LaFleur Minerals Inc. (CSE: LFLR) (OTCQB: LFLRF) is preparing to transition from exploration and development to gold production, leveraging its 100%-owned and refurbished Beacon Gold Mill in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt of eastern Canada. The company recently released results of a positive Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for its Swanson Gold Deposit, which outlines a capital-efficient project with robust economics.
The PEA, completed this month, indicates that at a base case gold price of US$2,750 per ounce, the project yields an after-tax internal rate of return (IRR) of 65%, a net present value (NPV) of C$101 million at a 5% discount rate, and a payback period of 1.8 years. All-in sustaining costs are estimated at US$1,569 per ounce. The Swanson deposit has an updated indicated and inferred mineral resource estimate of 227,000 ounces of contained gold.
“As we prepare for pre-operational tests and system checks at the Beacon Gold Mill in the coming months, we are transitioning from pure exploration and development to gold production execution,” said LaFleur Chief Executive Officer Paul Ténière. The company aims to restart gold production by year-end, capitalizing on gold’s rise from around $2,000 per ounce four years ago to current levels near $5,000 per ounce.
The Abitibi Greenstone Belt is one of the most prolific Archean belts in the world, hosting numerous gold deposits. LaFleur’s strategy focuses on district-scale exploration and near-term production, utilizing existing infrastructure to reduce capital requirements. The Beacon Gold Mill has been refurbished and is expected to undergo pre-operational tests in the coming months.
All scientific and technical information in this article has been reviewed and approved by Louis Martin, P.Geo. (OGQ), Exploration Manager and Technical Advisor of the company, and considered a Qualified Person for the purposes of NI 43-101. For the latest news and updates relating to LFLRF, visit the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/LFLRF.
This announcement positions LaFleur Minerals as a near-term gold producer, potentially benefiting from strong market demand and elevated gold prices. The successful execution of its production strategy could generate significant value for shareholders and contribute to the local economy in Quebec.
