Heliostar Metals Ltd (TSXV: HSTR) continues to advance its flagship Ana Paula project in Guerrero, Mexico, as its primary development asset and next major source of growth, according to an update from Stonegate Capital Partners. The November 2025 Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) outlined a nine-year underground mine producing 101.1 thousand ounces of gold per year after ramp-up, with cash costs of $923 per ounce and all-in sustaining costs (AISC) of $1,011 per ounce. At a gold price of $2,400 per ounce, the study generated an after-tax net present value (NPV5) of $426.0 million and an internal rate of return (IRR) of 28.1%.
The company has also continued reserve conversion and expansion drilling, including recent Expansion Zone results of 25.45 meters at 8.26 grams per tonne gold, including 8.30 meters at 19.99 grams per tonne, while noting mineralization remains open to the north, northwest, and at depth. Management is advancing the Feasibility Study for the first half of 2027 and expects to continue development of the existing 412-meter decline in 2026, supporting targeted first production in the second half of 2028.
Key takeaways from the update include that 2026 is about self-funded execution, with 50,000 to 55,000 ounces of guided production, $40.6 million in cash exiting 2025, and a $27 million exploration program expected to be funded from mine cash flow. Heliostar is building multi-asset growth optionality, as Cerro del Gallo adds a $424 million NPV5 and 33.1% IRR project, and Goldstrike brings a past-producing heap-leach asset with approximately 95,000 ounces average annual output in the 2018 PEA. Goldstrike adds meaningful U.S. optionality, with the acquired project carrying a 2018 PEA showing approximately 95,000 ounces average annual gold production, $113.2 million initial capex, $129.5 million after-tax NPV5, and 29.4% IRR at $1,300 per ounce gold. For more details, see the full announcement here.
Heliostar's strategy positions it to leverage its Ana Paula project as a near-term producer while diversifying through additional assets, potentially enhancing investor appeal amid a favorable gold price environment. The company's focus on self-funding exploration from mine cash flow underscores a disciplined approach to growth, reducing reliance on external financing. As the Feasibility Study progresses and development continues, Heliostar aims to transition from explorer to producer, with the Ana Paula project at the core of its value proposition.
