Omineca Continues Operations Underground at Wingdam Paleoplacer Gold Project; Receives First Nations Letter of Support

Omineca Mining and Metals Ltd. (OMM) issued an operational update on its Wingdam Underground Paleoplacer Gold Recovery Project on July 15, 2026. Mining partner D&L Mining has completed the preparation of Crosscut #2 for advancement across the paleochannel and through the pay gravel zone, recovering substantial quantities of placer gold.

Technical adjustments were implemented during operations, switching from cementitious grout to an epoxy-based chemical grout. This new formulation sets in under one hour, is immune to water infiltration, and performs reliably across varying host rock conditions. Operations temporarily shifted to Crosscut #2 due to unexpectedly high spring freshet water inflows near Crosscut #3A. Advancement at Crosscut #3A is paused until the wet season subsides.

The company is awaiting approval from the BC Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals to continue mining operations across the channel using the current ground support method. Regulatory reporting and development cycles have become more proactive, adding time to the process. The Lhtako Dene Nation (Red Bluff Indian Band) submitted a formal letter of support for the Wingdam Project to the BC government, reflecting positive long-standing consultation.

Upon successful demonstration of safe paleochannel crossing, Omineca intends to file a Five-Year Mine Plan to fully develop operations along the initially indicated 1.4 kilometres of paleochannel. Historical context notes a 2012 bulk sample recovered 173.4 ounces of placer gold from a single crosscut. The project covers over 15 linear kilometres of placer claims within a 600+ square kilometre land package.

Omineca Mining and Metals Ltd. (OMM) released an update on July 15, 2026, marking incremental progress on its Wingdam project. The company shifted operations to Crosscut #2 and successfully implemented epoxy-based grout, standard technical adjustments for underground placer mining in water-bearing ground.

The company also received a letter of support from local First Nations, a positive step for social license that is routine for projects in British Columbia and does not guarantee regulatory approval. The BC Ministry’s proactive stance and added reporting requirements remain a known headwind that management has already acknowledged, delaying rather than accelerating the path to a Five-Year Mine Plan.

Financially, the update contains no new capital, no production guidance, and no change to the company's cash position. The news is consistent with the steady but slow progression seen since December 2025.

Omineca Mining and Metals Ltd. (TSXV: OMM) is a junior exploration company focused on gold in British Columbia. Its flagship asset is the Wingdam Underground Paleoplacer Gold Project, located in the Cariboo Mining District. The project encompasses over 61,392 hectares of mineral tenure, including more than 15 linear kilometres of placer claims along the Lightning Creek valley. The company operates a 50/50 joint venture with D&L Mining for underground placer recovery.

Omineca is also advancing the Fraser Canyon placer gold project, which holds a historic production record of 1,482 ounces of raw placer gold. No formal NI 43-101 mineral resource or reserve estimates have been published, and the project remains in the test mining and exploration stage.