By Carol Baldwin
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Wakaw Recorder
On October 15th, Energy and Resources Minister Colleen Young visited Foran Mining Corporation’s (Foran) Exploration Warehouse in Saskatoon. Foran’s McIlvenna Bay mine in northeastern Saskatchewan is expected to begin production of copper and zinc at a commercial scale in mid-2026. The company reported on its website in November that construction had reached approximately 79 percent, “positioning McIlvenna Bay at a major inflection point as the project advances toward mid-2026 commercial production and continues to perform in line with the revised capital estimate.”
Foran plans to create and maintain nearly 400 full-time jobs as it transitions into production and ramps up operations. The company is seeking diverse talent to fill various positions, including heavy-duty mechanics, equipment operators, electricians, miners, pipefitters, underground truck operators, and welders, among others. Currently, Foran is advertising several job openings, with more expected in the first and second quarters of 2026. With such a sizable employer located in the northeast area of the province, there are significant new opportunities for skilled tradespeople and upcoming graduates interested in pursuing careers in the trades. Job postings can be found at https://foranmining.com/careers/
The McIlvenna Bay Deposit is one of the largest undeveloped deposits of copper in Canada, and it will be the centre of a new mining camp in a prolific district that has already been producing for 100 years. The McIlvenna Bay Property sits just 65 km (85 km by road) west of Flin Flon, Manitoba, via Provincial Highway 106 and 17 km south on the Hanson Lake all-weather gravel road, and is part of the world-class Flin Flon Greenstone Belt that extends from Snow Lake, Manitoba, through Flin Flon to Foran’s ground in eastern Saskatchewan, a distance of over 225 km. It is located within the documented traditional territory of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation.
Dan Myerson, Executive Chairman and CEO of Foran, stated, “Development momentum continues to build as planned, on time and on budget, positioning 2026 as an important transition year for Foran as the Company moves into production, while advancing Phase 2 planning and continued exploration focused on unlocking district-scale potential.”
McIlvenna Bay is a key project for the diversification of Saskatchewan’s mining sector and is playing an important role in working toward the goals detailed in the province’s Critical Minerals Strategy. McIlvenna Bay is the largest undeveloped polymetallic deposit (significant sources of copper, gold, silver, lead, manganese, and zinc) along the prolific Flin Flon Greenstone Belt.
“Saskatchewan is a world leader in mining investment attractiveness, driven by diverse mineral resource potential, and a supportive policy and regulatory framework that provides predictability,” Saskatchewan Mining Association President Pam Schwann said. “Foran’s McIlvenna Bay mine will mark the resumption of copper and zinc production in Saskatchewan in over 20 years and the first new base metal mine in Canada in over a decade, supplying the critical minerals that power clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and modern infrastructure.”
The former Hanson Lake Mine is situated about 5 km northwest of McIlvenna Bay. It operated from 1967 to 1969, during which time it produced 162,200 tons of ore, averaging 9.99% zinc (Zn), 5.83% lead (Pb), 0.51% copper (Cu), and 4.0 ounces per ton of silver (Ag) before it was shut down. The McIlvenna Bay Project primarily focuses on copper and zinc, with additional recoveries of gold and silver as secondary commodities.
The mine is being designed to utilize the latest technological advancements while also planning for future enhancements, with a focus on reducing emissions and improving safety and efficiency. Two nearby hydroelectric dams supply clean energy, while a fleet of underground electric vehicles provides low-emission transportation, creating a cleaner and safer work environment. The company’s focus on being carbon neutral meets the growing demands from investors and customers for better Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices. Foran is striving for its project to be the first carbon-neutral copper project in Canada, and this focus may help the company gain an edge in getting financing and securing agreements to sell its products.
Foran Mining Corporation was founded in 1989 and has been focused on the exploration and development of base metal deposits in Canada. Its primary focus shifted to the Hanson Lake District after acquiring the McIlvenna Bay deposit in 1998. In the early 2000s, Foran conducted extensive exploration work at McIlvenna Bay, gradually expanding the resource through drilling programs. The company completed its initial resource estimate for the deposit in 2006, which has been updated several times since, as additional drilling has expanded the known mineralization. In 2020, Foran announced a strategic shift toward developing McIlvenna Bay as Canada’s first carbon-neutral copper mine, aligning with the growing global emphasis on sustainable mining practices. Investments of $200 million by Fairfax Financial in 2021 and 22 provided the capital needed to accelerate the development of McIlvenna Bay.
On January 28, 2025, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, then Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, then Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry with the Government of Canada, announced a $41 million investment in Foran Mining Corporation. The investment, made through the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF), supported the company’s $263.7 million project to adopt and integrate clean innovative technologies at McIlvenna Bay mine. Through this SIF contribution, Foran was able to purchase a battery-electric vehicle fleet, purchase and integrate a ventilation-on-demand and heat recovery system, develop a water recycling system, and integrate a pyrite removal system at its facility.
Once completed, the project at McIlvenna Bay mine is expected to be a blueprint for responsible and sustainable mining. The SIF funding builds on an investment of up to $20 million from the federal government’s Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund made in December 2024 to enable the construction of a hydro transmission line to connect to clean hydroelectricity, build an on-site substation, and put in place electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Foran Mining’s head office is located at 409 Granville Street, Suite 904, Vancouver, BC., with additional locations in Saskatoon and Creighton.