Blue Lagoon Resources Inc. is in the final stages of commissioning its Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor water treatment system at the Dome Mountain Gold Project, with full activation expected within 7 to 10 days. This milestone represents the last requirement before the company can commence blasting operations, marking a critical transition from development to production. The MBBR system's completion will enable the water treatment plant to become fully operational, allowing mining activities to proceed immediately thereafter.
Concurrent with the water treatment commissioning, underground preparation work has begun this week to ensure operational readiness. This work includes establishing emergency egress exit points, conducting bolt testing, re-establishing ventilation systems, clearing magazine storage units, moving waste piles, and cleaning underground sumps. Drilling at the rollover to establish the first exposed ore face is also underway as part of these preparatory activities, positioning the project for efficient ore extraction once blasting begins.
The company has strategically strengthened its operational leadership team with two key appointments to support this production transition. Michael Kendall has joined as Underground Mine Supervisor, bringing more than 30 years of hands-on underground mining experience from notable Canadian operations including Eskay Creek, Rice Lake, and Red Chris. His expertise in mine planning, development, and production management, combined with his safety leadership as a recognized Mine Rescue Captain, will be instrumental as Dome Mountain moves toward steady-state production operations.
Dr. Francis Salifu has been appointed as Environmental Manager, bringing over 15 years of mining-sector environmental management experience to the project. With a PhD in Environmental Science and specific expertise in ML/ARD mitigation, water quality modeling, and biochemical reactor systems, Dr. Salifu previously worked with Conuma Resources, PwC, and the Alberta Energy Regulator, where he improved site compliance by more than 60%. His skills in stakeholder engagement with regulators and Indigenous communities underscore Blue Lagoon's commitment to environmental compliance and responsible mining practices at a time when environmental, social, and governance considerations are increasingly important to project viability and community acceptance.
President and CEO Rana Vig emphasized that building the right team is critical as the company prepares for mining and near-term cash flow generation. These appointments reinforce Blue Lagoon's commitment to safety, environmental stewardship, and efficient execution at Dome Mountain. The company operates within British Columbia, a prime mining jurisdiction where it received a full mining permit in February 2025—one of only nine such permits issued in the province since 2015. This regulatory achievement, combined with the current operational progress, positions Blue Lagoon to advance toward production in a jurisdiction known for its mining expertise and regulatory framework. Additional details about the project's development are available on the company's news release platform.
For HR vendors serving the mining and resource sectors, Blue Lagoon's progress demonstrates several important trends. The strategic hiring of specialized operational and environmental leadership reflects the growing complexity of mine development, where technical expertise must be complemented by strong safety and environmental management capabilities. The emphasis on water treatment technology highlights increasing regulatory and community expectations around environmental protection, creating opportunities for vendors offering water management, compliance monitoring, and environmental consulting services. As mining companies face heightened scrutiny of their operational practices, vendors providing solutions that enhance safety, environmental performance, and regulatory compliance will find growing demand from operators seeking to maintain their social license to operate while advancing toward production.
