Omineca Mining and Metals Ltd. (TSXV: OMM) (OTCQB: OMMSF) has provided an update on 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 yielded substantial quantities of placer gold. The company also announced 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. The company is awaiting approval from the BC Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals to continue across the channel using the current mining method—grouted spiling and shotcrete arch ground support as designed by the Engineer-of-Record. The BC ministry has become more proactive in overseeing operations, which has added significant time to the reporting, response, and development cycle.
The Wingdam project aims for full-scale recovery of high-grade placer gold from a paleochannel located 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, steady progress has been made using the grouted spiling and shotcrete arch ground stabilization method designed by MineTech International Limited. D&L Mining has provided all required documentation and support for continued operations and is awaiting approval to move forward. Operationally, the mine plan is performing as designed, and both D&L and Omineca are pleased with the engineered ground stability program, which provides systematic support to safely advance workings through complex, water-bearing ground conditions beneath the Lightning Creek valley.
This spring, work shifted to crosscut #2 due to unexpectedly high water inflow from spring freshet through existing drill holes near crosscut #3A. Those inflows precluded advancement at that time, but work will recommence in that area at a future date. Through real-time operating trials, D&L changed grout from a cementitious formulation to an epoxy-based chemical grout, which enhances performance across a wide range of ground conditions. The chemical grout works regardless of variations in host rocks and is immune to water infiltration, with a setup time of less than one hour compared to one day for cement grout.
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 expressed sincere appreciation to Chief Clifford Lebrun and the Lhtako Dene Nation for their formal letter of support, reflecting a positive, long-standing consultation relationship. The company is committed to responsible resource development and to creating meaningful and lasting benefits for the Nation and the broader Cariboo region.
All scientific and technical information in this release has been prepared or approved by Stephen Kocsis, PGeo, an independent qualified person under National Instrument 43-101.
