Laurion halts phase 1 drilling at Ishkoday project, Ontario, due to wildfires
Laurion Mineral Exploration Inc. [TSXV: LME; OTCQB: LMEFF; FSE: 5YD], as a precautionary measure, has temporarily suspended the phase 1 diamond drilling program and all field activities at its 100%-owned Ishkoday gold and polymetallic project in the Beardmore-Geraldton greenstone belt of Northwestern Ontario, and has safely evacuated all company personnel, geological staff and drilling contractor crews from site.
The decision was made in direct response to the rapidly evolving wildfire situation across Northwestern Ontario. Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources recently reported approximately 128 active wildland fires in the Northwest Fire Region, with the Ontario Provincial Police issuing mandatory evacuation orders for the community of Armstrong and several First Nations in the vicinity, and wildland fire hazard levels reaching “extreme” across parts of the region. Deteriorating air quality from wildfire smoke in the immediate vicinity of the project made continued field work unsafe.
The company’s on-site management, in consultation with its geological and safety personnel, made the decision to suspend the drill program and stand down field operations pro-actively, in advance of any order specific to the project site, in order to prioritize the health and safety of its work force. All personnel have been accounted for and safely relocated away from the affected area. There have been no injuries.
The phase 1 A-zone diamond drilling program, being carried out by Forage GeoNord, will remain suspended until local wildfire and air quality conditions improve to a level considered safe for field personnel, and until any relevant access restrictions in the area are lifted. The company does not currently anticipate any impact on the integrity of the project as a result of this temporary suspension. Laurion is monitoring the situation closely alongside provincial fire and emergency authorities and will provide further updates as circumstances develop, including a timeline for remobilization once it is safe to do so.
“The safety of our people comes first, always,” said Cynthia Le Sueur-Aquin, president and CEO of Laurion. “Our team made the right call to stand down operations well ahead of the situation reaching our site, and everyone is safe. Our thoughts are with the communities across Northwestern Ontario who have been evacuated and impacted by these fires. We will resume our field program at Ishkoday as soon as it is safe to do so and will keep shareholders informed.”
Laurion Mineral Exploration is a mid-stage Canadian mineral exploration company, focused on advancing the 100%-owned Ishkoday gold and polymetallic project.
The Ishkoday project covers approximately 57 km2 within the prolific Beardmore-Geraldton and Onaman-Tashota greenstone belts, and hosts a single 6.0 km by 2.5 km mineralized corridor. Historical and modern exploration programs have completed over 98,000 metres of drilling, confirming a large and evolving gold-rich polymetallic mineral system.
Laurion’s strategy emphasizes disciplined, data-driven exploration, systematic technical advancement, integrated geological modelling and responsible capital allocation. The company is focused on strengthening geological confidence, expanding the scale of the mineral system, and positioning the project for a future NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate (MRE).
Laurion continues to evaluate opportunities that may enhance project development flexibility, including potential non-dilutive initiatives such as the evaluation of historical surface stockpile processing.
Cynthia Le Sueur-Aquin, president and CEO, is the company’s largest shareholder, holding 17,221,306 common shares, reflecting strong alignment between management and shareholders.