2026 Thayer Lindsley Award

For the discovery of the Silicon and Merlin gold-silver deposits (Expanded Silicon Project, now the Arthur Gold Project), near Beatty, Nev., U.S.

The AngloGold Ashanti plc (AngloGold Ashanti), Renaissance Gold Inc, and Callinan Royalties Corp exploration teams are recognized for one of the most significant greenfield gold discoveries in the United States in over a decade. Beginning as a generative program in the southern Walker Lane in 2014, at a time when the district was often considered mature, the work ultimately delineated Silicon and the later Merlin discovery, now collectively advanced by AngloGold Ashanti as the Arthur Gold Project. As of year-end 2024, the gold Indicated Mineral Resource was 3.4 Moz @ 0.87g/t and the gold Inferred Mineral Resource was 12.9 Moz @ 1.03g/t, positioning the project as a multi-decade mining district. 

The discovery timeline showcases disciplined geoscience and calculated risk-taking. Renaissance and Callinan initiated target generation using multi-spectral satellite remote sensing and hyperspectral analysis, followed by reconnaissance mapping that identified an extensive, barren, steam-heated alteration zone with silicified structures and mercury at surface. Strategic land acquisitions in 2014 and, critically, immediately upon the Dec. 27, 2015, lapse of a Yucca Mountain withdrawal, secured ground that would later host Silicon. 

AngloGold Ashanti optioned into the project in 2017 and, following detailed mapping which identified a fluid upflow zone and launched a 2018 drilling program that tested deeper along the Silicon fault beneath chalcedonic cap rocks. Despite early drilling challenges, the second hole (SD-0004) returned a discovery intercept (79 m @ 1.76 g/t Au & 79.6 g/t Ag). Subsequent geophysical work and systematic drilling along favourable structures delivered multiple significant gold intercepts, revealing the scale potential of Silicon. 

The discovery of Merlin followed shortly thereafter. AngloGold Ashanti’s drilling between late 2020 and early 2021 confirmed mineralization initially discovered by Coeur Mining Inc. and Corvus Gold Inc. and recognised a major new mineralised system with follow-up programs delivering exceptional oxide intercepts. AngloGold Ashanti announced Silicon’s initial Inferred Mineral Resource on Dec.31, 2021 and subsequently updated to 3.4Moz at 0.87 g/t Au Indicated Mineral Resource and 0.8Moz @0.70 g/t Inferred Mineral Resource on Dec. 31, 2022. As of Dec.31, 2023, AngloGold Ashanti announced Merlin’s initial oxide Inferred Mineral Resource and subsequently updated on Dec. 31, 2024, to 12.1 Moz at 1.06 g/t Au., Both deposits remain open with additional sulphide potential at depth.