Omineca Mining and Metals Ltd. reported the commencement of mining operations and placer gold recovery at the Wingdam Paleoplacer Project. Under the terms of the option agreement with 102107047 Saskatche wan Ltd. has now successfully completed the necessary work and funding to earn a 50% interest as a joint venture partner in the Wingdam Paleoplacer Project, located in the Cariboo Mining District in south central British Columbia. With all permits and regulatory requirements in place, Lightning Creek Mining Corp.

("LCM"), a wholly owned contract mining subsidiary of HGR, has commenced mining operations at Wingdam. The recovery of placer gold will be reported as work progresses down the paleochannel. The Wingdam Project Option Agreement as previously announced allows for HGR to earn a 50% interest in the Wingdam Underground Paleoplacer Project with the essential terms being (but not limited to): HGR completing and funding the preparation work required to commence gold recovery operations, inclusive of all equipment, site services and consumables required, as well as the development of the initial access drift.

With all the terms and conditions of the option agreement having been met, including rehabilitation of the mine workings, dewatering and development of the first access drift, Omineca Mining and Metals will transfer 50% ownership of the Wingdam Underground Paleoplacer Project to HGR, forming a Joint Venture to operate the project going forward, subject to exchange and regulatory approval. As the mining contractor, LCM (a wholly owned subsidiary of HGR) will supply all labour, equipment, material, supplies and services necessary to carry out underground mining operations and paleoplacer material processing at a fixed rate of CAD 850 per ounce of gold recovered. The mining services agreement and rate will cover the initial 300-meter test mining phase (of 2.4 kilometers of potential paleochannel) and all subsequent underground mining activities at the Wingdam Underground Paleoplacer Project.