Western Copper and Gold Provides Infrastructure Update
Press Release
Apr 10, 2025
VANCOUVER, B.C. Western Copper and Gold Corporation (“Western” or the “Company”) (TSX: WRN; NYSE American: WRN) is pleased to provide an update on several infrastructure initiatives supporting the development of its Casino Copper-Gold Project (“Casino Project”).
Sandeep Singh, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated: “Infrastructure is obviously a key piece of the puzzle to bring the Casino Project into production. Reciprocally, the Casino Project is an important lynchpin to improve the infrastructure of the Yukon and the neighboring north. The required initiatives will take time to unfold, but we are pleased with the overall direction of travel with respect to infrastructure and with the Yukon government’s commitment to sustainable mining.
Further, these past several weeks have clearly been disruptive and volatile from an overall economic standpoint. But that volatility has also underscored two specific positive aspects of the Casino Project. First, we have often said that the copper-gold commodity mix makes our project highly resilient. That resilience has shown itself to be incredibly valuable in the last year as the gold price has risen nearly US$750 per ounce. Second, we believe that the groundswell of support politically for mining, and a growing understanding of its role in a more self-reliant Canadian economy, also bodes well for the Casino Project.”
B.C.-Yukon Grid Connect Project
On September 17, 2024, Natural Resources Canada (“NRCan”) conditionally approved $40 million in funding to advance pre-feasibility work for a high-voltage transmission energy corridor connecting the isolated Yukon electrical grid to the North American grid in British Columbia. Western is pleased to report that the conditions for this funding have been met by the Yukon Development Corporation (“YDC”), an entity of the Government of Yukon, which included a 25% YDC funding commitment over and above the $40 million from NRCan. Subsequently, a contribution agreement with NRCan was officially signed in Ottawa on February 14, 2025, where project planning activities have since commenced. With its significant industrial load, the Casino Project is central to the concept behind the grid connection – its advancement signals confidence in the Casino Project’s potential and its role in shaping the Yukon’s future infrastructure. While Western continues to advance LNG as the Casino Project’s base case power solution, the Company looks forward to working alongside YDC and First Nations to help make the grid connection a success.
Yukon Resource Gateway Project
On March 22, 2025, the Government of Yukon announced the inclusion of the Dempster Highway in the Yukon Resource Gateway Project (“Gateway Project”), expanding the scope of the initiative to include Arctic security and regional connectivity. Whilst positive for the Yukon, a portion of funding previously allocated to the Casino Copper-Gold Access Road has been redirected to support this near-term priority. Western remains in close collaboration with the Yukon government, and discussions on future funding are expected to advance as the project moves through the environmental assessment process, which includes the road.
Port of Skagway Transportation Study
Western has completed an updated transportation study evaluating options for shipping concentrate from the Casino Project to the Port of Skagway (“Skagway”). The study, conducted in collaboration with the Municipality of Skagway and the Government of Yukon, assessed both bulk and containerized transportation methods, assessed infrastructure requirements at Skagway, and provided feasibility-level capital and operating cost estimates across multiple scenarios. Several promising transportation alternatives were identified, with costs broadly in-line with, or lower than, the Company’s 2022 feasibility study estimates.
ABOUT WESTERN COPPER AND GOLD CORPORATION
Western Copper and Gold Corporation is developing the Casino Project, Canada’s premier copper-gold mine in the Yukon Territory and one of the most economic greenfield copper-gold mining projects in the world. For more information, visit www.westerncopperandgold.com.
The Company is committed to working collaboratively with our First Nations and local communities to progress the Casino Project, using internationally recognized responsible mining technologies and practices.
On behalf of the board,
“Sandeep Singh”
Sandeep Singh
President and CEO
Western Copper and Gold Corporation
For more information, please contact:
Cameron Magee
Director, Investor Relations & Corporate Development
Western Copper and Gold Corporation
437-219-5576 or cmagee@westerncopperandgold.com
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