Omineca Mining and Metals Ltd. has provided an operational update from its Wingdam underground paleoplacer project in British Columbia's Cariboo Mining District, reporting that mining contractor D&L Mining has successfully managed challenging geological conditions and resumed operations with expectations of increased gold recovery. Following a holiday break, tunnelling and placer recovery operations recommenced at crosscut 3A, with additional time allocated to navigate a fault zone at the channel periphery. The implementation of modified grout formulations and spiling patterns allowed operations to return to standard procedures, with D&L anticipating accelerated progress as work moves into the more competent compacted sand and gravel of the channel interior.
As mining advances into the channel interior, pay gravels have yielded increasing amounts of placer gold and nuggets compared to earlier recovery from the bedrock contact zone. Placer gold recoveries will be fully tabulated and reported as the crosscut progresses through the central main placer gold target, with quality assurance and quality control conducted by a qualified person. The company's approach involves using specialized equipment including a Brokk Electric Demolition Robot fitted with a drum cutter head for excavation and a Scooptram for material handling, with recovered material processed through washplant screens, carpets, and shaker tables.
Separate from the underground placer project, Omineca has completed processing of approximately 3,500 meters of core from six holes drilled during the 2025 winter drill program. Samples have been sent for assay, with results to be reported once received and used to design follow-up exploration programs. All scientific and technical information in the update has been prepared or approved by independent qualified person Stephen Kocsis, P.Geo., in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 standards.
The operational progress at Wingdam represents a significant step for Omineca as the company advances what it describes as a unique underground paleoplacer mining operation. The successful management of faulted ground conditions and transition into the main channel target area suggests potential for improved operational efficiency and gold recovery rates. The simultaneous advancement of both placer recovery operations and hard rock exploration programs indicates a comprehensive approach to resource development at the property, which encompasses over 61,392 hectares in the Lightning Creek valley where thick overburden has preserved placer gold-bearing gravels in a buried paleochannel.
