07:16 AM EST, 02/25/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Orla Mining ( ORLA ) on Tuesday said it has intersected high-grade oxide gold at the South Carlin Complex in Nevada and is advancing permitting for the South Railroad project.

Highlights of the exploration results include 34.7 meters at 2.68 grams per tonne gold, including 13.6 meters at 5.85 g/t gold, from the Dark Star deposit; and 55.2 meters at 1.04 g/t gold, including 11.3 meters at 2.86 g/t gold, from the Pinion deposit.

These high-grade intersections within and beyond the feasibility study open pits demonstrate potential to expand resources and reserves at Dark Star and Pinion, the company said.

Additionally, the environmental impact statement contractor is finalizing the supplemental environmental reports required by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management for the South Railroad project prior to issuing a notice of intent. All supplemental environmental reports are expected to be finalized in the first quarter.

The notice of intent is scheduled to be published in the first half of 2025, with the company aiming for a record of decision by mid-2026. Following this approval, construction may begin on the South Railroad project, with first gold production expected in 2027.

The company has also begun securing consumptive water rights required for the project and has a strategy to meet sage grouse mitigation requirements.

At the state level, Orla has obtained Class I and II air operating permits. Applications have been prepared for the water pollution control permit and the national pollutant discharge elimination system discharge permit, which will be submitted after the notice of intent.