Omineca Mining and Metals Ltd. (TSXV: OMM) (OTCQB: OMMSF) has provided a program update for its Wingdam Underground Paleoplacer Gold Recovery Project, located in the Cariboo Mining District of south-central British Columbia. The company reported that underground crosscut development and stabilization work in crosscut #2 have resulted in the recovery of substantial quantities of placer gold from the workings.
Mining partner D&L Mining has completed preparation of Crosscut #2 for advance across the paleochannel and through the pay gravel zone, which has already encountered substantial quantities of placer gold. The company is awaiting BC ministry approval to continue across the channel using the current mining method—grouted spiling and shotcrete arch ground support designed by the Engineer-of-Record. The Lhtako Dene Nation (Red Bluff Indian Band) has submitted a formal letter of support for the Wingdam Project to the British Columbia government, reflecting positive long-standing consultation and relationship with Omineca.
The Wingdam Underground Paleoplacer Gold Recovery Project is located along the Barkerville Highway, approximately 30 kilometres west of Barkerville. The underground project covers more than 15 linear kilometres of placer claims along the Lightning Creek valley and sits within the central portion of Omineca's land package, which exceeds 600 square kilometres of combined hard rock and placer claims. The objective is full-scale recovery of high-grade placer gold from a paleochannel located approximately 50 metres beneath the active Lightning Creek. The economic potential was demonstrated in 2012 when a bulk sample from a single crosscut recovered 173.4 ounces of placer gold.
During the 2026 operating season, steady progress has continued using the grouted spiling and shotcrete arch ground stabilization method designed by MineTech International Limited. D&L Mining has provided all required documentation and is awaiting approval from the BC Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals. Operationally, the mine plan is performing as designed, with the engineered ground stability program providing systematic support to safely advance workings through complex, water-bearing ground conditions.
This spring, work shifted to crosscut #2 due to high spring freshet water inflow through drill holes near crosscut #3A. D&L has changed grout from cementitious to epoxy-based chemical grout to enhance performance across varying ground conditions, with a setup time of less than one hour versus one day for cement grout. Once the ability to safely tunnel across the paleochannel from multiple locations is demonstrated, Omineca intends to file its Five-Year Mine Plan for full development along the initially indicated 1.4 kilometres of paleochannel.
Omineca extends its appreciation to Chief Clifford Lebrun and the Lhtako Dene Nation for their formal letter of support. The company is committed to responsible resource development that creates benefits for the Nation and the Cariboo region. For more information, visit the original release.
