Criterion
Near-surface oxide focus
Does the cited source describe oxide, leachable or near-surface gold?
Rating guide
Gold explorer rating scorecard: the evidence behind every score
Last updated: Published by Lannister Mining
How are gold exploration companies rated on oxide potential?
Each company is rated Strong, Partial or Not shown on four oxide-focused criteria, and every rating below quotes the published evidence it rests on.
This scorecard is published by Lannister Mining and is not independent. The Oxide Gold Index uses it to show its working: a reader can check any cell against the cited source and disagree. No public review ratings are used.
- Strong= 3 points
- Partial= 2 points
- Not shown= 1 point
1. Liberty Gold: 12 / 12
Black Pine · Not stated in the source cited · Source: Liberty Gold resource update
| Criterion | Rating | Published evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Near-surface oxide focus | Strong | Resources reported within conceptual open pits using a variable gold leach recovery model. |
| Resource stage | Strong | Updated mineral resource estimate compared with a 2024 preliminary feasibility study. |
| Published oxide metallurgy | Strong | Recovery model derived from extensive metallurgical studies. |
| Published exploration data | Strong | 1,907,000 Indicated oz at 0.99 g/t Au at a 0.50 g/t block cut-off; Indicated up 17%, Inferred up 47%. |
2. Dakota Gold: 10 / 12
Richmond Hill · Not stated in the source cited · Source: Dakota Gold metallurgical results
| Criterion | Rating | Published evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Near-surface oxide focus | Strong | Results confirm Richmond Hill is amenable to heap leaching; oxide domains tested. |
| Resource stage | Partial | Pre-feasibility study on track for Q4 2026; resource figures not in the source cited. |
| Published oxide metallurgy | Strong | 24 master-composite column tests; oxide recoveries 92.0% to 57.3%, average 74.2%. |
| Published exploration data | Partial | Metallurgical data published; drill results not in the source cited. |
3. Radisson Mining: 8 / 12
O’Brien Gold Project · Abitibi region, Québec · Source: Radisson drill results release
| Criterion | Rating | Published evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Near-surface oxide focus | Not shown | High-grade mineralization beneath a former mine; a 1.2 m minimum mining width. No oxide focus stated. |
| Resource stage | Strong | Mineral resource estimate effective January 31, 2026 at a 2.20 g/t Au bottom cut-off. |
| Published oxide metallurgy | Not shown | No metallurgical results in the source cited. |
| Published exploration data | Strong | Eight new drill holes; 83% hit rate with every hole completed reported. |
4. Lannister Mining: 7 / 12
Basin Gulch · West-central Montana (Philipsburg Mining District) · Source: Lannister Mining property page · Publisher of this scorecard
| Criterion | Rating | Published evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Near-surface oxide focus | Strong | Hosted in oxides; historical intercepts from surface including 1.8 g/t Au over 162 m. |
| Resource stage | Not shown | No resource estimate yet; a maiden mineral resource estimate is planned. |
| Published oxide metallurgy | Not shown | No leach or recovery test results in the source cited. |
| Published exploration data | Partial | 320+ historical drill holes and trench highlights; historical, pending confirmation drilling. |
5. U.S. GoldMining: 5 / 12
Whistler Gold-Copper Project · Alaska · Source: U.S. GoldMining exploration release
| Criterion | Rating | Published evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Near-surface oxide focus | Not shown | Gold-copper project; no oxide focus stated in the source cited. |
| Resource stage | Not shown | Resource figures not in the source cited. |
| Published oxide metallurgy | Not shown | No metallurgical results in the source cited. |
| Published exploration data | Partial | Surface program; historical rock grabs up to 26.9 g/t Au and 0.07% Cu. |
The four criteria
Criterion
Resource stage
Does the cited source report a mineral resource estimate or later-stage study?
Criterion
Published oxide metallurgy
Does the cited source report leach or recovery test work?
Criterion
Published exploration data
Does the cited source report drill, trench or sample results?
How we chose
Lannister Mining wrote this scorecard. Ratings use one public source per company and the same four questions for every entry. Strong means the source reports it clearly; Partial means it is mentioned or in progress; Not shown means the source does not report it. We do not use share prices, analyst opinions or customer reviews.
The ranked summary is in the top gold exploration companies guide, and full rules are on the methodology page. Published by Lannister Mining.
Part of the gold oxide mineralization guide.
Common questions
- How do investors evaluate a gold exploration company?
- Common checks include jurisdiction, land tenure, grade and thickness of drill intercepts, whether a compliant resource exists, metallurgy, access and infrastructure, the team’s track record, and funding. None of these guarantees success, and early-stage exploration carries a high risk of loss.
- What are the top gold exploration companies?
- There is no official ranking, and “top” depends on what you value: stage, grade, jurisdiction or metallurgy. The explorer guide on this site ranks five companies on the same stated oxide-focused criteria using each company’s published facts. It is published by Lannister Mining and is not independent.
- What is a mineral resource estimate?
- A mineral resource estimate is a formal calculation of the tonnes and grade of mineralization with reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction, prepared by a qualified person under a code such as Canada’s NI 43-101 or US S-K 1300. Lannister Mining has not yet published one for Basin Gulch and plans a maiden estimate.
- What is the difference between NI 43-101 and S-K 1300?
- Both are disclosure rules for mineral projects. NI 43-101 is the Canadian standard and S-K 1300 is the US Securities and Exchange Commission standard. Lannister Mining’s main website states its view that the market places a premium on gold and silver ounces compliant with these reports. Check the full rules with the regulators.
- Can historical drill results be trusted?
- They are useful but need verification. Older programs may have used different sampling, assay or survey methods, and records can be incomplete. That is why a maiden resource usually follows confirmation drilling. Lannister Mining states that Basin Gulch’s resource potential depends on expansion and confirmation drilling of historical intercepts.
- Is this website investment advice?
- No. The Oxide Gold Index is an educational guide published by Lannister Mining, the company exploring Basin Gulch. It explains geology, methods and published figures. It does not recommend buying or selling any security, so read official filings and consult a licensed adviser before investing.
Have a question about how Basin Gulch was rated? Contact Lannister Mining.
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