Equinox agrees land access with communities around Los Filos mine in Mexico

With these agreements in place, Equinox has started with activities to support the gradual restart of heap leach operations while advancing technical studies to evaluate potential expansion opportunities.

As part of the agreements, the parties agreed to overall policy on labour and supply services, with Equinox due to approach labour, contractor and community-related arrangements in a disciplined, accountable and transparent manner.

Equinox CEO Darren Hall says the agreements followed constructive engagements with the communities of Carrizalillo, Mezcala and Xochipala that host the multimillion-ounce Los Filos mine.

"These new 20-year agreements reflect a shared commitment to responsible operations and sustainable benefits over time and provide an important foundation for strengthening our long-term relationship with the communities and fostering an environment that supports future investment and long-term value creation," he states.

Los Filos currently has a mineral reserve and resources estimate of 5.4-million ounces in the reserves category, 7.9-million ounces in the measured and indicated mineral resources category and 3.2-million ounces of inferred mineral resources.

Equinox believes there is meaningful potential to expand the resource base and increase yearly production over time.

Among the restart activities for Los Filos are environmental remediation, permitting, workforce rehiring and retraining, and supplier contract negotiations.

Equinox remains on track to produce between 700000 oz and 800000 oz of gold production this year - not including any production from Los Filos.