Published: October 9, 2020 |

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First Mining Gold Corp. released an update on the ongoing pre-feasibility study (PFS) on its Springpole Gold Project located in northwestern Ontario. In addition, federal and provincial environmental assessment processes and other ongoing or planned development and exploration activities have been updated.

“We are very optimistic and remain encouraged with the progress First Mining is making in advancing the Springpole gold deposit through PFS and through the environmental assessment processes” said Dan Wilton, CEO of First Mining.

“As we advance these critical de-risking steps for the project, we are becoming increasingly aware of the value of the nine years of continuous environmental baseline data collection that we and our predecessors have completed at Springpole. We are very thankful for the dedication of our team and our partners to advance this important work in this uncertain environment. Our recent financing leaves First Mining in a very strong position to continue to move Springpole forward toward these critical de-risking milestones,” added Wilton.

Pre-Feasibility Study Update
The PFS is being conducted by Ausenco Engineering Canada as lead consultant. AGP Mining Consultants are acting as the overall QP and mining consultant, SRK Consulting (Canada) as the resource consultant, Knight Piesold as the tailings and coffer dam consultant, Hemmera Envirotech and Wood PLC as environmental consultants, Nordmin Engineering as the power infrastructure consultant, and Fracflow Consultants as the geotechnical consultant.

Throughout the PFS process, the company has undertaken a number of key trade-off studies which are nearing completion. These studies have identified several important avenues to optimize the project scope, reduce the overall project footprint, mitigate environmental risks, and improve the economic robustness of the project.

The October 2019 preliminary economic assessment (PEA) outlined a plan incorporating a design for a conventional tailings storage facility. A key trade-off study of the PFS assessed the feasibility of both thickened tailings and dry stack tailings solutions. Both were found to be viable solutions based on economic impacts, while significantly reducing the environmental risks and overall project footprint.

Mine plan optimization has been completed and is currently under review. Several iterations and varying combinations of pit shells, phasing, and haulage routes point to an opportunity for an improved mine plan from what was incorporated into the previous PEA. The optimization work has also demonstrated that there is more than enough suitable material that can be taken from the initial pre-strip and used for the full construction of the coffer dams.

The PFS metallurgical test program is also nearing completion. The process design in the PFS will incorporate conventional methods for recoveries but it is expected that further test programs during any subsequent feasibility study on Springpole will incorporate the study of potential value increases from the use of recent and significant industry advances in technology. Other key trade-off studies include the selection of a value-optimized processing rate/throughput for the mill and the selection of a safe and environmentally robust design and construction methodology for the coffer dams.

CAPEX and OPEX estimating are well underway with major equipment quotes being received for process, infrastructure, and mining. The PFS is on schedule for delivery in the first half of Q1 2021.

Environmental Assessment Update
Drilling to support the ongoing metallurgical, hydrogeological, and geotechnical programs has been completed, for a total of 5,700 metres. A 6,300 m condemnation drilling program has also recently commenced and is scheduled to be completed over the winter.

The company’s goal is to prepare a synchronized environmental impact statement (EIS) that meets the federal and provincial environmental assessment requirements. For the provincial process, there are two main stages, namely the development of the terms of reference (ToR) and the development of the EA Report. First Mining submitted the ToR for Springpole to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) on August 21, 2020.

First Mining recently engaged Wood PLC’s Environment and Infrastructure Solutions group to support the preparation of the federal EIS and the provincial EA Report for the project.

Over the past year, the company has made significant progress on collecting the data it needs to complete the EIS. This data collection exercise complements the nearly 10 years of continuous environmental baseline monitoring and study of the aquatic and terrestrial environment in the region of Springpole. Over the past year, the company has initiated ARD/metal leaching testing of its tailings and waste rock, installed a climatic station, noise dosimeters and dust monitors, conducted biophysical baseline studies and, working with indigenous communities, initiated traditional knowledge and land use studies. Surface water quality monitoring has been well advanced and will continue as necessary to support the requirements for submission of the draft EIS in 2021.

About First Mining Gold Corp.
First Mining is a Canadian gold developer focused on the development and permitting of the Springpole Gold Project in northwestern Ontario. Springpole is one of the largest undeveloped gold projects in Canada, currently hosting a mineral resource base of 4.67 million ounces of gold in the Indicated category and 0.23 million ounces of gold in the Inferred category1. A pre-feasibility study is underway, with completion targeted in early 2021, and permitting is ongoing with submission of the environmental impact statement targeted for 2021. The company also holds a large equity position in Treasury Metals Inc. that is advancing the Goliath-Goldlund gold projects towards construction. First Mining’s portfolio of gold projects in eastern Canada also includes the Pickle Crow (being advanced in partnership with Auteco Minerals Ltd.), Cameron, Hope Brook, Duparquet, Duquesne, and Pitt gold projects.

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