LAURION Mineral Exploration Inc. (TSX-V: LME | OTC: LMEFF | FSE: 5YD) has provided an update on environmental, technical, and regulatory work at its 100%-owned Ishkōday Gold and Polymetallic Project in Northwestern Ontario. The company is advancing two complementary initiatives: the recovery and remediation of a historical surface waste rock stockpile and a proposed Advanced Exploration Project to dewater and rehabilitate the historical Sturgeon River Mine shaft.
The surface stockpile initiative involves a submitted application for a Recovery of Minerals Permit to the Ministry of Energy and Mines, including a Recovery and Remediation Plan under Ontario’s Mining Act. The stockpile, a legacy of decades-old mining operations, contains mineralized material that LAURION seeks to recover and process off-site, followed by remediation. The company emphasizes that this work would not require new infrastructure or underground development, and is supported by environmental assessments.
Separately, LAURION is preparing a Permit to Take Water application for dewatering the flooded Sturgeon River Mine shaft, which extends approximately 642 metres below surface and contains an estimated 114,000 cubic metres of static water. The proposed Advanced Exploration Project would involve removing the shaft cap, installing a temporary headframe, and controlled dewatering to allow underground exploration drilling and sampling. No commercial production is planned. A hydrogeological impact assessment will support the permit application, targeted for Q4 2026, with an Advanced Exploration Closure Plan and additional environmental approvals targeted for early 2027.
Over the past five years, LAURION has completed a comprehensive environmental baseline program, including terrestrial and aquatic studies, groundwater and surface water monitoring, shaft water characterization, and a Stage 1 Archaeological Assessment. These studies provide a foundation for regulatory review and will inform environmental management measures.
Indigenous and stakeholder consultation is ongoing through an Indigenous Joint Steering Committee and with Animbiigoo Zaagi’igan Anishinaabek First Nation, Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek First Nation, and Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek First Nation. Public notice and meetings will be part of the Closure Plan process.
“Five years of rigorous, independent environmental baseline work is not a small undertaking,” said Cynthia Le Sueur-Aquin, President and CEO. “Recovering potentially economic residual mineralization within the stockpile, and doing so responsibly, is exactly the kind of value-additive, environmentally sound project our shareholders should expect.” She added that dewatering the shaft could provide safe underground access to evaluate gold-bearing structures not fully explored before mining ceased in 1942, and facilitate rehabilitation of a legacy mine hazard.
Linda Byron, Director at Blue Heron Environmental, commented, “Blue Heron has been pleased to support LAURION with the environmental baseline studies and permitting work required to advance the Ishkōday Project.”
The technical contents were reviewed by Dr. Trevor Boyd, Ph.D., P.Geo., a Qualified Person under NI 43-101. LAURION is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange, OTCQB, and Frankfurt Stock Exchange. For more information, visit www.LAURION.ca.
