Omineca Mining and Metals Ltd. (TSXV: OMM) (OTCQB: OMMSF) announced that its mining partner, PSI Group, has submitted an application to begin dewatering the Fraser Canyon underground paleoplacer gold recovery project, located 12 kilometers northwest of Quesnel, British Columbia. The move marks a significant step toward re-initiating gold recovery operations, with PSI also preparing a Notice of Work submission that includes a long-term mine plan and engineered ground support management program.
The project has garnered strong local support. Following joint consultations and site visits, both the Lhtako and Nazko First Nations have addressed letters of full support to the province of British Columbia. Additionally, the City of Quesnel has voiced its full backing. PSI and Omineca have committed to responsible development that will create ongoing benefits for First Nations, the city, and the province.
PSI has already begun preparatory work, including mine engineering, planning, and equipment procurement. The operation will utilize modern mining methods, such as self-propelled roadheaders for continuous excavation and loading, replacing older drill-and-blast technology. A pre-sorting and gold recovery operation underground is planned to expedite processing and enable year-round mining.
Key activities completed by PSI include a mechanistic structural design and full 3-D stress-strain model of the underground workings, development of advanced ground support material systems with HMI Company, and an archaeological assessment in conjunction with Tracker GPS Survey & Mapping Ltd. Once dewatering is complete, a 3-D laser survey will be conducted to inform ground support design.
The Fraser Canyon property extends 11 kilometers along the Fraser River, encompassing a known buried paleochannel. Historically, the Canyon and Tertiary Mines produced 1,482 ounces of raw placer gold. In 1986, a 772-foot main drift was advanced with 13 crosscuts, producing 10,804 loose cubic yards of pay gravel and recovering 421.634 troy ounces of gold over a 100-day period.
Under the partnership, PSI will fully fund all costs in return for a 75% share of recovered metals, with Omineca retaining a 25% carried interest. The project benefits from the use of modern machinery to increase output and reduce environmental impact, including real-time backfilling using mine tailings underground.
Stephen Kocsis, P.Geo., an independent qualified person, has approved the scientific and technical information in this release. Omineca’s flagship Wingdam property, located 45 km east of Quesnel, includes 61,392 hectares of mineral tenures and 15 linear kilometers of placer claims.
