LaFleur Minerals Advances Beacon Gold Mill Restart and Swanson Drilling Program Amid Gold Price Surge

LaFleur Minerals Inc. is advancing plans to restart its Beacon Gold Mill in Val-d'Or, Quebec by early 2026 while simultaneously launching a minimum 5,000-metre diamond drilling program at its Swanson Gold Project. This strategic initiative comes as gold prices have surged above $3,300 per ounce, with JP Morgan analysts projecting prices could reach $4,000 by the second quarter of 2026. The company's dual approach combines near-term production potential with exploration upside during a period of exceptional market conditions for gold producers.

The company is conducting a Preliminary Economic Assessment to evaluate open-pit mining and milling scenarios at current gold prices, providing critical data for operational planning. LaFleur anticipates a conservative restart cost of C$5-6 million for the Beacon Mill, which will process a 100,000-tonne bulk sample from the Swanson Project. The mill's strategic location in Quebec's Abitibi Gold Belt, combined with recent refurbishments, positions LaFleur to efficiently capitalize on the favorable gold market conditions. This region is known for its rich mineral endowment and established mining infrastructure.

Investors and analysts have been invited to a site visit in July 2025 to observe progress firsthand, offering transparency into the company's development timeline. The combination of mill restart preparations and aggressive exploration drilling creates multiple value catalysts for shareholders. LaFleur's initiatives not only promise near-term production capability but also provide exposure to potential upside from escalating gold prices, making this a significant development in the junior mining sector. The company's approach demonstrates how smaller mining operations can strategically position themselves during commodity price cycles to maximize shareholder value.