Omineca Mining and Metals Ltd. (TSXV: OMM) (OTCQB: OMMSF) provided an update on its Wingdam Underground Paleoplacer Gold Recovery Project in the Cariboo Mining District of south-central British Columbia. The company reported that underground crosscut development in crosscut #2 has yielded substantial placer gold, and it has received 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, where it will encounter pay gravel zones. The company is awaiting approval from the BC Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals to continue using the current mining method, which involves grouted spiling and shotcrete arch ground support designed by the Engineer-of-Record, MineTech International Limited.
The Lhtako Dene Nation's letter of support marks a significant milestone for the project. Omineca expressed appreciation to Chief Clifford Lebrun and the Nation for their endorsement, which reflects the positive consultation and relationship between the company and the First Nation. The company emphasized its commitment to responsible resource development and creating lasting benefits for the Lhtako Dene Nation and the Cariboo region.
The Wingdam project targets a paleochannel approximately 50 metres beneath Lightning Creek, covering over 15 linear kilometres of placer claims within Omineca's 600-square-kilometre land package. Economic potential was demonstrated in 2012 when a bulk sample from a single crosscut recovered 173.4 ounces of placer gold.
During the 2026 operating season, D&L Mining has made steady progress using the engineered ground stabilization method. Due to high spring freshet water inflow through drill holes near crosscut #3A, work was shifted to crosscut #2. D&L also changed grout from a cementitious formulation to an epoxy-based chemical grout, which sets in less than one hour compared to one day for cement grout, enhancing performance in variable ground conditions.
Once safe paleochannel crossing is demonstrated, Omineca intends to file its Five-Year Mine Plan for full development along the initially indicated 1.4 kilometres of paleochannel. The company noted that the BC ministry has become more proactive in overseeing mining operations, adding time to the development cycle, but both D&L and Omineca are pleased with the technical progress.
For more details and photos of crosscut #2, visit: https://www.newmediawire.com.
