LaFleur Minerals Inc. (CSE: LFLR) (OTCQB: LFLRF) is taking significant steps toward the restart of its Beacon Gold Mill in Val-d'Or, Quebec, by early 2026, alongside launching a minimum 5,000-metre diamond drilling program at its Swanson Gold Project. This move is timely, as gold prices surge above $3,300 per ounce, with projections reaching $4,000 by the second quarter of 2026, according to JP Morgan analysts. The company's initiative not only provides a much-needed milling option for surrounding gold projects but also positions LaFleur as a near-term gold producer in Canada's most prolific gold-producing region.
The Beacon Gold Mill, acquired by LaFleur in late 2024, has undergone over C$20 million in repairs and upgrades under its previous owner, Monarch Mining. LaFleur plans a conservative restart cost of C$5-6 million for further upgrades, benefiting from no outstanding royalties or encumbrances. This strategic location in Quebec's Abitibi Gold Belt enhances the mill's value to the region's gold mining ecosystem.
Concurrently, the Swanson Project's Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) is evaluating open-pit mining and milling scenarios, with a 100,000-tonne bulk sample planned for processing at the Beacon Mill. A site visit in July 2025 will offer prospective investors and analysts a closer look at the project's potential. LaFleur's efforts underscore the growing importance of efficient, localized gold processing facilities amid rising gold prices and the global demand for gold.
