LaFleur Minerals Launches Major Drill Program at Swanson Gold Project in Québec

LaFleur Minerals Inc. has initiated a substantial 5,000-meter diamond drill program at its Swanson Gold Project located within Québec's prolific Abitibi Gold Belt. This drilling campaign follows encouraging exploration results that included high-grade grab samples reaching up to 11.7 g/t Au, providing strong justification for the expanded exploration effort. The company has identified more than 50 drill targets through comprehensive geophysical surveys and systematic soil sampling, highlighting the substantial exploration potential of the property.

The drilling program represents a critical component of LaFleur's broader strategy to restart its 100%-owned Beacon Gold Mill by early 2026. This mill reactivation represents a significant operational milestone, with the facility capable of processing over 750 tonnes per day. The company is currently engaged in advanced discussions with institutional and private equity groups to secure the necessary financing for the Beacon Mill restart, which is estimated to require an investment between C$5–6 million. The mill's strategic location and processing capacity position it to serve not only LaFleur's own mineralized material from the Swanson project but also potential custom milling operations for other nearby gold projects.

To strengthen its strategic direction and project execution capabilities, LaFleur has appointed Peter Espig as Strategic Advisor. Espig brings extensive experience in capital markets and mill operations, expertise that is expected to be instrumental in advancing the company's objectives and securing the necessary project funding. His appointment comes at a crucial time as the company moves forward with both exploration and development initiatives simultaneously.

The Swanson Gold Project encompasses approximately 16,600 hectares in a highly prospective region near Val-d'Or, Québec. The property benefits from excellent infrastructure, including road access and a rail line running directly through the property. This accessibility significantly enhances the project's development potential and provides direct access to several nearby gold mills. The company's efforts to consolidate a large land package along a major structural break further underscore the strategic importance of its operations within this world-class gold district.

LaFleur's comprehensive approach combines aggressive exploration at Swanson with the planned reactivation of the Beacon Gold Mill, creating a dual-path strategy for value creation. The mill restart aims to generate near-term cash flow through bulk sampling and potential toll milling operations, while the exploration program seeks to define and expand the mineral resource base. This development represents a significant step in LaFleur Minerals Inc.'s commitment to advancing district-scale gold projects in the Abitibi Gold Belt, with a clear focus on delivering long-term shareholder value through systematic project development and strategic asset utilization.