing the Black Hills for its mineral potential in 1982 (St. Joe 1986). They noted that total gold production in the area was over 39 Moz, with the Homestake mine accounting for 36 Moz. St. Joe determined that historical gold production came from five different geological ages and mineralizing processes. From oldest to youngest stratigraphically (mine or prospect examples) they are Precambrian (Homestake, Keystone, Bullion, Holy Terror, and Clover Leaf); Cambro-Ordovician Deadwood Formation (Cod) (Golden Reward, Bald Mountain, Maitland, and Wasp); Mississippian Pahasapa Formation (Spearfish Gold, Ragged Top, and Deadwood Standard); Tertiary porphyry related (Guilt Edge and Hoodoo-Union Hill); and Placer Deposits (Deadwood and Rockerville) (St. Joe 1986).

 

Many of these mineralizing systems seemed to be present on the ground controlled by Viable, so in January 1984, St. Joe American entered into a JV with Viable to explore land around the Richmond Hill topographical high. They determined that this area held the greatest promise to host a minable gold deposit, and that year, they started drilling a breccia body 1,500 ft. south of the hilltop; that breccia body contained the Richmond Hill gold deposit (St. Joe 1987). The Richmond Hill mine history is summarized in Section 5.2.

 

An active exploration program continued elsewhere on the claims through the life of the Richmond Hill mine, primarily looking for gold-rich oxide rock that could supplement the feed to the Richmond Hill heap leach processing facility. In July 1987, Bond International Gold (Bond Gold) acquired St. Joe American. In 1990, Bond Gold explored thirteen prospective areas on the Property; only MW-3, Richmond Hill North, and Cole Creek returned positive results. The MW-3 Main deposit was discovered in the third hole drilled, 6,000 ft. northeast of Richmond Hill, and later that year the MW3 East deposit was discovered 800 ft. east-northeast of MW-3 Main, which contains higher grades. Due to the gold commodity price, at the end of 1990 several prospective areas were dropped from further exploration. These included the Earle, West Thumb, Twin Tunnels (TT), and Cleveland (CV) prospective areas. In 1991, seven additional prospective areas were explored, including Richmond Hill North (RHN), Cole Creek (CC), Eagle Bird, Helena, Huskie West, Perkins–Goodell, and Cleopatra Creek. Despite somewhat encouraging results, LAC did not develop any of these prospective areas due to low gold prices and environmental concerns. The MW-3 deposits were also excluded from further exploration due to being closed off in all directions, except those portions that trend off claims into ground held by others.

 

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In November 1989, LAC Minerals Ltd. Acquired Bond Gold. After the merger, the Project was held by the LAC subsidiary Richmond Hill Inc. In 1993, Richmond Hill Inc merged into LAC Minerals (USA) Inc. LAC Minerals (USA) Inc. converted to LAC Minerals (USA) LLC in 1999. Barrick Gold Corporation (Barrick) acquired LAC Minerals Ltd., the parent of LAC Minerals (USA) LLC in November 1994.

 

The Homestake Mining Company was acquired by Barrick in 2001. LAC Minerals (USA) LLC (hereafter “LAC”) and Homestake Mining Company of California (hereafter “Homestake”), a subsidiary of Homestake Mining Company merged in October 2023, with Homestake as the surviving entity. Homestake is the current owner of the properties formerly held separately by LAC and Homestake.

 

Dakota Territory Resources Company, now a subsidiary of Dakota Gold, entered into a three-year option agreement (the Option) with Barrick in 2021 to acquire the Homestake/LAC interests in the Richmond Hill Project area, with the mineral tenure primarily held in the names of LAC and Homestake (see discussion in 3.3 and 3.4). In 2022, the Option was amended to extend the Option period until March 7, 2026. In February 2025, the Option was further extended until December 31, 2028.

 

Table 5-1 provides a summary of Richmond Hill’s recent history.

 

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Table 5-1: Summary of Richmond Hill’s Recent History

 

Company Year Comment
Viable Pre 1981 Assembled land package.
Freeport Exploration Company 1981 Leased several claims in Richmond Hill area.
Joint venture (JV) and lease agreement with Viable. Conducted drilling on several prospects.
1983 JV with Viable terminated and leases allowed to lapse.
St. Joe 1984 JV with Viable.
Started drilling on Richmond Hill deposit breccia body.
1985-1986 Continued drilling Richmond Hill deposit. Began property-wide drilling program. Added additional claims to the property position.
1986 Richmond Hill positive feasibility study. Continued property-wide exploration program. Identified significant gold mineralization in the Cole Creek, Twin Tunnels, and Turnaround prospective areas.
1987-1988 Richmond Hill deposit permitted for mining. Added the Turnaround deposit to the Mine Permit Application.
Bond Gold 1987 Acquired St. Joe gold division.
Developed Richmond Hill as an open-cut heap leach operation. Exploration continued with discovery of Cleveland prospective area.
1988 First gold and silver doré poured.
LAC Minerals 1989 Acquired Bond Gold.
1990–1991 Multiple prospective areas explored with some positive results, including MW-3 prospective area; but all rejected as possible feed sources for Richmond Hill.
1992 Acid mine-drainage detected; studies began for determining reclamation plan for acid-rock drainage (ARD).
1993 Final mineralized material hauled from Richmond Hill mine pit and efforts shifted to reclamation activities. Final exploration activities by LAC Minerals at the site. Final report on prospective areas completed.
1994 Permit Amendment approved and reclamation work commenced.
LAC Minerals (USA/Barrick Gold) 1994 Barrick Acquired LAC Minerals.
1995 Reclamation of pit backfill and waste-rock dump completed. Last gold poured in June.
1996 Leach pad closure plan submitted and approved.
1997 Leach Pad closure completed, and water-treatment plant construction and operation start-up. Water treatment and monitoring are primary on-site activities.
2008 Biological selenium-treating water-treatment plant added to system.
2019 Wharf Resources options property and begins exploration program.
2021

Wharf Resources drops Option with Barrick.

 

Richmond Hill Gold Project optioned by Dakota Territory Resource Corp from Barrick including adjacent lands owned by Homestake which is also owned by Barrick.

2022 Dakota Gold formed as a merger of Dakota Territory Resource Corp and JR Resources.
Homestake 2023 LAC and Homestake merged into single company to become Homestake Mining Company of California.

 

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Limited formal reporting of exploration activities on the Richmond Hill property was completed as needed for corporate reporting, so the history presented herein has been gleaned from a limited number of letter reports and memos that were written by employees of the day and saved from destruction after flooding destroyed nearly all historical documents (Dakota Gold Corporation, pers. Comm.). Much of the exploration status presented in this Report is from project summary reports that the exploration staff compiled in 1993 as exploration wound down. Due to that flooding, most records of ground exploration other than drilling were destroyed.

 

Exploration activities included geologic mapping, soil sampling, rock-chip sampling, airborne and ground geophysical surveys, and drilling. Drilling was mainly by reverse-circulation (RC) methods; however, a few percussion holes were completed in the early 1980s, and core holes were drilled in the more intensively mineralized areas.

 

5.2Mining

 

The Richmond Hill deposit was discovered in 1984; and St. Joe Gold Corporation filed an application to mine in 1987, following receipt in 1986 of a positive St. Joe feasibility report (St. Joe 1987). In March 1988 a mining permit was granted. In late 1988, mining started as an open-pit heap leach operation (Duex and Anderson 1994).

 

Richmond Hill mine facilities construction began in April 1988 under the ownership of Bond Gold. In fall 1988, production began from the Richmond Hill pit, with the first bar of gold and silver doré poured in December 1988. In November 1989, LAC acquired Bond Gold Corporation.

 

Mine production was from a single open pit with a valley-fill waste dump and three heap leach pads. Zones of mined sulfide-bearing mineralized rock placed on the waste-rock pile caused acid mine-drainage by June 1992. Thus, in July 1992, LAC was issued a Notice of Violation and Cease and Desist Order from the Department and was required to submit an application to amend its mine permit to the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources (SDDENR) and the South Dakota Board of Minerals and Environment (SDBME), outlining a new reclamation plan as the result of ARD detected at the toe of the waste-rock dump. The permit amendment was approved in February 1994, and reclamation work commenced in April 1994. The approved plan consisted of constructing a retention pond, treating the waste-dump discharge, and hauling all potentially ARD waste rock back to the pit and placing it under a multilayer capping system.

 

Mining continued intermittently until late 1993, and processing of heap leach pads continued until June 1995. Total production for the life of the mine was 5.24 Mton, with non-mineralized-rock production of 3.75 Mton. The final ore was hauled from the Richmond Hill pit in October 1993. In all, 172,294 ounces of gold were produced from the mine, along with 212,610 ounces of silver (Dakota Gold, pers. Comm.).

 

Barrick acquired LAC in November 1994. Reclamation of the engineered pit backfill facility and former waste-rock dump was completed in September 1995.

 

In conjunction with the permit amendment, a leach pad closure plan was submitted and approved in June 1996. Closure of the leach pads consisted of amending Leach Pad 3 with limestone to mitigate ARD and recontouring the pads and constructing a multilayer capping system similar to the capping system at the pit impoundment. Leach pad closure was completed in July 1997. The capping system was successful in significantly reducing ARD generation and water infiltration and, accordingly, the amount of leach pad effluent requiring treatment.

 

Since the leach pad effluent and the water stored in the process ponds did not meet discharge standards, primarily due to elevated levels of selenium, construction of a water-treatment plant began in 1995. The primary system consisted of a 200 gal/min selenium removal system. Due to issues with scale-up, a 200 gal/min reverse-osmosis (RO) unit operating at 50% recovery was installed at the site in 1997. The original selenium treatment circuit was used to treat the brine from the RO unit, which allowed a portion of the concentrate to be blended with the RO permeate and discharged to the environment. The water-treatment plant began operation in July 1997 and ran full-time year-round until December 1999 (Dakota Gold, pers. Comm.).

 

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The original water-treatment plant then ran seasonally from 2002 until 2008 when a biological selenium-treating water-treatment plant was constructed to treat the concentrate stream. This biological water-treatment operates in conjunction with the reverse-osmosis unit to treat and discharge the effluent collected from the leach pads. Water treatment, environmental monitoring, and continued reclamation activities are ongoing at the site.

 

5.3Dakota Gold Corp

 

On September 7, 2021, Dakota Territory Resource Corp (DTRC) signed the Option agreement with Barrick for the Property. In addition to the Richmond Hill land package, the Option includes lands adjacent to the Richmond Hill Property and owned by Homestake (also owned by Barrick). On March 30, 2022, DTRC (49%) completed a merger with JR Resources Corp (51%) and became Dakota Gold Corp. Dakota Gold’s exploration in and around the Richmond Hill historical pit has continued to the present, primarily focusing on material amendable to conventional heap leach.

 

On February 3, 2025, the term of the Option was extended by agreement with Barrick until December 31, 2028.

 

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6Geological Setting, Mineralization and Deposit

 

6.1Local Geology

 

The Property is on the northwestern portion of the Lead dome, a subsidiary dome north of the main Black Hills uplift. The Lead dome developed in response to a major Tertiary intrusive event that also led to development of the Tertiary-aged gold deposits. These Tertiary intrusive rocks have a wide range of compositions and occur as stocks, sills, dikes, laccoliths, and breccia pipes. The Property’s patented and unpatented claims form a roughly circular area about 2 miles in diameter (Figure 6-1).

 

Two major terranes underlie the claims. Precambrian metamorphic rocks outcrop on the southern portions of the Property and consist of metamorphosed volcanic and sedimentary rocks. The western portion of this terrane contains primarily extrusive metavolcanic rocks that appear to be mostly mafic in composition. The metasedimentary rocks on the eastern side consist of phyllite, iron formations, and quartzites. Overlying the Precambrian rock on the north end of the Property is a nearly complete Paleozoic section, which includes the Cambro-Ordovician Deadwood Formation; Ordovician to Mississippian Englewood and the Whitewood and Winnipeg Formations; Mississippian Pahasapa Formation; and the Pennsylvanian Minnelusa Formation. Tertiary igneous rocks of varying composition have intruded extensively into both terranes. Property geology is depicted in Figure 6-2.

 

Several gold–silver deposits and prospective areas exist on the Property. Descriptions of these have been grouped relative to their host geologic environment and style of mineralization.

 

Within the Precambrian terrane, Tertiary mineralization occurs within breccia pipes and altered Precambrian rocks, with minor mineralization in Tertiary intrusive rocks. Examples include the Richmond Hill deposit, Twin Tunnels, Turnaround, Richmond Hill North, West Thumb, Huskie West, Cleveland, Calvin P, Cole Creek Heights, and Earle prospective areas.

 

Within the Paleozoic terrane, mineralization occurs in the Cambro-Ordovician Deadwood Formation along two primary horizons containing the most consistent mineralization. Examples within the Deadwood Formation are Cole Creek in the upper portion and MW-3 Main, MW-3 East, and Chism Gulch in the lower portion. Localized gold mineralization also occurs in the Pahasapa Formation but is limited to narrow veins and structures in the old Carbonate Camp area.

 

Carbonate Camp is several thousand feet north of the Richmond Hill Gold deposit, comprising two east–west fractures separated by 1,100 feet, with numerous showings and workings (LAC 1993). Mainly known for its silver, lead, and gold mineralization, mining occurred over several short periods between 1881 and 1940, with the Spanish R mine on the western side of the camp accounting for most of the gold production. Individual deposits along the main (southern) fracture include Segregated Iron Hill, Seabury Calkins, Iron Hill, Combination, Able Holmes, and Adelphia. The north fracture includes Darboy, Farwest, Rattler, Surprise, and Hartshorn deposits. Deposits off the main fractures are the Spanish R, Buntz, and Homerun.

 

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Figure 6-1: Exploration Zones

 

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Figure 6-2: Geology of Richmond Hill

 

Other zones within the Property include Chism Gulch, Rocky Point, Iron Hill, and Cleopatra Creek. Each of these areas contains gold and silver mineralization and has exploration potential. Targets included in the mineral resource estimate and zones for which historical write-ups exist are described in more detail below.

 

Several gold deposits and zones exist in the Project area. Figure 6-3 is a 0.01 oz/ton grade shell showing the distribution of zones within the global resource estimate calculated for this Report. The grade shell measures approximately 13,000 ft. north-south by 10,000 ft. east-west and 3,000 ft. vertically and is close to gold mineralization’s known limits. The type and character of these zones are discussed individually below.

 

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Figure 6-3: Richmond Hill Gold Project Target Zones on 0.01 oz/ton Grade Shell Plot

 

The Richmond Hill Gold mine is centered on an elongate Tertiary breccia pipe intruded into Precambrian phyllite and amphibolite, with stockwork zones fracturing and mineralization surrounding the pipe. The mine is the only site within the Project that has had recent mining. Mining activities were limited primarily to the oxidized cap, although some sulfide-bearing material was also mined. The geology of the Richmond Hill gold mine is as follows:

 

The (Richmond Hill) breccia pipe contains angular clasts of Tertiary intrusive rock and Precambrian metavolcanic rocks in a matrix of rock flour, iron oxides, barite, and adularia. Accessory minerals in the breccia include quartz, alunite, jarosite, kaolinite, fluorite, and rutile. The breccia is argillically altered and weakly silicified. Pyrite and marcasite occur in unoxidized rock. The deposit (that was mined) was primarily in the oxidized zone which extended to a depth of 250 ft. Gold grain sizes were determined by scanning electron microscope studies to be less than 2 microns (µm) occurring in quartz, feldspar, kaolinite, and iron oxides. (Paterson et al. 1988)

 

The breccia pipe and enclosing rocks are oxidized up to 250 ft. deep, resulting in a hematitic–jarositic cap. The hydrothermal breccia pipe hosts gold, two zones of altered and stockwork-fractured Precambrian schist lying on the eastern and northwestern edges of the pipe, and one zone of stockwork-fractured trachyte porphyry intrusion southwest of the pipe. Gold is widespread, occurring as small native particles near oxidized-pyrite sites. Alteration is mainly argillic with local silicification, and numerous quartz–barite–adularia veins cut the deposit. The Precambrian amphibolite schist east and northwest of the breccia pipe has undergone intense argillic alteration and contains fine-grained gold in oxidized pyrite sites. In unoxidized material, pyrite and arsenical marcasite appear to be associated with gold (Paterson 1988). The oxidized breccia pipe has historically been the most attractive gold host within the mine. Sulfide mineralization lying beneath the oxidized cap also carries gold, but in 1986 was not deemed suitable to mine using heap leach recovery processes; therefore, the relatively flat-lying oxide–sulfide contact was used as the floor to the deposit for mining.

 

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The sulfide resource underlying the Richmond Hill deposit’s westernmost zone of oxidized and fractured Precambrian rocks is a zone of mineralized sulfide-bearing rock not suitable for heap leaching. The host rock contains pyrite and arsenical marcasite averaging 5% to 10%, locally reaching 25% (Duex’s 1988 edit of Paterson 1988). The best grades intercepted to 1986 were 0.22 oz/ton Au over 135 ft., which is approximately 150 ft. below the oxide–sulfide interface (St. Joe 1986).

 

The Richmond Hill North zone Is approximately 3,000 ft. north-east of the Richmond Hill gold mine. A 1990 radiometric airborne geophysical survey identified the Richmond Hill North zone as having the potential for Richmond Hill deposit-style mineralization. The area has three intrusive bodies and a large breccia pipe where early drilling returned mixed results. The geology comprises Proterozoic metavolcanic and sedimentary rocks overlain by the Cambro-Ordovician Deadwood Formation and intruded by Tertiary porphyritic intrusive rocks (LAC 1993). Proterozoic rocks are mapped as amphibolite and mica schist, which have been deformed by three stages of folding, and metamorphosed to greenschist facies. Rock units strike north–south and dip vertically.

 

The Deadwood Formation rocks comprise basal sandstone, conglomerate, and shale units dipping north-northwest at 10 to 15 degrees. Tertiary intrusive rocks are mineralized breccia bodies with fragments up to 30 ft. in diameter, comprising Paleozoic sediments and Tertiary porphyry fragments cemented by a finer matrix and rock flour. The Turnaround and Twin Tunnels prospects are within this area and are described in more detail below.

 

The Twin Tunnels zone is within the Richmond Hill North area and is described in more detail below. The Twin Tunnels zone is 2,900 ft. northeast of the Richmond Hill gold deposit at the headwaters of Cole Creek. It is named for a pair of adits driven on the breccia zone comprising the Southern Extension and Northern Extension zones. The Southern Extension is a mineralized Tertiary breccia and jasperoid, whereas the Northern Extension is a Tertiary intrusive complex (Watson 1990).

 

Gold mineralization at the Twin Tunnels Southern Extension is within silicified Precambrian rocks surrounding a jasperoidal core (St. Joe 1986). Gold grades in jasperoidal rocks range from 0.15 to 0.25 oz/ton Au. Only the southern portion of the breccia is mineralized, although the breccia continues to the north beyond drill-tested ground. In 1990, the mineralized material in the drilled portion of the Southern Extension was thought to be about 330,000 tons at 0.055 oz/ton Au (Watson 1990). Dakota Gold is not treating this amount of mineralized material as current and the author has not determined what work, if any, would be required to verify or upgrade or if such verification or upgrading would be possible. The amount of mineralized material thought present at Twin Tunnels has been included to give the reader a sense of what was found, which at the time was not thought to be of economic interest.

 

The Twin Tunnels Northern Extension Is a sericite- and argillic-altered complex that is mineralized with pyrite containing gold and silver. The rocks comprise a mineralized metavolcanic, a poorly mineralized coarse- and fine-grained amphibolite unit, and an unmineralized Tertiary porphyry intrusive. Altered metavolcanic rocks are oxidized, vuggy, kaolin-rich, with about 5% finely disseminated pyrite. The metavolcanic unit has a massive and glassy matrix, few vugs, and carries higher-grade gold mineralization up to 0.09 oz/ton. Data from 1990 show mineralization open to the north and south suggesting a low-grade sulfide deposit (0.03 to 0.035 oz/ton Au) of undetermined size. Later drilling showed that the extensions to the north and south were lower grade than first speculated (DGC, pers. Comm.).

 

The Turnaround prospect Is 1,000 ft. northeast of the Richmond Hill gold deposit and is a breccia pipe overlain by an unmineralized porphyry cap. Bedrock oxidation extends to over 400 ft. below the overburden–bedrock interface, and sulfide pods are found randomly throughout the host stratigraphy, suggesting that primary sulfide mineralization was oxidized during the late stages of hydrothermal alteration and more recent weathering (Paterson 1988). The pipe is weakly mineralized throughout, with a higher-grade section along the southeast margin. Alteration and clast compositions are different from the pipe at the Richmond Hill deposit, as there are abundant Cambro-Ordovician Deadwood Formation clasts that contain higher-grade mineralization. Drilling was conducted from 1985 to 1987, comprising 40 holes into the pipe and adjacent rocks. In September 1986 St. Joe used a polygonal model to estimate that the pipe contained as much as 8.5 Mton of oxide mineralized material at 0.021 oz/ton Au. St Joe noted that there was a smaller, higher-grade zone within the modeled pipe. Dakota Gold is not treating the 1985 polygonal oxide model as current and the author has not determined what work, if any, would be required to verify or upgrade or if such verification or upgrading would be possible. The 1980s exploration results have been included to give the reader a sense of what was found at the Turnaround prospect.

 

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The West Thumb area is immediately west of the Richmond Hill gold deposit and was drilled in 1990 to increase potential resources for the Richmond Hill mining operation. The drill program identified about 488,000 tons of oxide material grading about 0.043 oz/ton Au. Dakota Gold is not treating the historical West Thumb work as current and the author has not determined what work, if any, would be required to verify or upgrade or if such verification or upgrading would be possible. The results of the historical work have been included to give the reader the ultimate outcome of exploration of the West Thumb prospect in the early 1990s. Exploration was curtailed due to the expense of drilling on the very steep terrain.

 

The Huskie West area is 1,500 ft. southwest of the Richmond Hill gold deposit on the east side of Cleopatra Creek; it is a gold-in-soil anomaly trending 700 ft. north–south and 300 ft. east–west. It is underlain by altered meta-igneous rocks cut by numerous Tertiary dikes (St. Joe 1986). A total of 12 exploration holes drilled into the Deadwood and Flagrock Formations did not return encouraging results. Bond Gold revisited the area in 1991, and constructed drill trails along the steep terrain but did not find significant mineralization.

 

The Cleveland area is about 2,000 ft. northeast of the Richmond Hill gold deposit. It contains high-grade Homestake-type mineralization in Precambrian iron formation amphibole schist and metasediments affected by three periods of later folding. Most gold mineralization is controlled by east–west fault systems (Duex 1989). The drilling program indicated that mineralization is cut off along strike, thinned, and became erratic to the north; heap leachable metallurgical recoveries decreased with depth. The preliminary drill program suggested that the Cleveland area deposit may contain 730,000 tons at 0.047 oz/ton Au (Horton 1989). Dakota Gold is not treating the Cleveland historical exploration results as current and the author has not determined what work, if any, would be required to verify or upgrade or if such verification or upgrading would be possible. The outcome of historical inventory has been included to give the reader a sense of the outcome of explorations ending in late 1989.

 

Exploration identified an attractive zone grading 0.3 oz/ton Au over 5 ft., within an amphibole schist similar to that hosting Homestake mineralization. Exploration ceased in 1990 after five holes drilled into the prospect had minimal success (Duex 1990).

 

The Calvin P area is near the Cleveland prospective area and has similar underlying geology. One hole was drilled into the prospect in 1990 and intersected anomalous gold mineralization near the bottom of the hole. The intersection’s grade was not high enough to warrant further work (Duex 1990).

 

The Cole Creek Heights area is north of the Cleveland prospect area and has similar geology and mineralization in Precambrian iron formation. Three RC holes drilled in 1990 failed to identify significant mineralization (Duex 1990).

 

The Earle area is 3,000 ft. southeast of the Richmond Hill gold deposit and is the southern extension of the Cleveland prospect area. Four holes drilled in 1990 returned no significant intercepts, resulting in no further work being planned (Duex 1990).

 

The MW-3 area is approximately 6,000 ft. northeast of the Richmond Hill mine and comprises two zones—Main and East—which were reported to have bulk-mineable oxide resources, but were never mined (LAC 1991). The zone contains the Richmond Hill mine’s processing facility on the northern portion. The prospective area contains the Richmond Hill mine’s processing facility on the northern portion. Historical exploration included numerous prospect pits, four shafts, and an adit about 260 ft. long. Other collapsed adits were identified, but no past production is known from the area.

 

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The southern part of the MW-3 area is underlain by Precambrian metasediments containing iron formations, whereas the northern portion is overlain by the Cambro-Ordovician Deadwood and Winnipeg Formations, which dip northerly at 15 to 20 degrees. Intruding the sediments are Tertiary monzonitic porphyry dikes and sills, as well as stocks and associated breccia bodies.

 

Gold mineralization at MW-3 occurs throughout the Deadwood Formation, and less so within unconformably underlying Precambrian metasediments. Potential bulk-mineable material is disseminated in the basal conglomerate and sandstone members of the Deadwood Formation, and uppermost Precambrian schists (LAC 1991). Steeply dipping and north-northwest-striking fractures known locally as verticals also control replacement gold-mineralization to a lesser extent. The basal contact between Cambrian and Precambrian rocks is strongly oxidized glauconitic limestone, shale, and occasional massive limestone beds. Underlying Precambrian metasediments comprise mica schist, iron formation, and clastic quartzites with interbedded mica schists. The best gold grades are found within iron formation rocks, and most continuously in oxidized schists. Gold occurs erratically within structures up to 50 ft. below the zone of oxidation.

 

Exploration in the late 1980s and early 1990s comprised geological mapping, soil and rock chip sampling, ground geophysics, and 248 drill holes, which included condemnation drilling over the Richmond Hill deposit processing facility. Metallurgical testing and detailed resource estimates were completed following discovery of the Main and East deposits. Beyond the deposits, widely spaced drilling confirmed low probability for additional mineralization in areas where surface mapping had indicated limited potential.

 

The MW-3 Main deposit mineralization is hosted mainly in Deadwood Formation basal sandstone and conglomerate, and a minor amount in Precambrian oxidized-iron-formation schists and lower contact unit. Consistent gold mineralization is found between two north-northwest-trending fractures or faults (verticals). East of the verticals the grade decreases quickly, and west of the verticals gold is present, but structurally controlled, including a major structure 500 ft. to the west that is 30 ft. wide and more than 400 ft. down dip (strike length not stated in LAC 1991). Oxidation of the Precambrian schists is thought to have occurred during the Cambrian, and prepared the rocks for Tertiary gold mineralizing solutions to penetrate along faults or fractures into the schists.

 

The Main deposit is closed in all surface directions, and potential tonnage is limited by the thickness of the host rocks due to erosion of the host stratigraphy to the south, and a westward fault offset to the north. The faulted continuation occurs as the Cole Creek prospect, which is discussed below. The gold grade also decreases to the east and west of the controlling verticals.

 

The MW-3 East deposit is about 800 ft. east-northeast of the Main deposit and is hosted in the Deadwood Formation lower contact zone altered to a ferruginous clay (LAC 1991). The underlying Precambrian clastic quartzite and mica schist were not oxidized in the Cambrian and were not receptive to the gold mineralizing fluids. Gold mineralization in the lower contact zone is controlled by north-northwest-striking verticals, with best grades between two Tertiary porphyry dikes. The zone is 50 ft. thick and overlain by Deadwood Formation shale and Tertiary sills. The mineralization continues to the east on land once controlled by Homestake, which drilled the eastern extension in 1994 and named this area Chism Gulch.

 

LAC deemed both MW-3 Main and MW-3 East to be uneconomical to mine based upon the drilled tonnage using the 1990s gold price.

 

The Cole Creek area is 4,000 ft. north of the Richmond Hill gold deposit on the north side of Cole Creek, within the northern third of the old Carbonate camp. The prospect contains replacement-style mineralization in the uppermost part of shallow Deadwood Formation limestone, sandstone, and shale, dipping 15 to 20 degrees to the northwest. The sedimentary rocks are intruded by Tertiary porphyritic igneous (monzonite to phonolite) rocks as sills dikes, stocks, and breccias. Mineralization is controlled by two northwest-trending faults separated by approximately 120 ft., with mineralization continuous between the faults and as an irregular halo outward from the faults (St. Joe 1986). All near-surface bulk-mineable prospects were evaluated, but deeper zones were not explored (DGC, pers. Comm.)

 

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The Iron Hill area is part of the old Carbonate camp, just north of the Cole Creek prospect, and has mine dumps containing gold mineralization believed to reflect the underlying structure that crosscuts an east–west fault hosting silver mineralization. No significant mineralization was found, and no further exploration was conducted.

 

The Spanish R mine is a past gold producer hosted by the north–south structures seen in the Cole Creek area. The mine is on the western side of the two structures present at Iron Hill. No significant mineralization was found, and no further exploration was conducted.

 

The Squaw Creek area is north of the Huskie West prospect and defined by a large, low-grade, gold-in-soil anomaly. Two east–west-trending structures within lower units of the Deadwood Formation control replacement-gold mineralization, which is similar to the MW-3 or Golden Reward areas. No significant mineralization was found, and no further exploration was conducted.

 

The Eagle Bird area is 2,500 ft. south of the Richmond Hill gold mine, and was explored historically by many pits, adits, and a few shafts. One adit at the Eagle Bird mine is reported to have had 2,600 ft. of underground workings, but no known production. The area is underlain by Precambrian meta-igneous and metasedimentary rocks overlain by the Deadwood Formation and intruded by Tertiary porphyry bodies. There are similarities to the rocks of the Richmond Hill mine area, but Eagle Bird rocks are more mafic, are flows rather than intrusive, and have less foliation. Overlying the basal unit are metasedimentary rocks, including iron formation (LAC 1993).

 

Gold mineralization at Eagle Bird occurs in narrow, east-northeast fault structures within the Precambrian metamorphic and Tertiary porphyritic rocks. Mineralization occurs more extensively in the basal sandstone and conglomerate of the Deadwood Formation, with hand samples grading up to 0.046 oz/ton Au and a second zone with 0.06 oz/ton Au. Grades were too low to encourage LAC to continue exploring the area, although less exploration was conducted here than other prospective areas on the Property.

 

The Richmond Hill Gold Property is host to multiple gold–silver prospects and deposits, many of which Dakota determined warranted further exploration. Following option of the Property in 2021, Dakota started a property-wide exploration program including geology, geochemical, geophysical, and drilling surveys described in more detail in Chapter 7.

 

6.2Regional Geology

 

The Black Hills Uplift is an elongate Laramide-aged structural dome, located in western South Dakota and easternmost Wyoming, where erosion has exposed a core of Precambrian igneous and metamorphic rocks flanked by Paleozoic- to Mesozoic-aged sedimentary that dip away from the core of the dome (Figure 6-4 and Figure 6-5). Figure 6-4 is a generalized geologic map of the Black Hills Uplift showing the locations of the Property cross sections A–A′and D–D′are provided in Figure 6-5.

 

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Source: Geology of Wyoming (n.d.)

 

Explanation: Xg—Precambrian metamorphic and igneous rocks; lPz—lower Paleozoic (Cambrian–Mississippian); uPz—Upper Paleozoic (Pennsylvanian-Permian); T—Triassic, J—Jurassic; Uk1-Uk3—undesignated Cretaceous (oldest to youngest); Ti—Tertiary igneous rocks; Twr—Tertiary White River Group; Tp—Tertiary Pliocene (Upper Miocene-Pliocene Ogallala Formation). Cross-sections A–A′ and D–D′ are shown in Figure 6-5.

 

Figure 6-4: Regional Geologic map of the Black Hills Uplift (from Lufking et. Al, 2009)

 

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Explanation: A–A′—(northern Black Hills); D–D′—(southern Black Hills) (shown in Figure 6-4)

 

Southwest to northeast structural cross sections AA’ (northern Black Hills) and DD’ (southern Black Hills). The “Great Unconformity” between Precambrian and Phanerozoic rocks indicated by solid red line.

 

Figure 6-5: Southwest to Northeast Structural Cross-Sections (modified from Redden and DeWitt 2008)

 

The dome formed during the Laramide Orogeny from 66 to 56 Ma episodic tectonic events (Lisenbee, 1993). The northern part on the dome is cross-cut by a WNW-trending belt of Tertiary-aged intrusive rock that form a number of subsidiary domes related to laccoliths, stocks, dikes and sills that range in age from 58 to 46 Ma (Lisenbee and DeWitt, 1993, Lisenbee 2010).

 

The Early Proterozoic Homestake Formation is the main host for gold mineralization in the Black Hills uplift. Tertiary aged gold mineralization is hosted Early Proterozoic metasedimentary units, Paleozoic sedimentary units, Tertiary breccias, and Tertiary intrusive rock. The blocks of Archean crust in the southern Black Hills (D–D′ in Figure 6-5) may be rafted portions of the Superior craton. The complexity of folding and metamorphism within the Precambrian rocks indicates these ancient units were subjected to multiple deformational events before, during, and after the Trans-Hudson tectonic event (Redden and DeWitt 2008).

 

6.3Lithology

 

There are three main age groups of rocks including Precambrian igneous and metamorphic rocks, Paleozoic to Tertiary sedimentary rocks, and Tertiary igneous rocks. The foliated metamorphic rocks that form the northern Black Hills central core are elevated up to 4,000 ft. above the surrounding flatlands and are mainly composed of quartzite, phyllite, and schist that were metamorphosed from lower greenschist to amphibolite facies; these are radiometrically dated to between 2.5 and 1.7 Ga. The metamorphic core has been complexly folded, faulted, and locally intruded by the 1.7 Ga Harney Peak Granite. These rocks partly underly the Property and are discussed in more detail in Section 6.5. A stratigraphic section of the northern part of the Precambrian core of the Black Hills uplift is presented as Figure 6-6. For a complete description of Black Hills Precambrian rocks, see Redden and Dewitt (2008).

 

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Geologic mapping, stratigraphic relationships and geochronologic data indicate that rocks comprising the metamorphic core were deposited as sand silt, clay, volcanogenic sediments, and lava flows in intracontinental basins or on the eastern margin of the Wyoming Craton from > 2.56 Ga to 1.88 Ga (Redden et al. 1990, Redden and Dewitt 2008 and reference therein, Dahl 2010 and references therein). These sedimentary and volcanic rocks experienced protracted orogenic-related polyphase metamorphism and deformation (1.76-1.715) that culminated in the intrusion of S-type granite and pegmatite (1.715-1.695) Ga during the Black Hills Orogeny (Dahl et al. 2005a and 2005b, Dahl 2010 and references thin). These events created quartzite, phyllite, schist, greenstone, and amphibolite that experienced burial depths between approximately 10 and 23 kilometers (6-15 miles) and temperatures of from approximately 350 to 600 C with locally much hotter conditions in proximity to the S-type granite (Terry and Friberg, 1990 and Dahl et al. 2005a).

 

Metamorphic conditions associated with the emplacement of the S-type granites indicate the Precambrian rocks experienced approximately 6 miles of post-exhumation prior to the deposition of Paleozoic sediments. In the Paleozoic, the Precambrian rocks were inundated by a sea that deposited 6,500 to 7,000 ft. of sandstone, shale, and limestone sedimentary rock during the Cambrian through Permian periods. These Paleozoic strata thin from north to south and dip east on the Black Hills’ eastern side and west on the western side. Figure 6-6 displays a Precambrian–Paleozoic stratigraphic section and Figure 6-7 provides general stratigraphic section of the Black Hills.

 

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Figure 6-6: Precambrian Stratigraphic Section of the Northern Black Hills

 

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Figure 6-7: Black Hills General Stratigraphic Section

 

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In the Cambrian, tropical marine clastic rocks were deposited from north to south during a marine transgression—mainly sandstone and shale of the Deadwood Formation. The subsequent northward regression created a southward thinning wedge of strata from 400 ft. thick in the north to 7 ft. thick in the south.

 

The Deadwood Formation comprises two layers of quartz arenite separated by glauconitic sandstone, shale, limestone, and intraformational conglomerate layers. Deposition of the Deadwood Formation extends into the Ordovician and is overlain by shale and dolomite of the Winnipeg Formation and Whitewood Dolomite. No Silurian rocks are found in the Black Hills, which represents a period of emergence and erosion. In the Upper Devonian to Mississippian, the area was covered by tropical seas, which deposited shale and limestone of the Englewood Limestone and then the (Pahasapa) Limestone.

 

The Pahasapa Limestone, is 850 ft. thick in the north and 350 ft. in the south. From the late Mississippian to early Pennsylvanian, the Pahasapa Formation was subject to 20 Ma of erosion and subsequent karst development in its upper layers, creating open spaces available for later mineralizing fluids.

 

Lower Pennsylvanian subsidence led to the deposition of the overlying Minnelusa Formation, which includes a lower marine shale, sandstone, and limestone sequence, upper layers of sandstone and siltstone, and gypsum near the top of the formation. Near the mid-Permian, the Minnelusa Formation is succeeded by the Opeche Formation shale, sandstone, and siltstone. Overlying this is the Minnekahta Formation thin-bedded limestone.

 

The Deadwood and Pahasapa Formations are the main Paleozoic mineralized geological units on the Richmond Hill Gold Project. The units deposited subsequently are considered cover rocks and include, in decreasing age, the Minnelusa Formation, Opeche Formation, Minnekahta Formation, and Spearfish Formation. These rocks are mainly shale, sandstone, siltstone, and limestone.

 

Following deposition of the Spearfish Formation, the Black Hills was again emergent and eroded for about 70 Ma, precluding deposition of any early-Mesozoic strata. The erosion continued to the mid-Jurassic, after which the area was again inundated by seawater, which allowed the Sundance Formation to be deposited.

 

The erosion continued to the mid-Jurassic, after which the area was again inundated by seawater, which allowed the Sundance Formation to be deposited. The Sundance Formation is a fossiliferous unit comprising siltstone, sandstone, white limestone, and shale.

 

Overlying the Sundance Formation is the upper Jurassic Unkpapa Formation non-marine sandstone, and Morrison Formation shale and sandstone. The latter formation likely experienced erosion, as its upper contact is an unconformity that marks the division between the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.

 

At the close of the Jurassic and into the Cretaceous, much of central North America from north to south was submerged in seawater known as the Western Interior Seaway. Between 130 and 65 Ma a thick sequence of shale, limestone, and sandstone was deposited. Included from oldest to youngest are the Lakota Formation, Fall River Sandstone, Skull Creek Shale, Newcastle Sandstone, Mowry Shale, Belle Fourche Shale, Niobrara Formation, Carlile Shale, Greenhorn Limestone, Pierre Shale, Fox Hills Sandstone, and Lance Formation to close out the Cretaceous Period of the Mesozoic Era. By the end of the Cretaceous, between 6,500 and 7,000 ft. of sedimentary strata had accumulated over what was to become the Black Hills.

 

Early in the following Tertiary Period the Black Hills experienced uplift and erosion related to the Laramide orogeny. This was most notable during the Paleocene and Eocene Epochs, with the sediments being shed to the west into the Powder River Basin. Volcanic activity occurred in a WNW-trending belt across the northern part of the Black Hills uplift resulted in numerous shallow igneous intrusions in the northern Black Hills, with well-known examples being Devils Tower, Missouri Buttes, and Bear Butte. The igneous bodies trend younger from east (58 Ma) to west (46 Ma).

 

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Other Tertiary rocks include the White River Group—divided into the lower Chadron and upper Brule Formations—and are seen primarily along the eastern side of the Black Hills. They formed during fluvial deposition in the late Eocene and Oligocene Epochs and comprise channel fillings of sandstone, claystone, and minor limestone.

 

6.4Landforms and Structures

 

The geographic occurrence of Black Hills uplift geologic formations is controlled by various landforms. Black Hills landforms are divided into five main types: Central Crystalline Core (Core); Limestone Plateau; Red Valley; Cretaceous (Dakota) Hogback; and Buttes. Bordering the undulating Core is the Limestone Plateau, which covers a greater area on the west side of the Core than the east due to a much gentler westward rock dip in comparison to the steeper dips on the east side of the Core. Outboard of the Limestone Plateau is the Red Valley, a broad lowland that developed by erosion of the Spearfish and Sundance red-bed formations. The Richmond Hill Gold Project is characterized by these first two landforms.

 

Outboard of the Limestone Plateau is the Red Valley, a broad lowland that developed by erosion of Spearfish and Sundance red-bed formations. Like the Limestone Plateau, the Red Valley width is controlled by bedding, with shallower dips producing a wider valley on the west and a narrower valley on more-steeply dipping eastern exposures. The Cretaceous Hogback is a 300- to 400 ft-high ridge outboard of the Red Valley, formed by Lakota Sandstone that is resistant to erosion, along with dip-slope rocks of the Fall River Sandstone Formation. Rocks of the underlying strata are exposed on the steep cliff faces below the ridge crests. Evidence for the timing of erosion to create the current landform favors initiation in early Tertiary time, though some valleys likely were carved within the last five million years.

 

Buttes occur in the Northern Black Hills Igneous Province and are formed by a west- to northwest-striking zone of intrusive rocks cutting across the Black Hills uplift. Erosion of the enclosing strata has exposed the igneous rocks, which occur as dikes, sills, laccoliths, stocks, ring dikes, and diatremes. Due to greater resistance to weathering and erosion, the igneous rocks forming these structures stand out as positive topographical features such as Devils Tower and Bear Butte. Within the Northern Black Hills, the laccoliths generally cause the greatest disruption of the existing lithological layers into which they are intruded. The laccoliths cause doming and fault-bounded uplift, with the Deadwood Formation being the preferred host.

 

The Laramide uplift of the Paleozoic and Proterozoic basement started in the Laramide Orogeny about 70 Ma ago. Timing of the uplift can be constrained to the early Tertiary, since undeformed and horizontal Tertiary White River Group rocks lie unconformably above tilted Mesozoic strata, which was disrupted by doming Proterozoic basement. West vergent monoclines separate the Black Hills uplift from the Powder River Basin to the west. The eastern flank of the Black Hills uplift is caused by doming of the Proterozoic basement which forms asymmetric anticlines.

 

6.5Deposit Type

 

Mineralization at the Richmond Hill Gold Project is dominantly replacement style within Tertiary aged breccias of host Precambrian metasedimentary and Cambrian-Ordovician sedimentary rocks. Gold bearing fluids possibly derived from Tertiary intrusions migrated along steeply dipping fractures called verticals, and gold was deposited in favorable structural or chemical traps as replacement deposits. Breccia pipes within Precambrian metasediments and the Cambro-Ordovician Deadwood Formation are the most common gold-bearing host rocks. The historical Richmond hill gold mine produced ore from Tertiary breccias dominantly hosted within Precambrian units that were processed as an open pit, heap leach operation.

 

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6.6Mineralization

 

Gold was first recorded in the Black Hills in 1874, although prior rumors existed of prospectors discovering placer gold. The ensuing 1875 gold rush produced limited success, except in the Whitewood and Deadwood creeks area. Other prospectors sought the hard-rock source of the placer gold upstream of the placer workings, and in 1876 the Homestake lode was discovered; it was mined almost continuously until 2002. Numerous other gold deposits were subsequently discovered in the Black Hills in differing geologic environments, with several turning into significant mining camps. Gold mineralization settings in the Black Hills are complex, and gold has been found in many geologic settings, including Archean Paleoplacer, Proterozoic Vein related Carbonate Iron Formation, Proterozoic Vein, Cambrian Placer, Tertiary Epithermal, and Quaternary Placer.

 

Archean Paleoplacer deposits formed 2.5 Ga ago in alluvial fans along rift valleys that are now beds of metamorphosed conglomerate, quartz arenite, and hematite-chert banded-iron formation, which have been rotated and are now overturned (Paterson and Lisenbee, 1990). The paleoplacer deposits comprise pyritiferous and well-sorted quartz-pebble conglomerates. No recorded amount of gold has been produced from these deposits.

 

Vein related deposits hosted by Early Proterozoic Carbonate Iron Formation are represented by the Homestake mine in the northern Black Hills, which produced approximately 40 Moz of gold and 10 Moz of silver, making it one of the largest deposits of its type in the world. Host rocks are seafloor sediments of the Precambrian Homestake Formation, which were buried by later Precambrian strata, then complexly folded and metamorphosed during the Black Hills Orogeny. After about 1.7 Ga of erosion, what was left of the Homestake Formation was buried again by Paleozoic and Mesozoic strata prior to the most recent uplift and erosion that formed the Black Hills. Current thinking is that most of the gold was originally deposited as an orogenic gold system along shear zones, then subsequent fluid flow associated with later metamorphism resulted in gold precipitated in a favorable chemical environment (Caddey et al. 1991, Frei et al. 2009, Morelli et al. 2010). Gold grades at Homestake varied from 1 oz/ton in the upper levels to 0.25 oz/ton when the mine closed in 2002. From 1953 to 1971, the mine produced more than 500,000 ounces of gold per year.

 

Other Proterozoic Vein deposits occur in several locations within the Precambrian core and comprise quartz veins hosted by meta-graywacke and minor amphibolite—iron formation rocks. Veins that contain gold and minor silver range from a few inches to over 10 ft. wide and are associated with faults, shears, and folds. Other veins contain gold, silver, antimony, lead, zinc, and copper, which imply that two sets of gold-bearing veins exist, one with and one without the other minerals. The latter veins are thought to be younger or shallowly emplaced. Most mining of these deposits occurred in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Examples include Keystone, Bullion, Holy Terror, and Clover Leaf mines (Paterson and Lisenbee, 1990).

 

Cambrian Placer deposits were formed when gold was eroded from the Homestake Formation or other Precambrian gold occurrences, and concentrated within stream-channel gravels on the Precambrian surface (Irving, 1904, Paterson and Lisenbee, 1990). These gravels later became conglomerates at the base of the Deadwood Formation. An ancient channel lies east of the Homestake open pit, and although no recorded production is known, remnants of the mines contain up to an ounce of gold per ton. Other Deadwood conglomerate placer deposits to the southeast have never been traced to the lode source.

 

Tertiary epithermal deposits in the northern Black Hills are hosted by Precambrian metamorphic, Paleozoic sedimentary, and Tertiary intrusive rocks. Gold- and silver-bearing fluids possibly derived from the intrusions were concentrated in steeply dipping fractures called verticals, and gold was deposited in favorable structural or chemical traps (Connolly, 1927, Paterson et al. 1988). The most favorable environment for gold deposition is the Cambro-Ordovician Deadwood Formation, where mineralization is primarily controlled by chemical or physical traps in the sedimentary rocks.

 

Quaternary Placer deposits comprise gold-bearing gravels along Deadwood and Whitewood creeks. Placer mining by shaft and drifts occurred until 1883 when floodwaters washed away many of the workings. Best known of these placer workings are the Deadwood and Rockerville mines.

 

On the Richmond Hill Gold Project, Tertiary-aged replacement gold mineralization, and Precambrian iron formation-hosted gold mineralization were drilled during exploration programs in the 1980s and 1990s. Subsequent drilling in 2023 identified the iron formation to be within the Proterozoic Flagrock Formation magnetite and sulfide-bearing iron formation containing Tertiary gold-silver mineralization but no classic Homestake style siderite iron-formation mineralization.

 

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The current genetic model Is that Tertiary-aged gold and silver-bearing fluids possibly derived from the Tertiary intrusions migrated along steeply dipping fractures called verticals, and gold was deposited in favorable structural or chemical traps as replacement deposits. Breccia pipes within Precambrian metasediments and the Cambro-Ordovician Deadwood Formation are the most common gold-bearing host rocks. These breccia pipes are associated with Tertiary alkalic magmatism that generated most of the Tertiary-aged gold deposits in the Homestake District.

 

Gold mineralization in the breccia pipes had previously been identified in various targets within the Project area, including Richmond Hill, Richmond Hill North, Twin Tunnels, and Turnaround. Dakota Gold followed up on this earlier work, and drill tested three of the six known breccia pipes within Twin Tunnels, Turnaround, and Richmond Hill zones. To this Report date, drilling has not defined the limits of mineralization in these breccia pipes.

 

Dakota Gold’s current exploration program seeks to confirm and expand upon known oxide gold resources and test the extent of gold sulfide resources. The zones included within the mineral resource estimate are Richmond Hill, Richmond Hill North, Cleveland, Turnaround, Twin Tunnels, Cole Creek, and MW3.

 

Historical production prior to the 1980s in the Project area was primarily from the underground mining of high-grade structures. With the advent of heap leaching technologies, a resurgence of mining occurred, and open pit mining of these resources began. The Richmond Hill gold mine and Wharf deposits to the south are examples, with the Wharf open pit mine being the only mine currently operating the Black Hills. Most gold is associated with pyrite at depth, and near-surface gold is liberated by natural oxidation. Sulfide-rich deposits have been processed historically using fine grinding and cyanidation, along with roasting, to recover the gold and silver. The Deadwood Formation hosts numerous historical mines, including Golden Reward, Bald Mountain, Maitland, and Wasp. Further north and west in the Carbonate and Ragged Top districts, fluids related to Tertiary intrusions have localized gold, silver, lead, zinc, and tungsten along faults or breccia pipes within the Pahasapa Limestone. Tertiary porphyry-hosted gold deposits include the Gilt Edge and Hoodoo-Union Hill mines.

 

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7Exploration

 

Dakota Gold entered into the Option with Barrick on October 14, 2021, and began ground exploration on the Project, including gravity, induced polarization (IP) survey and drilling. Prior to optioning the Project, Dakota Gold flew an airborne geophysical survey over a wide area of the Homestake district. These are summarized in the following sections from data sheets provided by Dakota Gold (Berry 2023a, 2023b).

 

7.1Airborne Geophysics

 

From June 26 to August 1, 2020, New Sense Geophysics Ltd. conducted a high-resolution helicopter-borne magnetic and gamma-ray spectrometric survey over the Homestake District of Northern Black Hills, South Dakota. The survey consisted of 11,636-line km covering an area of 962.4 km2 and included the Property (Figure 7-1). The purpose of the survey was to map Precambrian lithologies and structure, as well as Tertiary intrusive rocks and associated alteration in outcrop, subsurface, and beneath cover. A report detailing the contractor’s work is dated August 31, 2020. Results of the survey are not publicly available.

 

 

Figure 7-1: Airborne Magnetics Survey Flightline Limits

 

The airborne magnetic survey was able to identify the Tertiary intrusive centers and possibly larger feeder dikes. Most of the intrusive centers had previously been identified by surface mapping either by exposed intrusive rocks or by doming of the Paleozoic and Mesozoic strata. Inversions of the magnetic data set were also useful for identifying potential alteration associated with breccias and faults in the Richmond Hill Property. The radiometric survey, especially thorium, identifies the larger Tertiary intrusive centers.

 

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It is the opinion of the QP for this section that the airborne geophysical survey aided Dakota Gold in selecting the Richmond Hill Gold Project area to option and also aided interpreting the extent geological units under areas of cover.

 

7.2Gravity Compilation and Survey

 

In December 2021, geophysical contractor Robert B. Ellis, Allan Spector and Associates, Ltd. and Magee Geophysical Surveys LLC (Magee) completed a report titled Gravity Compilation and Processing (2021 Merge) Homestake District. Their work entailed compiling and merging historical Homestake gravity data with National Geophysical Data Center gravity data and Magee gravity data for the Black Hills region.

 

During May and June 2022, Magee collected additional gravity data to be added to the Dakota Gold data set. The survey acquired data from 550 gravity stations across the Black Hills to fill in gaps in the regional data set and to replace older readings that potentially had elevation- or terrain-correction problems. The survey area included Lawrence, Pennington, Butte, and Custer Counties of South Dakota, and Crook, Weston, and Niobrara Counties of Wyoming (Figure 7-2). Although the survey encompassed a large area, additional stations were surveyed near Richmond Hill. No report was completed summarizing this work, but maps and cross-sections were produced to assist with ongoing geologic interpretations.

 

The gravity survey was used to map out differences in density of the various rock units. The Tertiary intrusive rocks generally have lower densities than the Precambrian metamorphic host rocks. For example, there is a large intrusive body east of the Project area known as the Cutting Stock that is a distinctive gravity low. The larger metamorphosed basalt units commonly generate gravity highs. The eastern contact of the metamorphosed basalt running through the center of the Project does not generate a large density contrast. The lack of density contrast may be because of the heavy alteration of the metamorphosed basalt adjacent to the north-south trending Tertiary breccia pipes or that the lower-density breccias tend to intrude along this structure.

 

The gravity survey aided in interpreting the extent of geological units in areas of cover, and drill-hole collars were spotted using a combination of this and other airborne and ground-based surveys.

 

The QP responsible for this section of the Report believes that the gravity survey aided Dakota Gold in interpreting the extent of geological units in areas of cover, and spotting drill-hole collars benefited from a combination of this and other airborne and ground-based surveys.

 

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Source: Robert B. Ellis, Alan Spector and Associates, Ltd. And Magee Geophysical Surveys LLC (2021)

 

Notes: Index maps showing compiled gravity stations for the Black Hills regional area (left) and a focus area (right). Black dots are National Geophysical Data Center stations. Green dots are historical Homestake (Spector) stations. Red dots are stations acquired for Dakota Gold in 2020 and 2021. Black Polygons are outlines of Dakota Gold’s 2020 airborne geophysical survey and the primary gravity focus area. Blue polygons are County Lines.

 

Figure 7-2: Gravity Survey Station Locations

 

7.3Induced Polarization Survey

 

From September 15 to October 2, 2022, KLM Geoscience LLC conducted IP and resistivity geophysical surveys across four lines for 8.1 miles (13.1 Km) of survey lines at the Project (Figure 7-3). The survey was a dipole–dipole-type array with a 200 m dipole size using a 5 Kw transmitter and 16 channel IP receiver. The survey generated an IP response with parameters two seconds, time domain, 12 window, 150 ms, 55 ms delay after turn-off. Pseudo-sections were generated initially, then inverted to model true sections. Using the survey results, Dakota Gold was able to plan drill holes more accurately to intersect intended zones. KLM produced the Dakota Gold Richmond Hill DCIP Survey Logistical Report on October 2, 2022.

 

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Figure 7-3: Geophysical IP – Resistivity Survey Line Locations

 

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The IP survey identified possible breccias and iron formation as identified by the resistivity and chargeability response. Several drill holes tested the chargeability anomaly that was interpreted to be iron formation. The holes intersected Proterozoic Flagrock Formation magnetic and sulfide-bearing iron formation containing Tertiary gold-silver mineralization but no classic Homestake-style siderite iron formation mineralization. Resistivity highs corresponded to Proterozoic Ellison Formation quartzites and unaltered Proterozoic greenstones, and these were excluded from drill testing.

 

The QP responsible for this section of the Report believes that the IP survey aided Dakota Gold in mapping iron formation and other non-mineralized rock formations at depth and that a more detailed survey could be considered in areas lacking outcrop and needing additional subsurface information.

 

7.4Geological Mapping

 

Small-scale geological mapping was conducted over the Project starting November 1, 2021, and continuing to the end of 2024. Dakota Gold geologists mapped an area of 3.3 square miles (8.6 km2) (Figure 7-4) to help guide drill-hole targeting, with the ultimate goal of integrating surface geology with drill-hole lithography to produce a three-dimensional (3D) geological model. Much of the work has consisted of field-checking St. Joe Minerals, Bond Gold, and LAC mapping and sample programs from the 1980s and 1990s. The recent mapping has yet to be compiled and is still in field note form. Dakota Gold has stated that the mapping confirms earlier work by others (James Berry, pers. Comm.) and that the map provided as Figure 7-4 is the most accurate as of the Report date.

 

The opinion of the QP for this section of the Report is that the map provided in Figure 7-4 is of sufficient detail to allow targeted drilling.

 

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Figure 7-4: Dakota Gold Geologic Field Work

 

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7.5Drilling

 

7.5.1Summary

 

Prior to Dakota Golds’ tenure, the Property was drilled by at least 1,056 rotary, RC, and core holes testing multiple prospective areas within the claim boundary. Several of these holes are excluded from the final database due to missing collar coordinates, downhole surveys, or other reasons. From optioning the Property in 2021 to the effective date of this report, Dakota Gold has drilled an additional 148 diamond drill holes representing 157,504 ft. of core drilling.

 

The drilling database provided to IMC consisted of 1,058 drillholes and 457,392 ft. of drilling. This was after IMC removed hole RH-87-125C that was a duplication of RH-86-125C. Table 7-1 shows drilling by company. Figure 7-5 shows the distribution of drill holes by company.

 

Table 7-1: Drilling by Company

 

       Final Database 
Company  Total Holes   No. of Holes   Feet 
Freeport  30   0   0 
Legacy Drilling  951   836   272,608 
St. Joe / Bond Gold  903   788   266,928 
Homestake  48   48   5,680 
Coeur  75   74   27,280 
Pre-Dakota Gold Drilling  1,056   910   299,888 
Dakota  148   148   157,504 
2022  13   13   27,954 
2023  61   61   98,610 
2024  74   74   30,940 
Total  1,204   1,058   457,392 

 

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Figure 7-5: Richmond Hill Gold Project Drillholes by Company

 

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7.5.2Freeport (1981 – 1983)

 

Freeport completed 30 conventional rotary drill holes. These holes were excluded from the final database as the collar locations are not known and contamination between samples was likely.

 

7.5.3St. Joe, Bond Gold, and Homestake (1984 – 1994)

 

St. Joe, Bond Gold (while independently operated), and Bond Gold (while owned by LAC), and Homestake completed multiple RC and core-drilling programs on various prospects across the Project area. Separate drill-hole numbering series were used for each prospect area and were sequentially carried on between program operators. There are no core or pulp samples available from these drilling programs. The April 2024 Technical Report states that 951 drill holes were completed, however only 874 drill holes were acceptable for geological and resource modeling as 77 were excluded due to incomplete collar and/or downhole surveys or large discrepancies between data sources. The database provided to IMC included 836 of these holes. Accounting for the 77 excluded holes and the duplicated hole, there were an additional 37 holes that were not in the database provided to IMC; IMC has no information on where these holes were located or why they were removed from the database.

 

Drill hole collar locations were surveyed at the time of drilling into the Richmond Hill mine grid, which is a property specific grid. The original surveyed collar and control point coordinates were obtained from scanned paper sheets with tabulated digital and handwritten survey coordinates under Scott Engineering Letterhead, or directly from drill log headers. The Scott Engineering survey tickets are typical of survey instrument printouts from that time period, although no instruments were specified in any of the historical documentation. Documentation comprising drill hole collar coordinate listings from later in the programs indicates that Geodimeter Surveying Software was being used to manage surveying data.

 

The Richmond Hill mine grid was originally established using a 1’ x 1’ true north grid with the US Locating Monument #41 assigned coordinates of X = 100,000 ft. and Y = 100,000 ft. Key control points for this grid were relocated by Dakota Gold personnel and Ponderosa Land Surveys, re-surveyed in US State Plane Coordinates System, and a custom projection created for transferring between the Richmond Hill mine, US State Plane, UTM NAD 83, and Homestake mine coordinate systems (Ponderosa 2024).

 

Drill hole dips were obtained directly from drill log headers and applied only to the drill hole collar as most drill holes were relatively short. No instruments were specified for any of the downhole surveys.

 

Drill logs comprise mostly handwritten sheets with a header section for hole details and a description section for from-to intervals and geological descriptions plus varying amounts of supporting information. A small number of drill logs from later holes comprise spreadsheets. Information from handwritten logs was transferred to standardized digital drill logs containing hole number, collar coordinates, azimuth, dip, dates started and completed, from-to depth intervals, sample numbers, gold values in oz/ton, silver values in ppm and codes for lithology, oxide or sulphide mineralization, and alteration.

 

7.5.4Coeur (2019 – 2020)

 

Coeur (Wharf Division) completed two drilling campaigns comprising 75 RC holes (R19R-4674 to 4683 and R20R-4684 to -4747 & 4690A). There are no core or pulp samples available from these drilling programs. Only 74 of the Coeur drill holes are acceptable for geological and resource modeling as one hole was excluded due to a missing downhole survey.

 

The Coeur drilling was concentrated in the north of the deposit area in the Chism Flat, MW3 East, and Cole Creek areas.

 

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Drill hole collar locations were surveyed at the time of drilling into the UTM NAD 83 coordinate system. These were then converted to Richmond Hill mine grid coordinate system by Dakota Gold using the procedures described by Ponderosa Land Surveys (Ponderosa 2024).

 

Drill hole dips were obtained by surveys completed every 50 ft. downhole starting at the collar and also at the end of each hole. A Surface Recording Gyro (SRG) instrument was used for the downhole surveys, but the actual instrument brand name was not specified. All data was exported to a spreadsheet provided by Coeur to Dakota Gold.

 

Drill logs comprise colored acQuire strip logs based on geological data stored in acQuire database software and exported to spreadsheets comprising hole numbers, collar coordinates, azimuths, dips, dates started and completed, from-to depth intervals, sample numbers, gold and silver values, ABA, alteration, lithology, mineralogy, oxidation, rock type, sulphide, and texture.

 

7.5.5Dakota Gold (2022 – 2024)

 

7.5.5.12022 Drilling

 

J. Berry (2023b) assembled the drilling summaries for 2022 and 2023 drilling from Dakota Gold news releases and is presented in whole with minor edits for clarity.

 

Dakota Gold began core drilling with one drill rig on March 28, 2022. A second drill was added to the drilling project on November 9, 2022. The two drills have been working since then, except for June 15 to September 30, 2022, when only one drill was in use. Thirteen holes were completed in 2022, totaling 27,954.1 ft. The deepest hole was RH22C-001, which was drilled to 4,509 ft. The average hole depth was 2,150 ft.

 

The first two holes of the 2022 program tested the stratigraphy of the northern portion of the Project area, looking for Homestake Formation in the core of the Bald Mountain Anticline. Instead, only Ellison Formation was encountered below the Cambrian unconformity, indicating that the plunge of the Bald Mountain Anticline was steeper than expected.

 

Drill holes RH22C-003 through RH22C-007 were drilled in the Twin Tunnels area to test for high-grade gold mineralization in possible iron formation near the contact with a large greenstone unit. These holes did not encounter any Precambrian iron formation-hosting gold mineralization, but did encounter broad zones of Tertiary alteration in the greenstone and adjacent phyllites.

 

Drill holes RH22C-008 and RH22C-010 were drilled west of Twin Tunnels to test for replacement-style mineralization in the Paleozoic section and to test a geophysical target. Both holes yielded disappointing results. Drill holes RH22C-009 and RH22C-011 were drilled to test the area north of RH22C-005 at Twin Tunnels and had good results; RH22C-012 and RH22C-013 were drilled to confirm the high-grade mineralization encountered in historical hole TT-86-26. RH22C-013 confirmed the high-grade gold mineralization.

 

7.5.5.22023 Drilling

 

Sixty-one holes totaling 98,610 ft. were completed at Richmond Hill during 2023. Hole depths varied from 429.5 to 6,046 ft. The average hole depth was 1,617 ft.

 

Drill holes RH23C-014 and RH23C-017 were drilled at Twin Tunnels. RH23C-015 and RH23C-016 were drilled to test for deeper mineralization below the MW3 Main zone. Both holes encountered gold mineralization in Precambrian phyllite and Tertiary iron formation-hosting breccias and fracture zones.

 

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Drill holes RH23C-019, RH23C-021, RH23C-022, RH23C-023, RH23C-024, RH23C-025, RH23C-026, and RH23C-027 were drilled at the Turnaround breccia pipe. It was determined from these holes that the breccia zone was extensive and went to depth, although not all portions of the breccia were well mineralized.

 

Drill holes RH23C-028 through RH23C-056 were drilled as dual-purpose holes to confirm historical drilling results and obtain metallurgical test samples. The following holes were drilled at Turnaround: RH23C-028, RH23C-029, RH23C-031, RH23C-035, RH23C-046, and RH23C-047.

 

Drill holes RH23C-028 and RH23C-046 were drilled at the north end of the Turnaround breccia. Both holes encountered mineralization 800 ft. below the surface. Both holes encountered gold mineralization.

 

Drill holes RH23C-029, RH23C-031, and RH23C-035 were drilled in the central portion of the Turnaround breccia. RH23C-031 and RH23C-035 encountered gold mineralization.

 

Drill hole RH23C-047 was drilled at the south end of the Turnaround breccia. This hole intersected gold mineralization in the breccia pipe and the adjacent Precambrian phyllite country rock.

 

Eight confirmation-metallurgical holes were drilled at the Twin Tunnels breccia area: RH23C-030, RH23C-032, RH23C-033, RH23C-034, RH23C-036, RH23C-039, RH23C-041, and RH23C-048. Most of the holes at Twin Tunnels breccia were drilled from the western portion of the breccia pipe over to the eastern side and fanned from north to south. RH23C-048 was drilled from the southeastern side of the breccia to the west. RH23C-030 was lost during drilling and was offset with RH23C-032.

 

Four holes were drilled at the Richmond Hill breccia and historical pit area: RH23C-044, RH23C 050, RH23C-054, and RH23C-056.

 

Drill hole RH23C-044 was 1,030 ft. east of the Richmond Hill breccia pipe. It intersected gold mineralization in Deadwood Formation, Tertiary breccia, and Tertiary-altered Flagrock Formation.

 

Drill holes RH23C-050, RH23C-054, and RH23C-056 were drilled from the east side of the Richmond Hill mine historical pit and angled under the pit to confirm the mineralization that was left below the pit. Elevated gold grades were encountered.

 

Drill holes RH23C-040, RH23C-042, and RH23C-043 were all drilled at the Cole Creek area, targeting Tertiary gold mineralization within the Deadwood Formation. RH23C-040 also encountered Tertiary epithermal mineralization below the unconformity, hosted within Precambrian greenstone. All of the drill holes encountered gold mineralization.

 

The following holes were drilled at the MW3 Main prospective area: RH23C-049 and RH23C-051. RH23C-049 intersected gold mineralization. These intercepts were in Tertiary-mineralized Precambrian phyllites and iron formation. RH23C-051 intersected gold mineralization in oxidized, lower Deadwood Formation, in Tertiary trachyte, and also in Tertiary-mineralized Precambrian phyllite.

 

The following holes were drilled at the MW3 East prospective area: RH23C-052, RH23C-053, and RH23C 055. RH23C-052 intersected gold mineralization in oxidized Deadwood Formation and in Tertiary-mineralized Precambrian phyllite. RH23C-053 intersected gold mineralization in oxidized Deadwood Formation. RH23C-055 intersected gold mineralization in oxidized Deadwood Formation, and in Precambrian-hosted Tertiary breccia.

 

7.5.5.32024 Drilling

 

The 2024 drilling consisted of 74 holes and 30,940 ft. of drilling. Three holes, RH24C-075, RH24C-076 and RH24C-077 were in the Cole Creek area of the deposit.

 

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Twelve holes, RH24C-078 to RH24C-082, RHC24C-086 to RH24C-088 and -088A, RH24C-099, RH24C-101 and RH24C-102 were in the Richmond Hill North area.

 

Two holes, RH24C-083 and RH24C-084 were in the Cleveland area and one hole, RH24C-085 was in the Twin Tunnels area. The Cole Creek, Richmond Hill North, Cleveland, and Twin Tunnels drilling were to fill in gaps in the drill coverage.

 

The remaining 56 holes, RH24C-089 to RH24C-098, RHC24-100, and RH24C-103 to RH24C-147 were in the Chism Gulch area and were for the purpose of adding near surface, oxide, mineral resource to the Project. This was a successful project, with most of the holes encountering mineralized material. Most of the mineralization was in the Deadwood Formation and the drilling also encountered higher silver grades than are common in most of the deposit.

 

7.5.5.4Procedures

 

Drill holes were lined up to the proposed hole positions using a Reflex TN14 Gyrocompass, which recorded the surface azimuth and dip of the drill hole. Drill hole collar locations were surveyed by a licensed surveyor at the time of drilling into the Homestake mine coordinate system. These coordinates were converted to Richmond Hill mine grid coordinate system by Dakota Gold using the procedures described by Ponderosa Land Surveys (Ponderosa 2024).

 

Drill hole dips were obtained by surveys completed every 50 ft. downhole starting at the collar and also at the end of each hole. North-Seeking Gyro (NSG) instruments comprising Reflex TN14 and Sprint_IQ tools were used. All data was exported to a spreadsheet provided by Dakota Gold.

 

Drill logs comprise mostly handwritten sheets with a header section for hole details and a description section for from-to intervals and geological descriptions plus varying amounts of supporting information. Information from handwritten logs was transferred to spreadsheets containing hole number, collar coordinates, azimuths, dips, dates started and completed, from-to depth intervals, sample numbers, gold and silver values, lithology, mineralization, geotechnical, geophysics, density, and breccia.

 

7.5.6Opinion

 

The QP responsible for Section 7.5 has reviewed the drilling results and found that they are correctly represented as compared to the drilling results presented on geochemical laboratory certificates. In addition, the following comments can be made regarding drilling results:

 

·The procedures for the drilling programs followed standard industry procedures available at the time that the work was completed.
·There is no currently known relationship between recoveries and grades that could materially affect the accuracy and reliability of the results.

 

7.6Hydrogeology and Geotechnical

 

Dakota Gold has not initiated either hydrogeology or advanced geotechnical characterization studies. Homestake is conducting ongoing hydrology and hydrogeology water quality testing related to Richmond Hill mine post-closure operations. The QP responsible for Section 7.6 was not provided with information related to methodologies or results of the sampling, but Dakota Gold would assume liability to continue with post-closure operations should they complete the Option. The extent to which these studies affect this Report is covered further in Chapter 17. However, the reader is cautioned that ongoing reclamation of the historical Richmond Hill mine represents a significant liability to the Project unless the mine site is included in new mining operations.

 

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Dakota Gold has acquired no geotechnical data such as rock strength parameters, as the Project is still in the early stages of exploratory drilling. However, Dakota Gold is collecting recovery and rock quality designation (RQD) data as part of the drill-logging process. Drill core is assembled at the drill as it slides out of the core tube before being placed into core boxes. The driller’s recovery measurements are double-checked during the core-logging process, along with measuring and calculating the RQD. The QP responsible for Section 7.6 observed core handling at the drills and core-logging facilities and confirmed that Dakota Gold and their drill contractor are following industry standard procedures.

 

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8Sample Preparation, Analyses, and Security

 

8.1Drilling Programs

 

Table 8-1 summarizes the historical and current Project drilling programs in four chronological groups by which the sample preparation, analyses, and security procedures described in this chapter are organized.

 

Table 8-1: Groups of Drilling Programs at Richmond Hill Gold Project

 

Company Year Comment
Viable Resources Pre 1981 Assembled land package.
Freeport Exploration Company 1981–1983 Joint venture (JV) and lease agreement with Viable Resources
St. Joe 1984 JV with Viable.
Conducted drilling program on Richmond Hill deposit breccia body.
1985–1986 Conducted drilling programs on Richmond Hill deposit and property.
1987–1988 Richmond Hill and Turnaround deposits permitted for mining.
Bond Gold 1988 Acquired St. Joe gold division.

Developed Richmond Hill as an open-cut heap leach operation.

Conducted drilling with discovery at Cleveland.

LAC Minerals 1989 Acquired Bond Gold and continued work through Bond.
1990–1991 Conducted drilling programs on multiple prospects with positive results at MW3.
1993 Final exploration activities at the site.
Homestake 1994 Chism Gulch Drilling
Barrick Gold 1994 Acquired LAC Minerals.
Coeur Mining Inc. 2019–2020 Optioned property from Barrick Gold and conducted drilling program.
2021 Terminated property option.
Dakota Territory Resources 2021 Dakota Territory Resources optioned Property.
Dakota Gold 2022–2024 Dakota Gold formed from merger of Dakota Territory and JR Resources.

 

8.2Procedures for Historical Drilling Programs from 1981 to 1994

 

8.2.1Freeport (1981-1983)

 

Freeport completed 30 conventional rotary drill holes and submitted samples of varying lengths to an unknown laboratory for gold and silver analyses. As there are no supporting laboratory certificates, these samples were excluded from the database for the Project.

 

8.2.2St. Joe, Bond Gold, and Homestake (1984-1994)

 

8.2.2.1Drilling Program

 

St. Joe, Bond Gold (while independently operated), Bond Gold (while owned by LAC), and Homestake completed multiple RC and core-drilling programs on various prospective areas across the Project area. Separate drill-hole numbering series were used for each prospect area and were sequentially carried on between program operators. There are no core or pulp samples available from these drilling programs. In all, 951 drill holes were completed for which information is available. The number of these holes in the final database is 836.

 

8.2.2.2Sampling, Sample Preparation, Analysis, and Security

 

The first four core holes drilled in 1984 at Richmond Hill were shipped in their entirety to a metallurgical laboratory in Viburnum, Missouri, for testwork. The core was crushed to 0.75 inches, split to obtain representative samples, prepared, then analyzed. Core from later holes was cut lengthwise, one-half was kept for reference at St. Joe’s field office, and the other half sampled in 5 ft. intervals, and shipped for preparation and analyses.

 

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Dry RC drilling chips were sampled in 5 ft. intervals and split on site under supervision of company geologists to create two samples of equal weight. One of these samples was shipped for preparation and analyses, and the other sample stored for reference at the company’s field office. When water was encountered, it was used during drilling, which necessitated using a wet splitter to split samples down to a manageable size. Samples were then dried and split into two samples, and one was sent for preparation and analysis.

 

Most of the samples were shipped to Bondar-Clegg laboratory in Lakewood, Colorado, and assayed there or at the Bondar-Clegg laboratory in North Vancouver, B.C. The security procedures used for the shipments are not known. Bondar-Clegg was independent of St. Joe and Bond Gold, and was acquired by ALS Limited in 2002. It is not known if Bondar-Clegg had any accreditations at the time the analytical work was completed between 1984 and 1993. A small number of samples were sent to Nevada GSI laboratory in Sparks, Nevada. The history of this laboratory is not known with regards to independence and accreditations.

 

Sample preparation procedures followed a standard industry process of taking submitted samples through successive stages of reducing particle sizes and weights to obtain representative subsamples for assaying. Procedures comprised drying, crushing (jaw or rolls), splitting (riffle), pulverizing (spindle, plate, bowl), splitting (scoops), and analyses. Based on IMC file data, the standard Bondar-Clegg sample preparation consisted of drying the sample, crushing to ¾ inch with a jaw crusher and crush to 75% passing -10 mesh with a cone crusher. A 250 g split was pulverized for analysis. No details are available regarding sample preparation procedures used by Nevada GSI.

 

Gold assays were conducted by Bondar-Clegg and Nevada GSI using 1-assay-ton samples; fusing using a standard lead collector fire assay; cupelling of the lead button to obtain a gold–silver bead; removing silver by a mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acids; weighing of the final gold-only bead by a gravimetric balance; and reporting results in ounces per ton, with lower detection limits (LDL) of 0.001, 0.002. or 0.0025. There were no over-limit analyses for gold.

 

Silver analyses conducted by Bondar-Clegg and Nevada GSI were determined using 10 gram samples, dissolving samples with a mixture of hot nitric and hydrochloric acids (aqua regia), instrument reading using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), and reporting of results in parts per million with LDLs of 0.1 or 0.2 ppm. Samples with results over 30 ppm Ag were re-assayed, and results were reported in ounces per ton for Bondar-Clegg or parts per million for Nevada GSI.

 

Most of the assay certificates are available and were used to check against the existing database.

 

There is no information available for Homestake sampling or analytical procedures. However, the area drilled by Homestake was also extensively drilled by Dakota Gold during their 2024 campaign.

 

8.2.2.3Quality Assurance and Quality Control Procedures

 

Current industry standard QA/QC programs were not part of any of the drilling completed by St. Joe, Bond Gold, and Homestake from 1984 to 1994, which is not unusual for that era of exploration work.

 

However, St. Joe and Bond Gold did employ three types of check assays with their drilling programs: first on 10% of the original samples using the same pulps at Bondar-Clegg; second were third splits the company took every 50 ft. of drilling in the field and submitted to Bondar-Clegg; third were random checks done at Skyline Labs (Skyline), Tucson, Arizona (St. Joe, 1986). In addition, the first 20 holes included splits taken by the company and submitted to Bondar-Clegg and Cone Geochemical Lab in Denver, Colorado (Cone).

 

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Skyline was independent of St. Joe, Bond Gold, and Lac Minerals. It is not known if Skyline had any accreditations at the time the analytical work was completed; however, it is currently accredited under ISO 17025:2017. Cone was a highly regarded testing facility and was independent of St. Joe, Bond Gold, and Lac Minerals. It is not known if there were any applicable accreditations.

 

Pulp samples submitted to Skyline and Cone for checking gold assays used the following procedure: 1-assay-ton samples; fusing using a standard lead collector fire assay; cupelling of the lead button to obtain a gold–silver bead; removing silver by a mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acids; instrument reading using an AAS; and reporting of results in parts per million.

 

A check was conducted by IMC by pairing up 10 ft. composites from the St. Joe/Bond Gold, and Homestake drilling with the Dakota Gold drilling. At a maximum separation distance of 30 ft. there were 484 composite pairs. The mean gold grade of the St. Joe/Bond Gold/Homestake data was 0.025 oz/t versus 0.021 oz/t for the Dakota Gold drilling. Examining a binomial statistic, the St. Joe/Bond/Homestake drilling was higher than the Dakota Gold drilling for 251 of the composite pairs and the Dakota Gold composite was higher for 233 of the pairs. This difference of 19 pairs passes a hypothesis test at the 95% level of confidence; the critical value for the statistic is 44 pairs. This indicates the two populations are similar with no evident biases.

 

8.3Procedures for Drilling Programs from 2019 to 2020

 

8.3.1Drilling Programs

 

Coeur (Wharf Division) completed two drilling campaigns comprising 75 RC holes (R19R-4674 to 4683 and R20R-4684 to -4747). Seventy-four of the holes are included in the final database for the Project; one was excluded due to missing downhole survey information. There are no core or pulp samples available from these drilling programs. The Coeur drilling was concentrated in the north of the deposit area in the Chism Flat, MW3 East, and Cole Creek areas.

 

8.3.2Sampling, Sample Preparation, Analysis, and Security

 

RC drilling chips were sampled in 10 ft. intervals, and a total of 2,721 samples were collected. Samples were initially shipped to Bureau Veritas Metals and Minerals in Vancouver; later the shipping was switched to Sparks, Nevada. The security procedures used for the shipments are not known. Bureau Veritas is independent of Coeur and Dakota Gold and is accredited under ISO/IEC 17025:2017.

 

Sample preparation procedures followed a standard industry process of taking submitted samples through successive stages of reducing particle sizes and weights to obtain representative subsamples for assaying. Procedures comprised drying if required, crushing to 70% passing (P70) 2 mm (jaw), splitting of 1 kg (riffle), pulverizing to P85 200 mesh (bowl), splitting 30 g (scoops), and analysis.

 

Gold assays (code FA430) were conducted using 30 g samples; fusing using a standard lead collector fire assay; cupelling of the lead button to obtain a gold-silver bead; removing silver by a mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acids; instrument reading using an AAS; and reporting results in ounces per ton with an LDL of 0.0001. There were no over-limit analyses for gold.

 

Silver analyses (code AQ300) were determined as part of a multielement suite using 0.5 g samples; dissolving samples with a mixture of hot nitric and hydrochloric acids (aqua regia); instrument reading using an inductively couple plasma–emission spectroscopy (ICP–ES); and reporting results in ounces per ton with an LDL of 0.009. Samples with results over 30 ppm Ag were re-assayed, and results were reported in ounces per ton.

 

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Gold and silver analyses (code CN401) were also conducted by cyanide leach using 15 g samples; dissolving samples with 30 ml of reagent; instrument reading using an AAS; and reporting results in ounces per ton with an LDL of 0.001. As of the Report date, the Coeur gold and silver cyanide soluble assays are not in the official database.

 

8.3.3Quality Assurance and Quality Control Procedures

 

Current industry standard QA/QC programs were not part of the drilling completed by Coeur from 2019 to 2020.

 

Approximately 10% of samples were sent for checking to McClelland Laboratories, Inc., in Reno, Nevada. McClelland is independent of Coeur and is accredited under ISO/IEC 17025:2017. Pulp samples submitted to McClelland for checking gold assays used the following procedure: 1-assay-ton samples; fusing using a standard lead collector fire assay; cupelling of the lead button to obtain a gold–silver bead; removing silver by a mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acids; instrument reading using an AAS; and reporting results in ounces per ton with an LDL of 0.001. There were no over-limit analyses for gold.

 

There is not much spatial overlap between the Coeur drilling and the other drilling campaigns. A check was conducted by pairing up 10 ft. composites from the St. Joe/Bond Gold drilling with the Coeur drilling. At a separation distance of 30 ft. there were only 58 composite pairs. The mean gold grade of the Coeur drilling is 0.012 oz/t versus 0.008 oz/t for the St. Joe/Bond Gold data. Examining a binomial statistic, the St. Joe/Bond drilling is higher than the Coeur drilling for 21 of the composite pairs and the Dakota Gold composite is higher for 33 of the pairs, and they are the same value for 4 pairs. This difference of 12 pairs passes a hypothesis test at the 95% level of confidence; the critical value for the statistic is 16 pairs.

 

Comparing the Coeur drilling with the Dakota Gold drilling resulted in 27 composite pairs at a 30 ft. separation distance. The mean gold grade of the Coeur drilling was 0.005 oz/t versus 0.009 oz/t for the Dakota Gold drilling. The Coeur composite is higher for 10 of the pairs and the Dakota Gold composite is higher for 17 of the pairs. This difference of 7 pairs passes a hypothesis test at the 95% level of confidence; the critical value for the statistic is 11 pairs.

 

Though the available data is sparse, the Coeur is comparable with the other drilling campaigns. There is no evidence of a bias between the various drilling programs.

 

8.4Procedures for Drilling Programs from 2022 to 2024

 

8.4.1Drilling Programs

 

Dakota Gold completed three drilling campaigns comprising 148 core holes: RH22C-001 to -0013, RH23C014 to -058, and RH23C-059 to RH24C-147 (including RH24C-088 and RH24C-088A). There were four additional holes drilled in 2024, but they were not available in time to be included in this mineral resource update.

 

8.4.2Sampling, Sample Preparation, Analysis, and Security

 

Core was cut in half lengthwise along one side of the logging orientation line, and halves were stacked vertically for adequate drainage prior to sampling. Sample lengths varied based on geological criteria and averaged roughly 5 ft. One-half of the core from each sample interval was kept for reference, and the other half was placed in a smaller prenumbered polyweave sample bag. Multiple smaller bags were placed together in larger polyweave sample bags that were sealed using numbered ziplock tags, and the larger polyweave bags were placed into numbered shipping bins. Each bin was accompanied by a sample shipment form and sent for preparation and analysis. Initially a secure company truck shipped samples to ALS in Twin Falls, Idaho; later tracked shipments used FedEx secure transportation to ALS in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

 

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ALS is independent of Dakota Gold and is accredited under ISO/IEC 17025:2017 for selected analytical techniques. Sample preparation procedures followed a standard industry process of taking submitted samples through successive stages of reducing particle sizes and weights to obtain representative subsamples for assaying. Procedures comprised drying, crushing to P70 −2 mm (jaw), splitting of 250 g (riffle), pulverizing to P85 −75 μm (bowl), splitting (scoops), and analyses.

 

Gold assays (code Au-AA23) were conducted using 30 g samples; fusing using a standard lead collector fire assay; cupelling of the lead button to obtain a gold-silver bead; removing silver by a mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acids; instrument reading using an AAS; and reporting results in parts per million with an LDL of 0.005. There were no over-limit analyses for gold.

 

Silver analyses (code ME-MS61) were determined as part of a multielement suite using 1 g samples; dissolving samples with a four-acid digestion; instrument reading using an inductively coupled plasma-emission spectroscopy (ICP-ES), and reporting results in ppm with a LDL of 0.01 ppm. Samples with results greater than 100 ppm were reanalyzed, and results were reported in parts per million with an LDL of 1 ppm (Ag-OG62).

 

Gold analyses (code Au-AA13) were also conducted by cyanide leach using 30 g samples; dissolving samples with 30 ml of reagent; instrument reading using an AAS; and reporting results in parts per million with an LDL of 0.03.

 

8.4.3Quality Assurance and Quality Control Procedures

 

8.4.3.1Sample Preparation

 

Dakota inserted certified reference materials (CRM), blanks (BLK), and duplicates (DUP) into the batches of samples to be submitted for analyses using the following procedures.

 

CRMs were purchased commercially in bulk from Klen International Pty Ltd, and from Rocklabs (a division of Scott Automation). Twenty-three separate CRMs were used, with grades ranging from 0.453 to 14.6 ppm, and those up to 2.715 ppm were most commonly used. CRMs were chosen based on the character of mineralization (oxide or sulfide) and lithology. Approximately 200 g were manually transferred to tin-top-sealed kraft bags, then placed in plastic ziplock bags for protection.

 

Most of the BLKs comprised locally obtained coarsely crushed marble at a nominal value of 0.005 ppm Au. Approximately 1 to 2 kg was manually transferred to polyweave sample bags similar to those used for routine core samples. About 4% of the BLKs were a locally sourced rhyolite.

 

DUPs comprised field material, crushed material, and pulverized material. Sample duplicates (SDP) were obtained from quarter-core splits of the parent core sample; crushed duplicates (CDP) from a 50% split of the crushed parent sample; and pulp duplicates (PDP) from a 50% split of the pulverized parent sample.

 

CRMs and BLKs were inserted after roughly every 11th routine sample, alternating between the two, although this sometimes varied depending on mineralization. A sequence of DUPs comprising one SDP, one CDP, and one PDP, was inserted after roughly every 36th routine sample.

 

The same consecutive numbering sequence was used for the core and quality control (QC) samples. CRMs and BLKs were inserted at an overall rate of approximately 5% for each sample type; SDPs, CDPs, and PDPs were inserted at roughly 3% for each sample type.

 

The QA/QC data based reviewed by IMC consisted of 1,828 CRMs, 1071 BLKs, 129 SDPs, 127 CDPs, and 127 PDPs.

 

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8.4.3.2Blanks

 

The QA/QC database included 1701 BLKs. This amounts to about 5.3% of the Dakota Gold sample intervals. Most of the gold assays were at, or near, the detection limit of 0.005 ppm. Only nine of the samples were greater than or equal to 0.02 ppm (0.0006 oz/t). The highest gold assay was 0.064 ppm (0.0018 oz/t). These are excellent results, indicating minimal contamination from higher grade samples during sample preparation.

 

The results for silver were also good. Only five of the samples were greater than or equal to 0.5 ppm (0.015 oz/t) and the highest assay was 1.07 ppm (0.031 oz/t). In particular, the rhyolite material used for a blank appears to have silver above detection limits.

 

8.4.3.3Certified Reference Materials (Standards)

 

The QA/QC database included 1828 CRM samples. This amounts to about 5.7% of the Dakota Gold sample intervals. The top 6 most utilized CRMs amounted to 70% of the data.

 

Figure 8-1 shows the control chart for gold for OXE182. The certified mean and standard deviation gold values are 0.663 ppm and 0.012 ppm respectively. The control line for the mean (red), +2 standard deviations (green), and +3 standard deviations (magenta) are shown on the chart.

 

There are 301 samples for this CRM of which 28 (9.3%) are outside the 2 standard deviation limits and 10 (3.3%) are outside of the 3 standard deviation limits.

 

Dakota Gold used CRM tolerance limits of +2 standard deviations and +8% of the certificate mean value to assess laboratory performance. Only the two low values on the right side of the chart are outside the +8% control limits.

 

Figure 8-2 shows the control chart for gold for OXD183. The certified mean and standard deviation gold values are 0.453 ppm and 0.008 ppm respectively. There are 276 samples for this CRM of which 30 (10.8%) are outside the 2 standard deviation limits and 8 (2.9%) are outside of the 3 standard deviation limits. Only 1 of the samples is outside the +8% of the certified mean value.

 

Figure 8-3 shows the control chart for gold for SJ121. The certified mean and standard deviation gold values are 2.715 ppm and 0.062 ppm respectively. There are 253 samples for this CRM of which 12 (4.7%) are outside the 2 standard deviation limits and 6 (2.4%) are outside of the 3 standard deviation limits. Four of the 6 samples are less than 2 ppm and are not shown on the chart. The assay values were 1.01, 0.995, 0.448, and 0.0025 ppm. It seems that these may have been labeled incorrectly for insertion into the assay stream. The 0.448 ppm gold assay is likely OXD183; the silver assay is also consistent with that CRM. The 0.995 ppm sample is likely SG115; the silver assay is consistent with that. The 0.0025 ppm sample is probably BLK. The 1.01 ppm assay is also consistent with CRM SG115, but there was not a silver assay for that sample. Only 1 of the samples shown on the chart is outside the +8% of the certified mean value limit.

 

Figure 8-4 shows the control chart for gold for SG115. The certified mean and standard deviation gold values are 1.017 ppm and 0.015 ppm respectively. There are 213 samples for this CRM of which 50 (23.4%) are outside the 2 standard deviation limits and 32 (15.0%) are outside of the 3 standard deviation limits. This is a large number of samples outside of the control limits. It seems possible that the certified standard deviation of 0.015 ppm is lower than the actual value. Thirteen samples are outside the +8% of the certified mean value limit.

 

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Figure 8-5 shows the control chart for gold for Si96. The certified mean and standard deviation gold values are 1.801 ppm and 0.031 ppm respectively. There are 137 samples for this CRM of which 13 (9.5%) are outside the 2 standard deviation limits and 6 (4.4%) are outside of the 3 standard deviation limits. There is one sample of 1.075 ppm gold that is not shown on the chart. There is a good chance that this was a mis-labeled sample. It did not have a silver assay to assist in correlating it with a different standard. Two of the samples on the chart are outside the +8% of the certified mean value limit.

 

The results of the assays for CRMs are good. The number of samples outside of the +3 standard deviation control limits are typical for gold assays on CRMs.  Also, there are relatively few samples outside of the +8% of the mean control limits.

 

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Figure 8-1: Control Chart for CRM OXE182 Gold Assays

 

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Figure 8-2: Control Chart for CRM OXD183 Gold Assays

 

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Figure 8-3: Control Chart for CRM SJ121 Gold Assays

 

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Figure 8-4: Control Chart for CRM SG115 Gold Assays

 

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Figure 8-5: Control Chart for CRM Si96 Gold Assays

 

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8.4.3.4Check Assays

 

As discussed in Section 8.4.3.1, Dakota Gold conducted three types of duplicate samples for their drilling program:

 

·Pulp duplicate: a check assay using the same pulp as the original sample.

 

·Crusher duplicate: an additional pulp is developed from the course crushed material.

 

·Sample duplicate: a quarter of the original drill core is submitted as a check sample.

 

Figure 8-6 presents results for the pulp duplicates versus the original assays. The top graph is an xy plot of the data. All the samples cluster relatively closely to the 1:1 line plotted on the graph. They are also relatively evenly distributed above and below the line indicating there is no apparent bias in the results.

 

The middle graph is a %HRD (Half Relative Deviation) plot of the data. Each point of the x-axis is the average of the original and pulp duplicate for each sample pair. The y-axis represents half of the difference in the assay pairs as a percentage of the mean value of the pair. It is a positive value when the check assay is higher than the original assay. For %HRD plots there are typically high relative errors at low values, particularly near detection limits. The table at the bottom shows that for all data there are 127 sample pairs with a mean gold grade of 0.443 ppm for the original assay and 0.441 ppm for the check assay. The average %HRD value for the sample pairs in 0.26% and is an estimate of bias. There is negligible bias between the original samples and the pulp checks. The table at the bottom shows results for assay pairs greater than 0.1 ppm to filter the lowest sample pairs. It also shows results for assay pairs above and below 0.5 ppm.

 

%HARD (Half Absolute Relative Deviation) is derived from taking the absolute value of the %HRD values and averaging them. This is a measure of assay precision. For all data this is interpreted that any one assay is estimated to be +5.56% of the true value. Precision is better (lower %HARD value) for assays above 0.1 and 0.5 ppm.

 

These are good results, showing it is relatively easy to replicate assays. This implies relatively fine-grained gold particles that are relatively easy to sample.

 

Figure 8-7 presents results for the crusher duplicate versus the original assays. The xy plot shows good results with the assays clustered relatively closely to the 1:1 line and relatively evenly distributed above and below the line.

 

The %HRD graph and the table show that for the 127 sample pairs the %HRD (bias) is 0.35% and the %HARD (precision) is 5.04%, i.e. any one assay can be expected to be within 5% of the true value. This is a slightly better precision (lower number) than the estimate for the pulp data. Normally it would be expected that the pulp check assays would have better precision than the crusher checks. However, the difference is the results is not material.

 

Figure 8-8 presents results for the sample duplicate versus the original assays. The xy plot results are good, though there is more scatter in the data. This is expected since the duplicate sample is based on a quarter split of the original core. The %HARD estimate for all data is 9.77% meaning any one assay can be expected to be within 9.77% of the true value.

 

This is a very good result for a sample duplicate, especially in the case where the duplicate was a quarter core instead of the half core sample the original sample was based on. The reduction in the sample size is expected to add variability to the assay result.

 

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8.5Summary

 

The QP for this section is of the opinion that the procedures for sampling, sample shipping, sample preparation, and for analyzing gold and silver for the 1984 to 2020 drilling programs followed acceptable standard analytical laboratory procedures available at the time the work was completed. Although current industry standard QA/QC monitoring programs were not part of these drilling programs, the historical drilling data are acceptable for geological and resource modeling. A comparison of the St. Joe/Bond Gold data with Dakota Gold data for 10 ft. composites within 30 ft. of each other indicates the St. Joe/Bond Gold drilling data are sufficiently similar to current Dakota Gold drilling data. There is not much overlap between the Coeur drilling and the other drilling campaigns, but comparisons of composite pairs that are relatively close indicate the Coeur drilling data is similar to the St. Joe/Bond Gold data and also the Dakota Gold data.

 

The QP Is of the opinion that for the 2022 to 2024 Dakota Gold drilling programs, the procedures used for sampling, sample shipping, sample security, sample preparation, analyzing gold and silver, and QA/QC monitoring are appropriate for obtaining reliable data that is acceptable for geological and resource modeling.

 

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Figure 8-6: Original Gold Assay versus Pulp Duplicate

 

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Figure 8-7: Original Gold Assay versus Crusher Duplicate

 

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Figure 8-8: Original Gold Assay versus Sample Duplicate

 

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9Data Verification

 

9.1Drillhole Sampling Data

 

The sampling data was verified by comparing the database entries with assay certificates or other available data listings for a representative portion of the data. The drilling data can be separated into three groups:

 

·Dakota Gold drilling from 2022 to the present.

 

·Coeur drilling from 2019 to 2020.

 

·St. Joe, Bond Gold, LAC, and Homestake drilling 1984 to 1994.

 

9.1.1Dakota Gold Drilling

 

The Dakota holes in the database were compared with assay certificates for 19 holes, as shown in the upper portion of Table 9-1. This represents about 13% of the Dakota Gold holes. Certificates were available for all the requested holes. There were no errors for gold or silver assays versus the certificates for the holes reviewed.

 

9.1.2Coeur Drilling

 

The Coeur holes in the database were compared with assay certificates for six holes, as shown in the lower portion of Table 9-1. This represents about 8% of the 74 Coeur holes. Certificates were available for all the requested holes. There were no errors for gold or silver assays versus the certificates for the holes reviewed. The Coeur drilling was reverse circulation (RC) drilling and the sample length was 10 ft., so there tends to be fewer samples per hole than the Dakota Gold and St. Joe/Bond Gold drilling.

 

9.1.3St. Joe/Bond Gold, LAC and Homestake Drilling

 

Assay certificates were requested for 57 of the holes. This represents about 7% of the 836 legacy holes drilled between 1984 to 1994. Table 9-2 summarizes the results of the comparisons for gold. The following is noted:

 

·Complete assay certificates were available for 35 of the holes. Most of the assays were done by Bondar-Clegg, though two of the holes were assayed by Nevada GSI, Inc.

 

·There were 16 holes without certificates, but did have data printouts that showed the database as of 1990. These show that there has been no tampering with the database since the time of the printouts. Some of these holes were assayed at an internal Bond Gold laboratory on the Property.

 

·There were four holes, CV-90-43, RH-86-92, RCM-19, and RCM-5 with no available certificate data.

 

·There were two holes, RH-85-52 and TT-90-51 with only partial certificate data available.

 

There were three large errors in the data that were due to missing decimal points in the data entry. These were corrected. Other than these, there were no other assays in the data that were over 1 oz/t gold. There were also nine smaller discrepancies encountered. These are mostly due to re-assays inserted into the database to replace original values. For RH-84-3 there are certificates for check assays performed by Cone Geochemical and some Bondar-Clegg repeat assays.

 

Table 9-3 summarizes the results for silver. The April 2024 Technical Report did not include mineral resources for silver and it is assumed the silver database has not been previously verified. The silver assays generally compared well with the assay certificates, or the 1990 printouts for holes without certificates. However, there were also some significant (order of magnitude errors). The most significant errors, in holes CC-87-55 and CV-90-39, were due to missing decimal places in the data entry and resulted in erroneous values exceeding 1000 ppm.

 

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As a result of the errors encountered, all the remaining assays in the St. Joe/Bond Gold data greater than 1000 ppm were verified with certificates. This was six additional assays, of which five were incorrect. There is only one legitimate silver assay above 1000 ppm in the data, an assay of 1139 ppm in hole MW3-90-152.

 

Silver assays were not done for about eight of the holes that were reviewed.

 

9.1.4       Other Reviews

 

As discussed in Section 8.2.2.3 and 8.3.3, 10 ft. drillhole composites from the various drilling campaigns were compared at separation distances up to a maximum of 30 ft. The comparisons indicated a good comparison of Dakota Gold drilling data with St. Joe/Bond Gold data. Comparison of Coeur drilling with Dakota Gold and St. Joe/Bond Gold drilling also indicated reasonable results, though there is not a lot of spatial overlap of the Coeur drilling with the other campaigns. The drilling data was reviewed in detail on cross sections.

 

Drillhole collars were also checked against topography. With the significant topographic relief at the Richmond Hill site, mis-located drill holes should stand out on the sections. No significant issues were noted.

 

It is the opinion of the QP for this section that the Richmond Hill assay database is adequate for the estimation of mineral resources and mineral reserves.

 

Table 9-1: Comparison of Assay Certificates with Database for Dakota and Coeur Drilling

 

  No. of Sample Number Range     Assay Discrepancies  
Hole Id Samples Begin End Assay Lab Certificate? Major Minor Comments
Dakota Drilling:                
RH22C-004 578 E591334 E591970 ALS Y     No errors for Dakota gold or silver assays versus
RH 22C-005 590 E585001 E585648 ALS Y     certificates for any of the holes reviewed.
RH22C-006 787 E585650 E586525 ALS Y      
RH23C-014 483 H590118 H590705 ALS Y      
RH23C-016 227 C818002 C818267 ALS Y      
RH23C-017 348 H590706 H591118 ALS Y      
RH23C-021 498 C818270 H591541 ALS Y      
RH23C-031 415 C822295 K050254 ALS Y      
RH23C-034 409 K052001 K052455 ALS Y      
RH23C-039 378 K055651 K056070 ALS Y      
RH23C-063 278 K053680 H780398 ALS Y      
RH24C-083 93 H765147 H765255 ALS Y      
RH24C-091 33 H788549 H788584 ALS Y      
RH24C-101 86 H788851 H788947 ALS Y      
RH24C-105 78 H766145 H766229 ALS Y      
RH 24C-114 35 H789527 H789565 ALS Y      
RH24C-123 41 H774671 H774715 ALS Y      
RH 24C-132 68 K591049 K591123 ALS Y      
RH24C-141 63 K591266 K591335 ALS Y      
Coeur Drilling:                
R19R-4678 42 24956 25004 Bureau Veritas Y     No errors for Coeur gold or silver assays versus
R20R-4690 72 25581 25666 Bureau Veritas Y     certificates for any of the holes reviewed.
R20R-4702 72 26269 26354 Bureau Veritas Y      
R20R-4729 42 27287 27335 Bureau Veritas Y      
R20R-4743 70 27759 27839 Bureau Veritas Y      
R20R-4745 60 27914 27982 Bureau Veritas Y      

 

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Table 9-2: Comparison of Assay Certificates with Database for Legacy Drilling – Gold

 

  No. of Sample Number Range     Assay Discrepancies  
Hole Id Samples Begin End Assay Lab Certificate? Major Minor Comments
Legacy Drilling:                
BZ-92-21 200 306901 307100   No, Note 1. 1   Sample 306964, 0.004 opt entered as 4 opt
CC-86-11 60 30081 30140 Bondar-Clegg Y      
CC-86-16 76 30491 30566 Bondar-Clegg Y      
CC-87-55 76 59601 59676 Bondar-Clegg Y      
CCH-89-8 104 76661 76764 Bondar-Clegg Y      
CP-86-2 83 40101 40183 Bondar-Clegg Y      
CV-88-4 88 62171 62258 Bondar-Clegg Y      
CV-89-19 89 74571 74659 Bondar-Clegg Y      
CV-89-23 100 78491 75080 Bondar-Clegg Y      
CV-90-39 69 78351 78419 Bondar-Clegg Y      
CV-90-43 81 86201 86281 No Data No     No certificate data provided
DB-91-6 59 302851 302909   No, Note 1.      
EB-91-4 68 306421 306488   No, Note 1.      
HE-91-2 131 303881 304011   No, Note 1. 1   Sample 303984, 0.002 opt entered as 2 opt
HI-88-2 139 66351 66489 Bondar-Clegg Y      
HW86-4 100 45731 45830 Bondar-Clegg Y      
LP-86-10 70 41501 41570   No, Note 1.      
MW3-88-6 90 61091 61180 Bondar-Clegg Y      
MW3-90-17 51 77891 77941 Bondar-Clegg Y      
MW3-90-33 74 80181 80254 Nevada GSI, Inc Y      
MW3-90-45 65 87321 87385   No, Note 1.      
MW3-90-115 79 98331 98409   No, Note 1.      
MW3-90-135 55 99461 99515   No, Note 1.      
MW3-90-136 70 99521 99590   No, Note 1.      
MW3-90-151 30 92271 92300 Bondar-Clegg Y      
MW3-90-152 34 92311 92344 Bondar-Clegg Y      
MW3-90-155 51 92431 92481 Bondar-Clegg Y      
MW3-90-22 56 79781 79836   No, Note 1.      
MW3-90-52 75 80671 80745   No, Note 1.      
MW3-90-93 129 91561 91689 Nevada GSI, Inc Y     No certificate data for first 13 samples.
PG-88-1 112 62341 62452   No, Note 1.      
PG-91-13 91 305001 305091   No, Note 1.      
RCM-19 18 2473 2490   No     Only data provided was Excel spreadsheet.
RCM-5 30 2150 2179   No     Only data provided was Excel spreadsheet.
RH-84-3 70 20541 20610 Bondar-Clegg Y   6 Some Cone check assays and BC repeats included.
RH-84-16 70 22741 22810 Bondar-Clegg Y      
RH-84-18 70 23031 23100 Bondar-Clegg Y   3 Sample 23035, 0.222 opt on certificate, 0.201 opt in database.
Sample 23058, 0.047 opt on certificate, 0.036 opt in database.
Sample 23072, 0.055 opt on certificate 0.064 opt in database.
RH-85-52 109 26701 51759 Bondar-Clegg Partial     No errors, but also no certificate data for bottom half of hole.
RH-85-66 60 28631 28690 Bondar-Clegg Y      
RH-86-75C 74 N.A. N.A.   No, Note 1.     From 44 to 49 ft, 0.008 opt entered as 8 opt.
RH-86-92 68 42811 42878 No Data No     No certificate data provided
RH-86-102 70 43091 43160 Bondar-Clegg Y 1    
RH-86-108 100 41221 49826   No, Note 1.      
RH-86-123C 372 54201 55572 Bondar-Clegg Y      
RH-87-128C 197 55791 55988 Bondar-Clegg Y      
RH-91-168 87 303541 303627   No, Note 1.      
RHN-90-7 121 85591 85711 Nevada GSI, Inc Y      
RP-85-2 68 33581 33648 Bondar-Clegg Y      
TA-85-2 80 35221 35399 Bondar-Clegg Y      
TA-86-21 88 39031 39118 Bondar-Clegg Y      
TA-86-26 52 41291 41342 Bondar-Clegg Y      
TT-85-11 60 35051 35110 Bondar-a egg Y      
TT-85-2 70 28441 28510 Bondar-a egg Y      
TT-86-24 64 51511 51574 Bondar-Clegg Y      
TT-90-47 100 77121 77220 Bondar-Clegg Y      
TT-90-51 95 30101 30195 Bondar-Clegg Partial     Certificate only available for 44 of the samples.
WD-87-16 96 58401 58496 Bondar-Clegg Y      
Note 1. Data compared with historical data printout from Bond Gold.  

 

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Table 9-3: Comparison of Assay Certificates with Database for Legacy Drilling – Silver

 

  No. of Sample Number Range     Assay Discrepancies
Hole Id Samples Begin End Assay Lab Certificate? Major Minor Comments
Legacy Drilling:                
BZ-92-21 200 306901 307100   No, Note 1.     No silver assays in database.
CC-86-11 60 30081 30140 Bondar-Clegg Y      
CC-86-16 76 30491 30566 Bondar-Clegg Y 1   Sample 30557, 6.2 ppm on certificate, 27.77 ppm in database.
CC-87-55 76 59601 59676 Bondar-Clegg Y 2   Sample 59646, 3.1 ppm on certificate, 3120 ppm in database.
                Sample 59665, 2.0 ppm on certificate, 19.89 ppm in database.
CCH-89-8 104 76661 76764 Bondar-Clegg Y      
CP-86-2 83 40101 40153 Bondar-Clegg Y      
CV-88-4 88 62171 62258 Bondar-Clegg Y      
CV-89-19 89 74571 74659 Bondar-Clegg Y      
CV-39-23 100 78491 75030 Bondar-Clegg Y      
CV-90-39 69 78351 75419 Bondar-Clegg Y 2   Sample 78365, 2.8 ppm on certificate, 2811 ppm in database.
                Sample 78404, 1.8 ppm on certificate, 18.18 ppm in database.
CV-90-43 81 86201 86281 No Data No     No certificate data provided
DB-91-6 59 302851 302909   No, Note 1.     No silver assays in database.
EB-91-4 68 306421 306488   No, Note 1.     No silver assays in database.
HE-91-2 131 303881 304011   No, Note 1.     No silver assays in database.
HI-88-2 139 66351 66489 Bondar-Clegg Y      
HW-86-4 100 45731 45830 Bondar-Clegg Y      
LP-86-10 70 41501 41570   No, Note 1.      
MW3-88-6 90 61091 61130 Bondar-Clegg Y     No certificate data for first 9 samples.
MW3-90-17 51 77891 77941 Bondar-Clegg Y 1   Database has 50 ppm (upper limit), 3.53 opt re-assay (121 ppm).
MW3-90-33 74 80181 80254 Nevada GSI, Inc Y      
MW3-90-45 65 87321 87385   No, Note 1.      
MW3-90-115 79 98331 98409   No, Note 1.      
MW3-90-135 55 99461 99515   No, Note 1.      
MW3-90-136 70 99521 99590   No, Note 1.      
MW3-90-151 30 92271 92300 Bondar-Clegg Y      
MW3-90-152 34 92311 92344 Bondar-Clegg Y      
MW3-90-155 51 92431 92481 Bondar-Clegg Y      
MW3-90-22 56 79781 79836   No, Note 1.      
MW3-90-52 75 80671 80745   No, Note 1.     No silver assays in upper half of hole.
MW3-90-93 129 91561 91689 Nevada GSI, Inc Y 1   Sample 91677, 2.0 ppm on certificate, 23.04 ppm in database. No certificate data for first 13 samples.
PG-88-1
PG-91-13
RCM-19
RCM-5

112
91
18
30

62341
305001
2473
2150

62452
305091
2490
2179

 

No, Note 1.
No, Note 1.
No
No

    No silver assays in database.
No silver assays in database.
No silver assays in database.
RH-84-3 70 20541 20610 Bondar-Clegg Y      
RH-84-16 70 22741 22810 Bondar-Clegg Y   1 Sample 22801, 7.8 ppm on certificate, 7.47 ppm in database.
RH-84-18 70 23031 23100 Bondar-Clegg Y   3 Sample 23035, 24 ppm on certificate, 23 ppm in database.
                Sample 23039, 4.1 ppm on certificate, 5.31 ppm in database.
                Sample 23062, 6.5 ppm on certificate, 5.93 ppm in database.
RH-85-52 109 26701 51759 Bondar-Clegg Partial   1 Sample 26750, 28 ppm on certificate, 22 ppm in database.
                No certificate data for bottom half of hole.
RH-85-66 60 28631 28690 Bondar-Clegg Y   1 Sample 28650, 1.63 opt (55.9 ppm) on certificate, 53.8 ppm in data.
RH-86-75C 74 N.A. N.A.   No, Note 1.   1 244 to 249 ft. printout was 0.07 opt (2.4 ppm), database is 1.37 ppm.
RH-86-92 68 42811 42878 No Data No     No certificate data provided
RH-86-102 70 43091 43160 Bondar-Clegg Y      
RH-86-108 100 41221 49826   No, Note 1.      
RH-86-123C 372 54201 55572 Bondar-Clegg Y      
RH-87-128C 197 55791 55988 Bondar-Clegg Y      
RH-91-168 87 303541 303627   No, Note 1.     No silver assays in database.
RHN-90-7 121 85591 85711 Nevada GSI, Inc Y      
RP-85-2 68 33581 33648 Bondar-Clegg Y      
TA-85-2 80 35221 35399 Bondar-Clegg Y      
TA-86-21 88 39031 39118 Bondar-Clegg Y      
TA-86-26 52 41291 41342 Bondar-Clegg Y      
TT-85-11 60 35051 35110 Bondar-Clegg Y      
TT-85-2 70 28441 28510 Bondar-Clegg Y      
TT-86-24 64 51511 51574 Bondar-Clegg Y      
TT-90-47 100 77121 77220 Bondar-Clegg Y      
TT-90-51 95 30101 30195 Bondar-Clegg Partial     Certificate only available for 44 of the samples.
WD-87-16 96 58401 58496 Bondar-Clegg Y      
Note 1. Data compared with historical data printout from Bond Gold.

 

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9.2Mineral Processing

 

For the purpose of this Technical Report, Woods Process Services (WPS) has reviewed historical process information provided by Dakota Gold as discussed in more detail in Section 10.

 

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10Mineral Processing and Metallurgical

 

The Project hosts the former Richmond Hill gold mine, operated from 1988 to 1993 as an open pit mine with heap leach facilities. The heap leach flow sheet for the historical Richmond Hill mine was based on several column test programs primarily in-house at the St. Joe Technical Center metallurgical laboratory. Additional metallurgical testing programs were conduced while Richmond Hill was in operation at the on-site metallurgical testing laboratory. Since termination of operations at Richmond Hill, no significant cyanidation heap leach testing programs have been undertaken. It is the opinion of the QP that the existing testwork data is sufficient for the scope of this technical report.

 

The following discussion is segmented into two sections based on the available metallurgical testwork. The first covers the historical Oxide heap leach cyanide testing, namely bottle roll and column tests used as the design basis for the original operations. The second section discussed Transition and Sulfide material flotation based on recent metallurgical testing (2023) at Base Metallurgical Laboratories (BaseMet) in Kamloops, B.C.

 

10.1Preliminary Geometallurgical Data Model Development

 

The RH deposit, as expected, has three primary geometallurgical domains, namely: oxide, mixed (transition) and sulfide. This is evident in the core logging, geochemical analysis and metallurgical specific analyses. As a primary run, a cluster analysis subroutine was run based on the drill core interval analyses: fire assay Au and Ag, cyanide soluble Au (CNAu), ICP geochemical analysis and metallurgical specific data, Ag:Au ratio and cyanide soluble Au to fire assay Au (CNAu:FAAu).

 

Running the cluster analysis on the total 2024 block model population resulted in subsample population of 21,906 out of the total population of 117,902 or 18.6% owing to lack of individual analyses, namely cyanide soluble and geochem. Table 10-1 contains the cluster counts and the respective cluster means for the individual analyses. Figure 10-1 shows the analytical KPI’s for each cluster using Quantile-Wisker plots. It should be noted that the clusters used should are an indication of the metallurgical expected metallurgical response using the CNAu:FAAu ratio as a proxy for bottle-roll test recovery. Additional analyses are required along with development work to incorporate the geologic, structural, metallurgical and spatial data into the model.

 

Table 10-1: Preliminary Geometallurgical Cluster Analysis Summary Table

 

Cluster Count Cluster Means
FA Au ppm CN Au ppm CNAAu:FAAu FA Ag ppm Ag:Au
A 11,872 0.35 0.32 0.90 4.83 16.35
B 8,505 0.51 0.12 0.30 4.34 10.86
C 1,122 2.88 1.95 0.75 16.89 6.71
D 335 0.49 0.31 0.74 65.44 173.86
E 72 9.62 6.50 0.73 34.58 4.60

 

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Figure 10-1: Preliminary Cluster Analysis Interval Analytical KPI’s by Cluster   

 

10.2Oxide and Mixed Metallurgical Testing

 

Historical Oxide metallurgical testing was conducted by several metallurgical laboratories including St. Joe Mining’s Technical Center and Dawson Metallurgical Testing Laboratory. Additional work was conducted at Dawson Metallurgical Laboratories, Bondar-Clegg, Kappes Cassiday & Associates and Heinen Lindstrom and Associates. This data was used to support the design and engineering of the production processing facility at Richmond Hill, which operated from 1988 to 1993.

 

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Metallurgical testwork results have been compiled into a common database to facilitate data analysis and incorporation into the geometallurgical model. The following discussion focuses on the historical cyanidation bottle roll and column tests.

 

10.2.1Historical Bottle Roll Tests

 

Figure 10-2 presents the gold calculated head grades for Richmond Hill bottle roll tests. The calculated Au head grades ran between 0.0027 opt to 0.699 opt with a mean of 0.052 opt and median of 0.035 opt.

 

 

 

Figure 10-2: Richmond Hill Bottle Roll Test KPIs: Calculated Heads Au opt

 

The bottle roll test silver head grade distribution and statistics are presented in Figure 10-3. Median and mean silver calculated heads grades are 0.22 opt and 0.472 opt respectively.

 

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Figure 10-3: Richmond Hill Bottle Roll Test KPIs: Calculated Heads Ag opt

 

Bottle roll test Silver to Gold ratio of the Richmond Hill has a significant variance with range of 0.21 to 803.3 as show in Figure 10-4.

 

Median and Mean Ag:Au ratio of 6.52 and 15.99 respectively suggest that a Merrill-Crowe circuit would be appropriate for heap leach solution processing for precious metal recovery.

 

 

 

Figure 10-4: Richmond Hill Bottle Roll Test KPIs: Ag:Au ratio

 

Bottle roll tests for Richmond Hill had median and mean gold recoveries of 79.0 % and 70.2 % respectively as shown in Figure 10-5. It should be noted that the data is skewed on the low side owing to the inclusion of non-oxide bottle roll test data in the population. Where noted, non-oxide bottle roll tests were culled from the population for analysis. After accounting for this apparent skewing, the QP is of the opinion that 89% is an appropriate expectation for gold recovery from heap leach of the Richmond Hill oxide and 65% for low sulfide transition material.

 

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Figure 10-5: Richmond Hill Bottle Roll Test KPIs: Au Recovery Distribution

 

Silver recoveries for the bottle tests had a median value of 40.8% and mean of 39.7% as shown in Figure 10-6. As with the gold recovery, the distribution is skewed owing to the presence of non-oxide material included in the population.

 

 

 

Figure 10-6: Richmond Hill Bottle Roll Test KPIs: Ag Recovery Distribution

 

10.2.2Historical Metallurgical testing: Oxide & Transition Heap Leach

 

The Richmond Hill oxide material is amenable to cyanide heap processing for the recovery of precious metals. Individual column testwork data was combined into a common data set for analysis of the KPI’s. Where non-oxide column tests were identified, the corresponding data was excluded from the analysis. Consequently, non-oxide column tests that were not identified as such, tend to skew the results on the low side.

 

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Figure 10-7 presents the column test gold calculated head grades for the oxide column tests. These ranged between 0.016 Au opt to 0.126 Au opt. Median and Mean gold calculated head grades were 0.044 opt and 0.046 opt respectively.

 

 

 

Figure 10-7: Richmond Hill Column Test KPIs: Calculated Heads Au opt

 

The oxide column test silver calculated head grade distribution and pertinent statistics are shown in Figure 10-8. The silver grades ranged between 0.014 opt and 1.063 opt with median and mean values of 0.165 and 0.214 opt Ag respectively.

 

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Figure 10-8: Richmond Hill Column Test KPIs: Calculated Heads Ag opt

 

Oxide column test silver to gold ratios are presented in Figure 10-9. These range between 0.48 Ag:Au up to 14.13 Ag:Au. Median and mean values for Ag:Au were 4.15 and 5.07 respectively. These ratios indicate that a Merrill-Crowe circuit would be appropriate for solution processing.

 

 

 

Figure 10-9: Richmond Hill Column Test KPIs: Ag:Au Ratio

 

Oxide column test gold recoveries, as shown in Figure 10-10, ranged between 1.79 % to 95.1 % with median and mean values of 84.8 % and 65.5 %. As with the bottle roll tests, the distribution was skewed owing to the presence of high-sulfide and sulfide material in the population.

 

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Figure 10-10: Richmond Hill Column Test KPIs: Recovery % Au

 

The distribution and statistics for the oxide column test silver recoveries are shown in Figure 10-11. Recoveries ranged from 0.25 % to 65.2 % with a median Ag recovery of 16.7% and mean Ag recovery of 20.17%.

 

 

 

Figure 10-11: Richmond Hill Column Test KPIs: Recovery % Ag

 

10.3Sulfide and Transition Metallurgical Testing

 

In 2024, Dakota Gold contracted AKF Mining Services Inc. (AKF) to complete a review of historical and current exploration programs to verify and validate the drilling data and produce an S-K 1300 Initial Assessment and Technical Report Summary (Report) on the Richmond Hill Gold Project (the Project or the Property).

 

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Sulfide and Transition metallurgical testing was reported in detail by QP Kelly McLeod, P.Eng., of K-Met Consultants Inc. (K-Met) in detail in the April 2024 S-K 1300 report. For the sake of brevity, pertinent sections of the original SK-1300 are included in the following subsection 10.3.

 

10.3.1Historical Metallurgical Reports: Sulfide & Transition Flotation

 

Between 1987 (St. Joe 1987) and 1991 five historical metallurgical test programs were completed on the sulfide material from the Richmond Hill gold deposit, including mineralogy, gravity, roasting, bioleach, flotation, and leaching. Dawson Metallurgical Laboratories (1988) in Murray, Utah, reported similar results for the sulfide material as those for the 2023 testwork undertaken by Base Metallurgical Laboratories (BaseMet) in Kamloops, B.C. The historical test programs are listed in Table 10-2.

 

Table 10-2: Historical Metallurgical Reports

 

Test Program Year Sample ID
Process Mineralogy and CN Leach Tests of Sulfide Ore Samples from Richmond Hill Project, No. 5H06 1987 RH 85-54, 83, 102, 108
Dawson Metallurgical Laboratories, Inc., Cyanide Leaching with Intensive Pre-aeration on a Sample from the Richmond Hill Project, No. P-1395 1988 Not available
Dawson Metallurgical Laboratories, Inc., Results of Preliminary Cyanide Leach Test on 8 Samples from South Dakota, No. P 1590 1988 CV4-1A to 4A, CV5-1A to 4A
Extractive Technologies Metallurgical Laboratories, Agitation Cyanidation Testwork, No. 0161 1989 CV-88-6, 8, 23
LAC Minerals-Richmond Hill Inc., Report on Samples Submitted by Tod Duex for Bottle Roll Analysis 1991 BR-1H1, BR-1H2, BRB-W1, BR-SR1, BR-DB1, BR-BD2, BR-SC1, BR-SC2, BR-B1, BR-W2, BR-SR2, BR-SR3, BR-B2

 

Source: K-Met 2023.

 

The mineralogy indicates that the tested sulfide material contains fine gold locked in coarse gangue, and large amounts of gold associated with fine- to medium-sized iron sulfides locked in gangue minerals. Like 2023 testwork, historical gravity concentration testwork achieved 7% to 23% recovery and was not investigated further at this time. Whole ore leach (WOL) results were low, with gold extraction averaging 46%. Roasting, bioleach, and pressure oxidation (POX) of the flotation concentrate followed by cyanide leach increased gold extraction. Roasting and bioleach recovered between 74% and 80% of the gold. The result of including an autoclave prior to leaching was gold extraction of approximately 93% and silver extraction of 74%. Cyanide consumption was found to be low at 1.5 kg/t, but lime consumption was relatively high at, 7 kg/t.

 

10.3.2Metallurgical Report – BL1244

 

In August 2023, BaseMet completed test program BL1244 on Richmond Hill zone drill-core material, a preliminary metallurgical investigation of extracting gold and silver from three mineralogical classifications: oxide, transition, and sulfide. BaseMet’s full testwork provides full details in their December 4, 2023, report on BL1244, Preliminary Metallurgical Assessment of the Richmond Hill Deposit.

 

10.3.2.1Head Assays

 

The MC head assays are listed in Table 10-3. Note that the 2023 Initial Assessment reported Au and Ag grades in grams per tonne. The gold head assays range from 0.65 to 0.82 g/t with sulfur ranging from 1.64% for RH22 Ox to 6.21% for RH22 Sul.

 

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Table 10-3: Master Composite Head Assays – BaseMet2023, BL1244

 

Sample Assays
Cu (%) Fe (%) Ag (g/t) Au (g/t) S (%) C (%) TOC (%)
RH22 Sul 0.013 7.18 5.0 0.65 6.21 0.25 0.07
RH22 Mix 0.014 7.85 2.8 0.82 5.16 0.50 0.09
RH22 Ox 0.014 8.32 1.4 0.74 1.64 <0.01 <0.01
Method FAAS FAAS ICP FAAS LECO LECO LECO

 

Notes: FAAS = Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy; LECO = Infrared Combustion; TOC = Total Organic Carbon.

 

10.3.2.2Gravity-Recoverable Gold

 

Gravity-recoverable gold (GRG) testwork was undertaken on the three MCs. All three samples had a relatively low GRG. The nominal grind sizes used for this testwork were 80% passing (P80) 1,700 µm, P80 212 µm, and P80 75 µm. The oxide MC has the most GRG, at 33%, and the sulfide MC at 8.7%. No further gravity concentration was investigated.

 

10.3.2.3Flotation Leach Results

 

Rougher Flotation

 

Rougher flotation tests were completed at P80 approximately 75 µm, at a natural Ph between 5.6 and 7.0, using potassium amyl xanthate (PAX) as a collector, with methyl isobutyl carbinol added to maintain a consistent froth. The tests were completed at a relatively low PAX dosage (80 g/t) and a higher PAX dosage (200 g/t). The higher-dosage tests were performed at a lower density in the range of 25% to 27% due to increased viscosity observed during the initial flotation tests. The flowsheet is illustrated in Figure 10-12.

 

 

 

Figure 10-12: Rougher Flotation Flowsheet—BaseMet 2023, BL1244

 

The gold recovery to the rougher concentrate under these conditions ranged from 62% to 69% for all three MCs. The sulfide MC had the best results, with a gold recovery of 69% in the flotation concentrate. The lower density for the higher PAX test reduced the mass pull for the sulfide MC, and the gold grade in the concentrate was higher. Very little change was noted for the oxide flotation with the second rougher test. The silver recovery for the MCs tested was in the same range as gold (66% to 69%), but much lower for the oxide MC (39% to 44%). The rougher concentrate grades were relatively low, ranging from 2 to 6 g/t, and would need further testwork to determine if upgrading could be achieved to produce a saleable concentrate. To improve the concentrate grade for sale or extraction of gold from the concentrate by leaching, additional processing might include either additional flotation stages, continuous gravity concentration, spiral concentration, or shaking tables. The rougher flotation results and rougher mass versus recovery curves are shown in Table 10-4 and Figure 10-13, respectively.

 

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Table 10-4: Rougher Flotation Results – BaseMet 2023, BL1244

 

Test Sample

PAX

(g/t)

Weight

(%)

Assay Distribution (%)
Fe (%) Ag (g/t) Au (g/t) S (%) Fe Ag Au S
1 RH22—Sul 80 29.4 14.6 12.0 1.5 15.6 56 69 69 75
2 RH22—Mix 80 15.9 21.5 11.9 3.6 23.1 40 67 66 74
3 RN22—Ox 80 8.6 12.7 10.1 6.2 .1 12 39 67 41
7 RH22—Sul 200 17.0 27.4 19.2 2.8 35.2 62 69 68 88
8 RH22—Mix 200 11.6 26.9 13.4 5.1 31.1 38 66 62 71
9 RN22—Ox 200 8.6 12.4 11.1 6.1 7.8 13 44 68 43

 

 

 

Figure 10-13: Rougher Mass vs. Gold Recovery—BaseMet 2023, BL1244

 

10.3.2.4Diagnostic Leach

 

To investigate the leach performance on the MCs, and gold associated with different groups of minerals, a five-stage diagnostic leach test was conducted. In the initial stage a cyanide leach was completed on the MCs at a primary grind of P80 75 µm.

 

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Figure 10-14: Diagnostic Leach Test Flowsheet – BaseMet 2023, BL1244

 

At each stage of the test, various minerals and mineral groups are dissolved by the acid used. The results are listed in Table 10-5.

 

Table 10-5: Diagnostic Leach – BaseMet 2023, BL1244

 

Stage Description of Gold Au Stage Extraction (%)
RH22—Sul RH22—Mix RH22—Ox
A: High-Intensity CN Leach Cyanide amenable gold 47.4 72.9 91.0
B/C: HCl Digestion/Cyanidation Carbonate locked 18.8 4.4 2.4
D/E: HNO3 Digestion/Cyanidation Arsenical minerals (arsenopyrite) 29.4 12.5 2.0
F: Aqua Regia Digestion Pyritic sulfide locked 3.5 1.9 2.6
Tailings Silicate (gangue) encapsulated 1.0 8.3 1.9
Total   100 100 100

 

The results indicate that most of the oxide material is free or exposed, and responds well to WOL, with gold extraction expected in the range of 91%. The leach extraction for the transition MC was 72.9% gold, which is consistent with the WOL results discussed in Section 10.2.7. The results indicate 12.5% gold reports to the D/E stage (i.e., nitric acid), but the BMA results do not indicate a significant amount of arsenopyrite in the sample. The transition MC had the highest percentage of gold locked in silicate or gangue. The sulfide MC had poor gold extraction at the first cyanide leach stage. High gold dissolution was recorded in the hydrochloric acid and nitric acid digestion stages. All three MCs had a low amount of gold locked in pyrite.

 

10.3.3Metallurgical Report – BL1346

 

In September 2023, intervals from 29 drill holes representing seven zones were collected for metallurgical evaluation. The zones include Twin Tunnels Turn Around Monitoring Well 3, Richmond Hill, Cleveland, Cole Creek, and Richmond Hill North. MCs were compiled to represent the oxide, transition, and sulfide layers within each zone.

 

10.3.3.1Flotation Grind Series

 

Three initial rougher flotation tests were performed on the sulfide MC-TT-S to investigate primary grind. The sample was ground to target primary grind sizes of P80 50, 75, and 106 µm. Flotation was conducted at natural Ph for a total flotation time of eight minutes. PAX was used as a nonselective gold and sulfide collector at a total dosage of 80 g/t feed PAX. A primary grind targeting P80 75 µm provided the best results for both gold and silver, with approximately 21% of the feed reporting to the rougher concentrate. The rougher concentrate results are listed in Table 10-6. Figure 10-15 illustrates gold recovery versus mass recovery.

 

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Table 10-6: Rougher Flotation Grind Series MC-TT-S – BaseMet 2023, BL1346

 

Test No.

Grind Size

(P80 µm)

Weight Assay Distribution (%)
% g Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Fe (%) S (%) Au Ag Fe S
BL1346-22 50 27.9 557.1 1.93 11.4 17.2 17.9 60.3 65.7 53.5 72.5
BL1346-23 75 21.1 419.1 2.87 15.1 22.9 25.6 65.8 68.1 55.6 78.4
BL1346-24 106 16.7 330.3 3.04 15.5 24.3 26.6 54.0 56.4 46.9 64.6

 

 

 

Figure 10-15: Gold Rougher Concentrate Recovery vs. Mass Recovery – BaseMet 2023, BL1346

 

10.3.3.2Preliminary Flotation Optimization

 

To further optimize the flotation recovery tests on MC-TT-S, they included a longer rougher flotation time (10 minutes), higher PAX dosage (200 g/t), and lower density. The results indicate a combination of the changes has an impact on the recovery to the rougher concentrate. With the higher PAX dosage, the highest recovery and highest mass pull was noted. The lower density, between 25% and 27%, appears to reduce mass recovery. Figure 10-16 illustrates the gold recovery to the rougher concentrate versus mass recovery for the additional tests completed on MC-TT-S.

 

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Figure 10-16: Gold Rougher Concentrate Recovery vs. Mass Recovery – BaseMet 2023, BL1346

 

10.3.3.3Transition and Sulfide Master Composite Flotation

 

The final rougher flotation flowsheet that was tested on the 13 transition and sulfide MCs included a primary grind size of P80 75 µm, 200 g/t PAX, and 10-minute residence time at a lower density. The results ranged from 31.5% to 94.0% gold recovery to the rougher concentrate. The overall results are in Table 10-7. The MC with higher sulfur content appears to perform better, as demonstrated in Figure 10-17. The head grade did not seem to correlate with recovery of gold to the rougher concentrate, as shown in Figure 10-18.

 

Table 10-7: Rougher Flotation Results – BaseMet 2023, BL1346

 

Zone Lithology Test Head Grade Recovery to Rougher Concentrates (%)
Au (g/t) S (%) Mass Au Ag Fe S
MC-TA Transition 28 0.9 3.3 8.6 61.6 50.9 34.5 82.8
MC-TA Sulfide 29 0.8 5.6 16.2 80.9 75.2 53.3 89.3
MC-TT Transition 30 0.7 5.8 15.8 67.0 64.8 44.5 79.4
MC-TT Sulfide 31 0.9 6.8 12.2 52.4 60.9 47.6 74.7
MC-MW3 Transition 37 1.5 3.9 13.0 84.9 75.3 37.3 89.0
MC-MW3 Sulfide 38 4.2 7.2 17.5 94.0 87.9 39.9 91.1
MC-RH Transition 39 1.2 1.1 2.7 31.5 36.5 8.0 88.5
MC-RH Sulfide 40 0.6 5.6 11.3 50.0 55.8 37.5 73.0
MC-CV Transition 32 0.4 2.8 10.3 59.4 44.6 26.6 85.8
MC-CV Sulfide 33 2.3 5.2 9.5 50.7 35.5 23.3 74.0
MC-CC Transition 34 0.6 2.8 7.4 60.4 54.9 33.6 92.1
MC-CC Sulfide 35 0.7 6.5 24.4 88.1 73.1 50.0 93.1
MC-RHN Sulfide 36 0.9 5.1 21.2 73.4 78.4 50.0 84.7

 

Notes: CC = Cole Creek; CV = Cleveland; MW3 = Monitoring Well 3; RH = Richmond Hill; RHN = Richmond Hill North; TA = Turn Around; TT = Twin Tunnels.

 

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Figure 10-17: Gold Recovery vs. Sulfur Head Grade – BaseMet 2023, 1346

 

 

 

Figure 10-18: Gold Recovery vs. Gold Head Grade – BaseMet 2023, BL1346

 

10.4Richmond Hill Historical Operating Data

 

Historical operating data was made available to the QP for review and analysis. Figure 10-19 presents the commercial heap leach gold and silver recoveries as well as the dore silver to gold ratio. Heap leach recoveries maxed out at 62.3% and 16.9% for gold and silver respectively. These are considerably lower than would be expected using “recent” heap leach methods developed over that last 30 plus years. Reported issues with the historical operations include:

 

·Processing of lower grade material,

 

·Processing of sulfide material,

 

·Processing of high-sulfide transition material

 

·Issues with Ph control,

 

·Problems with solution management during winter operations.

 

It is the QP’s opinion that that the projected recovery can be attained with mitigation of the above issues.

 

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Figure 10-19: Historical Richmond Hill Heap Leach KPI’s Au and Ag Recovery, Recovered Ag:Au Ratio

 

10.5Recovery Estimates

 

Projected recoveries are based on the available metallurgical testwork data as presented in Table 10-8 and generally reflect the median of the respective testwork results. As previously noted, the oxide column test recovery data is skewed owing to inclusion of likely transition and sulfide test results. Removing these results from the data set results in an overall improvement in projected gold recoveries to 89%. It is the QP’s opinion that this is both reasonable and supported by the data.

 

Table 10-8: Projected Precious Metal Recoveries

 

Metallurgical Recovery Estimates  
Material Type  Oxide   Trans   Trans   Sulfide 
Process  Heap Leach   Heap Leach   Mill   Mill 
Gold   89%   65%   80%   85%
Silver   30%   20%   70%   85%

 

10.6Summary and Recommendations

 

The Richmond Hill oxide and transition material is amenable to cyanidation heap leach processing. The Richmond Hill sulfide material is amenable to bulk sulfide froth flotation. Transition material can be processed through either method but requires determination of a cut-over grade for optimum economics.

 

It is the QP’s opinion that the existing testwork is suitable for this level of study and projected recoveries are more than reasonable.

 

Additional metallurgical testing is required to support future studies. This work will likely result in better definition of the metal recoveries and reagent consumptions. This will improve the accuracy of future capital and operating cost estimates as well as production forecasting.

 

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11Mineral Resource Estimate

 

11.1Mineral Resource

 

The mineral resource estimate for Richmond Hill includes mineral resources amenable to heap leaching and mineral resources amenable to milling. The mineral resource amenable to leaching consists of the oxide and transition material types, and the mineral resource amenable to milling consists of the sulfide material. Table 11-1 presents the mineral resource estimate. The measured and indicated mineral resource amenable to leaching amounts to 269.8 million tons at 0.0135 oz/t gold and 0.141 oz/t silver for 3.65 million ounces of contained gold and 38.1 million ounces of contained silver. Inferred mineral resource amenable to leaching is an additional 254.2 million tons at 0.0103 oz/t gold and 0.090 oz/t silver for 2.61 million ounces of contained gold and 22.8 million ounces of contained silver.

 

The measured and indicated mineral resource amenable to milling amounts to 69.6 million tons at 0.0141 oz/t gold and 0.139 oz/t silver for 982,100 ounces of contained gold and 9.68 million ounces of contained silver. Inferred mineral resource amenable to milling is an additional 202.2 million tons at 0.0121 oz/t gold and 0.145 oz/t silver for 2.45 million ounces of contained gold and 29.3 million ounces of contained silver.

 

The measured and indicated mineral resource for leach and mill material amounts to 339.4 million tons at 0.0137 oz/t gold and 0.141 oz/t silver for 4.64 million ounces of contained gold and 47.8 million ounces of contained silver. Inferred mineral resource for leach and mill material is an additional 456.4 million tons at 0.0111 oz/t gold and 0.114 oz/t silver for 5.06 million ounces of contained gold and 52.1 million ounces of contained silver.

 

The measured, indicated, and inferred mineral resources reported herein are contained within a conceptual constraining pit shell to demonstrate “reasonable prospects for economic extraction” to meet the definition of mineral resources in S-K 1300. Figure 11-1 shows the pit shell that is based on measured, indicated, and inferred mineral resource. The constraining pit shell is also constrained by the Richmond Hill Project Boundary. Only mineralization inside the boundary was allowed to contribute to the economics for development of the shell, though waste mining outside of the boundary, to extract mineralization inside the boundary, was allowed.

 

Table 11-1: Mineral Resource Estimate

 

Resource Category  AuEq COG
(oz/t)
   Ktons   AuEq
(oz/t)
   Gold
(oz/t)
   Silver
(oz/t)
   Gold
(koz)
   Silver
(koz)
 
Leach Resource:                                   
Measured Mineral Resource        113,748    0.0164    0.0158    0.160    1,793.4    18,208 
Oxide   0.0026    94,537    0.0165    0.0158    0.167    1,493.7    15,788 
Transition   0.0041    19,211    0.0161    0.0156    0.126    299.7    2,421 
Indicated Mineral Resource        156,019    0.0125    0.0119    0.128    1,860.0    19,884 
Oxide   0.0026    127,237    0.0122    0.0117    0.128    1,488.7    16,286 
Transition   0.0041    28,783    0.0134    0.0129    0.125    371.3    3,598 
Meas/Indic Mineral Resource        269,768    0.0141    0.0135    0.141    3,653.3    38,092 
Oxide   0.0026    221,774    0.0140    0.0134    0.145    2,982.4    32,074 
Transition   0.0041    47,994    0.0145    0.0140    0.125    671.0    6,018 
Inferred Mineral Resource        254,186    0.0106    0.0103    0.090    2,613.4    22,787 
Oxide   0.0026    211,994    0.0101    0.0098    0.085    2,077.5    18,019 
Transition   0.0041    42,192    0.0131    0.0127    0.113    535.8    4,768 
Mill Resource (Sulfides):                                   
Measured Mineral Resource   0.0050    20,703    0.0184    0.0165    0.151    341.6    3,126 
Indicated Mineral Resource   0.0050    48,893    0.0147    0.0131    0.134    640.5    6,552 
Meas/Indic Mineral Resource   0.0050    69,596    0.0158    0.0141    0.139    982.1    9,678 

  

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Resource Category  AuEq COG
(oz/t)
   Ktons   AuEq
(oz/t)
   Gold
(oz/t)
   Silver
(oz/t)
   Gold
(koz)
   Silver
(koz)
 
Inferred Mineral Resource   0.0050    202,221    0.0139    0.0121    0.145    2,446.9    29,322 
Leach and Mill Mineral Resource:                                   
Measured Mineral Resource        134,452    0.0167    0.0159    0.159    2,135.0    21,334 
Indicated Mineral Resource        204,912    0.0130    0.0122    0.129    2,500.5    26,436 
Meas/Indic Mineral Resource        339,364    0.0145    0.0137    0.141    4,635.4    47,770 
Inferred Mineral Resource        456,407    0.0121    0.0111    0.114    5,060.3    52,109 

 

Notes:

 

1. The Mineral Resource estimate has an effective date of 3 February 2025.

2. All figures are rounded to reflect the relative accuracy of the estimate and therefore numbers may not appear to add precisely.

3. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.

4. Mineral Resources are based on prices of $2000/oz gold and $25/oz silver.

5. Mineral Resources for leach material are based on a gold equivalent cut-off of 0.0026 oz/t for oxide material and 0.0041 oz/t for transition material. Mineral Resources for mill material are based on a gold equivalent cut-off of 0.0050 oz/t.

6. The gold equivalent value for each material is as follows:

Oxide (Leach): Gold equivalent (oz/t) = gold (oz/t) + 0.00418 x silver (oz/t), based on gold recovery of 89% and silver recovery of 30%.

Transition (Leach): Gold equivalent = gold (oz/t) + 0.00382 x silver (oz/t), based on gold recovery of 65% and silver recovery of 20%.

Sulfide (Mill): Gold equivalent = gold (oz/t) + 0.0127 x silver (oz/t), based on gold recovery of 85% and silver recovery of 85%.

7. The gold equivalent values account for metal recoveries, treatment charges, refining costs, and refinery payable percentages.

8. Table 11-4 accompanies this Mineral Resource statement and shows all relevant parameters for mineral resources.

9. Includes 3.8% NSR royalty.

10. Mineral Resources are reported in relation to a conceptual constraining pit shell to demonstrate reasonable prospects for economic extraction, as required by the definition of Mineral Resource in S-K 1300; mineralization lying outside of the pit shell is excluded from the Mineral Resource.

11. The Mineral Resource estimate is also constrained by the Richmond Hill Project Boundary. Only mineralization inside this boundary is included in the Mineral Resource Estimate, though waste removal outside the boundary is allowed.

12. The Mineral Resources reported are contained on mineral titles controlled by Dakota Gold.

13. The Mineral Resources are reported in-situ without any dilution or loss considerations, as a point of reference.

 

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Figure 11-1: Constraining Shell for Mineral Resource Estimate

 

11.2Price Sensitivity

 

A sensitivity analysis of metal prices was conducted for the mineral resource estimate at the following prices:

 

·$1600/oz gold and $20.00/oz silver,
·$1800/oz gold and $22.25/oz silver,

 

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·$2000/oz gold and $25.00/oz silver (base case),
·$2200/oz gold and $27.50/oz silver, and
·$2400/oz gold and $30.00/oz silver.

 

Restraining pit shells were developed for each case and resources calculated at gold equivalent cut-off grades appropriate for the case. Table 11-2 shows the results of the sensitivity analysis for the leach resource. Total kilotons for each case are also provided to gauge the increase in the size of the constraining pit shells. The leach mineral resource is insensitive to prices. A relatively large amount of the available mineral resource is extracted at the $1600/oz gold price and the increase in resource at higher prices is modest, even up to the $2400/oz price. Note that total tons increased from 1.1 billion tons to 1.5 billion tons with a small impact on the mineral resource.

 

Table 11-3 shows the results of the sensitivity analysis for mill resource. Measured and indicated mineral resources are insensitive to price. Inferred mineral resource increased from 141.2 million tons in the $1600/oz case to 240.9 million tons for the $2400/oz case, an increase of about 70%. Contained gold ounces increased about 43% between the $1600/oz and $2400/oz case for inferred mineral resources.

 

Table 11-2: Mineral Resource at Various Prices – Leach Resources

 

Price/Resource Category   AuEq COG
(oz/t)
  Ktons   AuEq
(oz/t)
  Gold
(oz/t)
  Silver
(oz/t)
  Gold
(koz)
  Silver
(koz)
  Total
Ktons
 
$1600 Gold, $20.00 Silver:                                                  
Measured Mineral Resource     Oxide     108,414     0.0170     0.0164     0.166     1,778.0     17,997        
Indicated Mineral Resource     0.0032     143,593     0.0131     0.0126     0.132     1,809.3     18,954        
Meas/Indic Mineral Resource     Transition     252,007     0.0148     0.0142     0.147     3,587.3     36,951     1,095,300  
Inferred Mineral Resource     0.0052     211,774     0.0117     0.0113     0.097     2,393.0     20,542        
$1800 Gold, $22.50 Silver:                                                  
Measured Mineral Resource     Oxide     111,432     0.0167     0.0160     0.163     1,782.9     18,163        
Indicated Mineral Resource     0.0029     149,415     0.0128     0.0122     0.130     1,822.9     19,424        
Meas/Indic Mineral Resource     Transition     260,847     0.0145     0.0138     0.144     3,605.8     37,587     1,209,836  
Inferred Mineral Resource     0.0046     231,589     0.0111     0.0107     0.093     2,478.0     21,538        
$2000 Gold, $25.00 Silver:                                                  
Measured Mineral Resource     Oxide     113,748     0.0164     0.0158     0.160     1,793.4     18,208        
Indicated Mineral Resource     0.0026     156,019     0.0125     0.0119     0.128     1,860.0     19,884        
Meas/Indic Mineral Resource     Transition     269,768     0.0141     0.0135     0.141     3,653.3     38,092     1,367,025  
Inferred Mineral Resource     0.0041     254,186     0.0106     0.0103     0.090     2,613.4     22,787        
$2200 Gold, $27.50 Silver:                                                  
Measured Mineral Resource     Oxide     115,438     0.0162     0.0156     0.159     1,800.8     18,355        
Indicated Mineral Resource     0.0023     159,556     0.0122     0.0117     0.126     1,866.8     20,104        
Meas/Indic Mineral Resource     Transition     274,994     0.0139     0.0133     0.140     3,667.6     38,459     1,416,143  
Inferred Mineral Resource     0.0038     264,912     0.0104     0.0100     0.087     2,649.1     23,047        
$2400 Gold, $30.00 Silver:                                                  
Measured Mineral Resource     Oxide     116,806     0.0161     0.0154     0.157     1,798.8     18,339        
Indicated Mineral Resource     0.0021     162,506     0.0121     0.0116     0.124     1,885.1     20,151        
Meas/Indic Mineral Resource     Transition     279,312     0.0138     0.0132     0.138     3,683.9     38,489     1,505,715  
Inferred Mineral Resource     0.0034     277,569     0.0101     0.0097     0.085     2,692.4     23,593        

 

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Table 11-3: Mineral Resource at Various Prices – Mill Resources

 

Price/Resource Category   AuEq COG
(oz/t)
  Ktons   AuEq
(oz/t)
  Gold
(oz/t)
  Silver
(oz/t)
  Gold
(koz)
  Silver
(koz)
  Total
Ktons
 
$1600 Gold, $20.00 Silver:                                                  
Measured Mineral Resource           19,115     0.0194     0.0174     0.158     332.6     3,020        
Indicated Mineral Resource     Sulfide     41,215     0.0158     0.0141     0.138     581.1     5,688        
Meas/Indic Mineral Resource     0.0063     60,330     0.0169     0.0151     0.144     913.7     8,708     1,095,300  
Inferred Mineral Resource           141,239     0.0153     0.0135     0.152     1,906.7     21,468        
$1800 Gold, $22.50 Silver:                                                  
Measured Mineral Resource           19,989     0.0188     0.0169     0.154     337.8     3,078        
Indicated Mineral Resource     Sulfide     44,472     0.0152     0.0136     0.134     604.8     5,959        
Meas/Indic Mineral Resource     0.0056     64,461     0.0163     0.0146     0.140     942.6     9,038     1,209,836  
Inferred Mineral Resource           170,316     0.0146     0.0128     0.149     2,180.0     25,377        
$2000 Gold, $25.00 Silver:                                                  
Measured Mineral Resource           20,703     0.0184     0.0165     0.151     341.6     3,126        
Indicated Mineral Resource     Sulfide     48,893     0.0147     0.0131     0.134     640.5     6,552        
Meas/Indic Mineral Resource     0.0050     69,596     0.0158     0.0141     0.139     982.1     9,678     1,367,025  
Inferred Mineral Resource           202,221     0.0139     0.0121     0.145     2,446.9     29,322        
$2200 Gold, $27.50 Silver:                                                  
Measured Mineral Resource           21,165     0.0181     0.0163     0.149     345.0     3,154        
Indicated Mineral Resource     Sulfide     51,015     0.0143     0.0127     0.131     647.9     6,683        
Meas/Indic Mineral Resource     0.0046     72,180     0.0154     0.0138     0.136     992.9     9,837     1,416,143  
Inferred Mineral Resource           218,806     0.0135     0.0117     0.141     2,560.0     30,852        
$2400 Gold, $30.00 Silver:                                                  
Measured Mineral Resource           21,589     0.0178     0.0160     0.147     345.4     3,174        
Indicated Mineral Resource     Sulfide     53,408     0.0140     0.0124     0.128     662.3     6,836        
Meas/Indic Mineral Resource     0.0042     74,997     0.0151     0.0134     0.133     1,007.7     10,010     1,505,715  
Inferred Mineral Resource           240,938     0.0130     0.0113     0.136     2,722.6     32,768        

 

11.3Mineral Resource Parameters

 

Metal prices for the Mineral Resource estimate are $2000/oz gold and $25/oz silver. These prices are reasonable based on: 1) historical 3-year trailing averages, 2) prices used by other companies for comparable projects, and 3) long range consensus price forecasts prepared by various bank analysts.

 

Table 11-4 shows the economic parameters for the mineral resources estimate. The mining cost is estimated at $2.15 per total ton. This cost is based on a review of comparable projects in the western US.

 

The unit processing costs were estimated by Woods for the various material types at $3.39/t for oxide leach material, $4.14/t for transition leach material and $6.82/t for sulfide mill material. The costs are based on a nominal process production rate of 30,000 tons per day or about 10.95 million tons per year. The gold and silver recovery estimates were also estimated by Woods based on the available testing data.

 

The unit G&A cost of $1.00/t amounts to $912,500 per month which is a reasonable estimate for this mineral resource estimate.

 

IMC assumed refinery payables of 100% for gold and 100% for silver and refining costs of $5.00/oz gold and $0.25/oz silver for leach material. Woods estimated payable amounts of 95.5% for gold and 95.0% for silver for mill material, based on the mill producing a marketable gold sulfide concentrate by flotation. Treatment and refining costs for mill material are estimated at $6.00/oz gold and $0.40/oz silver. The Project is also subject to a 3.8% NSR royalty.

 

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Due to two products, and variable recoveries by material type, a gold equivalent value was calculated for each block to tabulate proposed quantities of resource. First, the gold and silver NSR factors are calculated as follows for oxide:

 

Gold NSR Factor = ($2000 – $5.00) x 0.89 x 1.00 x 0.962 = $1,708/t

Silver NSR Factor = ($25 – $0.25) x 0.20 x 1.00 x 0.962 = $7.14/t

 

The units are US$ per ounce. The 0.962 term represents an allowance for the royalty.

 

The silver factor for the gold equivalent calculation is:

 

Ag Factor for Gold Equivalent = Silver NSR Factor / Gold NSR Factor

Ag Factor for Gold Equivalent = $7.14 / $1,708 = 0.00418

AuEq (oz/t) = gold (oz/t) + 0.00418 x silver (oz/t)

 

For oxide the breakeven gold equivalent cut-off grade is 0.0038 oz/t and the internal cut-off grade is 0.0026 oz/t. Internal cut-off applies to blocks that must be removed from the pit, so mining is a sunk cost.

 

The parameters and cut-offs for the other material types are also shown on Table 11-4. The gold equivalent cut-off grades vary by material type.

 

Table 11-4: Economic Parameters for Mineral Resource Estimate

 

Material Type
Process
  Units  Oxide
Leach
   Trans
Leach
   Sulfide
Mill
   Waste 
Commodity Prices                       
Gold Price Per Ounce  (US$)   2000    2000    2000      
Silver Price Per Ounce  (US$)   25.00    25.00    25.00      
Plant Production Rate  (ktpy)   10,950    10,950    10,950      
Mining Cost Per Total Tonne                       
Mining Cost  (US$)   2.150    2.150    2.150    2.150 
Process and G&A Cost Per Tonne                       
Processing  (US$)   3.390    4.150    6.830      
G&A  (US$)   1.000    1.000    1.000      
Total Process and G&A  (US$)   4.390    5.150    7.830      
Plant Recovery                       
Gold  (%)   89%   65%   85%     
Silver  (%)   30%   20%   85%     
Treatment/Refining Payables and Costs                       
Gold Payable  (%)   100.0%   100.0%   95.5%     
Silver Payable  (%)   100.0%   100.0%   95.0%     
Gold Treatment/Refining Per Ounce  (US$)   5.00    5.00    6.00      
Silver Treatment/Refining Per Ounce  (US$)   0.25    0.25    0.40      
Royalties                       
Royalty  (%)   3.8%   3.8%   3.8%     
NSR Factors                       
Gold NSR Factor  ($/oz)   1,708    1,247    1,557      

 

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Material Type
Process
  Units  Oxide
Leach
   Trans
Leach
   Sulfide
Mill
   Waste 
Silver NSR Factor  ($/oz)   7.14    4.76    19.11      
Silver Factor for Gold Equivalent  (none)   0.00418    0.00382    0.01227      
Gold Equivalent Cutoff Grade                      
Breakeven Cutoff Grade  (oz/t)   0.0038    0.0059    0.0064      
Internal Cutoff Grade  (oz/t)   0.0026    0.0041    0.0050      

 

11.4Additional Information

 

The mineral resources are classified in accordance with the requirements of S-K 1300. The mineral resource estimate reflects the reasonable expectation that all necessary permits and approvals will be obtained and maintained. It is the opinion of the QP for this section that technical and economic factors likely to influence the prospects of economic extraction can be resolved with additional work. In particular, more metallurgical testing will better define process methods, metal recoveries and costs. More drilling will better define geologic domains in some areas of the deposit.

 

There is uncertainty in the estimates of measured, indicated, and inferred mineral resources. Some of the sources of uncertainty are common to all projects and all classes of the mineral resources and include: the spatial location of the samples, sample recovery in the drilling and sampling processes, assaying methods and results, data processing and handling, assumptions of geologic interpretations and continuity of grades between samples.

 

Uncertainty in the estimation of measured mineral resources should be relatively low. The sampling density is sufficient that the potential sources of uncertainty listed above should largely by mitigated by various sampling from various time periods and companies.

 

The uncertainty related to indicated mineral resources is higher than measured mineral resources due to lower sampling density and lower confidence in geologic interpretation. However, the data density is adequate for reasonable interpretations of geologic conditions and grade quality and continuity.

 

Uncertainty in the estimation of inferred mineral resources can be high since sampling data is more limited and geologic uncertainty higher. However, given the relatively disseminated nature of the deposit, the QP for this section is confident that the inferred mineral resources meet the criteria that the majority of the inferred mineral resource can be upgraded to indicated or measured mineral resources with additional exploration.

 

There is no guarantee that any of the mineral resources will be converted to mineral reserve. There is also no guarantee that any of the inferred mineral resources will be upgraded to measured or indicated mineral resources or to mineral reserves. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.

 

The Project is subject to the normal risks that mining projects face including changes to metal prices, changes to government regulations, social risks, uncertainty in mineral resource and recovery estimates, permitting risks, financing risks, and costs higher than forecast.

 

11.5Description of the Block Model

 

11.5.1General

 

The resource model is based on 20 ft. x 20 ft. x 20 ft. high blocks. The coordinate system for the Project is a local system initiated by Homestake Mining Company.

 

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11.5.2Drilling Data

 

The drilling database provided to IMC consisted of 1058 drillholes and 457,392 ft. of drilling. Ten of the holes were outside of the model limits. Drilling data in the model limits by company is shown on Table 11-5. This represents the drilling data used for the resource model update.

 

Table 11-5: Drilling by Company in Model Limits

 

Company  No. of Holes   Feet   Sample Intervals 
St. Joe, Bond Gold, Homestake   828    269,463    54,012 
Coeur   74    27,280    2,722 
Dakota Gold   146    149,410    30,743 
All Drilling   1048    446,153    87,477 

 

Figure 11-2 shows drillholes by company and also shows the locations for cross sections A-A’ and B-B’ that are referenced in this report section.

 

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Figure 11-2: Drillhole Locations by Company

 

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11.5.3Geologic Controls

 

11.5.3.1Rock Types

 

Rock type interpretations for seven major rock types have been developed as 3D solids and incorporated into the resource model. Table 11-6 shows the rock types.

 

Table 11-6: Model Rock Types

 

Rock Type  Code  Description
Tbx  20  Tertiary Breccia
Tsl  30  Tertiary Sills
Tdk  40  Tertiary Dikes
Pzu  45  Paleozoics-Undifferentiated
Cdw  50  Cambrian Deadwood
Pgn  60  Precambrian Greenstone
Pff  70  Precambrian Flagrock
Pef  80  Precambrian Ellison

 

Figure 11-3 shows the rock types projected on the resource shell walls and surface topography. Figure 11-4 and Figure 11-5 show the rock types on the A-A’ and B-B’ cross sections respectively.

 

All the rock types host economic mineralization. The contacts between the Precambrian units are steep and trend north-south. The Precambrian Flagrock is between the Precambrian Greenstone to the west and Precambrian Ellison to the east. The Tertiary breccia and Tertiary dikes are steep north-south trending units. The Cambrian Deadwood and Tertiary sills are flatter lying units.

 

The 3D solids were used to assign rock codes to the model blocks and rock codes were also assigned to the assay database by back-assignment from the solids. There were rock type designations in the database, but the back-assigned values were used for the resource model so the assay assignments would be consistent with the block they were located.

 

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Figure 11-3: Rock Types on the Resource Shell

 

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Figure 11-4: Rock Types on Cross Section A-A’

 

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Figure 11-5: Rock Types on Section B-B’

 

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11.5.3.2Oxidation Zones

 

Interpretation of oxidations zones were developed as surfaces and incorporated into the resource model. The surfaces were developed based on ratio of cyanide soluble to total gold assays in the Dakota Gold drilling and cyanide soluble to total gold ratios in bottle roll tests conducted for the St. Joe and Bond Gold drilling. Table 11-7 shows the zones and definition.

 

Table 11-7: Model Oxidation Zones

 

Oxidation Type  Code  Definition
Oxide  10  Ratio of CNAu/Au >70%
Transition  20  70% < CNAu/Au < 40%
Sulfide  30  Ratio of CnAu/Au < 40%

 

Figure 11-6 shows the oxidation zones on the walls of the resource shell. The oxidation zones did not impact grade estimation but are important for metallurgical purposes.

 

This is a significant change from the model used for the October 2023 mineral resource estimate. For that model the domains were designed based on picks of oxide, transition, and sulfide minerals as noted in the drilling logs. Most of the holes were drilled using reverse circulation, so only chips were available for logging. The updated zones increased the size of the oxide zone and reduced the size of the sulfide zone. Analytical data has confirmed that the transition zone is thinner than previously estimated.

 

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Figure 11-6: Oxidation Zones on the Resource Shell

 

11.5.4Cap Grades and Compositing

 

Probability plots and sorted lists of the higher-grade assay intervals for gold and silver were examined to determine cap grades. Table 11-8 shows the cap grades and the number of assays capped by rock type. A relatively small numbers of assays were capped for each metal in each population. The cap grades generally correspond to the upper 99.9 percentile of the populations.

 

The assay database was composited to regular 10 ft. downhole composites. It is noted this is one-half of the 20 ft. bench height used for the model. The smaller composite length allows capturing some of the narrower dikes and sills and also tends to result in less grade smoothing during block grade estimation. The rock type was not respected during compositing; the composite rock type was based on the majority rock type.

 

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Table 11-8: Cap Grades and Number of Assays Capped

 

Lithology      Au Cap   Ag Cap   Ag Cap   Number of Assays 
Code   Lithology  (oz/t)   (ppm)   (oz/t)   Gold   Silver 
20   Tertiary Breccia   0.30    65    1.90    19    19 
30   Tertiary Sills   0.15    95    2.77    6    7 
40   Tertiary Dikes   0.23    70    2.04    12    11 
45   Paleozoic (undif)   0.09    none    none    4    none 
50   Cambrian Deadwood   0.20    180    5.25    16    13 
60   Precambrian Greenstone   0.33    85    2.48    19    16 
70   Precambrian Flagrock   0.30    200    5.83    9    14 
80   Precambrian Ellison   0.15    80    2.33    6    5 

 

11.5.5Summary Statistics

 

Table 11-9 shows summary statistics for gold and silver for the assay intervals. The table shows values by the major rock types. The left side of the table shows uncapped values and the right side shows capped values. For gold the Tertiary sills and the Precambrian Ellison are lower in grade than the other units. The Paleozoic rock types are adjacent to the main deposit area and don’t have much drilling. For silver, the Cambrian Deadwood is considerably higher than the other units. Minimum values for the samples represented on the table are 0.0001 oz/t for gold and 0.001 oz/t for silver. Also, the statistics are limited to samples in the model limits.

 

Table 11-10 shows summary statistics for 10 ft. composites. The statistics are based on composites with a minimum gold value of 0.0001 oz/t and silver value of 0.001 oz/t, but lower grade assays, including 0, are incorporated into the composites.

 

Figure 11-7 shows a probability plot of gold in the composites for the various rock types. The lower grade nature of the Tertiary sills and Precambrian Ellison are evident on the plot. Figure 11-8 shows the probability plot for silver. The higher-grade nature of the Deadwood is evident.

 

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Table 11-9: Summary Statistics of Assays

 

   Not Capped   Capped 
   No. of   Mean   Std Dev   Max   No. of   Mean   Std Dev   Max 
Metal/Rock Type  Samples   (oz/t)   (oz/t)   (oz/t)   Samples   (oz/t)   (oz/t)   (oz/t) 
Gold:                                
All Samples   77,826    0.0135    0.0248    0.955    77,826    0.0133    0.0224    0.330 
Tbx-Breccia   17,047    0.0152    0.0262    0.955    17,047    0.0151    0.0238    0.300 
Tsl-Sills   4,959    0.0089    0.0150    0.381    4,959    0.0089    0.0138    0.150 
Tdk-Dikes   10,026    0.0121    0.0214    0.653    10,026    0.0119    0.0194    0.230 
Pzu-Paleozoic   1,640    0.0068    0.0228    0.685    12,715    0.0145    0.0192    0.200 
Cdw-Deadwood   12,715    0.0146    0.0205    0.420    15,162    0.0149    0.0283    0.330 
Pgn-Greenstone   15,162    0.0150    0.0312    0.830    13,193    0.0130    0.0225    0.300 
Pff-Flagrock   13,193    0.0131    0.0248    0.732    3,084    0.0079    0.0147    0.150 
Pef-Ellison   3,084    0.0082    0.0194    0.497    3,117    0.0079    0.0146    0.150 

 

   No. of   Mean   Std Dev   Max   No. of   Mean   Std Dev   Max 
Metal/Rock Type  Samples   (oz/t)   (oz/t)   (oz/t)   Samples   (oz/t)   (oz/t)   (oz/t) 
Silver:                                        
All Samples   69,627    0.128    0.402    44.77    69,627    0.124    0.263    5.83 
Tbx-Breccia   16,320    0.107    0.180    8.00    16,320    0.105    0.146    1.90 
Tsl-Sills   3,716    0.110    0.393    15.00    3,716    0.102    0.236    2.77 
Tdk-Dikes   9,084    0.107    0.206    7.38    9,084    0.105    0.160    2.04 
Pzu-Paleozoic   824    0.065    0.084    0.58    824    0.065    0.084    0.58 
Cdw-Deadwood   9,272    0.238    0.471    11.68    9,272    0.237    0.445    5.25 
Pgn-Greenstone   14,501    0.103    0.286    25.78    14,501    0.100    0.173    2.48 
Pff-Flagrock   13,185    0.136    0.650    44.77    13,185    0.126    0.337    5.83 
Pef-Ellison   2,725    0.098    0.538    24.03    2,725    0.086    0.209    2.33 

 

Table 11-10: Summary Statistics of 10 ft. Composites

 

   Not Capped   Capped 
   No. of   Mean   Std Dev   Max   No. of   Mean   Std Dev   Max 
Metal/Rock Type  Samples   (oz/t)   (oz/t)   (oz/t)   Samples   (oz/t)   (oz/t)   (oz/t) 
Gold:                                
All Samples   40,576    0.0129    0.0213    0.488    40,576    0.0128    0.0197    0.330 
Tbx-Breccia   8,475    0.0152    0.0242    0.488    8,475    0.0150    0.0220    0.300 
Tsl-Sills   2,834    0.0086    0.0133    0.193    2,834    0.0085    0.0126    0.149 
Tdk-Dikes   5,250    0.0116    0.0189    0.431    5,250    0.0114    0.0171    0.223 
Pzu-Paleozoic   929    0.0061    0.0162    0.351    929    0.0054    0.0077    0.067 
Cdw-Deadwood   7,094    0.0137    0.0178    0.324    7,094    0.0136    0.0168    0.200 
Pgn-Greenstone   7,572    0.0146    0.0260    0.441    7,572    0.0144    0.0246    0.330 
Pff-Flagrock   6,734    0.0125    0.0202    0.369    6,734    0.0124    0.0192    0.285 
Pef-Ellison   1,688    0.0079    0.0164    0.371    1,688    0.0076    0.0125    0.149 

 

   No. of   Mean   Std Dev   Max   No. of   Mean   Std Dev   Max 
Metal/Rock Type  Samples   (oz/t)   (oz/t)   (oz/t)   Samples   (oz/t)   (oz/t)   (oz/t) 
Silver:                                        
All Samples   35,431    0.127    0.303    18.03    35,431    0.123    0.232    5.47 
Tbx-Breccia   8,005    0.106    0.139    3.63    8,005    0.105    0.126    1.90 
Tsl-Sills   2,090    0.101    0.308    7.53    2,090    0.094    0.202    2.77 
Tdk-Dikes   4,616    0.105    0.174    5.19    4,616    0.103    0.140    2.01 
Pzu-Paleozoic   453    0.061    0.079    0.47    453    0.061    0.079    0.47 
Cdw-Deadwood   5,276    0.229    0.426    9.20    5,276    0.226    0.399    5.25 
Pgn-Greenstone   7,043    0.101    0.197    8.52    7,043    0.098    0.147    2.48 
Pff-Flagrock   6,526    0.132    0.439    18.03    6,526    0.124    0.273    5.47 
Pef-Ellison   1,422    0.098    0.373    10.34    1,422    0.087    0.187    2.33 

 

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Figure 11-7: Probability Plot of Gold by Rock Type – 10 ft. Composites (IMC, 2024)

 

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Figure 11-8: Probability Plot of Silver by Rock Type – 10 ft. Composites (IMC, 2024)

 

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11.5.6Variogram Analysis

 

A variogram analysis for gold mineralization was completed for the major rock types. First, approximately 60 directional variograms were calculated to search the entire sphere in about 22.5-degree increments for each rock type. These were examined to find longest range, highest clarity, variograms that might be considered to define the primary direction. Given a candidate, or candidates, for a primary direction, a series of eight variograms were calculated to search the plane perpendicular to the primary direction, to look for the secondary and tertiary axes directions. Usually, good candidates were evident for primary directions that seemed reasonable based on the geology. It is often difficult to define secondary and tertiary directions because variogram ranges in those directions are similar to the spacing between the available samples. The variograms were calculated on the 10 ft. composites and a modified covariance method was used for the calculations.

 

Figure 11-9 and Figure 11-10 show the variograms for Tertiary breccia. The variograms represent the primary and secondary directions of mineralization as interpreted by the QP for this section. The primary direction has an azimuth of 90° and a steep dip of 85°. This direction is consistent with the orientation of the tertiary dikes that are prevalent. The secondary direction has an azimuth of 22° with a slight upward dip of 2°. The ranges of the two variograms are about 250 ft. to 275 ft. The secondary variogram shows a slightly longer range, as fit, but the primary direction variogram has much better clarity. The directions indicated by these variograms are also appropriate for the Tertiary dikes.

 

Figure 11-11 and Figure 11-12 show variograms for Precambrian Greenstone. The primary direction is at an azimuth of 292° with a downward dip of 67°. The secondary axis has an azimuth of 202° and no dip. The variogram for the primary direction is fit as two structures with ranges of 300 ft. and 500 ft. respectively. The range of the secondary variogram is fit as 600 ft., but the variogram has less clarity than the primary direction.

 

Figure 11-13 and Figure 11-14 show variograms for Precambrian Flagrock. The primary direction is at an azimuth of 45° with a no dip. The secondary axis has an azimuth of 135° and downward dip of 45°. The variogram for the primary direction is fit as two structures with ranges of 300 ft. and 500 ft. respectively. The range of the secondary variogram is fit as 300 ft.

 

Figure 11-15 and Figure 11-16 show variograms for the Cambrian Deadwood. The primary direction is at an azimuth of 0° with a downward dip of 12°. The secondary axis has an azimuth of 270° (or 90°) and no dip. The ranges of the two variograms are 275 ft. and 300 ft. respectively. These variograms are also appropriate for the Tertiary sills.

 

Variograms for silver were also examined and there did not appear to be significant differences in the orientations for silver versus gold. It is also considered that the directions are reasonable given the geology and perceived orientation of mineralization as observed on sections.

 

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Figure 11-9: Variogram for Tertiary Breccia – Azimuth 90°, Dip 85°

 

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Figure 11-10: Variogram for Tertiary Breccia – Azimuth 22°, Dip -2°

 

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Figure 11-11: Variogram for Precambrian Greenstone – Azimuth 292°, Dip 67°

 

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Figure 11-12: Variogram for Precambrian Greenstone – Azimuth 202°, Dip 0°

 

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Figure 11-13: Variogram for Precambrian Flagrock – Azimuth 45° - Dip 0°

 

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Figure 11-14: Variogram for Precambrian Flagrock – Azimuth 135° – Dip 45°

 

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Figure 11-15: Variogram for Cambrian Deadwood – Azimuth 0° – Dip 12°

 

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Figure 11-16: Variogram for Cambrian Deadwood – Azimuth 270° – Dip 0°

 

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11.5.7Block Grade Estimation

 

Block grades for gold and silver were estimated with inverse distance with a power weight of 2 (ID2). The ID2 method was chosen because it generally results in less smoothing (smearing) than ordinary kriging (OK). As previously discussed, the estimates are based on 10 ft. downhole composites. All estimates were done using a maximum of 15 composites, a minimum of three composites, and a maximum of three composites per hole. A minimum of one hole was allowed to estimate grades. This is a change from the AKF model that required a minimum of two holes. For the updated model, blocks estimated with only one or two drillholes are classified as inferred mineral resources. The QP for this section believes this change is reasonable and within industry practices.

 

Table 11-11 shows the estimation parameters for gold and silver. The parameters show the orientation of the composite search ellipse and the search radii in the major, minor, and tertiary axis directions. The search orientations for the Tertiary breccia, Tertiary dikes, Precambrian Greenstone, and Precambrian Flagrock are relatively steep. The orientations for the Tertiary sills, Cambrian Deadwood, Precambrian Ellison and Undifferentiated Paleozoic units are relatively flat with a slight plunge to the north. Much of the Precambrian Ellison sampling data is adjacent to, and below, the Cambrian Deadwood. The search orientations and search radii were the same for gold and silver.

 

There were relatively few hard boundaries for the estimations. For gold the hard boundaries were between the Deadwood and the Tertiary sills, the Deadwood and the Ellison, and the Tertiary dikes and the Ellison. There were also hard boundaries between the Paleozoic units and the Tertiary breccia, Precambrian Greenstone, Precambrian Flagrock, and Precambrian Ellison.

 

For silver the hard boundaries are between the Deadwood and the Tertiary dikes and the Deadwood and the Ellison. There were also hard boundaries between the Paleozoic units and the Tertiary breccia, Precambrian Greenstone, Precambrian Flagrock, and Precambrian Ellison.

 

The boundaries were evaluated independently for gold and silver. The evaluation was based on pairing samples relatively short distances apart across the various boundaries and reviewing statistics of the sample pairs to determine if a hard boundary was indicated. The analysis was done with assay data and 10 ft. composites. A maximum separation distance of 30 ft. was used. For assays the data was examined in 5 ft. distance intervals and composites were examined in 10 ft. intervals.

 

Figure 11-17 and Figure 11-18 show gold grades on cross sections A-A’ and B-B’ respectively. In Figure 11-18 it can be seen where mining was conducted in the high-grade portion of Richmond Hill. The area was also backfilled with the waste material from the prior mining.

 

Figure 11-19 shows silver grades on cross section A-A’. Note the relatively high silver grades in the flat lying Deadwood Formation in Chism Gulch on the far right of the figure.

 

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Table 11-11: Estimation Parameters

 

         Rotation Angles (Note 1)  Search Radii  Number of Composites   
Lithology
Code
  Lithology  Allowable
Lith Codes
  Theta
(deq)
  Phi
(deq)
  Psi
(deq)
  Major
(ft)
  Minor
(ft )
  Tertiary
(ft)
  Max  Min  Max/
Hole
  ID
Power
Gold:                                    
20  Tertiary Breccia  All, except 45  90  -85  -20  250  250  62.5  15  3  3  2
30  Tertiary Sills  All except 50  0  -12  0  250  250  50  15  3  3  2
40  Tertiary Dikes  All except 80  90  -85  -20  250  250  50  15  3  3  2
45  Paleozoic (undif)  30,40,45,50  0  -12  0  250  250  50  15  3  3  2
50  Cambrian Deadwood  All except 30, 80  0  -12  0  250  250  50  15  3  3  2
60  Precambrian Greenstone  All, except 45  -68  -67  0  250  250  62.5  15  3  3  2
70  Precambrian Flagrock  All, except 45  45  0  -45  250  125  125  15  3  3  2
80  Precambrian Ellison  All except 40, 45, 50  0  -12  0  250  250  50  15  3  3  2
Silver                                    
20  Tertiary Breccia  All, except 45  90  -85  -20  250  250  62.5  15  3  3  2
30  Tertiary Sills  All  0  -12  0  250  250  50  15  3  3  2
40  Tertiary Dikes  All except 50  90  -85  -20  250  250  50  15  3  3  2
45  Paleozoic (undif)  30,40,45,50  0  -12  0  250  250  50  15  3  3  2
50  Cambrian Deadwood  All except 40, 80  0  -12  0  250  250  50  15  3  3  2
60  Precambrian Greenstone  All, except 45  -68  -67  0  250  250  62.5  15  3  3  2
70  Precambrian Flagrock  All, except 45  45  0  -45  250  125  125  15  3  3  2
80  Precambrian Ellison  All except 45, 50  0  -12  0  250  250  50  15  3  3  2

 

Note 1.GSLIB convention for angles:
 theta - rotation of y (north) axis clockwise to principal direction in horizontal plane.
 phi - dip of principal axis, negative is down.
 psi - rotation around principal axis, clockwise is negative.

 

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Figure 11-17: Gold Grade on Cross Section A-A’ (See Figure 11-2)

 

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Figure 11-18: Gold Grades on Cross Section B-B’ (See Figure 11-2)

 

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Figure 11-19: Silver Grades on Cross Section A-A’ (See Figure 11-2)

 

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11.5.8Resource Classification

 

To classify measured and indicated versus inferred mineral resources, two additional block estimates were done to measure the average distance of each block to the nearest three and four drillholes. These were based on the same search orientations and search radii as the gold grade estimates. The first estimate was based on a maximum of four composites, a minimum of four, and a maximum of one composite per hole. The second estimate was based on a maximum of three composites, a minimum of three, and a maximum of one composite per hole. These estimates provide the average distance to the nearest three and four holes to each block and the distances were stored in the block model. Note the grades from these estimates were not used.

 

Blocks with an average distance to the nearest four holes less than 125 ft. were assigned as measured mineral resources. Blocks with an average distance to the nearest three holes less than 175 ft. (and not measured) were assigned as indicated mineral resource. This includes all blocks estimated with only one or two drillholes. Remaining blocks with an estimated gold grade were assigned to inferred mineral resource. Generally (not specific to Richmond Hill) an average distance to the nearest four holes of 125 ft. corresponds to an average drill spacing of about 150 ft., and an average distance to the nearest three holes of 175 ft. corresponds to an average drill spacing of about 230 ft. These estimates are approximate. Due to many angle holes from common drilling pads, the Richmond sample spacing fluctuates widely.

 

Figure 11-20 and Figure 11-21 show probability plots of the average distance to the nearest three and four holes. Figure 11-22 and Figure 11-23 show the resource classification on cross sections A-A’ and B-B’ respectively.

 

After calculating the average distances to the blocks and assigning an initial classification a filtering algorithm was applied to the classification. The purpose of the filtering was to remove small clusters of blocks surrounded by blocks of different classification and to smooth out the boundaries of the various categories. The filtering identified blocks that were contacted on three or four edges by blocks of a different resource category. Five filtering passes were done, and each pass consisted of the following steps:

 

·Measured blocks with 3 or 4 adjacent indicated blocks were set to indicated.
·Measured blocks with 3 or 4 adjacent inferred blocks were set to inferred (rare case).
·Indicated blocks with 3 or 4 adjacent measured blocks were set to measured.
·Indicated blocks with 3 or 4 adjacent inferred blocks were set to inferred.
·Inferred blocks with 3 or 4 adjacent measured blocks were set to measured (rare case).
·Inferred blocks with 3 or 4 adjacent indicated blocks were set to indicated.
·Measured blocks with 3 or 4 adjacent indicated or inferred blocks were set to indicated.
·Indicated blocks with 3 or 4 adjacent measured or inferred blocks were set to inferred.
·Inferred blocks with 3 or 4 adjacent measured or indicated blocks were set to indicated.

 

The QP for this section is of the opinion that the classifications of measured, indicated, and inferred mineral resources are adequate. When examined on cross sections, the measured mineral resources correspond to a high density of sampling information, sufficient to allow accurate geologic interpretation and confirm grade quality and continuity.

 

When examined on cross sections, the indicated mineral resources correspond to a reasonable level of data density, though less than the measured mineral resources. The data density is adequate for reasonable interpretations of geologic conditions and grade quality and continuity.

 

Inferred mineral resources are based on some, but more limited sampling data, sometimes only one drillhole. However, given the relatively disseminated distribution of grades in the deposit, the QP for this section is confident that the majority of the inferred mineral resource can be upgraded to measured or indicated mineral resource with additional exploration.

 

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Figure 11-20: Probability Plot of Average Distance to Nearest 3 and 4 Holes – Tertiary Breccia

 

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Figure 11-21: Probability Plot of Average Distance to Nearest 3 and 4 Holes – Cambrian Deadwood

 

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Figure 11-22: Resource Classification on Cross Section A-A’

 

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Figure 11-23: Resource Classification on Cross Section B-B’

 

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11.5.9Bulk Density

 

The drilling database included about 13,700 specific gravity measurements for Dakota Gold drill core that were conducted by Dakota personnel. The measurements were by the water immersion method. The weights in air and in water, along with the specific gravity calculations, were provided with the drilling database.

 

These were analyzed by rock type and oxide zone. Table 11-12 summarizes the data for the samples where a rock type and oxide zone could be assigned. The data was trimmed for the analysis; 10 samples greater than 4.0 and 23 samples less than 1.2 were excluded. The average specific gravity was reduced by 2% (0.98 bulk factor) to allow for voids at a larger scale than the available samples and also a general tendency to measure more competent samples. The tonnage factors and ktons/block values on the table reflect this reduction.

 

Table 11-12: Specific Gravity Measurements

 

Lilh
Code
  Lithology/Oxidation  No. of
Samples
  Mean
(g/cm3)
  Std Dev
(g/cm3)
  Max
(g/cm3)
  Min
(g/cm3)
  Bulk
Factor
  Ton Fact
ft3/ton
  Ktons/
Block
 
20  Tertiary Breccia                         
   10 - Oxide  766  2.453  0.240  3.293  1.645  0.980  13.33  0.600 
   20 - Transition  266  2.596  0.242  3.341  1.900  0.980  12.60  0.635 
   30 - Sulfide  2,651  2.694  0.213  3.981  1.281  0.980  12.14  0.659 
30  Tertiary Sills                         
   10 - Oxide  479  2.540  0.153  3.750  1.720  0.980  12.88  0.621 
   20, 30 - Trans/Sulfide  44  2.474  0.145  2.832  2.132  0.980  13.22  0.605 
40  Tertiary Dikes                         
   10 - Oxide  281  2.524  0.221  3.243  1.356  0.980  12.96  0.617 
   20, 30 - Trans/Sulfide  1,166  2.664  0.240  3.827  1.218  0.980  12.28  0.652 
45  Undifferentiated Paleozoic                         
   10 - Oxide  14  2.370  0.205  2.891  2.077  0.980  13.80  0.580 
50  Cambrian Deadwood                         
   10 - Oxide  1,133  2.485  0.200  3.670  1.658  0.980  13.16  0.608 
   20 - Transition  82  2.562  0.237  3.331  1.927  0.980  12.77  0.627 
   30 - Sulfide  155  2.584  0.175  3.022  2.139  0.980  12.66  0.632 
60  Precambrian Greenstone                         
   10 - Oxide  497  2.574  0.256  3.256  1.299  0.980  12.71  0.630 
   20 - Transition  384  2.677  0.231  3.977  1.591  0.980  12.22  0.655 
   30 - Sulfide  2,516  2.760  0.229  3.876  1.322  0.980  11.85  0.675 
70  Precambrian Flagrock                         
   10 - Oxide  126  2.643  0.223  3.970  2.040  0.980  12.37  0.646 
   20 - Transition  355  2.761  0.220  3.383  1.587  0.980  11.85  0.675 
  30 - Sulfide  1,714  2.801  0.212  3.807  1.223  0.980  11.68  0.685 
80  Precambrian Ellison                         
   10 - Oxide  276  2.687  0.175  3.517  1.714  0.980  12.17  0.657 
   20 - Transition  196  2.766  0.124  3.222  2.017  0.980  11.82  0.677 
   30 - Sulfide  441  2.753  0.122  3.896  1.793  0.980  11.88  0.673 
   Total  13,542  2.671  0.242  3.981  1.218  0.980  12.24  0.653 
14  Leach Pad     1.800           1.000  17.81  0.449 
15  Waste Rock     2.000           1.000  16.03  0.499 

 

Note 1. Data is trimmed. Values < 1.2 (23 samples ) and values > 4.0 (10 samples) are excluded .

Note 2. Tonnage factor is 32.05218/sg.

 

Specific gravities of 1.8 and 2.0 were assigned for the existing leach pad and waste rock area.

 

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11.6Reconciliation of January 2025 and October 2023 Mineral Resources

 

11.6.1Leach Mineral Resource

 

Table 11-13 presents a reconciliation of the January 2025 mineral resource estimate with the October 2023 estimate for mineral resources amenable to leaching. This includes the oxide and transition material. Item 1 on the table is the October 2023 mineral resource estimate for oxide and transition material as stated by AKF. Items 2 through 11 are calculations done by IMC, using the AKF resource model, to show the impact of changes in the various parameters. In most cases, a new resource shell was developed by IMC to measure the prospective change. Items 12 through 13 are based on the updated resource model developed by IMC.

 

Item 1 is the October 2023 mineral resource estimate. There were no measured mineral resources reported by AKF. The indicated mineral resource was 41.7 million tons at 0.0206 oz/t gold for 859,000 contained gold ounces. Inferred mineral resource was 52.2 million tons at 0.0160 oz/t gold for 835,900 contained gold ounces. Oxide and transition material are not reported separately on the table, but the gold cut-off grades for each are shown and were 0.0062 oz/t for oxide and 0.0085 oz/t for transition, due to differences in estimated gold recovery. IMC was able to validate these results based on the AKF resource block model and the economic parameters used to develop the resource shell. Note that total tons in the various resource shells are also presented on Table 11-13 to show changes for each case.

 

Item 3 on Table 11-13 shows the impact of replacing the AKF oxide, transition, and sulfide domains with the updated interpretation. A new pit shell was developed based on the new domains and same economic parameters used by AKF. This resulted in 64.0 million tons of indicated mineral resource at 0.0205 oz/t gold for 1.31 million contained gold ounces. Inferred mineral resource was 84.7 million tons at 0.0153 oz/t gold for 1.30 million ounces of contained gold. Item 2 shows that using the new domains, indicated mineral resource would have increased by 22.3 million tons and 453,000 contained ounces and inferred mineral resources would have increased by 32.5 million tons and 460,500 contained ounces. Much of this gain represents sulfide material reclassified as oxide or transition material.

 

The October 2023 mineral resource was reported at breakeven gold cut-off grades. The January 2025 mineral resource is reported at internal cut-off grades. Item 5 shows the impact of reporting at internal cut-off grades, 0.0050 oz/t for oxide and 0.0085 oz/t for transition material. Item 4 shows for indicated mineral resource this change in cut-off grades would have increased the AKF resource by 5.43 million tons and 35,000 contained gold ounces and inferred mineral resources by 12.1 million tons and 69,100 contained ounces.

 

Item 7 on Table 11-13 shows the impact of updated gold recoveries. The October 2023 mineral resource estimate was based on recoveries of 87% for oxide, 65% for transition, and 42% for sulfide. This is based on grinding the mineral resource and leaching in tanks. The updated recoveries are 89% for oxide, 65% for transition material, and 85% for sulfide. This is based on crushing and heap leaching for oxide and transition material and grinding followed by flotation to produce a gold sulfide concentrate for the sulfides. The recoveries for the two estimates are similar for oxide and transition material. A new pit shell was developed based on the new recoveries, but with the same cost parameters as the October 2023 estimate. This would have resulted in 70.4 million tons of indicated mineral resource at 0.0192 oz/t gold for 1.35 million contained gold ounces. Inferred mineral resource would have been 101.6 million tons at 0.0138 oz/t gold for 1.40 million ounces of contained gold. Item 6 shows that the indicated mineral resource would have increased by 999,000 tons and 5,300 contained ounces and the inferred mineral resources would have increased by 4.76 million tons and 36,700 contained ounces.

 

Item 9 on Table 11-13 shows the impact of an increase in gold price on the October 2023 mineral resource estimate. The October 2023 mineral resource estimate was based on a gold price of $1900/oz. Increasing the gold price to $2000/oz, along with the cumulative changes in parameters discussed above, would have resulted in 71.7 million tons of indicated mineral resource at 0.0190 oz/t gold for 1.36 million contained gold ounces for the AKF model (calculated by IMC). Inferred mineral resource would have been 107.4 million tons at 0.0135 oz/t gold for 1.45 million ounces of contained gold. Item 8 shows for indicated mineral resource this change would have increased the resource by 1.32 million tons and 11,000 contained ounces, and for inferred mineral resources this change would have increased the resource by 5.76 million tons and 47,200 contained ounces. The increased gold price resulted in a small decrease in the gold cut-off grades.

 

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Item 11 on Table 11-13 shows the impact of updated unit costs on the October 2023 mineral resource estimate. The October 2023 estimate was based on a mining cost of $1.80/t versus $2.15/t for the updated mineral resource estimate. The October 2023 unit costs for processing and G&A were $8.00/t for all material types. For the updated estimate the unit costs for processing and G&A are $4.39/t for oxide leach, $5.15/t for transition leach, and $7.83/t for sulfide milling. The updated estimate also includes some treatment and refining charges that were not broken out separately for the October 2023 estimate. The lower process costs for heap leaching reduced the gold internal cut-off grades to 0.0026 oz/t for oxide and 0.0041 oz/t for transition material. This change would have resulted in 83.7 million tons of indicated mineral resource at 0.0169 oz/t gold for 1.41 million contained gold ounces. Inferred mineral resource would have been 145.6 million tons at 0.0112 oz/t gold for 1.63 million ounces of contained gold. Item 10 shows that indicated mineral resource would have increased the October 2023 resource by 11.9 million tons and 51,100 contained ounces and increased inferred mineral resources by 38.3 million tons and 181,900 contained ounces.

 

All the previous mineral resource tabulations in this section are based on the model used for the October 2023 mineral resource estimate. Item 13 on the table shows the impact of the updated January 2025 resource model and the economic parameters for the current mineral resource estimate. This item is based on a resource shell developed with gold only; silver is reported but did not contribute to economics for the case. This resulted in 264.6 million tons of measured and indicated mineral resource at 0.0137 oz/t gold and 0.141 oz/t silver for 3.63 million contained gold ounces and 37.4 million contained silver ounces. Inferred mineral resource was 244.4 million tons at 0.0104 oz/t gold and 0.089 oz/t silver for 2.54 million ounces of contained gold and 21.7 million ounces of contained silver. Item 12 shows the incremental tons and contained ounces due to the updated model.

 

Item 15 is the final mineral resource estimate, with silver contributing to the economics. Item 14 shows the impact of adding silver to the resource estimate is modest. However, it is important to have estimates of the amount of silver that might be produced for process plant design.

 

The sensitivity analysis shows a large difference between the October 2023 and January 2025 mineral resources, and that the difference is mostly due to the resource models. Additional drilling and analysis have eliminated the need for the conservative assumptions in the October 2023 model regarding hard geologic boundaries and the requirement for two holes for a block grade estimation. Based on this additional data and analysis, the QP has added blocks to the resource model that were not evaluated in the October 2023 model. It is interesting to note that Item 11 on the table is based on the October 2023 model and all the economic and recovery parameters used for the current mineral resource. Note that the sum of indicated and inferred mineral resources for that item amounts to 229.3 million tons at 0.0133 oz/t gold for 3.05 million ounces of contained gold. This result is reasonably consistent with the measured and indicated mineral resources in the updated mineral resource estimate. The October 2023 resource model can be interpreted as a model of measured and indicated mineral resources (though not reported that way) with limited inferred mineral resources included.

 

11.6.2Mill Resource

 

Table 11-14 shows the reconciliation for mineral resources amenable to milling that is comprised of sulfide material. This is parallel to the analysis for mineral resources amenable to leaching; the impact of all the same parameters is measured in the analysis.

 

Item 1 on the table is the October 2023 mineral resource estimate. There were no measured mineral resources reported. The indicated mineral resource was 15.4 million tons at 0.0304 oz/t gold for 469,200 contained gold ounces. Inferred mineral resource was 11.8 million tons at 0.0252 oz/t gold for 296,300 contained gold ounces. The gold cut-off grade for the mineral resource amenable to milling was 0.0128 oz/t. IMC was able to validate these results based on the AKF resource block model and the economic parameters used to develop the resource shell.

 

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Item 3 on the table shows the impact of replacing the AKF oxide, transition, and sulfide domains with the updated domain interpretation. A new pit shell was developed by IMC based on the new domains and same economic parameters used by AKF. This resulted in 6.54 million tons of indicated mineral resource at 0.0256 oz/t gold for 167,300 contained gold ounces. Inferred mineral resources were 4.30 million tons at 0.0232 oz/t gold for 99,700 ounces of contained gold. Item 2 shows for indicated mineral resource this is a decrease of 8.90 million tons and 301,900 contained ounces and for inferred mineral resources this is a decrease of 7.46 million tons and 196,600 contained ounces. Much of this decrease represents sulfide material reclassified as oxide or transition material.

 

The October 2023 mineral resource was reported at breakeven gold cut-off grades. The January 2025 mineral resource is reported at internal cut-off grades. Item 5 shows the impact of reporting at internal cut-off grade of 0.0104 oz/t. Item 4 shows for indicated mineral resource this is an increase of 850,000 tons and 9,900 contained gold ounces and for inferred mineral resources this is an increase of 561,000 tons and 6,200 contained ounces.

 

Item 7 on the table shows the impact of updated gold recoveries. The October 2023 mineral resource estimate was based on a recovery of 42% for sulfide material, based on grinding the mineral resource and leaching in tanks. The updated recovery for sulfide is 85% based grinding followed by flotation to produce a gold sulfide concentrate. This reduced the internal cut-off grade mill material to 0.0051 oz/t. A new pit shell was developed based on the new recoveries, but with the same cost parameters as the October 2023 estimate. This resulted in 13.1 million tons of indicated mineral resource at 0.0185 oz/t gold for 242,200 contained gold ounces. Inferred mineral resources were 14.9 million tons at 0.0164 oz/t gold for 243,600 ounces of contained gold. Item 6 shows for indicated mineral resource this is an increase of 5.71 million tons and 65,000 contained ounces and for inferred mineral resources this is an increase of 10.0 million tons and 137,600 contained ounces.

 

Item 9 on the table shows the impact of an increase in gold price on the mineral resource estimate. The October 2023 mineral resource estimate was based on a gold price of $1900/oz. Increasing the gold price to $2000/oz, along with the cumulative changes discussed above, results in 13.3 million tons of indicated mineral resources at 0.0183 oz/t gold for 243,800 contained gold ounces. Inferred mineral resource is 15.4 million tons at 0.0162 oz/t gold for 248,900 ounces of contained gold. Item 8 shows for indicated mineral resource this change would have resulted in an increase of 229,000 tons and 1,600 contained ounces and for inferred mineral resources this change would have resulted in an increase of 514,000 tons and 5,400 contained ounces. The increased gold price resulted in a small decrease in the gold cut-off grade to 0.0049 oz/t.

 

Item 11 on the table shows the impact of updated unit costs on the mineral resource estimate. The October 2023 unit costs for processing and G&A were $8.00/t for sulfide material. For the updated estimate the unit costs for processing and G&A are $7.83/t for sulfide milling. The updated estimate also includes treatment and refining charges of $6.00/oz and a payable amount of 95.5% that was not broken out separately for the October 2023 estimate. This resulted in 13.2 million tons of indicated mineral resource at 0.0185 oz/t gold for 243,400 contained gold ounces. Inferred mineral resource was 14.7 million tons at 0.0162 oz/t gold for 238,900 ounces of contained gold. Item 10 shows a slight decrease for indicated and inferred mineral resources due to the treatment charges.

 

All the previous mineral resource tabulations in this section are based on the model used for the October 2023 mineral resource estimate. Item 13 on the table shows the impact of the updated January 2025 resource model and the economic parameters for the current mineral resource estimate. This item is based on a resource shell developed with gold only; silver is reported but did not contribute to economics for the case. This resulted in 63.9 million tons of measured and indicated mineral resources at 0.0147 oz/t gold and 0.140 oz/t silver for 941,500 contained gold ounces and 8.92 million contained silver ounces. Inferred mineral resource was 161.1 million tons at 0.0130 oz/t gold and 0.143 oz/t silver for 2.09 million ounces of contained gold and 23.0 million ounces of contained silver. Item 12 shows the incremental tons and contained ounces due to the updated model.

 

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Item 15 is the final mineral resource estimate, with silver contributing to the economics. Item 14 shows the impact of adding silver to the resource estimate is modest for measured and indicated mineral resources but resulted in a significant increase in inferred mineral resources.

 

As with leach material, the sensitivity analysis shows a large difference between the October 2023 and January 2025 mineral resources, and that the difference is mostly due to the resource models.

 

Table 11-13: Reconciliation of January 2025 and October 2023 Mineral Resources – Leach Resource

 

Price/Resource Category 

Cut-off

(oz/t)

  Ktons 

AuEq

(oz/t)

 

Gold

(oz/t)

 

Silver

(oz/t)

 

Gold

(koz)

 

Silver

(koz)

 

Total

Ktons

 
1. AFK October 2023 Oxide/Mixed Mineral Resource                         
Measured Mineral Resource  Oxide  0  0.0000  0.0000  0.000  0.0  0    
Indicated Mineral Resource  0.0062  41,699  0.0000  0.0206  0.000  859.0  0    
Meas/Indic  Mineral Resource  Transition  41,699  0.0000  0.0206  0.000  859.0  0  295,000 
Inferred Mineral Resource  0.0085  52,243  0.0000  0.0160  0.000  835.9  0    
2. Due to Updated Oxide/Transition/Sulfide Domains                         
Measured Mineral Resource  Oxide  0  0.0000  0.0000  0.000  0.0  0    
Indicated Mineral Resource  0.0062  22,301  0.0000  0.0203  0.000  453.0  0    
Meas/Indic Mineral Resource  Transition  22,301  0.0000  0.0203  0.000  453.0  0  53,067 
Inferred Mineral Resource  0.0085  32,485  0.0000  0.0142  0.000  460.5  0    
3. Updated Oxide/Transition/Sulfide Domains                         
Measured Mineral Resource  Oxide  0  0.0000  0.0000  0.000  0.0  0    
Indicated Mineral Resource  0.0062  64,000  0.0000  0.0205  0.000  1,312.0  0    
Meas/Indic Mineral Resource  Transition  64,000  0.0000  0.0205  0.000  1,312.0  0  348,067 
Inferred Mineral Resource  0.0085  84,728  0.0000  0.0153  0.000  1,296.3  0    
4. Due to Internal versus Breakeven Cut-off Grade                         
Measured Mineral Resource  Oxide  0  0.0000  0.0000  0.000  0.0  0    
Indicated Mineral Resource  0.0050  5,431  0.0000  0.0064  0.000  35.0  0    
Meas/Indic Mineral Resource  Transition  5,431  0.0000  0.0064  0.000  35.0  0  0 
Inferred Mineral Resource  0.0067  12,110  0.0000  0.0057  0.000  69.1  0    
5. Updated Domains, Internal Cut-off Grades                         
Measured Mineral Resource  Oxide  0  0.0000  0.0000  0.000  0.0  0    
Indicated Mineral Resource  0.0050  69,431  0.0000  0.0194  0.000  1,347.0  0    
Meas/Indic Mineral Resource  Transition  69,431  0.0000  0.0194  0.000  1,347.0  0  348,067 
Inferred Mineral Resource  0.0067  96,838  0.0000  0.0141  0.000  1,365.4  0    
6. Due to Updated Recoveries                         
Measured Mineral Resource  Oxide  0  0.0000  0.0000  0.000  0.0  0    
Indicated Mineral Resource  0.0049  999  0.0000  0.0053  0.000  5.3  0    
Meas/Indic Mineral Resource  Transition  999  0.0000  0.0053  0.000  5.3  0  65,122 
Inferred Mineral Resource  0.0067  4,762  0.0000  0.0077  0.000  36.7  0    

 

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Price/Resource Category 

Cut-off

(oz/t)

  Ktons 

AuEq

(oz/t)

 

Gold

(oz/t)

 

Silver

(oz/t)

 

Gold

(koz)

 

Silver

(koz)

 

Total

Ktons

 
7. Updated Process Recoveries                         
Measured Mineral Resource  Oxide  0  0.0000  0.0000  0.000  0.0  0    
Indicated Mineral Resource  0.0049  70,430  0.0000  0.0192  0.000  1,352.3  0    
Meas/Indic Mineral Resource  Transition  70,430  0.0000  0.0192  0.000  1,352.3  0  413,189 
Inferred Mineral Resource  0.0067  101,600  0.0000  0.0138  0.000  1,402.1  0    
8. Due to $2,000/oz Price                         
Measured Mineral Resource  Oxide  0  0.0000  0.0000  0.000  0.0  0    
Indicated Mineral Resource  0.0047  1,319  0.0000  0.0083  0.000  11.0  0    
Meas/Indic Mineral Resource  Transition  1,319  0.0000  0.0083  0.000  11.0  0  16,743 
Inferred Mineral Resource  0.0064  5,757  0.0000  0.0082  0.000  47.2  0    
9. $2,000/oz Gold - DGC Resource Price                         
Measured Mineral Resource  Oxide  0  0.0000  0.0000  0.000  0.0  0    
Indicated Mineral Resource  0.0047  71,749  0.0000  0.0190  0.000  1,363.2  0    
Meas/Indic Mineral Resource  Transition  71,749  0.0000  0.0190  0.000  1,363.2  0  429,932 
Inferred Mineral Resource  0.0064  107,357  0.0000  0.0135  0.000  1,449.3  0    
10. Due to Dakota Gold Costs                         
Measured Mineral Resource  Oxide  0  0.0000  0.0000  0.000  0.0  0    
Indicated Mineral Resource  0.0026  11,940  0.0000  0.0043  0.000  51.1  0    
Meas/Indic Mineral Resource  Transition  11,940  0.0000  0.0043  0.000  51.1  0  30,095 
Inferred Mineral Resource  0.0041  38,285  0.0000  0.0048  0.000  181.9  0    
11. Dakota Gold Costs                         
Measured Mineral Resource  Oxide  0  0.0000  0.0000  0.000  0.0  0    
Indicated Mineral Resource  0.0026  83,689  0.0000  0.0169  0.000  1,414.3  0    
Meas/Indic Mineral Resource  Transition  83,689  0.0000  0.0169  0.000  1,414.3  0  460,027 
Inferred Mineral Resource  0.0041  145,642  0.0000  0.0112  0.000  1,631.2  0    

12. Due to Updated Resource Model

(Only Gold Used to Determine Resource Shell)

                         
Measured Mineral Resource  Oxide  112,566  0.0000  0.0159  N.A.  1,789.8  18,123    
Indicated Mineral Resource  0.0026  68,376  0.0000  0.0062  N.A.  425.6  19,312    
Meas/Indic Mineral Resource  Transition  180,942  0.0000  0.0122  N.A.  2,215.4  37,435  739,636 
Inferred Mineral Resource  0.0041  98,720  0.0000  0.0092  N.A.  910.2  21,748    

13. January 2025 Resource Model

(Only Gold Used to Determine Resource Shell)

                         
Measured Mineral Resource  Oxide  112,566  0.0000  0.0159  0.161  1,789.8  18,123    
Indicated Mineral Resource  0.0026  152,065  0.0000  0.0121  0.127  1,840.0  19,312    
Meas/Indic Mineral Resource  Transition  264,631  0.0000  0.0137  0.141  3,629.8  37,435  1,199,663 
Inferred Mineral Resource  0.0041  244,362  0.0000  0.0104  0.089  2,541.4  21,748    
14. Due to Silver                         
Measured Mineral Resource  Oxide  1,182  0.0000  0.0030  0.072  3.6  85    
Indicated Mineral Resource  0.0026  3,954  0.0000  0.0051  0.145  20.0  572    
Meas/Indic Mineral Resource  Transition  5,136  0.0000  0.0046  0.128  23.6  657  167,362 
Inferred Mineral Resource  0.0041  9,824  0.0000  0.0073  0.106  72.0  1,039    
15. Final January 2025 Mineral Resource                         
Measured Mineral Resource  Oxide  113,748  0.0164  0.0158  0.160  1,793.4  18,208    
Indicated Mineral Resource  0.0026  156,019  0.0125  0.0119  0.128  1,860.0  19,884    
Meas/Indic Mineral Resource  Transition  269,768  0.0141  0.0135  0.141  3,653.3  38,092  1,367,025 
Inferred Mineral Resource  0.0041  254,186  0.0106  0.0103  0.090  2,613.4  22,787    
Note 1: Oxide and Transition Material is Combined on this Table, But Applicable Cut-off Grades for Each are Shown.
Note 2: Cases 1 - 13 Are Based on Gold Cut-off Grades, Case 15 is Gold Equivalent.

 

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Table 11-14: Reconciliation of January 2025 and October 2023 Mineral Resources – Mill Resource

 

Price/Resource Category 

Cut-off

(oz/t)

  Ktons 

AuEq

(oz/t)

 

Gold

(oz/t)

 

Silver

(oz/t)

 

Gold

(koz)

 

Silver

(koz)

 

Total

Ktons

 
1. AFK October 2023 Oxide/Mixed Mineral Resource                         
Measured Mineral Resource     0  0.0000  0.000  0.0  0       
Indicated Mineral Resource     15,434  0.0304  0.000  469.2  0       
Meas/Indic Mineral Resource  0.0128  15,434  0.0304  0.000  469.2  0  295,000  0.0128 
Inferred Mineral Resource     11,759  0.0252  0.000  296.3  0       
2. Due to Updated Oxide/Transition/Sulfide Domains                         
Measured Mineral Resource     0  0.0000  0.000  0.0  0       
Indicated Mineral Resource     -8,899  0.0339  0.000  -301.9  0       
Meas/Indic Mineral Resource  0.0128  -8,899  0.0339  0.000  -301.9  0  53,067  0.0128 
Inferred Mineral Resource     -7,460  0.0264  0.000  -196.6  0       
3. Updated Oxide/Transition/Sulfide Domains                         
Measured Mineral Resource     0  0.0000  0.000  0.0  0       
Indicated Mineral Resource     6,535  0.0256  0.000  167.3  0       
Meas/Indic Mineral Resource  0.0128  6,535  0.0256  0.000  167.3  0  348,067  0.0128 
Inferred Mineral Resource     4,299  0.0232  0.000  99.7  0       
4. Due to Internal versus Breakeven Cut-off Grade                         
Measured Mineral Resource     0  0.0000  0.000  0.0  0       
Indicated Mineral Resource     850  0.0117  0.000  9.9  0       
Meas/Indic Mineral Resource  0.0104  850  0.0117  0.000  9.9  0  0  0.0104 
Inferred Mineral Resource     561  0.0111  0.000  6.2  0       
5. Updated Domains, Internal Cut-off Grades                         
Measured Mineral Resource     0  0.0000  0.000  0.0  0       
Indicated Mineral Resource     7,385  0.0240  0.000  177.2  0       
Meas/Indic Mineral Resource  0.0104  7,385  0.0240  0.000  177.2  0  348,067  0.0104 
Inferred Mineral Resource     4,860  0.0218  0.000  105.9  0       

 

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Price/Resource Category 

Cut-off

(oz/t)

  Ktons 

AuEq

(oz/t)

 

Gold

(oz/t)

 

Silver

(oz/t)

 

Gold

(koz)

 

Silver

(koz)

 

Total

Ktons

 
6. Due to Updated Recoveries                         
Measured Mineral Resource     0  0.0000  0.000  0.0  0       
Indicated Mineral Resource     5,707  0.0114  0.000  65.0  0       
Meas/Indic Mineral Resource  0.0051  5,707  0.0114  0.000  65.0  0  65,122  0.0051 
Inferred Mineral Resource     9,991  0.0138  0.000  137.6  0       
7. Updated Process Recoveries                         
Measured Mineral Resource     0  0.0000  0.000  0.0  0       
Indicated Mineral Resource     13,092  0.0185  0.000  242.2  0       
Meas/Indic Mineral Resource  0.0051  13,092  0.0185  0.000  242.2  0  413,189  0.0051 
Inferred Mineral Resource     14,851  0.0164  0.000  243.6  0       
8. Due to $2,000/oz Price                         
Measured Mineral Resource     0  0.0000  0.000  0.0  0       
Indicated Mineral Resource     229  0.0069  0.000  1.6  0       
Meas/Indic Mineral Resource  0.0049  229  0.0069  0.000  1.6  0  16,743  0.0049 
Inferred Mineral Resource     514  0.0104  0.000  5.4  0       
9. $2,000/oz Gold - DGC Resource Price                         
Measured Mineral Resource     0  0.0000  0.000  0.0  0       
Indicated Mineral Resource     13,321  0.0183  0.000  243.8  0       
Meas/Indic Mineral Resource  0.0049  13,321  0.0183  0.000  243.8  0  429,932  0.0049 
Inferred Mineral Resource     15,365  0.0162  0.000  248.9  0       
10. Due to Dakota Gold Costs                         
Measured Mineral Resource     0  0.0000  0.000  0.0  0       
Indicated Mineral Resource     -165  0.0024  0.000  -0.4  0       
Meas/Indic Mineral Resource  0.0050  -165  0.0024  0.000  -0.4  0  30,095  0.0050 
Inferred Mineral Resource     -620  0.0162  0.000  -10.0  0       
11. Dakota Gold Costs                         
Measured Mineral Resource     0  0.0000  0.000  0.0  0       
Indicated Mineral Resource     13,156  0.0185  0.000  243.4  0       
Meas/Indic Mineral Resource  0.0050  13,156  0.0185  0.000  243.4  0  460,027  0.0050 
Inferred Mineral Resource     14,745  0.0162  0.000  238.9  0       

12. Due to Updated Resource Model

(Only Gold Used to Determine Resource Shell)

                         
Measured Mineral Resource     19,884  0.0170  N.A.  338.0  3,062       
Indicated Mineral Resource     30,895  0.0117  N.A.  360.1  5,859       
Meas/Indic Mineral Resource  0.0050  50,779  0.0137  N.A.  698.1  8,921  739,636  0.0050 
Inferred Mineral Resource     146,331  0.0127  N.A.  1,855.1  23,034       

13. January 2025 Resource Model

(Only Gold Used to Determine Resource Shell)

                         
Measured Mineral Resource     19,884  0.0170  0.154  338.0  3,062       
Indicated Mineral Resource     44,051  0.0137  0.133  603.5  5,859       
Meas/Indic Mineral Resource  0.0050  63,935  0.0147  0.140  941.5  8,921  1,199,663  0.0050 
Inferred Mineral Resource     161,076  0.0130  0.143  2,094.0  23,034       
14. Due to Silver                         
Measured Mineral Resource     819  0.0044  0.078  3.6  64       
Indicated Mineral Resource     4,842  0.0076  0.143  37.0  693       
Meas/Indic Mineral Resource  0.0050  5,661  0.0072  0.134  40.6  757  167,362  0.0050 
Inferred Mineral Resource     41,145  0.0086  0.153  352.9  6,288       
15. Final January 2025 Mineral Resource                         
Measured Mineral Resource     20,703  0.0165  0.151  341.6  3,126       
Indicated Mineral Resource     48,893  0.0131  0.134  640.5  6,552       
Meas/Indic Mineral Resource  0.0050  69,596  0.0141  0.139  982.1  9,678  1,367,025  0.0050 
Inferred Mineral Resource     202,221  0.0121  0.145  2,446.9  29,322       
Note 1: Cases 1 - 13 Are Based on Gold Cut-off Grades, Case 15 is Gold Equivalent.

 

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11.6.3Reconciliation Summary

 

Table 11-15summarizes the reconciliation results from the January 2025 and October 2023 resource models in terms of contained gold ounces. The items on the table show incremental changes due to various changes in modeling parameters as discussed above.

 

Table 11-15: Summary of Reconciliation Analysis for Contained Gold Ounces

 

   Oxide/Transition (Leach)  Sulfide (Mill)  All Mineral Resource 
Parameter 

Meas/Indic

Au (koz)

 

Inferred

Au (koz)

 

Meas/Indic

Au (koz)

 

Inferred

Au (koz)

 

Meas/Indic

Au (koz)

 

Inferred

Au (koz)

 
Start - October 2023 Mineral Resource  859  836  469  296  1,328  1,132 
Due to Updated Oxide/Transition/Sulfide Domains  453  461  (302) (197) 151  264 
Due to Internal versus Breakeven Cut-off Grade  35  69  10  6  45  75 
Due to Updated Recoveries  5  37  65  138  70  175 
Due to $2,000/oz Price  11  47  1.6  5  13  53 
Due to Dakota Gold Costs  51  182  (0.4) (10) 51  172 
Due to Updated Resource Model (Note 1)  2,215  910  698  1,855  2,914  2,765 
Due to Silver (Note 2)  24  72  41  353  64  425 
Cumulative Change for All Parameters  2,794  1,778  513  2,151  3,307  3,929 
Final - January 2025 Mineral Resource  3,653  2,614  982  2,447  4,636  5,061 

Note 1. Only gold used to develop resource shell.

Note 2. Silver economics allowed to contribute to resource shell

 

 

 

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12Mineral Reserve Estimates

 

This chapter is not required for this Initial Assessment, but will be addressed in a future Initial Assessment with Cash Flow Analysis.

 

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13Mining Methods

This chapter is not required for this Initial Assessment, but will be addressed in a future Initial Assessment with Cash Flow Analysis

 

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14Process and Recovery Methods

 

This chapter is not required for this Initial Assessment, but will be addressed in a future Initial Assessment with Cash Flow Analysis.

 

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15Infrastructure

 

This chapter is not required for this Initial Assessment, but will be addressed in a future Initial Assessment with Cash Flow Analysis.

 

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16Market Studies

 

This chapter is not required for this Initial Assessment, but will be addressed in a future Initial Assessment with Cash Flow Analysis.

 

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17Environmental Studies, Permitting and Plans, Negotiations, or Agreements with Local Individuals or Groups

 

Please note that the information in this chapter will generally change once a new Dakota Gold mine plan is in place.

 

17.1Results of Environmental Studies

 

In the 1980s and 1990s, considerable environmental baseline information was collected to support historical mine permitting and to support reclamation and closure activities. This information, along with new and additional or updated data, will be required to support future mine development and permitting efforts.

 

Dakota Gold collects select environmental baseline information required to support planned exploration permitting and assist with reclamation of disturbed sites. Key environmental baseline disciplines required to support exploration drilling permitting include: vegetation, wildlife, cultural, archaeology, and historical. Dakota Gold will also be negotiating additional baseline requirements with SDDANR as part of its permitting process for a new mine at Richmond Hill.

 

17.2Requirements and Plans for Waste and Tailings Disposal, Site Monitoring, and Water Management During Operations and After Mine Closures

 

Since the Richmond Hill Gold Mine is closed, requirements and plans during operations are not currently applicable.

 

As part of LAC’s closure program at Richmond Hill Mine, all material classified as acid generating was removed from the Spruce Gulch waste dump and placed in truck compacted lifts back into the historical Richmond Hill mining area. Following placement of that material, the material was capped with clay to minimize oxygen and water infiltration into the compacted potentially acid-generating material. LAC also used this method to remediate the ore material on the heap leach pads, isolating the pads with a similar clay cap.

 

All solid waste that may be generated at the site will be transported off site and disposed of at permitted facilities in accordance with all local, state, and federal regulations. This includes trash, debris, and building-demolition waste and rubble.

 

Monitoring activities at the current Richmond Hill site include monthly site inspections of the reclaimed acreage, as well as the water treatment operations and support facilities. Annual visual inspections of the leach pad and backfilled historical Richmond Hill mining area impoundment covers are carried out to monitor for stability, erosion control, and prevention of deep-rooting vegetation through the clay caps. Visual inspections also include observations of potential surface cracking, subsidence, stressed vegetation, and erosion rills or slumping of the impoundment covers.

 

Fencing and signage along the remaining highwalls and along mine access roads are routinely monitored and maintained, as needed, to restrict access and provide public safety. LAC (now merged into Homestake) annually completes an annual noxious weed treatment program at the site. Stormwater management structures are monitored and repaired as needed to prevent extensive erosion and sediment loading into surrounding drainages. LAC maintains a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) as part of the surface-water discharge (SWD) permit for the site. The SWPPP ensures roads are graded and sediment-control structures are maintained at the site. Buildings are maintained as needed, and public access to them is restricted to LAC employees, their contractors, and upon request, to SDDANR. Site maintenance would be the responsibility of Dakota Gold once the Option is exercised.

 

Any potentially impacted groundwater from the former process area, pit impoundment, or Spruce Gulch waste dump facility is actively managed by two on-site water management and treatment systems that have continued to operate throughout the post-closure period. The Spruce Gulch water management facility manages water from the former Spruce Gulch waste rock facility and South Gulch. The treated water is released into Spruce Gulch as permitted at the permitted SWD compliance point. The process-area water management facility manages water from the reclaimed leach pads and stormwater pond. This water may be treated in one of three ways before being released to the permitted SWD compliance point. The first treatment option is RO with additional biological treatment. The second option is biological treatment without RO. The third treatment option is biological treatment and chemical precipitation.

 

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Continued water treatment at these sites would be the responsibility of Dakota Gold once the Property is purchased. The associated costs are subject to post-closure bonding, the obligation for which would be assumed by Dakota Gold upon exercise of the Option.

 

LAC also performs surface water and groundwater quality monitoring and aquatic biological monitoring consistent with the Hydrologic Monitoring Plan. The Hydrologic Monitoring Plan includes monitoring at 13 groundwater wells and 10 surface-water locations to assess water quality and trends in pH, sulfate, and metal concentrations. “Sentinel” monitoring locations are positioned at surface-water and groundwater flow locations downgradient of the historic operations areas (i.e., backfilled mining area, Spruce Gulch, and leach pads) and are representative of the water quality in those locations. A post-closure Groundwater Quality Contingency Plan has been implemented that identifies site-specific performance criteria that LAC uses for triggering additional actions if water quality at defined sentinel monitoring locations indicates a potential change in groundwater conditions that could potentially cause an exceedance of surface-water quality standards at permitted discharge points. Aquatic biological monitoring continues to be conducted in Cleopatra Creek, Labrador Gulch, and Rubicon Gulch in accordance with the SWD permit. The Aquatic Biological Monitoring Plan has LAC performing this monitoring every 5 years until 2032, at which time aquatic biological monitoring will be discontinued. All site monitoring would be the responsibility of Dakota Gold once the Option is exercised.

 

The leach pad and backfilled historical Richmond Hill mining area impoundment covers have met or exceeded original design specifications for limiting infiltration.

 

17.3Project Permitting Requirements, Permit Application Status, and Requirements to Post Performance or Reclamation Bonds

 

LAC has posted the required Post-Performance and Reclamation bonds required by the SDDANR, and the SDDANR has updated both bonds as required. The bonds’ maintenance would be the responsibility of Dakota Gold once the Option is exercised.

 

South Dakota Board of Minerals & Environment (SDBME) required the face value of the surety bond for 2025 that serves as the post-closure financial assurance to be $41,773,222. This was adjusted upwards from $30,838,220 based on increases in the assumed rate of inflation by SDBME.

 

Dakota Gold has posted the necessary Reclamation Bonds for six Exploration Notices of Intent (EXNI) issued by the SDDANR.

 

17.4Requirements and Plans for Waste and Tailings Disposal, Site Monitoring, and Water Management During Operations and After Mine Closure

 

Plans, Negotiations, or Agreements with Local Individuals or Groups

 

Other than ongoing coordination with surface rights owners, and general plans regarding permitting strategy or land position, Dakota Gold does not have any current plans, negotiations, or agreements with local individuals or groups.

 

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17.5Mine Closure, Remediation, and Reclamation Plans, and Associated Costs

 

The Richmond Hill Gold Mine is closed and mostly reclaimed, except for water treatment facilities, as shown on Figure 17-1. As stated above, water treatment has been, and continues to be, conducted at the former Spruce Gulch waste rock disposal site to treat water emanating from Spruce Gulch and South Gulch, and at the former process area to treat seepage from the closed pads. Water treatment will be required at these sites until water quality effluent limits and water quality standards are met pursuant to the Richmond Hill permits and South Dakota laws and regulations. Continued water treatment at these sites would be the responsibility of Dakota Gold if Option is exercised. The associated costs are subject to post-closure bonding, the obligation for which would be assumed by Dakota Gold upon exercise of the Option.

 

In 2024, LAC replaced the RO unit for the water treatment plant. The new RO unit is smaller, more efficient, and can treat water at cooler water temperatures.

 

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Figure 17-1: LAC’s Reclamation Liability Release Map (SDBME, 2016)

 

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17.6Qualified Person’s Opinion on the Adequacy of Current Plans to Address Any issues Related to Environmental Compliance, Permitting, and Local Individuals or Groups

 

It is the QP’s opinion that the adequacy of the current plans and any issues related to environmental compliance, permitting, and local individuals or groups should not prevent the Richmond Hill Gold Project from becoming a mine, especially given that the adjacent Wharf Mine owned by Coeur Mining has been in continuous operation for over 40 years and further considering the history of mining activity in the Homestake District.

 

17.7Descriptions of Any Commitments to Ensure Local Procurement and Hiring

 

Dakota Gold is committed to hiring and procurement from the local community, prioritizing the city, region, and state, followed by out-of-state and out-of-country.

 

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18Capital and Operating Costs

 

This chapter is not required for this Initial Assessment, but will be addressed in a future Initial Assessment with Cash Flow Analysis.

 

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19Economic Analysis

 

This chapter is not required for this Initial Assessment, but will be addressed in a future Initial Assessment with Cash Flow Analysis.

 

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20Adjacent Properties

 

This chapter is not required for this Initial Assessment, but will be addressed in a future Initial Assessment with Cash Flow Analysis.

 

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21Other Relevant Data and Information

 

Information provided in this chapter does not pertain directly to the Richmond Hill Gold Project; rather, the items discussed may add benefit to the Project should positive exploration results lead to a potential mining scenario.

 

21.1Homestake Mine Facilities

 

In addition to the Option for Richmond Hill, Dakota Gold also holds a separate option with Barrick that includes exclusive access to 145 years of Homestake exploration records throughout South Dakota, Homestake mine data, and surface rights to 4,261 acres and contained facilities from the historical Homestake mine site, including the Grizzly Gulch tailings management facility.

 

As the Homestake property was previously disturbed by mining, Dakota Gold believes that a potential exists for Dakota Gold to repurpose this remaining infrastructure for future operations, potentially including the Richmond Hill Project. The Grizzly Gulch tailings management facility holds the potential for reprocessing existing tailings from historical milling operations at the Homestake mine and may provide waste storage for future Dakota Gold operations.

 

21.2Sanford Underground Research Facility

 

At the 4850 level of the former Homestake mine, the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) houses world-leading physics experiments with an aim of achieving a better understanding of the universe. SURF provides sufficient depth and rock stability for experiments that need to escape the constant bombardment of cosmic radiation, which can interfere with the detection of rare physics events. The facility also hosts experiments in biology, geology, and engineering.

 

SURF maintains underground dewatering to the 4850 level of the mine. Should future underground gold mining be contemplated proximal to SURF Project, certain synergies exist that may provide benefit to both Dakota Gold and SURF with regard to water treatment and the reuse of water pumped from the SURF underground facilities.

 

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22Interpretation and Conclusions

 

This Initial Assessment is a significant iteration from the Initial Assessment published in April of 2024. Based on additional drilling, validation of geological interpretations, metallurgical reviews, and inclusion of heap leach methodology for the oxide and transition materials, the resource is a substantial upgrade from the maiden resource. This heap leachable resource has the potential to be put into production quickly and at relatively low cost. There is also opportunity for expansion of the leachable resource and development of the sulfide resource.

 

Major factors contributing to the change in resource include:

 

Additional drilling and analysis have eliminated the need for the conservative assumptions in the October 2023 model regarding hard geologic boundaries and the requirement for two holes for a block grade estimation. Based on this additional data and analysis, the QP has added blocks to the resource model that were not evaluated in the October 2023 model;

 

Infill drilling added significant ounces to the interior portion of the resource where adequate drill hole density was previously lacking and large gaps were found in the previous resource;

 

Step-out drilling extended the resource and added significant ounces – in particular to the northeastern portion of the Project;

 

Additional metallurgical testwork was completed resulting in refinement of geometallurgical domains;

 

This additional metallurgical work allowed for evaluation of alternative process methods - notably, heap leach of oxide and appropriate transition zones resulted in significant increases in recovery and reduction in cutoff grades for these materials; and

 

Silver was included in the updated resource.

 

22.1Mineral Resources

 

This study has defined a measured and indicated mineral resource of 269.8 million tons at 0.0135 oz/t gold and 0.141 oz/t silver that is oxide and transition material amenable to crushing and heap leaching. This amounts to 3.65 million ounces of contained gold and 38.1 million ounces of contained silver. Inferred mineral resources amenable to heap leaching are an additional 254.2 million tons at 0.0103 oz/t gold and 0.090 oz/t silver for 2.61 million ounces of contained gold and 22.8 million ounces of contained silver.

 

In addition, a measured and indicated mineral resource of 69.6 million tons at 0.0141 oz/t gold and 0.139 oz/t silver that is sulfide material amenable to milling has been identified. This amounts to 982,100 ounces of contained gold and 9.68 million ounces of contained silver. Inferred mineral resources amenable to milling are an additional 202.2 million tons at 0.0121 oz/t gold and 0.145 oz/t silver amounting to 2.45 million ounces of contained gold and 29.3 million ounces of contained silver.

 

Table 22-1: Mineral Resource

 

Resource Category 

AuEq COG

(oz/t)

  Ktons 

AuEq

(oz/t)

 

Gold

(oz/t)

 

Silver

(oz/t)

 

Gold

(koz)

 

Silver

(koz)

 
Leach Resource:                      
Measured Mineral Resource     113,748  0.0164  0.0158  0.160  1,793.4  18,208 
Oxide  0.0026  94,537  0.0165  0.0158  0.167  1,493.7  15,788 
Transition  0.0041  19,211  0.0161  0.0156  0.126  299.7  2,421 
Indicated Mineral Resource     156,019  0.0125  0.0119  0.128  1,860.0  19,884 
Oxide  0.0026  127,237  0.0122  0.0117  0.128  1,488.7  16,286 
Transition  0.0041  28,783  0.0134  0.0129  0.125  371.3  3,598 
Meas/Indic Mineral Resource     269,768  0.0141  0.0135  0.141  3,653.3  38,092 
Oxide  0.0026  221,774  0.0140  0.0134  0.145  2,982.4  32,074 
Transition  0.0041  47,994  0.0145  0.0140  0.125  671.0  6,018 
Inferred Mineral Resource     254,186  0.0106  0.0103  0.090  2,613.4  22,787 
 Oxide  0.0026  211,994  0.0101  0.0098  0.085  2,077.5  18,019 
 Transition  0.0041  42,192  0.0131  0.0127  0.113  535.8  4,768 
Mill Resource (Sulfides):                      
Measured Mineral Resource  0.0050  20,703  0.0184  0.0165  0.151  341.6  3,126 
Indicated Mineral Resource  0.0050  48,893  0.0147  0.0131  0.134  640.5  6,552 
Meas/Indic Mineral Resource  0.0050  69,596  0.0158  0.0141  0.139  982.1  9,678 
Inferred Mineral Resource  0.0050  202,221  0.0139  0.0121  0.145  2,446.9  29,322 
Leach and Mill Mineral Resource:                      
Measured Mineral Resource     134,452  0.0167  0.0159  0.159  2,135.0  21,334 
Indicated Mineral Resource     204,912  0.0130  0.0122  0.129  2,500.5  26,436 
Meas/Indic Mineral Resource     339,364  0.0145  0.0137  0.141  4,635.4  47,770 
Inferred Mineral Resource     456,407  0.0121  0.0111  0.114  5,060.3  52,109 

 

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There is a significant upside to the current mineral resource estimate. Several targets for additional drilling have been identified.

 

The main risks to the mineral resource estimate are the normal risks that all mining projects face including changes to metal prices, changes to government regulations, social risks, uncertainty in mineral resource and recovery estimates, permitting risks, financing risks, and costs higher than forecast. There is no guarantee that any of the mineral resources will be converted to mineral reserve. There is also no guarantee that any of the inferred mineral resources will be upgraded to measured or indicated mineral resources or to mineral reserves. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.

 

22.2Processing

 

Metallurgical testwork has shown that the Richmond Hill oxide material is amenable to cyanidation heap leach processing. Owing to the relatively high silver to gold ratio of the deposit, Merrill-Crowe processing of the precious metal process solution is recommended for evaluation.

 

Low sulfide transition material is likely amenable to heap leach processing, but at lower recoveries and higher reagent consumptions. Additional testing of the transition material is required to determine the cut-over grade between heap leach and flotation processing and develop an ore control method to use during production. There may also be environmental concerns that should be taken into consideration.

 

Metallurgical testing of the sulfide material at Richmond Hill shows that it is amenable to froth flotation using bulk sulfide flotation methods resulting in a precious metal rich sulfide concentrate suitable for sale or off-site processing. It is recommended that additional testwork be conducted on the flotation products. Cyanide leaching testing of the flotation tailings would improve overall recovery for the sulfide material and may be an option for high sulfide content transition material. Also, bio-oxidation of the flotation concentrates may be beneficial as all processing would be on-site and result in producing a doré product for direct sale.

 

22.3Mineral Tenure

 

Dakota Gold’s property tenure is based on the Option agreement to acquire the Homestake/LAC interests in the Richmond Hill Project area, with the mineral tenure primarily held in the names of LAC and Homestake (see discussion in 3.3 and 3.4). Unless further extended, Dakota Gold has until December 31, 2028 to exercise the Option. By assuming all property liabilities and bonds upon exercise of the Option, Dakota Gold will acquire the responsibility and liability to maintain the Richmond Hill mine post-closure requirements.

 

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22.4Summary Conclusion

 

In summary, the resource has been substantially upgraded from the maiden resource described in the 2024 Initial Assessment. The additional drilling and analysis during the ensuing period has resulted in a more robust resource and provides Dakota Gold with the conviction that the heap leachable resource can be advanced into production.

 

The next step is to complete an economic assessment and cash flow analysis, which we expect will illustrate that the Project is economically sound and that the Project can be advanced through feasibility studies.

 

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23Recommendations

 

The following are recommendations for the next stages of work to advance the Project:

 

Advance the Project to an Initial Assessment that includes an economic analysis.

 

Additional metallurgical testwork and process design.

 

Additional drilling to infill the current mineral resource and test additional prospective areas. This will also improve definition of geological domains and provide material for metallurgical testing.

 

Advancement of baseline environmental data collection to support initiation of Project permitting.

 

Table 23-1 summarizes the budget cost for these items. More details for each item are provided below.

 

Table 23-1: Budget for Recommended Work

 

Item  2025  2026  Total 
1. Program To Initial Assessment W/ Cash Flow (IACF)  $842,000   -  $842,000 
2. Program For Feasibility Study (FS) Metallurgy and Environmental  $2,700,000  $3,000,000  $5,700,000 
- Metallurgy Program  $500,000  $400,000  $900,000 
- Monitoring Wells  $600,000   -  $600,000 
- Environmental Geochemistry  $120,000  $300,000  $420,000 
- Environmental Samples/Analytics  $840,000  $1,000,000  $1,840,000 
- Environmental Studies/Modeling/Other  $640,000  $1,300,000  $1,940,000 
3. Drilling Program  $15,500,000  $18,000,000  $33,500,000 
- Target Additional 500k oz For Resource  $9,000,000  $2,000,000  $11,000,000 
- Target To Conversion of Resource to Three Years Reserves  $1,500,000  $9,500,000  $11,000,000 
- Drilling For Metallurgical Testing  $5,000,000  $6,500,000  $11,500,000 
Total  $19,042,000  $21,000,000  $40,042,000 

 

23.1Initial Assessment with Economic Analysis

 

Based on the current oxide resource and potential for heap leach processing of a portion of the transition material, it is recommended the company engage appropriate contractors to undertake the necessary engineering and metallurgical studies to complete an Initial Assessment with Cash Flow.

 

23.2Metallurgical Testing and Process Design

 

Oxide heap leaching is recommended for the Oxide and the Heap Leach amenable Transition material. Additional metallurgical testwork is required to update the Oxide and Transition material metallurgical performance and design criteria to advance the Project to feasibility.

 

Work should focus on optimizing the process flowsheet to more accurately estimate capital costs. With regard to the Transition material, the metallurgical performance is related to the rock type and degree of oxidation resulting in a “spectrum” type metallurgical domain. Further testing is required to determine the ore control cut-over points for head grade and reagent consuming gangue.

 

Sulfide mineralization at RH tends to be refractory requiring oxidation for the recovery of precious metals. Testwork has shown the RH sulfide material amenable to flotation processing, generating a precious metal rich concentrate. The resultant concentrate may be sold, toll treated off-site or processed on-site using an oxidation pre-treatment followed by cyanidation.

 

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Additional flotation work is required to develop the design criteria for a concentrator and produce concentrate for oxidative testing. Also, it is common to evaluate the leaching response of the flotation tailings as these tend to respond similar to the Oxide material during cyanidation. A portion of the Transition material (high sulfide) may benefit from the processing method as well, likely resulting in higher recoveries.

 

23.3Additional Drilling

 

Drilling to date has not defined the limits of mineralization. Additional infill drilling as well as step out drilling to test prospective areas for potential mineralization is recommended. The generalized areas for this drilling are shown in Figure 23-1. If successful, this drilling program will expand the extent of known mineralization and identify areas that warrant additional exploration, including additional breccia bodies and Tertiary replacement mineralization that remain undiscovered beneath the Paleozoic and Tertiary cover in the Carbonate Camp and Chism Gulch area of the Property.

 

Additional drilling is also recommended along with metallurgical variability testwork to continue to improve the Project geological model along with the metallurgical domain model.

 

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Figure 23-1: Recommended Richmond Hill 2024 Diamond Drill-Hole Locations

 

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23.4Environmental Data Collection

 

It is recommended that baseline data assessments be initiated as soon as possible to collect data relating to surface and ground water, air quality, wildlife biology, and other areas necessary to commence permitting. Preliminary cost estimates for closure and post-closure management of Richmond Hill should also be developed for inclusion in an economic cash flow analysis for the Project.

 

23.5Resource Estimation

 

It is recommended that Dakota Gold prepare an Initial Assessment that includes an economic analysis with cash flow. Additional drilling to infill the current mineral resource and test additional prospective areas is also recommended.

 

23.6Mineral Processing and Metallurgical Testing

 

Oxide heap leaching is recommended for the Oxide and the Heap Leach amenable Transition material. Additional metallurgical testwork is required to update the Oxide and Transition material metallurgical performance and design criteria to advance the Project to feasibility.

 

Work should focus on optimizing the process flowsheet to more accurately estimate capital costs. Regarding the Transition material, the metallurgical performance is related to the rock type and degree of oxidation resulting in a “spectrum” type metallurgical domain. Further testing is required to determine the ore control cut-over points for head grade and reagent consuming gangue.

 

Sulfide mineralization at RH tends to be refractory requiring oxidation for the recovery of precious metals. Testwork has shown the RH sulfide material amenable to flotation processing, generating a precious metal rich concentrate. The resultant concentrate may be sold, toll treated off-site or processed on-site using an oxidation pre-treatment followed by cyanidation. Additional flotation work is required to develop the design criteria for a concentrator and produce concentrate for oxidative testing. Also, it is common to evaluate the leaching response of the flotation tailings as these tend to respond similar to the Oxide material during cyanidation. A portion of the Transition material (high sulfide) may benefit from the processing method as well, likely resulting in higher recoveries.

 

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24References

 

AKF Mining Services, April 30, 2024. S-K 1300 Initial Assessment and Technical Report Summary – Richmond Hill Gold Project, South Dakota, U.S.A.

 

Ballert, T. 2024. Methodology used to create custom projections for Homestake and Richmond Hill Grids (E.S.R.I. format). Memorandum from Ponderosa Land Surveys, LLC.

 

Berry, J. 2003a. Section 7 Dakota Gold Corp. Exploration and Drilling at Richmond Hill. Dakota Gold employee email correspondence November 20, 2023.

 

Berry, J. 2023b. Section 7 Dakota Gold Corp Exploration and Drilling at Richmond Hill. Dakota Gold employee email correspondence, December 19, 2023.

 

Caddey, S. W., and R. L. Bachman, T. J. Campbell, R. R. Reid, and R. P. Otto. 1991. The Homestake Gold Mine, An Early Proterozoic Iron-Formation-Hosted Gold Deposit, Lawrence County, South Dakota. In Geology and Resources of Gold in the United States, edited by Daniel R. Shawe, Roger P. Ash-ley, and Lorna M.H. Carter, J1–J67. Geological Survey Bulletin 1857. Denver, CO: United States Geological Survey. Available at https://doi.org/10.3133/b1857.

 

Caddey, S.W., Bachman, R.L., Campbell, T.J., Reid, R.R., and Otto, R.P., 1991, The Homestake gold mine, an Early Proterozoic iron formation-hosted gold deposit, Lawrence County, South Dakota: United States Geological Survey Bulletin 1857-J, 67p.

 

Carter, Janet M., Daniel G. Driscoll, and Joyce E. Williamson. 2002. The Black Hills Hydrology Study. USGS Fact Sheet FS-046-02. Reston, VA: U.S. Geological Survey. Available at https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/fs04602/pdf/fs04602.pdf.

 

Coeur Mining Inc. 2022, February 16. Wharf Operations, South Dakota, Technical Report Summary. Form 10-K Mineral Property Disclosure Exhibit Current to December 31, 2021.

 

Connolly, J.P., 1927, The Tertiary mineralization of the northern Black Hills: South Dakota School of Mines Bull. 15, 130 p.

 

Dahl, P.S., Terry, M.P., Jercinovic, M.J., Williams, M.L., Hamilton, M.A., Foland, K.A., Clement, S.M., and Friberg, L.M., 2005b, Electron probe (Ultrachron) microchronometry of metamorphic monazite: Unraveling the timing of polyphase deformation in the eastern Wyoming craton (Black Hills, South Dakota): American Mineralogist, v. 90, p.1712–1728.

 

Dahl, P.S., Hamilton, M.A., Jercinovic, M.J., Terry, M.P., Williams, M.L., and Frei, R., 2005a, Comparative isotopic and chemical geochronometry of monazite, with implications for U-Th-Pb dating by electron microprobe: An example from metamorphic rocks of the eastern Wyoming craton (U.S.A.): American Mineralogist, v. 90, p. 619–638

 

Dakota Gold, November 29, 2023. Core Logging Manual.

 

Dakota Gold. n.d. a. Blind Gold Project. Available at https://dakotagoldcorp.com/portfolio/explore-our-gold-properties/blind-gold-property/. Accessed December 13, 2023.

 

Dakota Gold. n.d. b. Maitland Gold Project. Available at https://dakotagoldcorp.com/portfolio/explore-our-gold-properties/maitland-property/. Accessed December 13, 2023.

 

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Dakota Gold. n.d. c. Richmond Hill Gold Project. Available at https://dakotagoldcorp.com/portfolio/explore-our-gold-properties/richmond-hill/. Accessed November 18, 2023.

 

Dakota Gold. n.d. d. West Corridor Gold Project. Available at https://dakotagoldcorp.com/portfolio/explore-our-gold-properties/west-corridor-property/. Ac-cessed December 13, 2023.

 

Dakota Territory Resource Corp. 2022a. Notice of Intent to Conduct Mineral Exploration Operation (EXNI 440), notice received by South Dakota Department of Environment & Natural Resources from DTRC on January 13, 2022.

 

Dakota Territory Resource Corp. 2022b. Notice of Intent to Conduct Mineral Exploration Operation (EXNI 444), notice received by South Dakota Department of Environment & Natural Resources from DTRC on December 5, 2022.

 

Dakota Territory Resource Corp. 2023. Notice of Intent to Conduct Mineral Exploration Operation (EXNI 446), notice received by South Dakota Department of Environment & Natural Resources from DTRC on January 27, 2023.

 

Additional DTRC notices for 2024 (see below) are available but they are not listed here at this time.

 

Duex, T. 1989. November 16. St. Joe Minerals Corporation Internal Memo. Unpublished internal memorandum.

 

Duex, T. 1990. 1990 Exploration Update. Unpublished Bond Gold Internal Memo to Mike Schwabe.

 

Duex, T. A., and M. R. Andersen. 1994. Reclamation at the Richmond Hill Mine Lawrence County, South Dakota, LAC Minerals (USA), Inc. Internal report.

 

Environmental Resources Management. 2015a. Postclosure Plan and Financial Assurance. Environmental Resources Management report presented to LAC Minerals (USA), LLC, on May 28, 2015.

 

Environmental Resources Management, 2015b. Updated Reclamation Plan and Financial Assurance. Environmental Resources Management report presented to LAC Minerals (USA), LLC, on May 28, 2015.

 

Environmental Resources Management. 2015c. Petition for Release of Reclamation Obligations. Environ-mental Resources Management report presented to LAC Minerals (USA), LLC, on May 28, 2015.

 

Frei, R., Dahl, P.S., Frandsson, M.M., Apel-Jensen, L., Hansen, T.R., Terry M.P., and Frei, K.M., 2009, Lead-isotope and trace-element characterization of Paleoproterozoic metasediments in the Lead and Rochford basins (Black Hills, South Dakota, USA): Implications for genetic models, mineralization ages, and sources of ore leads for the Homestake gold deposit: Precambrian Research, v. 172, p.1–24.

 

Geology of Wyoming. n.d. “Devils Tower and Black Hills Regional Geology.” Devils Tower & Northern Black Hills Eocene Alkaline Magmatic Province. Available at https://www.geowyo.com/devils-tower--black-hills.html. Accessed February 28, 2024.

 

Horton, J. 1989, November 16. Status Report on the Cleveland Project Area. Bond Gold Internal Memo from Jack Horton to Todd Duex.

 

Irving, J.D., 1904, Economic resources of the Northern Black Hills: with contributions by S.F. Emmons and T.A. Jagger, Jr; USGS Prof. Paper 26, 222p.

 

LAC Minerals Limited. ca. 1991. Summary Report—MW-3 Target Area—Lawrence County, South Dakota. Internal report.

 

 

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LAC Minerals Limited. 1993. Cole Creek Target Area Summary Report. Internal report.

 

LAC Minerals Limited. 2023, August 22. Richmond Hill Mine Annual Report to the Lawrence County Com-mission Conditional Use Permit Nos. 116, 125, and 202.

 

Lisenbee, A.L., 1981, Studies of the Tertiary intrusions of the Northern Black Hills uplift, South Dakota and Wyoming: a historical review: in Rich, F.J., ed., Geology of the Black Hills, South Dakota and Wyoming; GSA, Rocky Mt. Sec. 1981 Annual Meeting, Rapid City, Field Trip Guidebook, p. 106-125.

 

Lisenbee, A., Redden J. and Fahrenbach, M., 2020, Geologic Map of the Spearfish Quadrangle, South Dakota, 1:24000 Scale, Depart of environment and Natural Resources Geologic Survey of South Dakota.

 

Lufkin, John L., Jack A. Redden, Alvis Lisenbee, and Thomas A. Loomis. 2009. Guidebook to Geology of the Black Hills, South Dakota. Golden, CO: Golden Publishers.

 

National Weather Service. 2023. Black Hills Climate Overview. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, United States Department of Commerce, National Weather Service. Available at https://www.weather.gov/unr/bhco. Accessed November 18, 2023.

 

nationsonline.org. 1998–2023. South Dakota (SD). Available at https://www.nationsonline.org/maps/USA/South_Dakota_map.jpg. Accessed January 23, 2024.

 

Paterson, C. J. 1988. WGA Field Guide Notes for Wyoming Geological Association 1988 Field Conference. Department of Geology and Geological Engineering. Rapid City, SD: South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

 

Paterson, C. J., A. L. Lisenbee, and J. A. Redden. 1988. Gold deposits in the Black Hills, South Dakota. In 39th Field Conference Guidebook, Eastern Powder River Basin—Black Hills, edited by Robin P. Die-trich, Mary Ann K. Dyka, and W. Roger Miller, 295–304. Casper, WY: Wyoming Geological Association.

 

Paterson, C.J., Lisenbee, A.L., and Redden, J.A., 1988, Gold deposits in the Black Hills, South Dakota: Wyoming Geological Association 39th Field Conference Guidebook, Casper, Wyoming, eastern Powder River Basin – Black Hills Guidebook, p. 295-304.

 

Paterson, C.J., and Lisenbee, A.L., 1990, Metallogeny of Gold in the Black Hills, South Dakota, Society of Economic Geologists Field Conference, Sept. 5-9, Guidebook Series Volume 7.

 

Morelli, R.M., Bell, C.C., Creaser, R.A., and Simonetti, A., 2010, Constraints on the genesis of gold mineralization at the Homestake Gold Deposit, Black Hills, South Dakota, from rhenium-osmium sulfide geochronology: Mineralium Deposita, 2010.

 

Nabelek, P.I., Labotka, T.C., Helms, T., and Wilke, M., 2006, Fluid mediated polymetamorphism related to Proterozoic collision of Archean Wyoming and Superior provinces in the Black Hills, South Dakota: Ameri-can Mineralogist, v. 91, p. 1473–1487.

 

Redden, J. A., and E. DeWitt. 2008. Maps showing geology, structure, and geophysics of the central Black Hills, South Dakota. Scientific Investigations Map 2777, Sheet 2. Reston, VA: United States Geological Survey. Available at https://pubs.usgs.gov/sim/2777/downloads/2777_sheet2.pdf.

 

Redden, J.A., and DeWitt, E., 2008, Maps showing geology, structure, and geophysics of the Central Black Hills, South Dakota: United States Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Map 2777, scale 1:100,000. Sanford Underground Research Facility. 2020. Our History. Available at https://sanfordlab.org/feature/our-history.

 

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Redden, J.A., Peterman, Z.E., Zartman, R.E., and DeWitt, E.R., 1990, U-Th-Pb geochronology and preliminary interpretation of Precambrian events in the Black Hills, South Dakota, in Lewry, J.F. and Stauffer, M.R., eds., The Early Proterozoic Trans-Hudson Orogen of North America: Geological Association of Cana-da Special Paper 37, Ottawa, pp. 229–251.

 

SANtosito. Relief location map of South Dakota, USA. Available at https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/73/USA_South_Dakota_relief_location_map.svg/1200px-USA_South_Dakota_relief_location_map.svg.png. Accessed February 23, 2021.

 

Shapiro, L. H., and J. P. Gries. 1970. Ore deposits in rocks of Paleozoic and Tertiary age of the northern Black Hills, South Dakota. Open-File Report 70-300. Reston, VA: United States Geological Survey. Available at https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr70300.

 

St. Joe Gold Corporation. 1986. Feasibility Report, Volume II. St. Joe American. Unpublished In-House Re-port by St. Joe Gold Corporation 1986.

 

South Dakota Board of Minerals & Environment. 2016. Partial Release of Reclamation Liability & Release of Surety, South Dakota Department of Environment & Natural Resources Board of Minerals & Environment Notice to Todd Duex of LAC Minerals (USA), LLC on January 22, 2016.

 

South Dakota Board of Minerals & Environment. 2023. Minutes of the Board of Minerals and Environment, South Dakota Board of Minerals and Environment, notes for meeting on January 29, 2023.

 

South Dakota Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources. 2022a. EXNI 444 Restriction Letter to DTRC, notice from South Dakota Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources’ Roberta Hudson to Timm Comer of DTRC, dated January 18, 2022.

 

South Dakota Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources. 2022b. EXNI 440 Restriction Letter to DTRC, notice from South Dakota Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources’ Roberta Hudson to Gerald Aberle of DTRC, dated February 14, 2022.

 

South Dakota Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources. 2022c. LAC Minerals 2022 Annual Environ-mental Audit Report, South Dakota Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources report dated June 21 and 22, 2022.

 

South Dakota Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources. 2022–2023. EXNI 440 Inspections, field inspection reports from South Dakota Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources, September 26, 2022–January 11, 2023.

 

South Dakota Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources. 2023a. Richmond Hill Gold Mine Compliance Update, Letter from South Dakota Department of Environment & Natural Resources’ Roberta Hudson to Michelle Ozarowski (consultant), dated November 20, 2023.

 

South Dakota Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources. 2023b. EXNI 446 Restriction Letter to DTRC, Notice from South Dakota Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources’ Roberta Hudson to Timm Comer of DTRC, dated February 28, 2023.

 

South Dakota Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources. 2023c. EXNI 444 Inspections, field inspection reports from South Dakota Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources, February 10, 2023–March 3, 2023.

 

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South Dakota Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources. 2024. EXNI 456 Restriction Letter to DTRC, notice from South Dakota Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources’ Roberta Hudson to Timm Comer of DTRC, dated July 31, 2024.

 

South Dakota Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources. 2024. EXNI 457 Restriction Letter to DTRC, notice from South Dakota Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources’ Roberta Hudson to Timm Comer of DTRC, dated August 7, 2024.

 

South Dakota Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources. 2024. EXNI 460 Restriction Letter to DTRC, notice from South Dakota Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources’ Roberta Hudson to Timm Comer of DTRC, dated November 21, 2024.

 

Terry, M.P. and Friberg, L.M., 1990, Pressure-temperature-time path related to the thermotectonic evolution of an Early Proterozoic metamorphic terrane, Black Hills, South Dakota: Geology, v. 18, p. 786–789.

 

Terry, M. P. 2010. Geological Field Trips in the Black Hills Region, South Dakota. Field Trip Guide Book 2010. South Dakota School of Mines Technical Bulletin No. 21. Rapid City, SD: South Dakota Mines De-partment of Geology and Geological Engineering.

 

United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service. 2023. Wildlife, Fish, & Rare Plants. Available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/blackhills/landmanagement/?cid=STELPRDB5114233&width=full.

 

United States Geological Survey. 2014. Figure 1. Area of investigation for the Black Hills Hydrology Study. The Black Hills Hydrology Study. USGS Fact Sheet FS-046-02. Available at https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/fs04602/html/fig1.html.

 

Watson, J. 1990, February 19. Twin Tunnels Area. Bond Gold Internal Memo from Jim Watson to Pat Downey.

 

Zimmer, A. 2022, April 29. Summary of Work Completed on the Richmond Hill Project.

 

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25Reliance on Information Provided by the Registrant

 

The QPs have relied upon the Registrant for information for which the QPs were not experts, or where the QPs were unable to independently secure documents describing the Project as noted in the following subsections.

 

25.1Legal Matters

 

The legal staff at Dakota Gold prepared a summary of the Dakota Gold–Barrick Option Agreement. The QPs did not have access to the complete agreement and are not experts in this discipline; therefore, they have relied wholly upon the Registrant to provide an accurate document summary as described in Sections 3.4 through 3.7 and Table 3-1 and Table 3-2. A comparison with the information provided on the Dakota Gold website agreed with the summary provided.

 

25.2Tenure

 

The QPs have relied upon the Registrant to provide a complete and accurate list of claims comprising the Property, along with the holding costs and royalties associated with certain claims as set out in Section 3.3 and Table 3-1 and Table 3-2. The QPs have not independently verified the claim listing, royalties, and holding costs, but have no reason to doubt the information Dakota Gold’s legal department provided.

 

25.3Significant Encumbrances and Permitting

 

The QPs are relying on information provided by the Registrant for this summary of current active permits associated with the potential gold deposit at the Property as discussed in Section 3.8. The required permits seem consistent with those required in other jurisdictions; thus, the QPs have no reason to doubt that these are correct and complete.

 

25.4History

 

The QPs have relied on the Registrant for the description of the history of the Project area.

 

25.5Exploration

 

The QPs have relied upon the Registrant for summaries of non-drilling exploration programs carried out on the Property. The Registrant has not made public any results from exploration programs other than drilling; however, the Registrant has stated that while these other exploration results helped target drill-collar locations, they neither contributed nor detracted from the resource estimate reported in this Report.

 

25.6Environment

 

The QPs are relying on information provided by the Registrant for this summary of all environmental information, private and public, associated with the potential gold deposit at the Property. The QPs have no reason to doubt that the required environmental information is correct and complete.

 

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26Date and Signature Page

 

This Technical Report titled S-K 1300 Initial Assessment and Technical Report Summary, Richmond Hill Gold Project, South Dakota, U.S.A., dated 3 February, 2025 was written by the following QPs:

 

Qualified Person Signature Date
Independent Mining Consultants, Inc. /s/ Michael G. Hester 3 February, 2025
Woods Process Service, LLC. /s/ Jeffrey Woods 3 February, 2025
     
     
     

 

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Exhibit 99.1

 

 

February 6, 2025 News Release 25-02

 

Dakota Gold reports significant heap leachable gold at Richmond Hill totaling 3.65 million ounces of Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources

 

LEAD, SOUTH DAKOTA – Dakota Gold Corp. (NYSE American: DC) (“Dakota Gold or the “Company”) is pleased to announce its S-K 1300 Initial Assessment (“Initial Assessment” or “Report”) has outlined a robust resource1 focused on heap leachable material at the Richmond Hill Oxide Heap Leach Gold Project (“Richmond Hill” or “Project”) in South Dakota that will provide a pathway to near term production.

 

Table 1: Heap Leachable Resource in Metric Measurements

 

Resource Category   AuEq COG
(g/t)
    Ktonnes     AuEq
(g/t)
    Gold
(g/t)
    Silver
(g/t)
    Gold
(koz)
    Silver
(koz)
 
Leach Resource:                                                        
Measured Mineral Resource             103,190       0.562       0.542       5.49       1,793.4       18,208  
Oxide     0.089       85,762       0.566       0.542       5.73       1,493.7       15,788  
Transition     0.141       17,428       0.552       0.535       4.32       299.7       2,421  
                                                         
Indicated Mineral Resource             141,537       0.429       0.408       4.39       1,860.0       19,884  
Oxide     0.089       115,427       0.418       0.401       4.39       1,488.7       16,286  
Transition     0.141       26,111       0.459       0.442       4.29       371.3       3,598  
Total M&I Mineral Resource             244,728       0.483       0.463       4.83       3,653.3       38,092  

 

*See Appendix Table 1 notes for resource assumptions.

 

Abbreviations in the table include gold equivalent (“AuEq”); Cut-off Grade (“COG”); grams per tonne (“g/t”); thousand tonnes (“Ktonnes”); thousand ounces (“Koz”); measured and indicated (“M&I”).

 

Highlights:

 

·The 3.65 million ounce measured and indicated (“M&I”) heap leachable resource will inform the Initial Assessment with Cash Flow (“IACF”) planned for release mid-2025. The IACF will outline a potential at surface heap leach operation similar to Coeur Mining’s profitable Wharf Mine located 5 km to the south of Richmond Hill. Additionally, the Report has identified a heap leachable inferred resource of 2.61 million ounces. Mineralization is shallow with portions of the resource exposed at or near surface.

 

·Major factors informing this resource include additional infill and step-out drilling, analysis of the drilling data, additional metallurgical test work to refine the geometallurgical domains, and evaluation of alternative process methods - notably, heap leach of oxide and appropriate transition zones. Silver was also included in the updated resource.

 

·The heap leachable resource remains open to the north and in the southeast area of Richmond Hill. Both areas are currently in the process of being permitted for 2025 drilling with the goal of expanding the resource with material amenable to heap leaching. Additionally, drilling is planned to begin converting resource to reserves and gathering additional metallurgical data.

 

 

1 Any reference to “mineral resource” or “resource” means a mineral resource as defined by 17 CFR § 229.1300

 

1

 

 

·Complimenting the heap leachable resources, the Report has also identified significant milled resources and outlines a combined heap leach and milled M&I resource of 4.64 million ounces and combined heap leach and milled inferred resource of 5.06 million ounces noted in Table 2. The additional milled material provides long-term optionality for the Project.

 

·Barrick Gold has agreed to extend the option period for the Richmond Hill option and the Homestake option agreements until December 31, 2028 in return for additional annual payments of $170,000 and $340,000 respectively. The first of these payments are due March 1, 2026.

 

Dr. Robert Quartermain, Co-Chair, President, and CEO of Dakota Gold said, “The heap leachable resource we have identified at Richmond Hill is transformational for Dakota Gold and forms the platform from which we can grow and expand our mining and exploration activities in the Homestake District. In less than three years since commencing drilling, we have outlined a significant near-surface heap leachable resource that we expect to advance through economic studies to Feasibility, and into commercial production as soon as 2029, based on our current work and project understanding. The Project has significant advantages as it is located on private land, in an area that has existing infrastructure and is a 15-minute drive from our headquarters in the city of Lead. We expect these factors to be greatly beneficial in reducing both construction costs and timelines to potential production. We also expect that the Project has potential to generate significant free cash flow once in production, which benefits all stakeholders including our shareholders, local communities and the State of South Dakota.”

 

James Berry, VP Exploration commented, “The results of the new resource for Richmond Hill have exceeded our expectations and showcase the extent and quality of the Project mineralization. The step-out drilling incorporated in this update was very successful as evidenced by the expanded resource. Drilling encountered gold mineralized material in nearly every hole and also encountered higher silver grades than those in the other areas of the resource. We look forward to doing follow-up drilling in the northeastern portion of the Project as well as the other target areas outlined in the Report in anticipation of a further resource expansion in 2025.”

 

Resource Overview:

 

The oxide dominant resource announced today has been significantly upgraded from the maiden Initial Assessment resource (“maiden resource”) reported previously in April 2024. In the maiden resource at Richmond Hill, the oxide resource was 60% inferred and had no measured resources. In today’s resource update, the leach resource is almost 60% measured and indicated, split roughly equally, and this higher confidence level represents a positive step towards feasibility study stage, and de-risking the Project.

 

The resource is informed by a historical database containing 56,734 gold assays from 902 drill holes totaling 90,447 meters of drilling, and an additional 30,743 gold assays from 146 drill holes totaling 45,540 meters of drilling by Dakota Gold since 2022 to expand the resource.

 

With the new resource completed, work has begun on the IACF expected mid-2025 and is focused on areas where the resource contained higher-grade heap leach material.

 

Dakota Gold has contracted with M3, RESPEC, IMC and Woods Processing to undertake the necessary engineering and metallurgical studies currently in progress to advance from the IACF to initiating a full feasibility study in mid-2025. Concurrently the Company is undertaking baseline environmental studies that will inform future permitting requirements.

 

2

 

 

Richmond Hill is expected to have economics similar to the adjacent Wharf Mine of Coeur Mining, which is expected to generate over $100 million in free cash flow in 2024 from approximately 90,000 ounces of gold. The Richmond Hill Oxide Heap Leach Gold Project is located primarily on previously mined, private land and we believe we can advance the project expeditiously through permitting, development, and into production. The non-binding financial proposal for up to $300 million for a development opportunity with Orion Mine Finance, our major shareholder, which was announced on October 12, 2023, could provide Dakota Gold with the financial pathway to a commercial gold operation.

 

The Report will be published on the Company’s website and filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission on EDGAR as an exhibit to its Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 6, 2025. The Report was prepared by an independent group of Qualified Persons under Independent Mining Company (“IMC”) and Woods Processing.

 

Details of the resource will be presented in a webcast conference call on Friday, February 7, 2025 at 11am Eastern / 9am Mountain / 8am Pacific.

 

Webcast Conference Call Information:

 

Date: Friday, February 7, 2025

Time: 11am Eastern / 9am Mountain / 8am Pacific

Webcast: https://event.choruscall.com/mediaframe/webcast.html?webcastid=W6cPhcJ8

USA/Canada Toll Free: 1-844-763-8274

International Toll: +1-647-484-8814

 

3

 

 

Table 2: Richmond Hill Combined Heap Leach and Milled Resource in Metric Measurements

 

Resource Category  AuEq
COG
(g/t)
   Ktonnes   AuEq
(g/t)
   Gold
(g/t)
   Silver
(g/t)
   Gold
(koz)
   Silver
(koz)
 
Leach Resource:                                   
Measured Mineral Resource        103,190    0.562    0.542    5.49    1,793.4    18,208 
Oxide   0.089    85,762    0.566    0.542    5.73    1,493.7    15,788 
Transition   0.141    17,428    0.552    0.535    4.32    299.7    2,421 
Indicated Mineral Resource        141,537    0.429    0.408    4.39    1,860.0    19,884 
Oxide   0.089    115,427    0.418    0.401    4.39    1,488.7    16,286 
Transition   0.141    26,111    0.459    0.442    4.29    371.3    3,598 
M&I Mineral Resource        244,728    0.483    0.463    4.83    3,653.3    38,092 
Oxide   0.089    201,189    0.480    0.459    4.97    2,982.4    32,074 
Transition   0.141    43,539    0.497    0.480    4.29    671.0    6,018 
Inferred Mineral Resource        230,592    0.363    0.353    3.09    2,613.4    22,787 
Oxide   0.089    192,317    0.346    0.336    2.91    2,077.5    18,019 
Transition   0.141    38,276    0.449    0.435    3.87    535.8    4,768 
                                    
Mill Resource (Sulfides):                                   
Measured Mineral Resource   0.171    18,781    0.631    0.566    5.18    341.6    3,126 
Indicated Mineral Resource   0.171    44,355    0.504    0.449    4.59    640.5    6,552 
M&I Mineral Resource   0.171    63,136    0.542    0.483    4.77    982.1    9,678 
Inferred Mineral Resource   0.171    183,451    0.477    0.415    4.97    2,446.9    29,322 
                                    
Leach and Mill Mineral Resource:                                   
Measured Mineral Resource        121,972    0.573    0.545    5.45    2,135.0    21,334 
Indicated Mineral Resource        185,892    0.446    0.418    4.42    2,500.5    26,436 
M&I Mineral Resource        307,864    0.497    0.470    4.83    4,635.4    47,770 
Inferred Mineral Resource        414,043    0.415    0.381    3.91    5,060.3    52,109 

 

*See Appendix Table 1 notes for resource assumptions.

 

Abbreviations in the table include gold equivalent (“AuEq”); Cut-off Grade (“COG”); grams per tonne (“g/t”); thousand tonnes (“Ktonnes”); thousand ounces (“Koz”); measured and indicated (“M&I”).

 

4

 

Resource Growth Potential:

 

The resource has potential for expansion with additional drilling.

 

Figure 1:

 

 

Figure 2:

 

5

 

 

Figure 3:

 

 

Figure 4:

 

 

6

 

 

Figure 5:

 

 

Figure 6:

 

 

7

 

 

Figure 7:

 

 

About Dakota Gold Corp.

 

Dakota Gold is building on the legacy of the 145 year old Homestake Gold Mining District by advancing the Richmond Hill Oxide Heap Leach Gold Project and outlining a high-grade underground gold resource at the Maitland Gold Project located on private land in South Dakota.

 

Subscribe to Dakota Gold’s e-mail list at www.dakotagoldcorp.com to receive the latest news and other Company updates.

 

Shareholder and Investor Inquiries

 

For more information, please contact:

 

Dr. Robert Quartermain

Co-Chair, Director, President and Chief Executive Officer

Tel: +1 778-655-9638

 

Dr. Stephen O’Rourke

Co-Chair, Director and Managing Director

Tel: +1 605-717-2540

 

Carling Gaze

VP of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications

Tel: +1 605-679-7429

Email: info@dakotagoldcorp.com

 

8

 

 

Qualified Persons

 

The Report was prepared by an independent group of Qualified Persons under IMC, which has reviewed and approved the contents of this news release.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This communication contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. When used in this communication, the words “plan,” “target,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “intend,” “potential,” “will” and “expect” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Any express or implied statements contained in this communication that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: our expectations regarding additional drilling and modeling; our expectations for the improvement and growth of the mineral resources and potential for conversion of mineral resources into reserves; the timing for the S-K 1300 Initial Assessment with cash flow analysis, completion of a feasibility study, and/or permitting; our expectations regarding free cash flow and future financing; and our overall expectation for the possibility of near-term production at the Richmond Hill project. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and expectations that may not be realized and are inherently subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from these statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others: the execution and timing of our planned exploration activities; our use and evaluation of historic data; our ability to achieve our strategic goals; the state of the economy and financial markets generally and the effect on our industry; and the market for our common stock. The foregoing list is not exhaustive. For additional information regarding factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in our forward-looking statements, we refer you to the risk factors included in Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, as updated by annual, quarterly and current reports that we file with the SEC, which are available at www.sec.gov. We caution investors not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this communication. These statements speak only as of the date of this communication, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise these statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. We do not give any assurance that we will achieve our expectations.

 

All references to “$” in this communication are to U.S. dollars unless otherwise stated.

 

9

 

 

Appendix:

 

Table 1: Richmond Hill Combined Heap Leach and Milled Resource in Imperial Measurements

 

Resource Category   AuEq
COG
(oz/t)
    Ktons     AuEq
(oz/t)
    Gold
(oz/t)
    Silver
(oz/t)
    Gold
(koz)
    Silver
(koz)
 
Leach Resource:                                                        
Measured Mineral Resource             113,748       0.0164       0.0158       0.160       1,793.4       18,208  
Oxide     0.0026       94,537       0.0165       0.0158       0.167       1,493.7       15,788  
Transition     0.0041       19,211       0.0161       0.0156       0.126       299.7       2,421  
Indicated Mineral Resource             156,019       0.0125       0.0119       0.128       1,860.0       19,884  
Oxide     0.0026       127,237       0.0122       0.0117       0.128       1,488.7       16,286  
Transition     0.0041       28,783       0.0134       0.0129       0.125       371.3       3,598  
M&I Mineral Resource             269,768       0.0141       0.0135       0.141       3,653.3       38,092  
Oxide     0.0026       221,774       0.0140       0.0134       0.145       2,982.4       32,074  
Transition     0.0041       47,994       0.0145       0.0140       0.125       671.0       6,018  
Inferred Mineral Resource             254,186       0.0106       0.0103       0.090       2,613.4       22,787  
Oxide     0.0026       211,994       0.0101       0.0098       0.085       2,077.5       18,019  
Transition     0.0041       42,192       0.0131       0.0127       0.113       535.8       4,768  
                                                         
Mill Resource (Sulfides):                                                        
Measured Mineral Resource     0.0050       20,703       0.0184       0.0165       0.151       341.6       3,126  
Indicated Mineral Resource     0.0050       48,893       0.0147       0.0131       0.134       640.5       6,552  
M&I Mineral Resource     0.0050       69,596       0.0158       0.0141       0.139       982.1       9,678  
Inferred Mineral Resource     0.0050       202,221       0.0139       0.0121       0.145       2,446.9       29,322  
                                                         
Leach and Mill Mineral Resource:                                                        
Measured Mineral Resource             134,452       0.0167       0.0159       0.159       2,135.0       21,334  
Indicated Mineral Resource             204,912       0.0130       0.0122       0.129       2,500.5       26,436  
M&I Mineral Resource             339,364       0.0145       0.0137       0.141       4,635.4       47,770  
Inferred Mineral Resource             456,407       0.0121       0.0111       0.114       5,060.3       52,109  

 

See S-K 1300 Initial Assessment Table 1-1

 

Abbreviations in the table include gold equivalent (“AuEq”); Cut-off Grade (“COG”); ounces per ton (“oz/t”); thousand tons (“Ktons”); thousand ounces (“Koz”); measured and indicated (“M&I”).

 

Notes:

 

1. The Mineral Resource estimate has an effective date of 3 February 2025.

2. All figures are rounded to reflect the relative accuracy of the estimate and therefore numbers may not appear to add precisely.

3. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.

4. Mineral Resources are based on prices of $2000/oz gold and $25/oz silver.

5. Mineral Resources for leach material are based on a gold equivalent cut-off of 0.0026 oz/t for oxide material and 0.0041 oz/t for transition material. Mineral Resources for mill material are based on a gold equivalent cut-off of 0.0050 oz/t.

6. The gold equivalent value for each material is as follows:

Oxide (Leach): Gold equivalent (oz/t) = gold (oz/t) + 0.00418 x silver (oz/t), based on gold recovery of 89% and silver recovery of 30%.

Transition (Leach): Gold equivalent = gold (oz/t) + 0.00382 x silver (oz/t), based on gold recovery of 65% and silver recovery of 20%.

Sulfide (Mill): Gold equivalent = gold (oz/t) + 0.0127 x silver (oz/t), based on gold recovery of 85% and silver recovery of 85%.

7. The gold equivalent values account for metal recoveries, treatment charges, refining costs, and refinery payable percentages.

8. Table 11-4 in the Report accompanies the Mineral Resource statement and shows all relevant parameters for mineral resources.

9. Includes a preliminary estimated royalty rate of 3.8% averaged across the Project property. The QP has determined that the resource is not sensitive to nominal changes in the royalty rate but has recommended that this estimate be updated for the Project economic and cash flow analysis.

10. Mineral Resources are reported in relation to a conceptual constraining pit shell to demonstrate reasonable prospects for economic extraction, as required by the definition of Mineral Resource in S-K 1300; mineralization lying outside of the pit shell is excluded from the Mineral Resource.

11. The Mineral Resource estimate is also constrained by the Richmond Hill Project Boundary. Only mineralization inside this boundary is included in the Mineral Resource Estimate, though waste removal outside the boundary is allowed.

12. The Mineral Resources reported are contained on mineral titles owned or controlled by Dakota Gold.

13. The Mineral Resources are reported in-situ without any dilution or loss considerations, as a point of reference.

 

10

 

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