Northstar Gold signs funding agreement for Cam Copper Surgical Mining Project, Ontario
Northstar Gold Corp. [CSE: NSG] has signed a Master Project Agreement (or MPA) with DIGITAL – Canada’s Global Innovation Cluster for digital technologies, Novamera Inc. and Micon International Limited, as part of a larger project providing partial funding to support data-driven and digital solutions as applied to Northstar’s Cam Copper Surgical Mining Project for Northstar’s 100%-owned Cam Copper Project 18 km southeast of Kirkland Lake, Ontario.
Cam Copper Project Overview: Under the previously signed Definitive Surgical Mining Services Agreement executed between Novamera and Northstar October 9, 2025, Novamera will deploy its turnkey precision-mining solution to extract approximately 120,000 tonnes of copper-rich material from Northstar’s Cam Copper Project over a 31-month pilot window, using real-time downhole imaging, robotic drilling, and immediate backfilling to minimize surface disturbance and water discharge.
The Agreement is predicated on Novamera’s recent positive “Zone 2 Proposed Development and Surgical Mining Evaluation Study” of Northstar’s near surface Zone 2 Exploration Target, with tonnages ranging between 75,000 to 140,000 tonnes and grades ranging between 9% and 18% copper, with a conceptual average grade of 12% copper.
Novamera’s innovative and proven Surgical Mining approach requires no blasting, generates less waste rock, and utilizes a closed-loop water system that results in minimal water discharge, a smaller environmental footprint, and can potentially streamline the regulatory pathway, which can accelerate project timelines, significantly lower costs, while simplifying permitting and reclamation. This is facilitated by rotary drilling large-diameter holes from the surface, targeting Zone 2 high-grade copper mineralization. The resulting broken mineralized rock is recovered and shipped directly to a nearby mill for processing. The process includes data-driven hardware and software solutions that guide the robotic drilling process and minimize dilution. Once drilled, the holes can be immediately backfilled with broken waste rock to provide structural support to the mine with a minimal environmental footprint on surface.
Northstar and Novamera have entered into a strategic agreement for the Cam Copper Project, with due diligence and implementation planning underway over the next several months. Novamera will earn a 5% revenue share from the project. With a low upfront capital requirement of approximately US $1.5 million and the remainder of project capital costs structured off balance sheet, Novamera’s approach offers an attractive risk-adjusted return profile.
Brian P. Fowler, P.Geo., President, CEO and Director, stated: “The DIGITAL Master Project Agreement provides a strategic funding endorsement and validation of Novamera’s ground-breaking Surgical Mining approach and copper production potential at Northstar’s Cam Copper Project. This Agreement positions all project partners to produce Ontario critical minerals responsibly and profitably with a modest environmental footprint.”
“This project underscores the growing support for innovation in the mining industry and the urgent need to bring new supplies of critical minerals online faster,” said Jim Hollis, CEO of Novamera. “Copper is at the heart of the energy transition, and Surgical Mining has the potential to provide a faster pathway to production while radically reducing environmental impact.”
Northstar’s focus is to advance and expand the near-surface Allied Gold Zone and high-grade Cam Copper VMS deposits on its 100%-owned Miller Copper-Gold Property near Kirkland Lake. The company is targeting a +1 Moz gold / high-grade copper resource base capable of supporting regional or stand-alone production.
Northstar has three additional 100%-owned exploration projects in northern Ontario, including the 1,150 ha Rosegrove Property, situated 0.5 km from the Miller Property, the 4,650 ha Bryce Gold Property (includes the recently optioned Britcanna Lease), an intrusive-gold/PME VMS project located along the projected east extension of the Ridout Break, and the Temagami-Milestone Cu-Ni-Co Critical Minerals Property located in Strathcona Township. Northstar is seeking exploration partners to advance all three properties.
Founded in 2019, Novamera Inc. is revolutionizing how the world mines. Its patented Surgical Mining process enables precise, low-impact extraction of narrow-vein deposits that were previously uneconomic. By combining advanced imaging, AI modelling, and precision robotic drilling, Novamera helps mining companies unlock new resources with lower costs, faster timelines, and minimal environmental impact-creating a new category of sustainable, high-return projects.