Nicola Mining Inc. together with partner Lower Nicola Site Services Ltd. has announced the long-term expansion of its wholly owned gravel pit and completion of construction of its cement ready mix plant. The company secured two significant permits that will substantially increase its operational capacity and extend the mine life of its gravel pit operations.
The expansion includes a Notice of Departure at the New Craigmont Project that allows extraction of up to 3.0 million tonnes of inert rock material at approximately 1,500 tonnes per day. This represents a substantial increase in production capacity for the company's mining operations. Additionally, the company received an extension of its gravel pit mine life alongside a provincial highway permit dated September 5, 2025.
The completion of the cement ready mix plant represents a strategic diversification for Nicola Mining, allowing the company to process materials on-site and create value-added products for the construction industry. This vertical integration could provide economic benefits by reducing transportation costs and creating local employment opportunities in the Merritt, British Columbia region where the company maintains its operations.
Nicola Mining's expansion comes at a time when construction materials are in high demand across British Columbia and throughout Canada. The increased production capacity positions the company to better serve regional infrastructure projects and construction needs. The company's location near Merritt provides strategic access to transportation routes, including proximity to provincial highways that facilitate material distribution.
The company maintains a 100% owned mill and tailings facility near Merritt, British Columbia, which can process both gold and silver mill feed via gravity and flotation processes. Nicola Mining also owns 100% of the New Craigmont Project, a high-grade copper property covering 10,913 hectares along the southern end of the Guichon Batholith. This property is adjacent to Highland Valley Copper, Canada's largest copper mine, providing potential synergies and operational advantages.
For more information about the company's developments, investors can access detailed information through the company's newsroom at https://ibn.fm/HUSIF. The expansion and new plant completion represent significant milestones in Nicola Mining's operational growth strategy and demonstrate the company's commitment to developing its mineral and aggregate resources in British Columbia.
The mining sector in British Columbia continues to be an important economic driver, and developments like Nicola Mining's expansion contribute to regional employment and economic stability. The company's ability to secure necessary permits and complete construction of the ready mix plant indicates regulatory approval and operational capability to move forward with expanded production. These developments may have positive implications for local suppliers, contractors, and the broader mining industry in the region.
