10/10/2026
Nearly a decade after producing its first gold, Ontario's Rainy River Mine is entering another chapter, with new ownership, expanding underground operations and fresh discoveries that could extend its productive life.
Located approximately 65 kilometres northwest of Fort Frances, Rainy River's history stretches back to 1967, when exploration began across the region's ancient greenstone formations.
Nuinsco Resources advanced exploration during the 1990s, discovering several gold-bearing zones. Rainy River Resources took over in 2005, conducting extensive drilling before New Gold acquired the project in October 2013.
Construction began in 2015, followed by the first gold pour on October 6, 2017. Commercial production started later that month.
Initially developed as an open-pit operation, Rainy River gradually introduced underground mining. Development began in June 2021, with the first underground ore processed in September 2022.
Between 2017 and 2024, the mine produced approximately 1.68 million ounces of gold and 2.94 million ounces of silver.
Another ownership change arrived in March 2026, when Coeur Mining acquired New Gold, adding Rainy River and British Columbia's New Afton operation to its portfolio.
Coeur now plans to spend approximately US$18 million exploring Rainy River during 2026, including 64 kilometres of underground drilling.
The latest results indicate extensions to existing mineralized zones, while additional drilling targets deposits around the operating pits.
At year-end 2025, Rainy River held proven and probable reserves containing 2.2 million ounces of gold and 5.6 million ounces of silver.
Its reserves-based mine plan now extends to 2035, following a two-year extension announced in March.
Coeur expects annual production to average approximately 287,000 ounces of gold over the next three years.
Further discoveries could extend operations beyond 2035, offering additional opportunities for the mine's workforce and surrounding communities.
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Photo: Google Earth
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