Xat??ll Appeals Dismissal of Judicial Review Petition Relating to Mount Polley Tailings Storage Facility Raise

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Imperial Metals Corporation (TSX:III) (the “Company” or “Imperial”) announces that the Xat??ll First Nation (“Xat??ll”) has filed a notice of appeal (the “Notice”) today seeking an order overturning Justice Tammen’s August 6, 2025 dismissal of Xat??ll’s petition for judicial review (the “Petition”). The petition related to the Consent for Material Alteration decision issued by the Minister of Mining and Critical Minerals (“MCM”) and Minister of Environment and Parks on March 27, 2025, and the decision of the MCM’s Major Mines Office Deputy Chief Permitting Officer, also on March 27, 2025, to amend the Mount Polley mine’s Mines Act Permit approving construction of the tailings storage facility (“TSF”) raise to 974m (the “Decisions”). Xat??ll also seeks, among other declaratory relief, an order to quash the Decisions and grant the Petition.

Respondents for this appeal are the Minister of Mining and Critical Minerals, Minister of Environment and Parks, Deputy Chief Permitting Officer, Major Mines Office, and Mount Polley Mining Corporation.

Today’s Notice does not appeal Justice Tammen’s order as it relates to the injunction application. This means that the Company may complete construction of the TSF raise to 974m and continue normal operations of the Mount Polley mine and the TSF in accordance with its authorizations.

“We believe Justice Tammen’s decision to dismiss the Petition was a carefully considered and thoroughly supported decision, based on the extensive review process undertaken by the Province before making their Decisions.   Nonetheless, we continue to be committed to working collaboratively with Xat??ll and other Indigenous communities and conducting our operations in an environmentally responsible manner,” stated Brian Kynoch, President of Imperial.

About Imperial

Imperial is a Vancouver-based exploration, mine development and operating company with holdings that include the Mount Polley mine (100%), the Huckleberry mine (100%), and the Red Chris mine (30%). Imperial also holds a portfolio of 23 greenfield exploration properties in British Columbia.

Imperial Contacts

Brian Kynoch | President | 604.669.8959
Darb S. Dhillon | Chief Financial Officer | 604.669.8959

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information contained in this news release are not statements of historical fact and are “forward-looking” statements. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect Imperial management’s expectations or beliefs regarding future events, and include, but are not limited to statements regarding: Imperial’s expectations and timing with respect to the construction and operation of the tailings storage facility at the Mount Polley mine, including the four-meter lift currently under construction; the anticipated progress and outcome of any remaining or future legal or regulatory processes, including the Notice; the possibility that future legal or regulatory developments could result in material changes to the provincial permitting process; the Company’s and MPMC’s expectations regarding their relationships with Indigenous communities, including Xat??ll; expectations regarding ongoing engagement with Xat??ll and other Indigenous communities during the permitting process; and other risks outlined in statements made by Imperial from time to time in the filings made by Imperial with securities regulators. Imperial disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities legislation.

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In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, Imperial has applied certain factors and assumptions that are based on information currently available to Imperial as well as Imperial’s current beliefs and assumptions. These factors and assumptions and beliefs and assumptions include, the risk factors detailed from time to time in Imperial’s interim and annual financial statements and management’s discussion and analysis of those statements, and the Company’s current Annual Information Form, all of which are filed and available for review on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com. Although Imperial has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, many of which are beyond Imperial’s ability to control or predict. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward looking statements and all forward-looking statements in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements.