Bunker Hill Mining completes first stope blast at Bunker Hill Mine, Idaho, on track for commercial production in Q4 2026

Bunker Hill Mining Corp. [TSX: BNKR; OTCQB: BHLL] reported that company has completed the first production stope blast and has achieved four consecutive years without a lost-time incident, representing two significant milestones at its 100%-owned Bunker Hill Mine, Idaho. The milestones demonstrate continued progress in the safe restart and ramp-up of the historic Bunker Hill Mine and underscore the company’s focus on operational execution as it advances toward commercial production by the end of 2026.

Sam Ash, President and CEO, commented, “These are significant achievements for Bunker Hill and, most importantly, for our people. Four years without a lost-time incident demonstrates the strength of our team and their commitment to operating safely. The first production stope blast is another significant step in the transformation of Bunker Hill from a historic mine under redevelopment to a producing operation. We remain focused on disciplined execution and are on track to achieve commercial production by year-end.”

The company has completed the first production stope blast at the Bunker Hill Mine, marking the transition from mine redevelopment and preparation toward sustained underground production.

The stope blast follows extensive underground rehabilitation, development and infrastructure work undertaken to prepare the Bunker Hill Mine for the restart of operations. The company is now advancing the next stages of stope development and mining production as it continues to ramp up underground mining activities in ways that support the 1,800 tpd operation.

The stoping method is transverse longhole stoping, mining in a primary-secondary configuration. Stopes will be backfilled with paste backfill, which will mix mill tails from the newly commissioned tails filter press with cement in a paste plant. The paste will be pumped underground into the excavated stopes, resulting in geotechnical stability allowing safe extraction of secondary stopes. This modern and highly efficient mining method of stoping and paste backfilling allows the Bunker Hill Mine to operate without a surface tails facility, minimizing environmental impact in line with the company’s strategic priorities.

The company is also proud of its demonstrated commitment to safety and its people during redevelopment and ramp-up activities, as shown by four consecutive years without a lost-time incident and one full year without a recordable safety incident at the Bunker Hill Mine.

These achievements reflect the company’s unwavering commitment to a safety-first culture as it advances the restart of the historic Bunker Hill Mine towards commercial production by end of the year. The milestones were reached through disciplined operational practices, continuous training, and strong workforce engagement across all site activities.

“Safety performance at this level does not happen by accident—it is the result of consistent leadership, accountability, and a shared commitment across our entire team,” said Sam Ash. “Four years without an LTI and a full year without a recordable incident are exceptional accomplishments in our industry, particularly during an active restart phase. We are proud of our team for setting and maintaining this standard.”

The company’s safety program emphasizes proactive risk identification, hazard mitigation, and continuous improvement, supported by robust systems and procedures aligned with modern mining practices. As commissioning and development activities progress, Bunker Hill remains focused on maintaining these standards while safely advancing toward commercial production.

“Embedding safety into every aspect of our operations is foundational to how we build this company,” added Alan Longley, Health and Safety Manager. “We need to execute complex work safely while maintaining productivity and momentum, and our safety performance shows that we are doing just that.”

Bunker Hill will continue to prioritize the health and safety of its workforce, contractors, and community as it advances its strategy to become a modern, sustainable producer of critical and precious metals.

With underground production activities advancing and the processing facility operational, Bunker Hill remains on track to achieve commercial production by the end of 2026.

The company’s near-term priorities include continuing to safely increase underground mining rates, optimizing the processing circuit, building operating consistency, and advancing toward the production levels contemplated in its mine plan.

Bunker Hill Mining Corp. is a U.S.-based mining company focused on building a modern, long-life mining operation at its flagship Bunker Hill Mine in northern Idaho’s prolific Silver Valley. With production now underway, the company is advancing the mine toward commercial production of zinc, lead and silver concentrates while pursuing opportunities to optimize operations, expand resources and extend mine life.