Interview with Keith Boyle, CEO of New Found Gold Corp.

Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/new-found-gold-tsxvnfg-a-model-for-responsible-mining-development-7373

Recording date: 17th July 2025

New Found Gold Corporation (TSXV:NFG) has released its first preliminary economic assessment for the Queensway Gold Project in Newfoundland, presenting an innovative three-phase development strategy designed to minimize capital requirements while maximizing investor returns. The approach marks a strategic shift toward early cash generation rather than traditional large-scale mine development.

The company plans to produce 1.5 million ounces of gold over a 15-year mine life with all-in sustaining costs of $1,256 per ounce. CEO Keith Boyle emphasized the strategy's focus on internal rate of return over net present value, stating: "We sacrificed NPV for IRR. In phasing the approach, we really pushed out that big production number because the capital cost of the small starter is much more attractive to us and much better fit for our shareholders."

Phase one involves constructing a 700 ton-per-day operation requiring $155 million in capital expenditure, utilizing a toll mill in Newfoundland for five years. This initial phase will produce 69,000 ounces annually, generating substantial margins of approximately $2,000 per ounce at current gold prices. The second phase scales up significantly with a 7,000 ton-per-day processing plant beginning construction in years three and four, commencing production in year five at 172,000 ounces annually.

The project demonstrates exceptional economics, delivering $742 million net present value with 56% internal rate of return at $2,500 gold assumptions. At current spot prices around $3,300, the IRR exceeds 100%, showcasing the project's leverage to gold price movements.

New Found Gold benefits from exceptional infrastructure proximity, located one hour from Gander, Newfoundland. The company expects rapid permitting based on government support targeting five mines by 2030, with recent examples showing 10.5-month approval timelines. Additional upside comes from active drill programs at Dropkick and other targets, plus underground development adding 230,000 ounces as a "sweetener" to the open pit operation.

View New Found Gold's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/new-found-gold

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