WESTERN COPPER AND GOLD ANNOUNCES SUBMISSION OF ESE STATEMENT

Executive Summary

• Western Copper and Gold submitted its ESE Statement to the Yukon Environmental and Socio‑economic Assessment Board, marking a key regulatory milestone for the 27‑year Casino copper‑gold‑molybdenum project.
• The company’s economic impact model forecasts over C$44 billion contribution to Canada’s GDP, creation of ~2,700 jobs, and annual tax revenues of C$175 million (Yukon) and C$231 million (Canada).
• The submission underscores Western’s commitment to environmental stewardship, First Nations collaboration, and positioning the Casino Project as a major domestic producer of critical minerals.

Key Details

• Regulatory Milestone: Submission of the Environmental and Socio‑economic Effects Statement (ESE) to YESAB for the Casino Project; next steps include a short review period, publication online, and a sufficiency check by the Board’s Executive Committee.
• Environmental Assessment Outcome: Comprehensive mitigation, management, and monitoring plans indicate that residual project‑related and cumulative effects are “not significant” across all Valued Environmental and Socio‑economic Components (VESECs).
• Economic Impact Modeling (MNP):
• GDP Contribution: > C$44 billion over the mine’s 27‑year life (≈ C$37 billion in Yukon).
• Employment: ~700 direct workers; ~2,000 indirect jobs; total wages & salaries ≈ C$12 billion.
• Tax Revenue: Annual C$175 million to Yukon government; C$231 million to Canadian federal government.
• Critical Minerals Production: Projected to become one of North America’s largest copper and molybdenum producers – second‑largest copper producer in Canada and the nation’s largest molybdenum producer, boosting domestic output by 15 % (copper) and 500 % (molybdenum).
• Commodity Price Assumptions Used: US$3.60 per lb Cu; US$1,700 per oz Au (highly conservative long‑term prices).
• Leadership Comments:
• Shena Shaw (VP, Environmental & Community Affairs) highlighted the milestone as evidence of responsible development and ongoing First Nations collaboration.
• Sandeep Singh (President & CEO) called the submission a “major achievement” and reaffirmed commitment to rigorous scientific analysis and community partnership.

Notable Quotes

• Shena Shaw: “Our submission represents years of careful planning and collaboration… demonstrates that Casino can be advanced in an environmentally and socially responsible manner, with generational benefits for all Yukoners.”
• Sandeep Singh: “Submission of the ESE Statement is a major achievement… Casino is positioned to play a pivotal role in improving the legacy of mining in the Yukon, enabling benefits that can serve the territory for decades.”