Independent proxy advisory firms, including ISS, have recommended Equinox Gold shareholders vote in favor of the proposed business combination with Orla Mining. The merger is expected to create North America's new senior gold producer with 1.1 million ounces of annual gold production and a clear path to over 1.9 million ounces annually. Both companies' boards unanimously support the arrangement, with the shareholder vote scheduled for July 22, 2026.

Equinox Gold reported Q2 2026 gold production of 176,836 ounces with Canadian operations producing 97,273 ounces, representing an 11% quarter-over-quarter increase. The company announced a proposed business combination with Orla Mining to create a North American gold producer with ~1.1 million ounces of expected annual production in 2026, and secured 20-year land access agreements at its Los Filos mine in Mexico to support restart planning.

An USMCA investigation committee found serious human and worker rights violations at the Camino Rojo mine in Mexico, owned by Canadian company Orla Mining (being acquired by Equinox Gold). Workers were allegedly forced to leave their union and join a pro-employer alternative, while an alleged organized crime-linked subcontractor created a climate of fear with armed disruptions and death threats against union leaders. The Metallos union is calling on Canada's Attorney General to pursue criminal charges and demanding faster government action on a similar complaint filed in November 2024.

A CUSMA investigative panel found severe labour and human rights violations at the Canadian-owned Camino Rojo mine in Mexico, operated by Orla Mining (being acquired by Equinox Gold). Workers were pressured to disaffiliate from unions, and a contractor allegedly linked to organized crime created a climate of fear with armed disruptions and death threats. The USW is urging Canadian authorities to pursue criminal charges and criticizes the slow Canadian government response to complaints.

Lake Victoria Gold Ltd. has closed the final tranche of its convertible debenture financing, raising C$3.83 million with plans to upsize to C$5 million. The company has commenced sterilization drilling at its fully permitted Imwelo Gold Project in Tanzania, with 39% of the program complete. The funding, combined with a binding term sheet for up to US$25 million in gold-denominated debt from Monetary Metals, positions the company toward construction in late 2026 and first gold production in 2027, capitalizing on gold prices above US$4,500.

NevGold Corp., a Vancouver-based junior explorer, has announced significant progress on its Limousine Butte gold-antimony project in Nevada, including strong drill results (1.11% antimony over 6.1 meters), metallurgical testwork showing up to 99% gold recovery after antimony leaching, and an upsized C$42.2 million financing. The company is positioned to deliver a maiden antimony-gold mineral resource estimate in Q2 2026 with potential antimony production by 2027, capitalizing on U.S. critical mineral demand following China's export restrictions.

Gold prices surged above $5,000 per ounce in February 2026, with major financial institutions projecting further gains to $6,100-$6,300. Major gold producers including Orla Mining, Lundin Gold, TRX Gold, and Aya Gold & Silver reported record production results and increased dividends. GoldHaven Resources confirmed gold mineralization in bedrock at its Copeçal West Target in Brazil, validating its exploration model with anomalous gold found across all four drilled holes.

The article highlights seven companies that recently initiated dividend payments, presenting potential opportunities for dividend-growth investors. These new payouts range from modest yields of 0.3% to 2.2%, with companies spanning construction, mining, IT services, automotive technology, apparel, banking, and cruise industries. The article notes that new dividend initiations often attract momentum buyers and provide room for future growth.

Orla Mining Ltd. has declared its first quarterly cash dividend of US$0.015 per share, payable on February 10, 2026, reflecting the company's financial strength and commitment to shareholder returns.

Orla Mining reported strong Q3 financial results, beating analyst estimates with nearly $275 million in revenue and $73 million in net income. The gold mining company produced 79,645 ounces of gold in the quarter and saw its stock price rise by 13.61%.

Orla Mining reported discovering gold deposits extending 1.6 kilometers from its Musselwhite mine in Ontario, potentially supporting decades of additional production. The discovery led to a 12% surge in the company's stock price.

Newmont Corp sold its entire 13.3% stake in Orla Mining, raising $900 million in proceeds to support capital allocation priorities and streamline its equity portfolio.