Dual-listed NorZinc has received final approvals for all management plans from Parks Canada, as regulator of Nahanni National Park Reserve, pertaining to the permit and licence to construct the Pioneer Winter Road (PWR), which represents Phase 1 of the all-season access road at the Prairie Creek project, in Northwest Territories.

This approval, combined with the territorial approvals received in September, completes the permitting process for the construction of Phase 1 of the ASR, which represents the first land access to the project in more than 40 years.

Currently, the site is accessible only on a fly-in, fly-out basis.

Since construction started in mid-October 2022, NorZinc has made significant progress on the PWR with initial construction performed up to kilometer 15.

With the parks approval, the construction timeline can stay on track, with kilometer 17 entering the Nahanni Park boundary.

"We have spent the majority of 2022 working very closely with Parks Canada to complete and receive approvals for the management plans and are very pleased to receive these final approvals within the expected adjusted time frame," said president and CEO Rohan Hazelton.

"Since the territorial approvals received earlier in October, the company has been making steady progress on road constructions and these approvals enable the company to keep construction on schedule as we have been steadily approaching park's boundary.

“We are pleased to have worked with Parks Canada so closely on the management plans to ensure the upmost stewardship with respect to the sustainable and responsible development of the Prairie Creek project."

In parallel with ASR Phase 1 MP approvals, the company has begun working with both territorial and federal regulatory authorities towards completion and approval for Phase 2 of construction for the ASR, which represents the final step to completion of the fully operational year-round access road to the Prairie Creek project.