Vancouver, British Columbia — March 4, 2026 — Leads & Copy —Fuerte Metals Corporation (TSXV: FMT) has awarded Cobalt Construction Inc. the contract to build the Northern Access Route (NAR) for its Coffee Gold Project in the Yukon.
The NAR will connect the Coffee Gold Project to the City of Dawson and the Yukon highway network. The contract is a key milestone for the Coffee Gold Project.
Cobalt Construction is collaborating with Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in to reflect a cooperative approach between the contractor, the First Nation partner, and Fuerte. The NAR is the first stage of early infrastructure development, positioning Fuerte to make a final construction decision, anticipated in early 2027, after an updated Feasibility Study and final mine permits are released.
Equipment staging is underway, and construction activities will begin once the Government of Yukon issues the appropriate permits this spring. The Northern Access Route is designed to provide safe and reliable access to the Coffee Gold Project and will be constructed in accordance with regulatory requirements and environmental and social commitments.
Fuerte CEO Tim Warman said that awarding the NAR construction contract is an important step forward for the Coffee Gold Project. He added that the company is proud to be working alongside Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in and Cobalt Construction in delivering this critical infrastructure. This collaboration reflects Fuerte’s commitment to responsible development, local participation, and building strong partnerships in the Yukon. Warman noted that Yukoners will directly benefit from the work, and the company will benefit from the deep knowledge of the region that the partners bring.
Hähkè (Chief) Taylor of Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, commented that they look forward to exploring a partnership or other collaborative arrangement for the construction of the access road and strengthening their existing relationship with Fuerte through this first stage of work. He stated that First Nations and industry working together creates meaningful economic opportunities and ensures that development reflects their values and priorities of protecting the environment, citizens, and treaty rights.
Shaun Rudolph, President of Cobalt Construction, said that Cobalt Construction is proud to partner with Fuerte to deliver this first stage of the Coffee Gold Project. Rudolph added that, as a Yukon-based contractor, they understand the importance of building infrastructure responsibly and efficiently and that this project highlights the strength of local knowledge, partnerships, and the benefits of working together to support responsible resource development in the territory. He stated that they look forward to formalizing their relationship with Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in to complete this work.
The company will continue to engage with First Nations, Dawson City, the Klondike Placer Miners’ Association, and other partners as the project progresses.
The construction of the NAR represents a meaningful economic contribution to the Yukon over two years. The project will create employment and contracting opportunities for Yukoners, with a focus on participation from First Nations communities. An estimated C$77 million will be spent on supplies, materials, equipment, and services during NAR construction, supporting local and regional businesses. The NAR construction is the first critical contract for mine development, and the company expects to award additional contracts in the upcoming months.
The NAR is a 214 km all-season gravel road connecting the Coffee Gold Project to the Yukon highway network and the City of Dawson. It includes upgrades to approximately 180 km of existing road and construction/realignment of approximately 34 km of new single-lane, forestry-type access road with pull-outs to allow two-way operation. The NAR requires seasonal barge crossings on the Stewart and Yukon rivers, with ice bridges in the winter months. Operation of the road will be governed by detailed management plans developed with First Nations and the Yukon Government, covering safety, environmental protection, and social impacts. The NAR routing falls wholly within Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Traditional Territory, with some new construction/upgrades in shared traditional territory with Selkirk First Nation and the asserted traditional territory of White River First Nation. Minor upgrades to existing road sections fall within shared traditional territory of the First Nation of Na-cho Nyäk Dun.
Source: Fuerte Metals Corporation
