Bunker Hill Mining Provides Comprehensive Corporate Update, Confirming Project Momentum
KELLOGG, Idaho and VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Bunker Hill Mining Corp., trading under the symbols TSX-V:BNKR and OTCQB:BHLL, has issued a significant corporate update that reinforces confidence in its operational timeline and strategic direction. The company confirms that the planned restart of its flagship Bunker Hill Mine in Idaho's historic Silver Valley remains firmly on schedule and within budget, targeting initial production in the first half of 2026. This announcement comes alongside revelations of improved project economics, driven largely by favorable silver and base metal prices, and the exciting validation of several high-priority exploration targets through advanced artificial intelligence methodologies.
CEO Highlights Undervaluation and Clear Catalysts Ahead
Sam Ash, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bunker Hill Mining, emphasized the company's current market position and future potential in a recent statement. "Bunker Hill remains undervalued relative to other publicly traded silver companies, particularly when considering our advanced restart status, US jurisdiction, and growing silver exposure," Ash stated. "That disconnect is not expected to persist. As we progress towards initial production, ramp up commercial production, and deliver meaningful exploration results over the coming year, we believe the market will increasingly recognize the asset's intrinsic value. We are executing on fundamentals, and the catalysts ahead are clear." This perspective underscores management's belief that operational milestones will drive greater investor recognition and valuation alignment in the near term.
Mine Restart Advancing with Key Milestones Achieved
The restart initiative at the Bunker Hill Mine continues to demonstrate tangible progress across multiple fronts. Construction of the critical Process Plant has reached an impressive 88% completion rate, with the Main Ball Mill now operational and flotation motors undergoing bump-testing procedures. The facility has formally entered the commissioning phase, marking a pivotal transition from construction to operational readiness. Notably, the previously delayed Tailings Filter Plant has regained momentum and is approaching 60% completion. The structural framework for this plant is nearly finished, with recent weeks focused on installing the Filter Press under the supervision of Metso personnel onsite.
Several key achievements highlight the project's safe and sustainable advancement:
- Safety and Environmental Excellence: Bunker Hill has maintained an exemplary safety record, surpassing three years without a Lost Time Incident. The company's 2025 Total Recordable Incident Rate of 1.23 stands at roughly half the national industry average. Regulatory milestones include the Mine Safety and Health Administration recategorizing the Bunker Hill Mine from 'Active: Non-Producing' to 'Active: Producing' in December 2025, alongside the receipt of crucial Multi-Sector General Permit for Stormwater and Air Permit in August and September 2025, respectively. Full compliance with all environmental permits and reporting requirements has been consistently maintained.
- Underground Development Progress: Rehabilitation of underground infrastructure and lateral development activities are proceeding according to plan. Multiple high-priority mining zones are now accessible and prepared for systematic production sequencing. The establishment of comprehensive ventilation systems, underground communications networks, and reliable power links supports this progress. This effort is bolstered by the phased introduction of new CAT mechanized mining equipment, an expanded mine planning and engineering team, and ongoing optimization of the overall mine plan. Approximately 20,000 tons of ore are already stockpiled underground, ready to support plant commissioning through startup and into sustained production phases.
- Surface Infrastructure Completion: Work on essential surface facilities within the Kellogg yard remains on track without delays. The commissioning process for the 1,800-ton-per-day Process Plant began as scheduled and is accelerating in parallel with the installation of the Tailings Filter Press within its steel superstructure, which is actually slightly ahead of the planned timeline.
Improved Economics and AI-Enabled Exploration Enhance Project Profile
Beyond the physical restart progress, Bunker Hill's update highlights improved project economics, largely attributable to stronger silver and metal prices that enhance the mine's financial outlook. Perhaps most intriguingly, the company has leveraged artificial intelligence to validate several new, high-priority exploration targets. This AI-enabled approach represents a modern, data-driven method to identify promising mineralization zones, potentially unlocking additional value and extending the mine's resource life beyond current estimates. These technological advancements complement the traditional engineering and construction successes, painting a picture of a mining operation embracing innovation while executing on core restart fundamentals.
The combination of a disciplined restart timeline, robust safety and environmental performance, strategic underground preparation, and cutting-edge exploration techniques positions Bunker Hill Mining as a notable player in the North American silver mining sector as it approaches its H1 2026 production target.
