/C O R R E C T I O N -- NetworkNewsWire/

Core Insights - The precious metals market, particularly gold and silver, is experiencing a significant upward trend driven by inflation, geopolitical instability, central bank accumulation, and supply constraints, presenting growth potential for mining companies [1][4][26] - LaFleur Minerals Inc. is positioned as a compelling investment opportunity due to its transition from exploration to production, owning a fully permitted gold-processing mill and an advanced exploration project [1][6][19] Industry Overview - The mining sector is benefiting from a resilient upswing in gold and silver prices, attracting investors seeking a hedge against economic downturns and inflation [3][4] - Companies with existing operations in stable jurisdictions are particularly appealing, as they combine tangible asset value with exposure to rising metal prices [5][22] LaFleur Minerals' Strategy - LaFleur Minerals is advancing its shift from explorer to near-term gold producer, focusing on restarting the Beacon Gold Mill, which is fully permitted and modernized [8][21] - The company plans to process ore from its Swanson Gold Deposit, with a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) underway to evaluate the feasibility of an open-pit mining scenario [8][9][24] Key Assets and Developments - LaFleur's Swanson Gold Project has a current Mineral Resource Estimate of 123.4 koz Au Indicated and 64.5 koz Au Inferred, with ambitions to expand toward a million-ounce target [12][13] - The Beacon Gold Mill, with a processing capacity of 750 tonnes per day, underwent a C$20 million refurbishment and is positioned for a restart in Q4 2025 [10][18][21] Financial and Operational Readiness - LaFleur has budgeted C$5–6 million for mill upgrades, with a clear plan for operational ramp-up in early 2026 [21][23] - The company is also assessing a bulk sample of approximately 100,000 tonnes from the Swanson Project, expected to yield around 6,350 ounces of gold, enhancing its near-term production metrics [24][25]