Equinox Gold (EQX.TO) after trade Thursday said it signed 20-year land access agreements with all three communities hosting its Los Filos Mine in Guerrero, Mexico.
With the agreements in place, the company has begun early activities to support a gradual restart of heap leach operations and is also advancing technical studies to assess potential expansion opportunities at the site, it said.
"We appreciate the constructive engagement with the communities of Carrizalillo, Mezcala and Xochipala that host our multi-million-ounce Los Filos Mine," Chief Executive Officer Darren Hall said.
The mine is estimated to contain "5.4 million ounces of mineral reserves, 7.9 million ounces of measured and indicated mineral resources (exclusive of reserves), 3.2 million ounces of inferred mineral resources, and significant exploration upside," he added.
Alongside the land agreements, Equinox Gold and the communities also reached an understanding on labor and supply services policies. Restart work will include environmental remediation, permitting, workforce rehiring and retraining, and supplier contract negotiations, the company said.
The company said it will provide further updates as restart activities and technical work progress. It also noted that Los Filos is not included in its 2026 production guidance of 700,000 to 800,000 ounces of gold.