LaFleur Minerals has commenced the permitting process for a significant exploration initiative at its Swanson Gold Project in Quebec's Abitibi Gold Belt. The company plans to extract a 100,000-tonne surface bulk sample from the deposit, which currently hosts an indicated resource of 123,400 ounces of gold and an inferred resource of 64,500 ounces of gold. This substantial sampling effort represents a critical step in advancing the project toward potential production.
The mineralized material will be processed at LaFleur's fully permitted Beacon Gold Mill, located 50 kilometers from the Swanson Gold Deposit. This strategic approach allows the company to generate potential near-term cash flow while simultaneously advancing its exploration efforts. The processing of this bulk sample will provide essential operational data and metallurgical information crucial for evaluating the project's economic viability.
LaFleur Minerals aims to restart the mill and initiate gold production by the end of 2025. Processing the bulk sample will provide critical data to support a comprehensive scoping study evaluating the project's future production potential. This timeline positions the company to potentially capitalize on favorable gold market conditions while systematically de-risking the project through practical operational experience.
The Swanson Gold Project spans over 16,000 hectares and includes several gold and critical metal prospects previously owned by Monarch Mining, Abcourt Mines, and Globex Mining. The property's accessibility by road and proximity to a rail line enhances its development potential, offering direct access to nearby gold mills. This infrastructure advantage significantly reduces potential development costs and logistical challenges.
The Beacon Gold Mill, fully owned by LaFleur Minerals, is capable of processing over 750 tonnes of material per day. The company is considering using the mill not only for processing Swanson's mineralized material but also potentially for custom milling operations for other nearby gold projects. This dual-use strategy could provide additional revenue streams while optimizing mill utilization and establishing LaFleur as a regional processing hub.
