Vancouver-based Lundin Gold has reported that in the third quarter of 2026, gold production at its Fruta del Norte mine in southeast Ecuador hit a new quarterly record.
In Q3 2026, output at the project amounted to 153,736 ounces, compared to 122,086 ounces in the same quarter of last year. The increase was driven by higher-than-planned grades and strong mill throughput, the company said in a statement.
Production for the first nine months of 2026 amounted to 392,472 ounces. Average throughput grade at the ore mill was 10.1 grams per tonne with recoveries of 88.3%.
"The third quarter marked the strongest production quarter in Fruta del Norte's history," said Lundin president and CEO Jamie Beck.
"Following this strong performance, we are well positioned to deliver full-year production within our 2026 guidance range of 475,000 to 525,000 ounces. On a year-to-date basis, sales trailed production due to timing, and we expect the majority of these ounces to be sold in the fourth quarter."
In Q3 2026, the company sold 148 326 gold ounces at an average realised price of $4299 per ounce, compared to 124 911 ounces sold at an average price of $3634 per ounce in the third quarter of 2025. Over the first three quarters of this year, the company sold 374 019 ounces of gold.
Theodor Lisovoy, Managing Editor, Rough&Polished
