By Lynnel Reinson Communications — originally published in The Prospector News, May/June 2026 (pp. 44–45).

Nicola Mining Inc. (NASDAQ: NICM | TSX-V: NIM | FSE: HLIA) provides investors direct exposure to copper, gold, and silver and just completed an uplisting as the first ever Canadian ADR (American Depository Receipt) to list on the NASDAQ Exchange. It stands out as a vertically integrated self-funding junior miner with a unique advantage as British Columbia’s only permitted third-party custom milling facility that generates significant operating cash flow by processing high-grade gold and silver, accompanied by a royalty stream from growing pit, quarry, and ready-mix cement plant operations.

Additionally, Nicola has its Merritt Mill, which is the only facility in the province permitted to process third-party gold and silver feed on 10 days’ notice to the Ministry of Mines, as well as the joint-venture pit-quarry-cement plant operation mentioned above, which is located on the same property as the Merritt Mill. It is a partnership run with Lower Nicola Site Services, itself a joint-venture between the Lower Nicola Indian Band Development Corporation and Infracon Civil Construction. The multi-stream approach to their operations gives Nicola Mining a competitive edge in the junior mining sector.

Aerial view of the Merritt Mill and conveyor system — *Merritt Mill & Tailings Facility.*

Nicola completed a $6 million IPO in April that established its presence on the NASDAQ, with proceeds directed toward mill expansion, property, plant and equipment, and working capital to support its wholly owned New Craigmont Copper and Treasure Mountain Silver Mine projects, along with its 75% interest in the Dominion Creek High Grade Gold Project. Nicola anticipates drilling to conclude in early June before commencing another diamond drilling program at its Treasure Mountain silver project. The 2026 program has been informed, in part, by another of Nicola Mining’s collaborative efforts, in this case with UBC’s Mineral Deposit Research Unit (MDRU).

The MDRU partnership began in June 2022 and has progressed successfully since then; with the MDRU’s research and the incorporation of innovative exploration technologies Nicola Mining now benefits from a strong geological model of the New Craigmont project. This collaboration was also critical for UBC Master of Science student Warren Wegener, who recently completed a thesis that confirmed geological modelling at New Craigmont. Nicola is conducting drilling at both New Craigmont and Treasure Mountain during the 2026 exploration season, with an estimated budget of $1.5M that includes geophysical surveys and soil sampling.

Conveyor and processing equipment at the Merritt Mill — *Merritt Mill processing facility.*

Interior conveyor at the Merritt Mill processing facility — *Merritt Mill processing plant.*

CEO Peter Espig has outlined ramped-up production of gold and silver concentrate from the Merritt Mill, which has been successfully upgraded with gravity-centric recovery and flotation methods. Procurement of mobile equipment and personnel is underway at the Dominion Gold Project for planned extraction, with a bulk sample scheduled for July 2026. Espig reflects on British Columbia’s support for small high-grade projects and Nicola’s entry into U.S. capital markets through its Nasdaq listing.

Nicola continues to systematically advance its near-, mid-, and long-term development strategy. Our integrated milling infrastructure, coupled with high-grade feed sources in a premier mining jurisdiction, provides operating leverage to strengthening precious and base metal markets.

Drill core samples from Nicola Mining exploration programs — *Exploration drill core.*

British Columbia Based Diverse Mining Company

New Craigmont Copper Project: Mine Permit (M-68); 5-year copper MYAB exploration permit.
Treasure Mountain Silver Mine: Mine Permit (M-239); 5-year MYAB silver exploration permit.
Merritt Mill: Permitted and producing gold and silver mill (M-68); only mill authorized to process feed from across British Columbia.
Dominion Gold Project: Bulk Sample Permit (MX-10000488).
Site services: Operating gravel pit, rock quarry, and ready-mix cement plant in partnership with Lower Nicola Site Services.

Cashflow — with fully permitted gold, silver, and copper exploration upside.

Nicola Mining Inc. — British Columbia based diverse mining company — *As published in The Prospector News, May/June 2026.*

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