First Mining Provides Update on Temporary Winter Road for Springpole Exploration

Rhea-AI Summary

First Mining Gold Corp. (TSX: FF, OTCQX: FFMGF) has reached a settlement with Cat Lake First Nation (CLFN) concerning the judicial review filed by CLFN against the temporary winter road permits for the Springpole exploration camp. These permits were initially issued on February 9, 2024, by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) but faced immediate legal challenges from CLFN. An interim order had paused the permits on February 23, 2024. After discussions, a settlement was accepted by CLFN on June 17, 2024, which resolved the judicial review. First Mining emphasizes its commitment to ongoing dialogue with CLFN and local communities to ensure environmental stewardship and foster long-term relationships.

Positive

• Settlement agreement reached with CLFN, resolving legal challenges.
• Permits for the temporary winter road to Springpole exploration camp upheld.
• Commitment to building collaborative, respectful long-term relationships with local communities.

Negative

• Initial legal challenge by CLFN caused delays in project implementation.
• Interim order temporarily stayed the authorization of the winter road permits.

VANCOUVER, BC, June 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - First Mining Gold Corp. ("First Mining" or the "Company") (TSX: FF) (OTCQX: FFMGF) (FRANKFURT: FMG) announces that a settlement agreement has been reached between the parties regarding the judicial review filed by Cat Lake First Nation ("CLFN") following the approval of permits by the Province of Ontario for an 18-km temporary winter access road for the Springpole exploration camp.

On February 9, 2024, First Mining received construction permits for a temporary winter road to the Springpole exploration camp by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry ("MNRF"), which would allow for the safe transport of supplies and people overland.

On February 21, 2024, First Mining received notice from litigation counsel to CLFN that it intended to challenge the permits issued to First Mining.  On February 23, 2024, a judge issued an interim interim order staying the authorization of MNRF.

On June 17, 2024, following discussions between the parties, CLFN accepted a settlement offer proposed by MNRF. The settlement agreement has been filed with the court bringing an end to the judicial review process.

First Mining continues to meet with CLFN and community leaders to discuss our activities in their traditional territories to support awareness and environmental stewardship across our operations with a goal of building collaborative, respectful long-term relationships. 

About First Mining Gold Corp. 

First Mining is a gold developer advancing two of the largest gold projects in Canada, the Springpole Gold Project in northwestern Ontario, where we have commenced a Feasibility Study and permitting activities are on-going with a draft Environmental Impact Statement ("EIS") for the project published in June 2022, and the Duparquet Project in Quebec, a PEA-stage development project located on the Destor-Porcupine Fault Zone in the prolific Abitibi region. First Mining also owns the Cameron Gold Project in Ontario and a portfolio of gold project interests including the Pickle Crow Gold Project (being advanced in partnership with Firefly Metals Ltd.) and the Hope Brook Gold Project (being advanced in partnership with Big Ridge Gold Corp.).

First Mining was established in 2015 by Mr. Keith Neumeyer, founding President and CEO of First Majestic Silver Corp.

ON BEHALF OF FIRST MINING GOLD CORP.

Daniel W. Wilton
Chief Executive Officer and Director

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "projects", "intends", "estimates", "envisages", "potential", "possible", "strategy", "goals", "opportunities", "objectives", or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions.

Forward-looking statements in this news release relate to future events or future performance and reflect current estimates, predictions, expectations or beliefs regarding future events.  All forward-looking statements are based on First Mining's or its consultants' current beliefs as well as various assumptions made by them and information currently available to them. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the respective parties, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Such factors include, without limitation the Company's business, operations and financial condition potentially being materially adversely affected by the outbreak of epidemics, pandemics or other health crises, such as COVID-19, and by reactions by government and private actors to such outbreaks; risks to employee health and safety as a result of the outbreak of epidemics, pandemics or other health crises, such as COVID-19, that may result in a slowdown or temporary suspension of operations at some or all of the Company's mineral properties as well as its head office; fluctuations in the spot and forward price of gold, silver, base metals or certain other commodities; fluctuations in the currency markets (such as the Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar); changes in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins and flooding); the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities, indigenous populations and other stakeholders; availability and increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development; title to properties.; and the additional risks described in the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities under the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca, and in the Company's Annual Report on Form 40-F filed with the SEC on EDGAR.

First Mining cautions that the foregoing list of factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive. When relying on our forward-looking statements to make decisions with respect to First Mining, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. First Mining does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by the Company or on our behalf, except as required by law. 

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SOURCE First Mining Gold Corp.

FAQ

What was the outcome of the judicial review filed by Cat Lake First Nation regarding First Mining's winter road permits?

A settlement agreement was reached, and the judicial review process has ended, allowing the permits to stand.

When were the temporary winter road permits for Springpole exploration camp issued to First Mining?

The permits were issued on February 9, 2024, by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.

What is the stock symbol for First Mining Gold Corp.?

The stock symbol is FFMGF.

How did the legal challenge by Cat Lake First Nation impact First Mining's Springpole project?

The challenge caused delays due to interim orders staying the permit authorizations until a settlement was reached.

What steps is First Mining taking to work with Cat Lake First Nation after the settlement?

First Mining continues to meet with CLFN and community leaders to support awareness and environmental stewardship and to build long-term relationships.