Jeff Pontius, exploration geologist and chair of Mackay Gold & Silver, joins Kitco Mining’s Digging Deep with Paul Harris to discuss what separates a promising deposit from a mining project that can actually be financed, permitted and built.

Pontius outlines Mackay’s drilling strategy along the Occidental-Brunswick trend at the Comstock project, where the company is targeting broad oxide mineralization and sees room to build a larger district-scale resource. He says Mackay is focused on exploration and resource development, with the goal of creating an asset capable of attracting multiple potential buyers.

Across Nevada, Pontius weighs i-80 Gold’s staged development plan and says more independent refractory processing is needed, describing the current market around Nevada Gold Mines as “a bit of a monopoly.” He also looks past Hycroft Mining’s headline Vortex intercept, arguing that capital intensity and metallurgy remain the bigger challenges.

Pontius is cautious on smaller projects such as Bonterra’s Barry Gold project, warning there is “very little room for things not to go perfect,” although he believes $5,000 gold would materially improve the outlook. He also discusses Discovery Mining’s Ontario expansion, the coming copper supply gap, Quebradona in Colombia, and why infrastructure and clearer permitting timelines matter for the next generation of copper projects.

Recorded October 15, 2026.

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00:13 - Mackay Comstock Drilling Goals
01:49 - SSR Mining Deal and Marigold Grades
04:34 - Why SSR Mining Stock Sold Off
05:52 - Mackay Gold & Silver: Build or Sell?
08:42 - i-80 Gold Multi-Project Development Plan
11:17 - Nevada Refractory Processing Capacity
12:55 - Hycroft High-Grade Drill Result
15:31 - Discovery Mining Ontario Expansion
18:49 - Bonterra Barry Gold PEA Risks
21:32 - Copper Supply Gap and Project Picks
25:06 - Mining Permitting Reform
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Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this podcast do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.