Omineca Mining and Metals Ltd. (TSXV: OMM) (OTCQB: OMMSF) has announced that its mining partner, PSI Group, has submitted an application for initial dewatering at the Fraser Canyon underground paleoplacer gold recovery project, located 12 kilometers northwest of Quesnel, British Columbia. PSI is also preparing a Notice of Work submission for a long-term mine plan and engineered ground support management program. The companies aim to re-enter underground workings and begin mining unrecovered placer gold-bearing material once permitting is in place, with operations expected to start later this year.
The project has received letters of full support from the Lhtako and Nazko First Nations, as well as the City of Quesnel, following joint consultations and site visits. PSI and Omineca are committed to responsible development that creates ongoing benefits for these communities and the province. PSI has begun preparatory work, including mine engineering and equipment procurement, to re-initiate placer gold recovery. The project will utilize modern mining methods such as self-propelled roadheaders for continuous excavation and underground pre-sorting and gold recovery to expedite processing year-round.
PSI has completed a mechanistic structural design and 3-D stress-strain model of the underground workings to enhance safety and efficiency. Upon dewatering, a 3-D laser survey will inform ground support design. Advanced ground support material systems developed with HMI Company will enable 100% extraction and real-time backfilling using mine tailings, reducing surface impact and carbon footprint. An archaeological assessment has been completed with Tracker GPS Survey & Mapping Ltd, and a protocol shared with First Nations ensures respect and consultation.
Historically, the Fraser Canyon Property claims extend 11 kilometers along the Fraser River over a buried paleochannel. Up to 1986, the Canyon and Tertiary Mines produced 1,482 oz of raw placer gold. In 1986, a 772-foot main drift with 13 crosscuts produced 10,804 loose cubic yards of pay gravel, recovering 421.634 troy ounces of gold and 40.342 troy ounces of silver over 100 days. PSI will fully fund all costs of the project in return for a 75% share of recovered metals, with Omineca retaining a 25% carried interest. The historical figures are from pre-NI 43-101 records. Stephen Kocsis, P.Geo., an independent qualified person, has approved the scientific and technical information in this release.
