Nicola Mining Advances Exploration Preparations at Treasure Mountain Silver Project

Nicola Mining Inc. (TSXV: NIM) (FSE: HLIA) (OTCQB: HUSIF) has provided an update on 2025 preparation activities at its wholly owned Treasure Mountain Silver Project, located 30 kilometers northeast of Hope, British Columbia, while outlining plans for its 2026 exploration drilling program. The upcoming drilling initiative follows years of comprehensive groundwork that includes an airborne magnetic geophysical survey, extensive soil sampling, and 2025 field reconnaissance focused on defining drill targets northwest of the currently suspended mine operation.

The Treasure Mountain property represents a fully permitted silver mine that was placed on care and maintenance in 2013 due to unfavorable silver market conditions. Despite the operational suspension, the project remains a core asset for Nicola Mining, with the company recently securing critical regulatory approvals that position it to advance exploration as silver market fundamentals strengthen. These approvals include a multi-year area-based exploration permit that authorizes diamond drilling and trenching activities, along with a 10-year mine lease extension valid through April 26, 2032.

The significance of these developments extends beyond Nicola Mining's corporate strategy, potentially impacting regional economic development and the broader silver mining sector. As global demand for silver continues to grow across industrial applications, renewable energy technologies, and investment markets, the advancement of fully permitted projects like Treasure Mountain could contribute to future silver supply. The project's location in British Columbia's established mining region provides additional strategic value, situated within a jurisdiction with well-developed mining infrastructure and regulatory frameworks.

Nicola Mining's comprehensive approach to exploration preparation demonstrates the methodical planning required in modern mineral exploration. The integration of geophysical surveys, soil sampling, and field reconnaissance represents industry-standard practices for target definition, potentially increasing the probability of discovery success during the planned 2026 drilling campaign. The company's access to additional information through its newsroom at https://ibn.fm/HUSIF provides stakeholders with ongoing updates about project developments and corporate activities.

For the mining industry, the progression of Treasure Mountain from care and maintenance to active exploration planning illustrates how companies are positioning themselves to respond to improving commodity markets. The project's revival timeline coincides with analyst projections for strengthening silver prices in the medium term, suggesting strategic timing in Nicola Mining's exploration schedule. The extended mine lease through 2032 provides the company with substantial runway to conduct thorough exploration and potentially advance the project toward production should economic conditions warrant.

The broader implications of successful exploration at Treasure Mountain could include job creation in the Hope region, increased tax revenues for provincial and local governments, and contributions to Canada's position as a significant silver producer. As the company moves forward with its preparation work, the mining community will be watching closely for results that could influence investment patterns in junior mining companies and silver exploration projects throughout British Columbia and beyond.