LAURION Advances Environmental and Permitting Activities at Ishkōday Gold and Polymetallic Project
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LAURION Advances Environmental and Permitting Activities at
Ishkōday Gold and Polymetallic Project
TORONTO ONTARIO, September 18, 2026 — LAURION Mineral Exploration Inc. (TSX-V: LME
| OTC: LMEFF | FSE: 5YD) ("LAURION" or the "Company") is pleased to provide shareholders
with an update on the environmental , technical and regulatory work supporting the
continued advancement of the Company's 100%- owned Ishkōday Gold and
Polymetallic Project in the Onaman -Tashota, Beardmore-Geraldton Greenstone Belt of
Northwestern Ontario.
LAURION is currently advancing two complementary initiatives associated with the
historical Sturgeon River Mine: the recovery and remediation of the historical surface
waste rock stockpile and the Company’s proposed Advanced Exploration Project
focused on dewatering, rehabilitating and evaluating the historical Sturgeon River Mine
shaft and underground workings.
Over the past five years, LAURION has undertaken a comprehensive program of
environmental baseline studies, technical investigations , indigenous and regulatory
consultation to characterize existing site conditions and support project planning and
applicable regulatory approvals.
Background
Surface Stockpile Recovery
LAURION has submitted an application for a Recovery of Minerals Permit to the Ministry
of Energy and Mines, including a Recovery and Remediation Plan, under section 152.1 of
Ontario’s Mining Act and Ontario Regulation 463/24.
The Sturgeon River Mine surface waste rock stockpile is a legacy of historic mining
operations and based on historic and current technical information, contains mineralized
material that LAURION is seeking authorization to recover under Ontario's regulatory
framework for the recovery of minerals. The material currently exists on surface as a result
of decades-old operations and its recovery is not expected to require new infrastructure,
mining or underground development. The proposed work would involve the recovery of
minerals from the historical surface waste rock stockpile through removal and off-site
processing of the material, followed by remediation of the stockpile area in accordance
with applicable provincial standards. These activities take into consideration, and are
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supported by, the assessment of potential environmental effects and identif ication of
appropriate environmental protection and remediation measures.
Shaft Dewatering and Advanced Exploration
Separately, LAURION is advancing its plans to rehabilitate the historical Sturgeon River
Mine shaft to facilitate further evaluation and exploration of the historical in-situ resource
potential.
The historical mine workings include a vertical shaft extending approximately 642 metres
below surface and 15 historical underground levels. The mine has remained flooded since
historical operations ceased, with approximately 114,000 cubic metres of static water
previously estimated to be contained within the underground mine workings . The
proposed Advanced Exploration Project would involve removal of the existing shaft cap,
rehabilitation of the shaft collar and installation of a temporary exploration headframe
and hoisting plant to allow for safe access , controlled dewatering of the shaft, and
progressive rehabilitation of the shaft and existing underground levels. Once safe
underground access has been established, LAURION intends to undertake underground
exploration drilling and sampling to further evaluate the deposit and mineralized system.
No commercial mineral production or ore processing is currently proposed as part of the
Advanced Exploration Project.
To facilitate the evaluation and exploration of the historical underground workings ,
LAURION is currently preparing a Permit to Take Water (“PTTW”) application for the
dewatering activities to submit to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
(MECP), with a submission target for Q4 2026. Given the proposed volume of water taking,
a detailed hydrogeological impact assessment will be completed to characterize the
proposed taking and assess potential effects on surrounding groundwater and surface
water resources. The assessment is expected to provide the technical basis for the
proposed dewatering program and associated PTTW application.
In parallel, LAURION is advancing other regulatory requirements necessary to undertake
the proposed Advanced Exploration Project activities, including the preparation of an
Advanced Exploration Closure Plan in accordance with Ontario’s Mining Act. Additional
environmental approvals are also being advanced, as applicable, for project
components, including mine water treatment and discharge, air and noise emissions,
and associated project infrastructure. The applicable Advanced Exploration Closure Plan
and additional environmental approval submissions are targeted for early 2027.
Environmental Baseline Program
Over the past five years, LAURION has commissioned and completed a comprehensive
program of independent environmental baseline studies to support project planning and
compliance with applicable regulatory requirements for the proposed surface stockpile
recovery and Advanced Exploration Project . The program was designed to establish a
detailed understanding of existing environmental conditions, support project design ,
inform the development of appropriate environmental protection, mitigation and
remediation measures, and provide a baseline against which potential p roject-related
environmental effects can be assessed and monitored.
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The environmental baseline studies completed to date include:
• Terrestrial ecology, species at risk and bat studies — surveys and assessments to
characterize terrestrial habitat and evaluate the potential presence of protected
species, including bat populations, within and surrounding the project area;
• Aquatic and benthic studies — characterization of aquatic conditions and benthic
communities to establish baseline conditions of surrounding waterbodies and
support the assessment of potential effects associated with water-related activities
at the site;
• Groundwater and surface water studies — multi-year monitoring and
characterization of groundwater and surface water quality and conditions within
and surrounding the project area, providing baseline information against which any
future changes can be assessed;
• Shaft water and hydrogeological studies — characterization of conditions
associated with the flooded historical mine workings to inform planning and
assessment of the proposed dewatering program; and
• Archaeological studies — completion of a Stage 1 A rchaeological Assessment to
identify areas of archaeological potential and inform the need for any subsequent
assessment associated with the proposed project footprint.
Together, these studies provide a foundation for ongoing regulatory review and
permitting activities, and will inform the development of project-specific environmental
management, monitoring, mitigation and remediation measures. Environmental studies
and monitoring programs will continue to be refined, as appropriate, as project planning
and regulatory review activities progress.
Indigenous and Stakeholder Consultation
LAURION has continued to engage with applicable Indigenous communities regarding
the progression of the Ishkōday Project, including the proposed transition to advanced
exploration through dewatering of the historical mine shaft, as well as the recovery and
off-site processing of the existing surface waste rock stockpile.
Project and permitting updates, including discussion s regarding the advanced
exploration permitting pathway, baseline studies, stockpile processing and shaft access,
are being advanced through the Indigenous Joint Steering Committee. Project-specific
consultation and engagement with Animbiigoo Zaagi’igan Anishinaabek First Nation
(AZA), Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek First Nation (BNA), and Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging
Anishinaabek First Nation (BZA) ha s been initiated and will continue to inform project
planning, design and permitting activities.
In addition, as part of the Closure Plan process, LAURION will provide public notice of the
proposed Closure Plan in accordance with the direction of the Ministry of Energy and
Mines (MEM) in Ontario and the requirements of Ontario Regulation 35/24 . The public
consultation process will include public meetings.
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Management Commentary
“Five years of rigorous, independent environmental baseline work is not a small
undertaking, and I am proud of the diligence our team and consultants have brought to
this work,” said Cynthia Le Sueur -Aquin, President and CEO of LAURION . “This stockpile
represents decades-old mining waste sitting on surface today . R ecovering potentially
economic residual mineralization within the stockpile, and doing so responsibly, is exactly
the kind of value-additive, environmentally sound project our shareholders should expect
from LAURION. We've taken the time to build a comprehensive picture of site conditions
before asking the Ministry to authorize this work, and we believe that thoroughness will
serve both the project and the communities around it well as the applications move
through review.”
“Beyond the surface stockpile project, the proposed dewatering and rehabilitation of
the historical Sturgeon River shaft is an equally important initiative for LAURION," added
Ms. Le Sueur-Aquin. “Historical records indicate the presence of gold -bearing structures
on multiple underground levels that were not fully explored prior to the cessation of
mining activities in 1942. Subject to regulatory approvals, the proposed dewatering
program is expected to provide safe underground access for geological mapping,
sampling and evaluation, allowing our technical team to better understand the
mineralized system. It is also anticipated that the program will facilitate the rehabilitation
of a long-standing legacy mine hazard under regulatory oversight. This phase of work is
exploratory in nature, and no ore will be mined, processed or sold as part of the proposed
dewatering program.”
Comments from Blue Heron Environmental
“Blue Heron has been pleased to support LAURION with the environmental baseline
studies and permitting work required to advance the Ishkōday Project,” said Linda Byron,
Director at Blue Heron Environmental. “We appreciate the hard work and commitment
demonstrated by the LAURION team throughout this process and are excited to see the
Company take this important next step in moving the project forward.”
Qualified Person
The technical contents of this press release have been reviewed and approved by Dr.
Trevor Boyd, Ph.D., P.Geo., a consultant to LAURION and a Qualified Person as defined
by National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”).
Dr. Boyd is independent of the Company within the meaning of NI 43-101.
About LAURION
LAURION Mineral Exploration Inc. is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (LME), OTCQB
(LMEFF), and Frankfurt Stock Exchange (5YD), and is a mid -stage Canadian mineral
exploration company, focused on advancing the 100%-owned Ishkōday Gold and Base
Metal Project in Northern Ontario.
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The Ishkōday 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
mineralised corridor. Historical and modern exploration programs have completed over
98,000 metres of drilling, confirming a large and evolving gold -rich base metal 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 potential future 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. The Company ’s objective is
to build technical clarity, scale, and long -term project value before monetization,
ensuring that future development decisions or strategic opportunities are supported by
strong geological foundations and reduced execution risk.
Cynthia Le Sueur -Aquin, President and CEO of LAURION, is the Company ’s largest
shareholder, holding 17,221,306 common shares, reflecting strong alignment between
management and shareholders.
For Further Information, Contact:
LAURION Mineral Exploration Inc.
Cynthia Le Sueur-Aquin – President and CEO
Tel: 1-705-788-9186 Fax: 1-705-805-9256
Douglas Vass - Investor Relations Consultant
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.LAURION.ca
Follow us on: X (@LAURION_LME), Instagram (laurionmineral) and LinkedIn
Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This press release contains forward -looking statements, which reflect the Company ’s current expectations
regarding future events including with respect to LAURION's business, operations and condition,
management’s objectives, strategies, beliefs and intentions, the Company’s ability to advance the Ishkōday
Project and achieve the Company’s strategic and technical objectives (within the above-stated timeframes,
if at all), including with respect to the Company ’s expectations regarding the MRE, the timing and the
Company’s expectation s regarding the permitting applications and submissions described in this press
release, the nature, focus, timing and potential results of the Company's exploration, drilling and prospecting
activities, including the Company ’s planned recovery and remediation activities and the proposed
Advanced Exploration Project , as referenced in this press release, and the statements regarding the
Company’s exploration or consideration of any possible strategic alternatives and transactional
opportunities, as well as the potential outcome(s) of this process, the possible impact of any potential
transactions referenced herein on the Company or any of its sta keholders, and the ability of the Company
to identify and complete any potential acquisitions, mergers, financings or other transactions referenced
herein, and the timing of any such transactions.
The forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual events and future results, performance
or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements could differ materially from those
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projected herein including as a result of a change in the trading price of the common shares of LAURION,
the failure to obtain the consents, permits and/or approvals from applicable governmental bodies, regulators
and Indigenous communities, required in connection with the Company's strategic and technical objectives,
the risk that additional drilling may not support the preparation of an MRE, the TSX Venture Exchange or any
other applicable regulator not providing its approval for any strategic alternatives or transactional
opportunities, the interpretation and actual results of current exploration activities, changes in project
parameters as plans continue to be refined, future prices of gold and/or other metals, possible variations in
grade or recovery rates, failure of equipment or processes to operate as anticipated, the failure of
contracted parties to perform, labor disputes and other risk s of the mining industry, delays in obtaining
governmental approvals or financing or in the completion of exploration, as well as those factors disclosed
in the Company’s publicly filed documents. Investors should consult the Company ’s ongoing quarterly and
annual filings, as well as any other additional documentation comprising the Company ’s public disclosure
record, for additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to these forward-looking statements. The
reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. Subject to applicable law, the Company
disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICE PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN
THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY
OF THE CONTENT OF THIS NEWS RELEASE.