VANCOUVER, British Columbia — January 12, 2026 — Leads & Copy — West Red Lake Gold Mines Ltd. (TSXV: WRLG) (OTCQX: WRLGF) has announced commercial production at its Madsen Gold Mine in Northwestern Ontario, Canada.
The Madsen Mine, wholly owned by West Red Lake Gold, achieved commercial production on January 1, 2026, after a successful ramp-up period. The mill averaged 689 tonnes per day in December 2025, representing 86% of the permitted throughput of 800 tonnes per day. This meets the company’s internal requirement of 30 consecutive days of mill throughput at 65% or greater of permitted capacity.
Operational stability has also been achieved at Madsen, supported by strong mill recoveries that averaged 94.6% in December. This resulted in the production of 3,215 ounces of gold during the month.
Shane Williams, President and CEO of West Red Lake Gold, expressed his delight in announcing commercial production at the Madsen Mine, achieved seven months after the completion of the bulk sample. He acknowledged the operations team for their responsible and methodical mine ramp-up, and thanked the Lac Seul and Wabauskang First Nations, and the community of Red Lake for their support.
The company anticipates reaching sustained permitted capacity by mid-2026.
For the first quarter of 2026, mill feed will predominantly come from the 4447 area, a high-grade zone in South Austin defined by the company in 2025. The company expects mill feed to average in excess of 6 grams per tonne gold in Q1.
In December, the Madsen Mine produced 21,389 tonnes of ore, averaging 689 tonnes per day with an average grade of 4.94 g/t Au. The mill recovery rate of 94.6% resulted in the production of 3,215 ounces of gold.
During the fourth quarter of 2025, the mine produced 49,162 tonnes of ore, averaging 534 tonnes per day, with an average grade of 5.06 g/t Au. A mill recovery of 95% over the quarter led to the recovery of 7,379 ounces of gold.
The operation poured 7,200 ounces of gold in Q4, which were sold at an average price of US$4,150 per ounce, generating total gold sales revenue of US$30 million. Throughout 2025, the Madsen Mine poured 20,000 ounces of gold, sold at an average price of US$3,650 per ounce, resulting in total gold sales revenues of US$73 million. The company concluded 2025 with CAD$46 million in cash and gold receivables.
Mr. Williams also highlighted the potential for continued value creation at Madsen through multiple opportunities. Drilling is underway at Fork, with plans to incorporate that deposit into the mine plan this year. The shaft is nearing operation, with work indicating potential for significant increases in shaft tonnage in the medium term. A new high-grade area in Lower Austin, called the 904 Complex, is being delineated, similar to the 4447 area in South Austin.
West Red Lake Gold anticipates releasing 2026 guidance during Q1.
Will Robinson, P.Geo., Vice President of Exploration, and Hayley Halsall-Whitney, P.Eng., Vice President of Operations for West Red Lake Gold, have reviewed and approved the technical information in the news release.
West Red Lake Gold Mines Ltd. is focused on its Madsen Gold Mine and the associated 47 km2 land package in the Red Lake district of Ontario. WRLG also owns the Rowan Property in Red Lake.
Contact:
Gwen Preston
Vice President Communications
Tel: (604) 609-6132
Email: investors@wrlgold.com
Source: West Red Lake Gold Mines
