History
McEwen grew from a Los Azules copper explorer into a gold and copper group, funding itself through insider backing, spun-out copper capital and acquisitions.
2012-2015: Copper hopes and a first dividend
The record opens in 2012, when McEwen Mining held 100% of the Los Azules copper project in Argentina and kept enlarging its resource. Indicated copper rose 109% to 4.6 billion lbs in June 2012, and by May 2013 it stood at 5.4 billion lbs, with Inferred copper at 14.3 billion lbs. In September 2013 an economic study showed an after-tax NPV of $1.7 billion. In Mexico, a feasibility study for El Gallo Phase II was positive, and El Gallo 1 reached commercial production in January 2013.
Paying for this started in October 2012, when Chairman Rob McEwen backstopped a $60.4 million rights offering. In February 2013 the company settled a claims dispute over Los Azules by issuing 1 million shares to TNR Gold. Shares on issue rose from about 118 million at the end of 2010 to 265 million by the end of 2013. The record is quiet for 2014. In June 2015 the company declared its first dividend, $0.01 a share a year, but weeks later its stock fell below the NYSE's $1.00 minimum average price. In October a feasibility study backed the Gold Bar project in Nevada.
2017-2018: Building a Timmins base
The record is quiet for 2016. In 2017 McEwen turned to gold in Timmins, Canada. It bought Lexam VG Gold, which Rob McEwen also chaired, issuing about 12.3 million shares. It then bought the producing Black Fox Complex from Primero Mining, for a final $27.5 million. A September 2017 raise of about $46.6 million at $2.25 a share helped fund it. A redesigned Los Azules study that month showed an after-tax NPV of $2.2 billion.
In 2018 Gold Bar was under construction, its cost estimate up about 30% to $81 million. El Gallo's 'Project Fenix' life-extension study was finalized at a 12-year mine life. In August McEwen borrowed $50 million at 9.75%, half from Rob McEwen's company Evanachan.
2019-2021: Setbacks and raisings
Gold Bar's startup slipped, and in September 2019 the company cut production guidance for Gold Bar and Black Fox. It raised about $25 million in March 2019 at $1.55 a unit and about $50 million in November at $1.325 a unit. The stock again fell below $1.00 in March 2020 during COVID-19, and Black Fox was suspended for three weeks. The loan was refinanced in June 2020 with Sprott joining Evanachan, pushing repayments back to 2022.
In January 2021 Gold Bar's reserves were confirmed at 302,000 oz, a net 16% reduction from the 430,000 oz estimated at the start of mining, after allowing for ounces mined. In February the company raised US$12.7 million (Cdn$16.3 million) through a flow-through offering and $31.5 million by selling 30 million shares at $1.05. A community blockade shut El Gallo in March. Shares on issue fell from about 417 million at the end of 2020 to about 46 million at the end of 2021. The beats do not explain this change, so it may reflect a data problem.
2021-2023: Opening up the copper vehicle
In August 2021 Evanachan paid $40 million for 18.6% of McEwen Copper, the subsidiary holding Los Azules. After a weak start to 2022, Rob McEwen lent a further $15 million, and the term loan was amended to drop its security over McEwen Copper, freeing it to raise outside money. In June 2022 a $15 million placement cut McEwen's stake to 76%. In September Nuton, a Rio Tinto subsidiary, invested $25 million for 9.73% in the final $26.85 million closing, and Rio's Kennecott could earn 60% of Elder Creek by spending $18 million.
In 2023 Stellantis, through FCA Argentina, invested about $155 million in March and $120 million in October. Nuton bought more, including shares from McEwen Mining. In May 2023 Evanachan became the sole secured lender, for $40 million. A June study for a heap-leach design showed a $2.659 billion after-tax NPV and $2.46 billion of initial capital, with McEwen's stake down to 52%.
2024-2025: Timberline, convertibles and a feasibility study
In 2024 McEwen bought Timberline Resources, adding the Eureka project in Nevada, in an all-stock deal at 0.01 McEwen share per Timberline share. It closed on 19 August, leaving McEwen's holders with about 96.4%. A flow-through offering raised about $20.8 million net, and a McEwen Copper placement of up to $70 million was priced at $30 a share, with McEwen and Evanachan buying $14 million and $5 million.
In February 2025 the Evanachan facility was extended to 2028. McEwen then issued $110 million of 5.25% convertible notes due 2030, netting about $105.9 million, its first use of that market. In October the Los Azules feasibility study showed a $2.9 billion after-tax NPV, 19.8% IRR and 21-year mine life. McEwen's stake had thinned to 46.4%. The IFC became a collaborator on possible debt financing.
2025-2026: Renamed and expanding
Now named McEwen Inc., it agreed in July 2025 to buy Canadian Gold Corp for 0.0225 shares per share. A December flow-through raise of about $12.4 million was priced at $20.90-23.80 a share. The deal closed in January 2026, with Rob McEwen's own shares carved out into subscription receipts to meet NYSE rules. In March it published a first Tartan resource of 308,900 oz Indicated and 302,700 oz Inferred, aiming for 250,000-300,000 oz a year of gold by 2030. On 5 May 2026 it closed the Golden Lake Exploration purchase, adding Jewel Ridge next to its Nevada discoveries. Shares on issue stood at about 61.4 million.
Written from the 76 story beats below (2012 to 5 May 2026), which come from the company's own announcements and filings.