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15:22 modeling, updating our mineral resource estimate. And then as we've talked before, doing that feasibility level study in the future, That's when we start hanging our engineering and then hanging everything else off of what we're doing right now. So really the value is twofold, testing that growth potential while we go at every opportunity and developing that technical work to feed into that feasibility study going forward in the future. Awesome, I appreciate that. Do you want to move on now to Johnson Trax? I know this was a multi-project update PR. I just want to make one other point on the feasibility study. And this is something that's specific to the DSO model, a direct shipping ore model, is Because we're not building a mill in a tailings facility and we don't need a bunch of power to run all that stuff. I refer to this as feasibility light because it is effectively just a mine plan, feasibility level mine plan, hence the definition drilling that we're doing, a transportation plan and a tolling arrangement.
16:20 So we don't have to do a bunch of test work on where we're gonna put tailings and all that, because that's already done. We don't have to do foundational drilling and worry about permafrost and stuff like that, because we're not building a mill. And so we don't have to worry about foundations. And power plants are big, messy things to permit because they have to have air quality. And so we just need a mobile, a small, relatively small mobile generator to provide power to the drill rig. Just like we're doing right now. So it is really a lot simpler that DSO makes that whole part of the process, or that end of the process, a lot simpler. So a lot of work to do, but simplifies it greatly.
17:09 Because it's just rocks in a box. It's just rocks in a box. Just rocks in a box. Let's jump over to Johnson Tract, because as you mentioned already today, you're inside the FAST41 program with 6 actions already completed. For folks who don't live in the permitting world, which I know is most of us, why is that a meaningful milestone for a critical metals project in Alaska? Yeah, I mean, obviously, the Trump administration is very focused on critical metals and is using the FAST-41, which is actually started back in the Obama administration. So it's been around a while. It just hasn't been used specifically a lot for mining projects. And we're hopeful that the permitting reform that's talked about in Congress will actually happen. And what it should look like is what FAST-41 is, that the timelines are met and that those things are, that the agencies get the work done in a timely fashion.
18:06 And so it, you know, it takes, you know, 1 to 2 years to permit a project, not 10 to 15. So, and that, so that's the beauty of FAST-41 as it's being applied to critical metals, which of course, the Johnson track is has numerous critical metals, depending on which list you want to pay attention to. So that it's all working smooth. There's a lot of work to do. It's collecting in appropriate engineering work and environmental work, studies on land and water, because we have to build a barge landing facility. So that's in the water. So that's hence we have to study things that are in the water. And we have a lot of, we have some sensitivity, sensitive things around the cooking beluga whales and endangered species. So we're going to have to do a fair bit of work on that to understand what the best way and where are they hanging out and how can we avoid them? That's kind of what it gets down to.
19:06 Cultural studies, obviously, lots of things on hydrology and birds and moose and bears. And the good news is we have a lot of data on that because of all the park related activities that go on in the area. So there's a huge database to draw on. So that's all in support of basically, following the NEPA process, which referred to as NEPA, National Environmental Policy Act. And yeah, the US Army Corps of Engineers is the main, the lead federal agency is how that's referred to. So they kind of coordinate and Stick handle the other agencies who are then referred to as cooperating agencies.
19:52 So yeah, it's working well and we're on track, I say. Johnson Crack is on track. Johnson Crack is on track. I like it. Like you said, a lot of the work this year is infrastructure. You get the 2.6 mile access road, the geotechnical drilling, the equipment to the portal site mobilization. How does getting all that built this season set up for 27? Yeah so basically what we wanted the main construction activity is to connect camp and the proposed portal site which we're finalizing the permits with the state on. I think We've got 2 main permits and we've got one more that the reclamation plan has to be approved, basically. And so what getting the road finished this year will allow us to do is to start building the tunnel next year, subject to it being permitted, which we're, again, we're confident that we'll get the permits in plenty of time to meet that timeline.
20:52 So it's about a mile long tunnel. So it's a little longer than the Lucky Shot tunnel or the amount of tunneling we've done at Lucky Shot. So, But it'll take roughly a year to complete. So that'll be most of the activities in 2027. They'll spill over in 2028. In order for it to spill over into 2028, we need to winterize camp, which we're also starting to work on this year. And then we'll be able to complete that next year so that we can work year round underground. Once you're underground, you're in good shape, good stead there. Right. So that's the that's the that's the plan. And then it'll take about a year to complete the tunnel and then the following year, 2028, we can do all the drilling to do exactly what we're doing at Lucky Shot now, is basically complete another BSO Feasibility level mine plan, transportation plan and figure out where the ore is going. And those are all things that we're working on in the background, particularly the site as to where this ore is going to be processed.
21:58 Awesome. I appreciate the Johnson Tract update. Dave, I'll jump to you. Let's go a little farther south and a little left on the Lausanne curve to Kitsault Valley. So I know you've already drilled 14,000 meters, over a third of the planned program, and as far as I understand, well ahead of schedule. So a couple of questions there. What's driving that pace? And what are you personally, I love asking geologists this, what are you most excited about for Torbett, North Star Wolf and Red Point? Yeah absolutely, I think pace, you hit it on the head right there Romeo, you know the pace to me is being driven you know by our strong crews out there. We have an outstanding geologic team, outstanding crews out there. They've put together a great field plan, efficient logistics, and a drill program that was set up to keep the rigs moving across multiple targets.
22:46 To be 14,000 meters in right now, the 40,000 meter program, you know, is a real testament to that team. You know, what they pulled together and what they put together and executing out there to a high degree has been absolutely fascinating to see. What gets me excited when the drill ports come in. You know, you look at Torbert and Northstar, you know, the focus really is kind of on an infill, extensional drilling around areas with historical continuity. And the objective was always to kind of improve that geologic confidence, you know, where the mineralization is out there. And those results coming back are what we expect. And we're really excited to see those. You know, Wolf and Red Point, you know, these are important because they're giving us additional opportunities to evaluate, you know, the broader Kitsault Valley system beyond kind of the Torbett, North Star kind of areas.
23:32 And to me, what's most encouraging, you know, what I really like to see out there is, we got to frame it carefully, is the strong visual indications that we have seen so far out of the drill core. You know, consistent with our targeting model, you know, DOs are excited out there, and the team is executing well with what we're seeing. Again, you know, we need to be clear, you know, that the assays at the end of the day ultimately determine the grade and stuff like that. And things are out there for assay. And we'll get those back. But yeah, we're excited what we see out there and having that plan come together and be able to drive this forward. I like to analogize it as a hockey fan, but for the soccer fans, Kitsap Valley gives us multiple shots, you want to go. We got multiple deposits out here, it gives us multiple shots in the consolidated land package that we can advance resource confidence in a very, very small area.
24:21 This is exciting. When the geology comes together, the drill results come together, and you start to see that vision of how it comes together. And then, yeah, when the assays come in, we start pumping out the press releases here in the next couple of weeks. I think we're going to be really excited. Oh fun. Yeah, because you said the first samples from Torbett and North Shred in the lab already with the up to me did resource estimate targeted for late July if I'm not mistaken. What should people be watching for as those assays start coming through the news releases you just mentioned through Q3? What should people be keeping an eagle eye out for? Oh yeah, I just want to hit on the assays real quick. It's a busy summer and expiration. I kind of feel for the assay labs. You know, we do have some turnaround times that we manage the creep on. They hear from us all the time. They hear from everyone else, you know, where's our samples, where's our samples?
25:09 What I can say is they're coming, you know, and the assay labs are doing a great job, you know, turning around. So these things are coming, you know, And as these things start flowing in, we expect to see decent assays that we're excited about, that do line up to the geology. When a resource update comes out in late July, to me, this is an important benchmark. So it gives the investors kind of that clear view of, hey, what we've updated to and where we're seeing. So then you kind of get that current view of what that resource is and kits all, and then they can start putting together the vision that we talk about here through the press releases and then start overlaying in the new press releases and the assays that are coming out there. So to me, the key question is whether these new assays demonstrate this continued continuity of these zones that we think are there. And then how far and how fast can we push this with our team that we have out on ground in the next couple months out there.
26:04 We're drilling 500 meters a day. Yeah. A day. Yeah. They're really kicking it. I've been impressed by the consistency of the productivity. So, yeah, hats off to the team out there, the drilling company, the helicopter company, everybody. They've got it dialed in. And the logistics. I mean, it's nothing but logistics and remote work. Yeah, I wasn't kidding. I said the pace. It just does seem to be really rock and rolling, which is fun. Rick, I got a question for you. I would normally ask Michael Clark, but since you're on the call, I will ask you instead on the financial side. I know what it's about. The H word might be mentioned in a moment, but I know you've delivered all of the remaining 2026 hedge obligations, as I understand it, ahead of schedule.
26:49 So in plain English for laymen like me, what does clearing those hedges by mid-June mean for Contango's exposure to the Gold price for the rest of the year? Yeah. So as you said, We've delivered into the 2026 Hedge Book, meaning that all the Gold we sell from this time forward, the next 2 batches for this year, will be at spot. I will commit when we deliver into all the hedges, which our objective is still to do all that this year. Mike's coming on the show and you'll have like a hat on that will say hedge free or a t-shirt. Yeah, special sweater, man. That is definitely one of our main objectives, delivering to the hedges and pay off the debt. So again, we're going to look at some opportunity ways. And, you know, look at a $4,000 gold price or under $4,000 gold price, you know, maybe we'll take a look at just getting rid of them.
27:57 You know, we believe in gold. We don't, as you said earlier, we don't think any of the fundamental macro elements have changed for gold. And we're still heading towards this. The train's still moving. Hopefully, we won't be as bad off as Zimbabwe. But it's a good time to be thinking about these things. So, you know, $55 silver, $4,000 gold. And so we may find something opportunistic, an opportunistic way to take out the hedges earlier. So that is our objective. We want, you know, we think that our philosophy is that investors can make their own view on gold, whether it's going up or down. We want to produce it and we want to give our shareholders and investors the opportunity to make their own decisions about where the gold price ought to be and whether they should be shorting it or going on. Sure, that makes sense. In the same kind of universe, I know given the, we'll call it attractive pricing going on in the market generally, what are your thoughts on M&A in the space, especially since we're seeing it heat up, I think, right now?
29:11 Yeah, it's, I mean, I think 6 months ago, there was a lot of talk going on. I don't think anybody likes their valuation today, frankly, we certainly don't like ours, but it is what it is. And for us, the main thing that we're focused on from an M&A standpoint is acquiring a mill that will be able to process our Johnson track and Kitsault ores in particular, because that's a more particular kind of mill. It needs sulfide flotation circuit to process the ore and concentrate the ore into copper, zinc and lead precious metal cons.
30:02 But in terms of, for the general market, again, I think most people are thinking they don't like their valuation today. So I think whereas 6 months ago there was a lot of talk about it, I think everybody's going to be a little circumspect right now. Sure, it's going to look quieter. I got one question that came in advance over email and then we'll close on a why now question for Contango. So I think they'll flow into each other. But Somebody asked over email, they like the merger and like the company, they're wondering why their initial investment dropped after the merger occurred. So just if you could speak on general markets one more time. Yeah, I mean, this is a sector wide thing. I think everybody without exception, this includes Newmont and Barrick and Agnico Eagle.
30:51 They're all off 30% and I'd say as high as 50% from the beginning of the year. And so, yeah, that's why I say nobody likes their valuation right now. I think this is, and maybe this leads into the question why now, we're trading at a valuation that lower than before we were in production, which makes no sense. I don't think this isn't going to last very long. If this is the new normal Gold price, US$4,000 Gold. We're making a lot of money at US$4,000 Gold.
31:39 We're going to demonstrate that Lucky Shot is a viable project in the next year here. I'm going down more, as we talked about earlier, I'm excited about the new things we're seeing at Lucky Shot, the KM vein. And so if we can move, continue to advance our Johnson Track project through the permitting process, get the road built, get underground. This year, 5 rigs turning at Kitsault. Don't know what we're gonna be doing next year. We're also upgrading a road at Kitsault. Yeah, sure. Remember, that was a DSO mine, right? They didn't process any ore there. They just hauled it down to the smelter. That infrastructure exists. We're just refurbishing that road this year. Part of it, not all of it, but a good part of it.
32:35 And so, yeah, these are exciting. To me, it's an exciting time for, should be an exciting time for investors to take a look at Contango specifically, because, you know, we haven't been valued this low for a long time. So it's a great entry point if you're interested in Gold. Our model focuses on getting things into production quickly because of the lack of permitting, the small amount of permitting that we're doing relative to most big mining projects. And the fact that it's capital light because we're not building mill in a tailings facility and we have ore grades that allow for the transport of ore to an existing permitted facility. So, you know, we're, I'm a significant shareholder of the company and I don't like delusion. So that's part of why we've, part of our philosophy in terms of executing this DSO plan.
33:32 Awesome. No, appreciate it. And I appreciate you going through not just all the updates from the press release but also you happening with me about markets because everybody's trying to figure out what's going on. I'm glad. Any viewpoints, appreciate it very much. Dave, thanks obviously for taking time out of your day while you're at Lucky Shot. Looking forward to see what news comes next. I know there are, geez, 150 folks in the room. You guys were a little shy today with questions. But if you do think of some afterwards, please do let me know. Shoot through every email. I'll send them through to the Contango team. They'll get back to you as soon as possible. But Rick and Dave, thank you so much. Hope you have a wonderful rest of your day.