First Class Metals

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Zigzag (Li, Ta, Rb) Lithium & Critical Metal Exploration Project

Kerrs Gold Project | Ontario (Au) Gold Exploration Asset

Esa Project | (Au) Gold Exploration in Ontario Canada

Sunbeam (Au) Gold Exploration & Mining Project

North Hemlo (Au, Ni, Mo, Cu) Gold & Metal Exploration & Mining

Mining & Metal Exploration Projects Overview |

Pipeline Projects

Naming our new projects

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Corporate Strategy | First Class Metals Exploration Plan

ESG Policies | Responsible Metal Mining & Exploration

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UK Listed Junior Mining Company | Gold & Metal Exploration

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Poppins

The results are in. And once again, Ontario has earned a top ten ranking in the Fraser Institute’s Investment Attractiveness Index. 

This is a two-place jump on last year’s ranking, and puts the Canadian territory ahead of the likes of Queensland, Botswana, the Yukon, and South Australia.  

As a major stakeholder in Ontario, which is home to our entire exploration project portfolio, it’s a significant vote of confidence. 

Fraser’s Investment Attractiveness Index forms a key part of its wider Survey of Mining Companies.  

The annual publication – the latest one covers 2023 – aggregates the jurisdictional perception of thousands of mining experts worldwide. 

The Investment Attractiveness Index specifically ranks jurisdictions on their geological attractiveness along with their position in Fraser’s Policy Perception Index. This measures attractiveness using policy factors like regulation, taxation, and infrastructure. 

Frankly, we know Ontario is geologically attractive. That will always be the case, and it’s a major reason we’ve settled there. 

What is more significant is the global mining community’s continuing regard for the territory in terms of its overall approach to mining and exploration.  

In particular, Ontario was highlighted for its permitting process, its transparency, its community development conditions, the state of its infrastructure, and its taxation regime.

These are all areas we can testify to after operating in Ontario for several years now. 

Take permitting, for example. By meeting all of the Ontario Government’s requirements, we advanced our four core projects to drill-ready status. 

We’re continuing to make strong progress across the rest of our portfolio in this regard, too.

 Looking more widely, Fraser’s Investment Attractiveness Index is used by many in the mining industry as a guide for where to focus their efforts. 

When mining companies of any size are picking projects, they are looking for a few things.

They want prospectivity for metals with a strong price outlook… 

And they want to be able to operate as easily as possible – be it a junior looking to explore or a developer looking to build a mine. 

Without this third tick in the box, the first two points are moot. 

You could own land containing the world’s biggest deposit of the most in-demand metal. But if you can’t get it out of the ground because of an unsupportive government or a lack of infrastructure, it’s of little value. 

An extreme example. But the point remains… 

The mining community at large has spoken, and its verdict is that Ontario is one of the areas where companies are going to get the biggest bang for their buck in the world. 

That’s not to say there isn’t room for improvement. 

One issue highlighted by respondents was the length of time it can take for permits to be approved in Ontario (an observation also made about other Canadian jurisdictions). 

But with six active exploration permits and strong relationships with our First Nation Partners, this is an area where First Class Metals is excelling. 

What does all this mean for us? Two things. 

First, we already operate in Ontario. So, it’s good to have it once again in “writing” that we’re in a territory that welcomes our investment and will ensure we are as a successful as possible. 

Second, it is encouraging in terms of project interest. 

Ontario’s high Investment Attractiveness Index rating immediately makes its projects stand out. Thanks to our local expertise, we can stand out further within this already strong group. 

Our team’s combined experience in Ontario means we have already been, and will continue to be, able to identify the most prospective projects.  

It also means we are able to maximise our chances of exploration success and discovery. 

This is all contingent on results, of course. 

But my key takeaway is that Ontario’s strong standing is already helping to generate strong interest in projects like ours, and will continue to do so moving forward. 

All-in-all, it makes for a very exciting backdrop for Ontario explorers moving forward and one we welcome as we continue to push forward on all fronts and our discussions with Seventy Ninth Resources continue. 

On the corporate side of things, we wanted to inform you that we are working diligently to resume trading and will provide a progress update in the near future. We understand the importance of keeping our investors and stakeholders informed, and we appreciate your patience during this process. 

Rest assured, we are actively addressing the necessary steps to resume trading and will communicate any significant developments once they are complete.  

Thank you for your continued support and understanding.

What Ontario’s Top 10 Fraser Institute ranking means for us…