By Lynnel Reinson Communications
Nicola Mining Inc. (TSX-V: NIM) (FSE: HLIA) (OTCQB: HUSIF) is a Canadian junior mining company based in Vancouver, British Columbia that maintains multiple synergistic assets in the province. The axiom of its assets are two permitted mine properties, the historic Craigmont Copper Mine (Permit M-68), Treasure Mountain Silver Mine (Permit M-239), and the Merritt Mill, which is the province’s only site permitted to process gold and silver ore from sources located throughout the province. However, less known, but also coadjutant, is its operating gravel pit, an operating rock quarry, and a 75 percent economic stake in the Dominion Creek Property.
The gravel pit and rock quarry (above left) are operated through a strong and mutually beneficial partnership with Lower Nicola Site Services (www.LNSS.ca), which is a joint venture between the Lower Nicola Indian Band Corporation and Infracon Construction of Kamloops. The uniqueness of the Merritt Mill (above right) is highlighted by Nicola’s ability to enter into multiple mining and milling agreements with other miners, such as Talisker Resources Inc., Osisko Development Corporation, Blue Lagoon Resources, and several others. Monetization of gold and silver concentrate sales is augmented by Nicola’s strong relationship with Ocean Partners UK Limited, a leading trader of precious metals globally, and also an investor in the Company.
Strategic asset diversification coupled with operational focus allows Nicola to aggressively commit to copper exploration while minimizing dilution, and creates multiple win-win situations with local communities. It also allows the Company to garner strong Indigenous partner(s) for larger projects. Ultimately a major benefactory of this scenario is its shareholders, as can be seen by a share price that continues to outpace its peers.
At the helm of Nicola is its President, CEO, and Director Peter Espig, whose stellar global financial career includes executive roles at Goldman Sachs and Olympic Capital and as being a pioneer of SPACs. Click link to hear CEO discuss the particular location and possibilities presented with the New Craigmont location at the intersection of two of British Columbia’s major copper strikes. Mr. Espig was brought on in 2013 to guide Nicola through CCAA, increasing the stock price from below five cents to its current trading level of over thirty-five by assembling a strong and active board and building a success-driven team of employees. His decade of leadership demonstrated a commitment to long-term strategy and execution along with the patience required for developing key relationships, ultimately creating cash-flowing assets and developing exploration projects with a balanced approach.
The Company’s greatest focus is exploration of its 100% owned New Craigmont Copper Project. The drilling campaign that commenced July 3, 2024 is the culmination of three years of commitment to geotechnical investment and review. After completing a 3D induced polarization survey (3D IP Survey) of two zones in the claim block, Company geologists are keen and thinking they could find copper deposits matching those that made the original Craigmont Open Pit - Underground Mine so successful. The Historic Craigmont Mine 20+yrs. of prosperity.
Mr. Espig commented, “The 3D IP Survey is only one of numerous studies that we committed to prior to commencing drilling. Our geological team combine numerous geological and geophysical parameters, including but not limited to bedrock mapping, airborne magnetic survey, and ZTEM survey to create a very exciting exploration program. Currently, we have planned for 5000 metres of drilling, which we expect will become the base of subsequent exploration.”
Another key to unlocking New Craigmont’s potential is Nicola’s partnership with the University of British Columbia’s Mineral Deposit Research Unit (MDRU), a globally distinguished research group operating with the mineral industry to undertake cutting edge studies and provide lab services to its members and partners. The partnership between Nicola, the MDRU, Lakehead University, the University of Alberta, the University of Calgary, and 14 other industry partners, is focused on “improving the rate at which porphyry copper deposits can be discovered.” This effort could lead to significant discoveries for Nicola and its New Craigmont Project, which sits adjacent to Teck Corp.’s Highland Valley Copper, the largest copper mine in Canada.
CEO, Peter Espig’s enthusiasm is evident, “We are very excited to team with the MDRU on New Craigmont because historically, it was one of North America’s highest grade copper mines. Leveraging newer technologies, such as ZTEM Surveys, and working closely with UBC’s geological team could be very fruitful towards finding porphyry copper targets.”
In addition to the work being undertaken at New Craigmont, Nicola Mining recently announced it had transferred fifty thousand dollars to High Range Exploration Limited, the other owner of the Dominion Creek Gold and Silver Project, to facilitate High Range’s exploration efforts on the project. Nicola’s continuing activities in the region include receiving a letter of support for The Dominion Creek Project from the Chief and Council of the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation. The Company has also completed their application for a Bulk Sample Permit. In addition to exploration at the Dominion Creek Project, the Company sees significant potential at its wholly-owned Treasure Mountain silver-lead-zinc mine asset as a revived polymetallic project. With full permitting in place for Treasure Mountain, and First Nations support of the Dominion Creek project, the Company sees a bright future for their operations, projects, and the region.
Nicola Mining stands as a bit of a maverick amongst its peers in its pursuit of operational cash-flow to support ongoing copper exploration. It already has established permitting on its properties, beneficial cooperative agreements, and multiple First Nations support and partnerships. There are many reasons for believing this unique organization will continue to find success with their innovative, yet well considered approach. Furthermore, any future dollars it adds to the province’s GDP will themselves add an addition 93 cents of economic activity to the region, according to the Fraser Institute’s Report. Nicola Mining’s transparency and willingness to engage with all the First Nations communities and businesses has them positioned to lead the region in not only exploration, but sustainable business development with both Indigenous and non-Indigenous partners.
Full article here: https://theprospectornews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/JUL-2024-The-Prospector-News-Magazine.pdf
For More Information go to www.nicolamining.com
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