Lone Tree Refurbishment to Boost i-80 Gold's Margin Potential

i-80 Gold Corp., a Canadian gold mining company listed on the TSX under the ticker IAU, is making progress on its Lone Tree autoclave and carbon-in-leach plant refurbishment project in Nevada. The update indicates that the project remains on schedule and on budget, with around half of procurement packages awarded and demolition and engineering work advancing towards a first gold pour by the end of 2027.

This shift from toll milling to an owner-operator processing model is expected to significantly lower processing costs and increase cash margins for i-80 Gold. According to the company's December 2025 engineering study, this change could result in savings ranging from $1,000 to $1,500 per ounce, depending on grade and gold price.

i-80 Gold has secured a US$150 million gold prepay facility with an additional accordion option of US$100 million. This funding will help support the Lone Tree project without requiring immediate equity injections. However, investors should be aware that ongoing losses and financing risks remain significant concerns for the company.

Analysts' forecasts indicate i-80 Gold could generate $707 million in revenue and $260 million in earnings by 2029, with a potential fair value of CA$4.53 per share, representing a 100% upside from its current price.