Sudbury, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 4, 2024) - Magna Mining Inc. (TSXV: NICU) (OTCQB: MGMNF) (FSE: 8YD) ("Magna" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on the permitting and approval process for the Crean Hill Project.
On February 29 2024, Magna received confirmation that the amended Closure Plan for the Crean Hill Project had been filed with the Ontario Ministry of Mines. This allows Magna to move forward with an advanced exploration plan, which includes a surface bulk sample and development of a ramp from surface to perform test mining in the 101 Footwall, 109 Footwall and Intermediate mineralized zones (see Figure 1). The tonnage of the mineralized rock from the surface and underground test mining is outlined as 400,000 tonnes. This test mining material would be crushed on surface, sampled, and shipped to a third-party mill for processing. Magna expects to have processing agreements finalized by the end of Q1 2024.
Jason Jessup, CEO of Magna Mining stated, "We are thrilled to be able to announce the filing of the amended Crean Hill Closure Plan. This is quite an accomplishment, and I must commend our team at Magna and the Ontario Ministry of Mines for working together to make this happen. Magna now has all the approvals to conduct a surface bulk sample on the 109 Footwall zone, which we plan to complete in the first half of this year."
Magna has also submitted an application for a Permit to Take Water (PTTW) to the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP). In September 2023, Magna received comments back from the MECP on the application, amendments to the application were made in October and December 2023 and Magna awaits a response on the final approval of the permit. Magna anticipates having this approved before the end of Q2 2024. This permit will allow Magna to dewater the underground workings at Crean Hill, which is necessary for the commencement of underground advanced exploration and test mining.
Magna plans to execute a surface bulk sample from the 109 Footwall zone on surface in Q2, which will be shipped to a third-party mill for processing (see Figure 2 for sample location). Although Magna expects to have the PTTW in place and be able to execute the underground phase of advanced exploration by mid-2024, due to the current state of the capital markets and the associated high cost of capital, Magna is exploring non-dilutive options to fund underground advanced exploration. This may include funding in the form of government grants and/or a by-product metal stream. Magna is fully funded for a 25,000 m exploration drilling program in 2024 and will move forward with underground advanced exploration and test mining when the cost of capital is appropriate.