Nicola Mining Inc. (TSXV: NIM; FRA: HLIA) has begun receiving gold/silver ore from the Bralorne Mine of Talisker Resources Inc. (TSX: TSK, OTCQX: TSKFF) and is preparing to start production at its modern milling and processing facility in Merritt, British Columbia. The mill underwent extensive modernization in the second half of 2024 and has an estimated value of CAD 33 million. The facility, built on a 100% company-owned property in an industrial area, is scheduled to ramp up in the third quarter and then reach full capacity. The company has also initiated the process to apply for a permit amendment to increase the mill’s throughput.
Planned Deliveries from Blue Lagoon Resources
Nicola continues to work closely with Blue Lagoon Resources (CSE: BLLG; FSE: 7BL; OTCQB: BLAGF) and has participated in all tranches of the company’s recent private placement. In an earlier funding round, Blue Lagoon announced that Nicola had subscribed for 7,142,857 shares. The company will attend the official opening of Blue Lagoon’s Dome Mountain Mine on July 9, 2025, and is currently making final preparations to subsequently receive high-grade gold/silver ore from Dome.
Dominion Gold/Silver Bulk Sample Approved
On March 12, 2025, Nicola announced that it had received final approval for extracting a bulk sample from its Dominion Creek Mineral Project, a high-grade gold and silver project in which Nicola holds a 75% economic interest. Preparations have begun for mobilizing equipment and starting mining activities in July 2025.
Copper Exploration on New Craigmont Project
In addition to starting gold and silver production, Nicola is currently preparing to begin copper exploration on its New Craigmont copper project. The company owns 100% of this high-grade copper property, which spans over 10,800 hectares along the southern end of the Guichon Batholith and borders Highland Valley Copper, Canada’s largest copper mine. To strengthen its geological team, the company has hired Vicente García as Senior Geologist. Mr. García is an experienced exploration geologist with a solid technical background gained through his work on many different deposits in North and South America, including porphyry copper deposits.
Peter Espig, CEO of Nicola Mining Inc., stated: “Unlike previous milling campaigns, we are pleased that Nicola is evolving into a stable and long-term producer. It is rare for junior mining companies to reach their production peak and be able to monetize current precious metal prices together with their partners. We are also experiencing firsthand the increased efficiency in permitting underground mining projects in British Columbia, which are characterized by minimal environmental impact, as well as the strategic importance of our fully permitted mill. In addition to production, we have strengthened our geological team and are intensifying our activities for what we believe to be an exciting exploration campaign, not only in the New Craigmont project but also in our fully permitted Treasure Mountain silver mine.”
Conclusion: Nicola Mining’s Merritt Mill is the only facility in the province of British Columbia that is allowed to accept gold and silver ore from third parties across the entire province. The company now finally wants to fully utilize this unique strategic advantage in light of record gold prices by processing ore from up to three different sources in the second half of the year: Starting immediately with ore from Talisker’s Bralorne Mine; followed by material from Blue Lagoon Resources, with whom Nicola has long been closely associated. Last but not least, Nicola plans to process a bulk sample from the Dominion Creek Mineral Project, in which Nicola holds a 75% economic interest. While Nicola is already earning money through its landfill, gravel, and concrete business, the full utilization of its mill with the corresponding profit-sharing agreements should boost the company’s profitability to entirely new levels. It is the culmination of years of patient groundwork.
