Ellis Martin Report: Banyan Gold’s Tara Christie Discusses Major Yukon Gold Developments and $14.5M Strategic Financing In a powerful new episode of The Ellis Martin Report on Money Talk Radio, host Ellis Martin sits down with Tara Christie, President and CEO of Banyan Gold Corp. (TSX-V: BYN) (OTCQB: BYAGF), to discuss the company’s recent $14.5 million private placement and ambitious plans to advance the 7-million-ounce Aurmac Gold Project in the Yukon Territory — one of Canada’s most promising emerging gold districts.

Massive Drill Program Underway — with Results Rolling

In Banyan has launched an aggressive 30,000-meter drill program, following up on 2023’s 21,000 meters and key discoveries at the Airstrip Zone, part of the 173-square-kilometer AirMac property. Located just 40km from Mayo and adjacent to Hecla’s Keno Hill silver operations, the property offers outstanding infrastructure, including road access, a power station, and even cell service — rare for remote mining projects.

Tara Christie elaborates:

“We’re now halfway through our 30,000-meter program with 18,000 meters drilled. The first seven drill results from Airstrip are in — and they’re strong: 38 meters at 3.95 g/t gold, 21.2 meters at 1.38 g/t including 1.8 meters at 11.06 g/t, and 28 meters at 1.32 g/t starting just 10 meters from surface.” This near-surface mineralization could represent ideal starter pit material and signals potential for higher-grade zones within the larger bulk tonnage model.

Rethinking the Airstrip Zone: From Waste to Wealth

Christie explains that past exploration viewed Airstrip as less favorable due to weaker heap leach recoveries, but recent metallurgical work supports a milling strategy — unlocking higher recovery potential and positioning Banyan to redefine this zone’s economic contribution.

“These were classified as waste before. Now we see them as high-grade zones — potential sweet spots.” 7 Million Ounces and Counting

The current 2024 resource estimate stands at 7.0 million ounces at 0.63 g/t, but as Christie notes, filtering that through a 0.6 g/t cutoff reveals 4 million ounces at an average of 1.0 g/t, while a 0.9 cutoff yields 2.4 million ounces at 1.45 g/t.

“We believe this is a mill project. And with these kinds of grades, near surface, and the infrastructure in place — we’re on track to build one of the Yukon’s premier gold deposits.”

Skin in the Game: A CEO with Deep Roots and Real Ownership

Christie, a third-generation Yukoner and seasoned geologist, owns 4% of the company — and every share was purchased on the open market or in financings.

“I wasn’t granted free stock. I paid for everything. I treat every dollar like it’s mine.” From placer mining as a teenager to leading Banyan since 2016, Christie brings both operational rigor and community commitment.

She serves on the board of Western Copper and Gold, co-founded the Yukon Environmental and Socioeconomic Assessment Board, and leads the nonprofit “Every Student Every Day.”

Exit Strategy? Or Go All the Way?

When asked whether Banyan is a build-or-sell story, Christie is candid:

“There’s a 65–70% chance we’ll be bought out — especially with large mining companies already passing through our property to look at nearby assets. But we’re building the team to go all the way if needed.” Infrastructure + Grade + Scale = Takeout Target

With a hydroelectric power line across the project, roads in place, and large-tonnage potential, Banyan checks off key boxes for major producers seeking growth. As the district sees increasing attention — and as a neighboring mine goes up for sale — Christie expects an uptick in interest.

“We’re in the right place, at the right time, with the right rock.”

Courtesy of the Ellis Martin Report