Jason Jessup, CEO and Director of Magna Mining (TSX: NICU) (OTCQX: MGMNF), joins me for a review of Q1 operations and financials at the McCreedy West Mine located in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. Then we dive into an overall exploration and development update at the prior-producing Levack Mine, and a development update at Crean Hill to map out what the pathway to restarting production would entail at both mines.
We start off noting the graduation from the TSX Venture Exchange (“TSXV”) to the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”). The Common Shares just began trading on the TSX at market earlier this week on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, and will continue to trade under the current stock symbol, (“NICU”). Jason highlights the extra liquidity and potential for passive fund inclusion that this will present in the fullness of time.
Q1 Operations and Financial Highlights:
Positive cash margin of $6.0 million at the McCreedy West copper-precious metals-nickel Mine.
In Q1 2026, 82,296 tons of ore was processed from the 700 Footwall Copper Zone at McCreedy West at a grade of 3.38% copper equivalent (“CuEq”) based on realized metal prices in the quarter.
The Company produced 4.1 million CuEq payable pounds (“lbs”) in Q1 2026. With both tonnage and grades forecast to increase from Q1, the Company continues to expect to achieve full year production guidance of 16-18 million CuEq payable lbs.
Quarterly cash costs of US$3.48 per CuEq lb, and All-in sustaining costs (“AISC”) of US$4.21 per CuEq lb, respectively. Production costs per ton processed in Q1 2026 declined by 5.3% quarter over quarter to $214 per ton.
Ended Q1 2026 with cash and cash equivalents of $35.8 million and a working capital balance of $53.7 million.
Exploration and evaluation expenses in Q1 2026 of $2.8 million, including $2.3 million at Levack Mine as focus transitioned to infrastructure readiness to support early ore sources and new underground exploration platforms to test the R2 Footwall Zone, with completion of a Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”) expected in Q3.
During Q1 2026, the Company announced initial Mining Reserves for the 700/PM copper-precious metals Zones at McCreedy West which demonstrate an initial three-year production profile, assuming forecasted mining rates which are in line with the current operation and 2026 guidance.
We reviewed the continued high-grade drill results across copper, nickel, platinum, palladium, gold, and silver in more recent assays returned from the ongoing exploration and development work at the Levack Mine.
Highlights from the new assay results include:
MLV-26-14A W2 – intercepted 9.4% Cu, 2.3% Ni, 28.7 g/t Pt+Pd+Au, 52.9 g/t Ag (29.7% CuEq) over 3.4 metres,
Including 18.7% Cu, 0.7% Ni, 60.2 g/t Pt+Pd+Au, 103.8 g/t Ag (57.0% CuEq) over 1.5 metres,
And 21.4% Cu, 0.4% Ni, 40.8 g/t Pt+Pd+Au, 152.0 g/t Ag (34.0% CuEq) over 0.4 metres,
MLV-26-14A W3 - intercepted 22.5% Cu, 1.4% Ni, 49.9 g/t Pt+Pd+Au, 135.0 g/t Ag (43.9% CuEq) over 1.1 metres;
And 14.0% Cu, 1.9% Ni, 47.2 g/t Pt+Pd+Au, 96.0 g/t Ag (36.2% CuEq) over 1.5 metres,
The Company is planning to release a Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”) for the Levack Mine in parallel with work to re-establish ore and waste hoisting capabilities during 2026. At present those economics will not include the high-grade drilling completed to date at the R2 Footwall Zone. Jason highlights that a development drift is being implemented to support ongoing underground exploration of this area, for the potential of future implementation into development plans.
Next we review the ongoing workstreams for Crean Hill that will be feeding into the upcoming PFS later this year. He notes that the significantly higher precious metals today compared to back in 2022 will be a factor that plays into the updated economics, and maps out that the ramp-up into production could commence as early as H2 2027.
We wrap up discussing that the prior-producing Poldosky Mine and the development-stage Shakespeare Project are still both permitted assets of merit and will feed the development cue as mines number 4 and 5 further down the road.
Click here to follow along with the news at Magna Mining
If you have questions for Jason regarding Magna Mining, then please email me at Shad@kereport.com.
In full disclosure, Shad is a shareholder of Magna Mining at the time of this recording, and may choose to buy or sell shares at any time.
For more market commentary & interview summaries, subscribe to our Substacks:
The KE Report: https://kereport.substack.com/
Shad’s resource market commentary: https://excelsiorprosperity.substack.com/
Investment disclaimer:
This content is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, an offer, or a solicitation to buy or sell any security. Investing in equities and commodities involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Do your own research and consult a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decisions. Guests and hosts may own shares in companies mentioned.
New Zealand