Bunker Hill Mining Corp. is charging into the new year with significant operational momentum, positioning itself to become a new domestic producer of critical metals for the United States supply chain. The company, trading on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol BNKR and on the OTCQB as BHLL, provided a comprehensive year-end summary highlighting its 2025 progress at the historic Bunker Hill Mine in Idaho's Silver Valley and outlining its strategic priorities for 2026.
Foundational Progress Sets Stage for Production
According to Sam Ash, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bunker Hill Mining Corp., 2025 was a year of foundational progress focused on safely advancing the mine toward production. "As we move into 2026, our focus shifts to production and free cash generation," Ash stated. He emphasized that with critical infrastructure largely in place, a strengthened operating team, and a streamlined commissioning plan, the company is well-prepared to begin injecting its critical metals into the U.S. market and creating value for stakeholders.
The company's efforts throughout the year were executed alongside a balance sheet restructuring, with a disciplined approach centered on safety, environmental responsibility, and technical de-risking.
Key Safety, Environmental, and Community Milestones
Bunker Hill reported several crucial achievements in 2025 that underscore its commitment to responsible operations. Notably, the company closed the year with zero Lost Time Injuries (LTIs), marking an impressive three consecutive years without a single LTI. This record highlights a strong culture of safety leadership.
On the environmental front, the company maintained 100% compliance with all permits, a particularly critical achievement given the mine's location within a U.S. Superfund site. All necessary permits from key state and federal regulators have been secured, clearing the path for the operational restart. Furthermore, Bunker Hill reinforced its community ties by hosting local stakeholders and investors for site tours and community engagement days, promoting transparency and confidence in its development strategy.
Technical Advancements and Operational Readiness
Technically, the company made strides in optimizing its mine plan. A collaboration with the VRIFY AI-Assisted Mineral Discovery Platform is being leveraged to target higher-grade silver mineralization. This partnership uses artificial intelligence to integrate vast historical and modern datasets, refining geological models to identify drill targets with the potential to add valuable silver ounces near existing infrastructure.
Consequently, mine planning has been updated to prioritize improved operating margins by focusing on higher silver extraction rates. Metallurgical test work has also been promising, indicating the potential for strong recoveries: 89% for silver, 87% for lead, and 92% for zinc. These recoveries are expected to ensure marketable concentrate grades.
The company's Operational Readiness program is accelerating on multiple fronts, including finalizing operating systems and embedding safety protocols. The objective is to reduce execution risk and ensure a stable, efficient ramp-up to production. Visual progress is evident, with key infrastructure like the Tailings Filter Press Superstructure ready for the installation of Metso's Filter Press equipment.
As Bunker Hill Mining Corp. transitions from development to production, its progress in 2025 has laid a solid foundation. With its sights set on 2026, the company is on the cusp of becoming a meaningful new contributor of critical metals, including silver, lead, and zinc, to the domestic U.S. supply chain from its operations in Idaho.
