TORONTO, July 31, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Generation Mining Limited (TSX:GENM, OTCQB: GENMF) ("Gen Mining" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the federal government has approved amendments to Schedule 2 of the Metal and Diamond Mining Effluent Regulations ("Schedule 2") for the Marathon Palladium-Copper Project (the "Marathon Project"). This approval will allow for the construction of specific water management structures and operation of key infrastructure for the Marathon Project.
Following approval by the Governor in Council, on the recommendation of the federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the regulatory amendment adding the specified Marathon Project waterbodies and geographic areas encompassing water bodies to Schedule 2 was published in the Canada Gazette, Part II, on July 31, 2024. Receipt of the few remaining provincial and federal approvals and permits required for construction is expected in the coming months.
"We are now on the cusp of having one of the only permitted copper and PGM projects in North America that can be constructed and brought into operation once we obtain the requisite financing. The Marathon Project is one of the most advanced critical mineral projects in Canada, and this government approval represents another milestone on the path to developing Canada’s next copper and palladium mine," said Jamie Levy, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. "The Marathon Project will support the economic growth and competitiveness of Canada and Ontario, as well as provide socio-economic benefits for Indigenous and local communities. The Company is proud to be part of this generational opportunity for Canada’s economy and net-zero future."
Ruben Wallin, VP Sustainability of the Company also noted: "The Marathon Project has been designed to ensure critical mineral development will occur in a manner which is sustainable, incorporates best practices in environmental and social governance, and reflects the knowledge shared by Indigenous communities. This milestone demonstrates that permitting of critical mineral projects in Canada can occur in a timely and efficient manner when the company, government and Indigenous communities work collaboratively."
About Generation Mining Limited
Gen Mining’s focus is the development of the Marathon Project, a large undeveloped palladium-copper deposit in Northwestern Ontario, Canada. On May 31, 2024, the Company filed an Amended Feasibility Study Update for the Marathon Project with an effective date of December 31, 2022 (the "Feasibility Study").
The Feasibility Study estimates a Net Present Value (using a 6% discount rate) of C$1.16 billion, an Internal Rate of Return of 25.8%, and a 2.3-year payback. The mine is expected to produce an average of 166,000 ounces of payable palladium and 41 million pounds of payable copper per year over a 13-year mine life ("LOM"). Over the LOM, the Marathon Project is anticipated to produce 2,122,000 ounces of palladium, 517 million lbs of copper, 485,000 ounces of platinum, 158,000 ounces of gold and 3,156,000 ounces of silver in payable metals. For more information, please review the Feasibility Study filed under the Company’s profile at www.sedarplus.ca or on the Company’s website at https://genmining.com/projects/feasibility-study/.
The Marathon Property covers a land package of approximately 26,000 hectares, or 260 square kilometres. Gen Mining owns a 100% interest in the Marathon Project.
Qualified Person
The scientific and technical content of this news release was reviewed, verified, and approved by Drew Anwyll, P.Eng., M.Eng, Chief Operating Officer of the Company, and a Qualified Person as defined by Canadian Securities Administrators’ National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.
Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements, as defined in applicable securities laws (collectively referred to herein as "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements reflect current expectations or beliefs regarding future events or the Company’s future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "continues", "forecasts", "projects", "predicts", "intends", "anticipates", "targets" or "believes", or variations of, or the negatives of, such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "should", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, including statements related to the anticipated timelines for receipt of government approvals and permits; and the life of mine, mineral production estimates, payback period, and financial returns from the Marathon Project.
Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the statements. In particular, there can be no assurance that the timelines for receipt of government approvals and permits; and the life of mine, mineral production estimates, payback period, and financial returns from the Marathon Project will achieve the anticipated results described herein. There are other factors that could also cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking information. These include the timing for a construction decision; the progress ofdevelopment at the Marathon Project, including progress of project expenditures and contracting processes, the Company’s plans and expectations with respect to liquidity management, continued availability of capital and financing, the future prices of palladium, copper and other commodities, permitting timelines, exchange rates and currency fluctuations, increases in costs, requirements for additional capital, and the Company’s decisions with respect to capital allocation, and the impact of COVID-19, inflation, global supply chain disruptions, global conflicts, including the wars in Ukraine and Israel, the project schedule for the Marathon Project, key inputs, staffing and contractors, continued availability of capital and financing, uncertainties involved in interpreting geological data and the accuracy of mineral reserve and resource estimates, environmental compliance and changes in environmental legislation and regulation, the Company’s relationships with Indigenous communities, results from planned exploration and drilling activities, local access conditions for drilling, and general economic, market or business conditions, as well as those risk factors set out in the Company’s annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2023, and in the continuous disclosure documents filed by the Company on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this news release speak only as of the date of this news release or as of the date or dates specified in such statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law. For more information on the Company, investors are encouraged to review the Company’s public filings on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
