TORONTO, ONTARIO, March 17, 2025 – TheNewswire - LAURION Mineral Exploration Inc. ("LAURION" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a landmark Exploration Agreement (the "Agreement") with Animbiigoo Zaagi’igan Anishinaabek (Lake Nipigon Ojibway First Nation), Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek (Rocky Bay First Nation), and Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek (Sandpoint First Nation) (collectively referred to as the "First Nations"). This Agreement establishes a framework for consultation and collaboration with the First Nations Groups in connection with the expansion of ongoing exploration activities at LAURION’s flagship Ishkõday Project, located 28 km northeast of Beardmore and 220 km northeast of Thunder Bay, Ontario.

Strengthening Relationships for Responsible Development

LAURION is proud to foster strong, long-term partnerships with the First Nations communities as part of our commitment to responsible and sustainable resource development. Building key relationships is essential to the success of the Ishkõday Project, ensuring that exploration and development activities are conducted with respect for Indigenous rights, environmental stewardship, and shared economic growth.

“We are honored to collaborate with our First Nations partners and remain committed to building an enduring and respectful working relationship,” stated Cynthia Le Sueur-Aquin, President and CEO of LAURION. “The signing of this Exploration Agreement is a key milestone for the Ishkõday Project, allowing the Company to continue advancing the project responsibly while enhancing our ability to create meaningful opportunities for employment, education, and economic development within these communities.”

Chief Paul Gladu of Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek (Sandpoint First Nation) stated: “We are pleased to have signed the Exploration Agreement with LAURION. This is a crucial step in ensuring our rights are protected and that the communities benefit from the resources extracted from our lands. The Agreement sets forth a good path for communication, environmental stewardship, and economic opportunities. We look forward to continuing to work with our neighbouring communities, Animbiigoo Zaagi’igan Anishinaabek and Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek, on this proposed development.”

Chief Yvette Metansinine of Animbiigoo Zaagi’igan Anishinaabek First Nations stated: “It's nice to see the finalization of this Exploration Agreement after many years with our longstanding partner. This shows our three First Nations and LAURION’s commitment to a transparent and mutually beneficial relationship.”

Chief Gladys Thompson of Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek (Rocky Bay First Nation) stated: “We were excited to sign the Exploration Agreement with LAURION, along with our neighboring communities, BNA and AZA. The Agreement was complete and detailed to our satisfaction, highlighting the protection of our rights. The signing of the Agreement will further advance the project so that our First Nations will benefit by creating opportunities for our people with employment, education, and economic development in our communities.”

0.5Advancing LAURION’s Strategic Objectives at Ishkōday

The Ishkõday Project is a mid-stage, de-risked gold and base metal project with strong economic potential. LAURION has de-risked the Ishkoday Project across the 6.0 km X 2.5 km through extensive drilling and geophysical surveys, NI 43-101 compliance, structural and metallurgical studies, strategic target refinement, strong governance, and stakeholder engagement, ensuring a transparent, technically sound, and well-funded exploration program. LAURION is actively advancing the project with a focus on long-term value creation, positioning Ishkõday as a compelling asset for future development. Through responsible exploration, LAURION continues to advance the Ishkõday Project, strengthening the Company’s geological understanding of the property and expanding mineralized zones, with the aim of enhancing its overall attractiveness to investors and stakeholders.

The Agreement supports LAURION’s broader strategy and inclusive approach by fostering sustainable economic opportunities for local communities, including job creation, training programs, and skills development initiatives. By working closely with our First Nations partners, LAURION aims to ensure that local communities directly benefit from exploration progress while collaborating on future infrastructure growth and permitting processes.

0.6Commitment to Sustainable Exploration and Community Benefits

This Agreement reflects LAURION’s dedication to environmental responsibility and Indigenous engagement. It ensures that the First Nations Groups are actively involved in discussions related to exploration, environmental management, and regional development. Traditional knowledge and environmental stewardship will be integrated into project planning for the purpose of aligning development with local values and sustainability goals.

Additionally, the Agreement provides employment, education, and training opportunities for First Nations members, with a specific focus on supporting students’ pursuit of careers in mining-related fields. By investing in skills development and capacity building, LAURION aims to contribute to long-term economic empowerment within the region. The Agreement also establishes ongoing community engagement through regular meetings, open dialogue, and collaborative activities, reinforcing LAURION’s commitment to transparency and partnership.

By aligning exploration efforts with shared economic and environmental values, LAURION is committed to unlocking the full potential of the Ishkõday Project in partnership with its First Nations stakeholders. This Agreement marks a significant step towards a long-term Impact Benefit Agreement (IBA), ensuring that the development of Ishkõday is mutually beneficial for all parties involved.

About ANIMBIIGOO ZAAG’IGAN ANISHINAABEK

ANIMBIIGOO ZAAG’IGAN ANISHINAABEK (AZA) is a strong, independent, and progressive First Nation, located in Northwestern Ontario. The membership is approximately 500 people and growing. We have a greater number of the people out on the land, working and living in the territory sustaining cultural livelihoods to support their families. There is an enormous number of trappers; commercial fishermen; hunters; cultural harvesters and regular land users from AZA. The community prides itself on their love and connection to the land; water; animals; all of Mother Earth’s resources. We support every aspect of environmental protection over development, in order for our community to thrive in a healthy and sustainable way.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:

ANIMBIIGOO ZAAG’IGAN ANISHINAABEK

Kyla Morrisseau – Consultation Coordinator

Tel : 1-807-853-2497

Website: http://www.aza.ca

 

About BINGWI NEYAASHI ANISHINAABEK

 

BINGWI NEYAASHI ANISHINAABEK (BNA) is a First Nation community located on the south-east shores of Lake Nipigon, about 20 km south of the Town of Beardmore along Hwy 11. BNA is a progressive community that is quickly re-developing its reserve lands after years of displacement due to government policies in the middle of the 20th century. The First Nation is building homes, community infrastructure, and is operating a Sawmill, which employs First Nation members from the community and surrounding region. BNA is actively working with its First Nation neighbours on agreements with mining and exploration companies operating in the territory.

 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:

BINGWI NEYAASHI ANISHINAABEK

Kimberly Rozon – Mining Coordinator

Tel: 1-807-623-2724 ext. 217 Fax: 1-807-623-2764

Website: http://www.bnafn.ca

 

About BIINJITIWAABIK ZAAGING ANISHINAABEK

 

BIINJITIWAABIK ZAAGING ANISHINAABEK (BZA) (formerly known as Rocky Bay First Nation) is located on reserve 197, MacDiarmid, Ontario, located approximately 2 hours North of Thunder Bay. The BZA First Nation has 840 registered members, of which 328 live on reserve. Economic development has been based around mining, forestry, fishing, and hunting. BZA also owns the ‘Spirit Bay Gas Bar’ located along HWY 11.

 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:

BIINJITIWAABIK ZAAGING ANISHINAABEK

Dale Hardy – Lands and Resource Coordinator

Tel: 1-(807) 885-3401

Website: http://www.rockybayfn.ca

   

About LAURION Mineral Exploration Inc.

 

The Company is a mid-stage junior mineral exploration and development company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol LME and on the OTCPINK under the symbol LMEFF. LAURION now has 273,494,904 outstanding shares of which approximately 73.6% are owned and controlled by insiders who are eligible investors under the “Friends and Family” categories. LAURION's emphasis is on the exploration and development of its flagship project, the 100% owned mid-stage 57 km2 Ishkõday Project, and its gold-rich polymetallic mineralization.

 

LAURION’s chief priority remains maximizing shareholder value. A large portion of the Company’s focus in this regard falls within the scope of its mineral exploration activities and more specifically, advancing the Ishkõday Project. A consequence of LAURION’s success and advancement over the past several years is that the Company has become positioned as an acquisition target for appropriate potential acquirors. Accordingly, the Company’s Board of Directors is aware that possible strategic alternatives and transactional opportunities may arise and/or could be procured in the short or medium terms. The Company will promptly issue a press release if any material change occurs. In the meanwhile, LAURION will continue to work towards advancing the Ishkõday Project while exploring opportunities and potential transactions that are strategically beneficial to the Company and its shareholders.

 

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, and management's objectives, strategies, beliefs and intentions, the Company’s ability to advance the Ishkõday Project, and the timing, nature and feasibility of any potential acquisitions, mergers, financings or other potential transactions and opportunities referenced herein, and statements relating to the Agreement and the expected outcomes and developments that may arise, including without limitation, expectations and intentions regarding the Company’s relationship with the First Nations and the completion of future work on the Ishkõday Project in collaboration with the First Nations. 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 projected herein, including as a result of a change in the trading price of the common shares of LAURION, 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 risks of the mining industry, delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing or in the completion of exploration, failure to maintain community acceptance (including First Nations), changes to the partnership with the First Nations, 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.

 

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