Omineca Mining and Metals Ltd. (TSXV: OMM) (OTCQB: OMMSF) has provided a program update for its Wingdam Underground Paleoplacer Gold Recovery Project in the Cariboo Mining District of south-central British Columbia, reporting that underground crosscut development and stabilization work in crosscut #2 has resulted in the recovery of substantial quantities of placer gold. The company also announced receipt of a formal letter of support from the Lhtako Dene Nation, addressed to the British Columbia government.
Mining partner D&L Mining has completed preparation of Crosscut #2 for advance across the paleochannel and through the pay gravel zone, where substantial placer gold has already been encountered. The company is awaiting BC ministry approval to continue across the channel using the current mining method, which employs grouted spiling and shotcrete arch ground support as designed by the Engineer-of-Record. The Lhtako Dene Nation (Red Bluff Indian Band) has submitted a formal letter of support for the Wingdam Project to the British Columbia government. Upon successful demonstration of safe paleochannel crossing, Omineca intends to file its Five-Year Mine Plan for full development along the initially indicated 1.4 kilometres of paleochannel.
The Wingdam Underground Paleoplacer Gold Recovery Project is located along the Barkerville Highway, approximately 30 kilometres west of Barkerville, covering more than 15 linear kilometres of placer claims along the Lightning Creek valley. The project sits within the central portion of Omineca's land package, which exceeds 600 square kilometres of combined hard rock and placer claims. The objective is full-scale recovery of high-grade placer gold from a paleochannel approximately 50 metres beneath the active Lightning Creek. The economic potential was demonstrated in 2012 when a single bulk sample from a 2.4 metre by 2.4 metre by 24 metre crosscut recovered 173.4 ounces of placer gold.
During the 2026 operating season, progress has continued using the grouted spiling and shotcrete arch ground stabilization method designed by MineTech International Limited. D&L Mining has provided all required documentation for continued operations and is awaiting approval from the BC Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals. The ministry has become more proactive in overseeing operations, adding time to the reporting and development cycle. Operationally, the mine plan is performing as designed, providing systematic ground support to safely advance workings through complex, water-bearing ground conditions beneath the Lightning Creek valley.
This spring, work temporarily shifted to crosscut #2 due to unexpectedly high spring freshet water inflows through existing drill holes near crosscut #3A. Work will recommence there at a future date. Through real-time operating trials, D&L changed grout from a cementitious formulation to an epoxy-based chemical grout to enhance performance across varying ground conditions. The chemical grout works regardless of host rock variations and is immune to water infiltration, with a setup time of less than one hour compared to one day for cement grout. D&L and Omineca are pleased with the technical progress.
Once the ability to safely tunnel and recover placer gold across the paleochannel from multiple locations is demonstrated, Omineca intends to file its Five-Year Mine Plan with provincial authorities. The plan is designed to fully develop operations along the initially indicated 1.4 kilometres of paleochannel. Omineca extended its appreciation to Chief Clifford Lebrun and the Lhtako Dene Nation for their formal letter of support, reflecting positive, long-standing consultation and relationship between the company and the Nation. The company is committed to responsible resource development and creating meaningful benefits for the Lhtako Dene Nation and the broader Cariboo region.
For further information, contact Tom MacNeill, President and CEO at 306-653-2692 or tmacneill@fnr.ca. This release includes forward-looking statements regarding Omineca and its business, based on current expectations. Forward-looking events may not occur and could differ materially. Omineca undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by securities laws.
