Advanced Mining Exploration and Development Projects
As of December 2025
This article highlights some gold mining operations and projects underway for some of Canada’s leading mining companies. The projects listed below are in the exploration and development stages, with some already producing gold.
A) Agnico-Eagle Mines
Hammond Reef, Ontario
According to Agnico-Eagle, an advanced high tonnage low-grade gold deposit has potential for development in the Thunder Bay Mining District of Northwestern Ontario. The area is 30 km northeast of Atikokan and 260 km west of Thunder Bay. As of 2024, it has the potential for open pit operations and has received environmental approval from both federal and provincial governments.
Hope Bay, Nunavut
In 2021, Agnico-Eagle acquired TMAC Resources Inc., which previously owned the Hope Bay Gold Mine. Agnico-Eagle suspended production in 2022 to further explore gold deposit potential. Its location is the Kitikmeot region, Nunavut Territory, 685 km west of Yellowknife and 125 km southwest of Cambridge Bay. The property already has significant infrastructure and has permits and approvals for the Doris, Madrid, and Boston deposits. The company continues to explore the property.
Upper Beaver, Ontario
This gold-cooper project is in the Kirkland Lake area of northeastern Ontario, 27 km eat of Macassa mine. The company states that the project will produce gold and copper over a likely 13 year lifespan.
San Nicolas, Central Mexico
This project is a 50/50 joint partnership with Teck Resources Ltd. The location of the mine is 60 km southeast of Zacatecas, Mexico. The company states that the area has probable mineral reserves of copper, zinc, gold and silver. Environment work and permits are ongoing.
Wasamac, Quebec
Acquired from Yamana Gold Inc. in 2023, this project is situated 15 km southwest of Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, Canada. Agnico-Eagle is currently exploring the project.
Source: AgnicoEagle.com
B) Kinross Gold
Great Bear Project, Red Lake, Ontario
According to Kinross Gold, the Great Bear Project has excellent potential to support a long-life mine. It acquired this project from Great Bear Resources Ltd. In 2022. The company’s assessment states that the mine will have a planned life of about 12 years. In 2024, it began construction on the Advanced Exploration Program. In 2025, it continues to install equipment and explore the area.
Source: Kinross.com
C) Barrick Mining Corporation
Fourmile Project, Nevada
Barrick gold has stated that its 2025 evaluation results highlight that the Fourmile Project has potential to “become one of the world’s leading gold producers”. The company is engaged in ongoing exploration drilling.
Source: Barrickgold.com
D) IAMGOLD
Nelligan & ML, Monster Lake, Quebec
Nelligan is an open-pit gold exploration project that IAMGOLD states has “strong, growth potential with recent drilling confirming gold-bearing zones”. Monster Lake is located 15 km north of Nelligan and is projected to be a high-grade underground gold project.
Source: Iamgold.com
E) Alamos Gold Inc.
Lynn Lake Project, Manitoba
According to Alamos Gold, Lynn Lake has infrastructure already in place and is one of the highest-grade open pit gold deposits in Canada. The Gordon and MacLellan deposits are expected to operate concurrently. A conventional milling and leaching/carbon operation that includes crushing, grinding, and gold-smelting is proposed for Lynn Lake.
Qiqavik Gold Project, Quebec
Alamos stated that this northern Quebec project is in the early stages and has high-gold showings. It covers over 438 square km in the Nunavik region.
Source: alamosgold.com
F) B2 Gold Corporation
B2 Gold has two mines in the development stages:
Back River, Nunavut
In 2023, B2 Gold acquired the Back River Gold District form Sabina Gold and Silver. There are 11 mineral claims along this belt. In June 2025, it completed its construction phase and began gold production in October, 2025. The company claims that significant exploration potential remains across the Back River Gold District. Development of the project continues.
Gramalote Project, Columbia
This project is approximately 230 km northwest of Bagota, Columbia and 120 km northeast of Medellin. The company projects that the site will have a life of 13 years. Research and development continues.
Source: B2gold.com
G) Eldorado Gold
Ormaque Deposit, Lamaque Mining Complex, Quebec
This underground mine project is currently in the exploration and development stage and is positioned to be Eldorado’s key growth asset.
Skouries Project, Greece
This deposit is located in the Halkidiki peninsula, northern Greece. The large-scale gold-copper mine is considered by Eldorado to be an important growth project; construction and development is underway.
Source: eldoradogold.com
Gold Proficiency
Disclosure:
This summary is based on publicly available information from various company sources. It is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Though it has been taken to ensure accuracy, we make no representations or warranties of the reliability of the information.
Forward-looking statements, projections and estimates are subject to risks as outlined in the original company disclosures. Readers should consult official texts for full context. Nothing in the articles constitute forecasting, investment or financial advice. Please seek guidance from a qualified professional before making any investment decisions.