WESTERN COPPER AND GOLD PROVIDES UPDATE ON ESE SUBMISSION

Rhea-AI Summary

Western Copper and Gold (NYSE: WRN) announced progress on its Environmental and Socio-economic Effects Statement (ESE Statement) for the Casino Project in Yukon. The company plans to submit the ESE Statement to the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board (YESAB) by October 2025.

The ESE Statement includes comprehensive technical work, environmental and socio-economic baseline studies, and extensive consultation with First Nations and local communities. The Casino Project will undergo a Panel Review, marking the first-ever highest-level rigorous assessment for any project in Yukon territory.

As one of Canada's largest critical minerals projects, the Casino Project aligns with Yukon and Federal priorities regarding resource security, Arctic sovereignty, and infrastructure development.

Positive

• First company to undergo Panel Review in Yukon, demonstrating commitment to rigorous environmental standards
• Strong progress in First Nations and community consultation
• Strategic alignment with Canadian federal priorities for critical minerals and Arctic sovereignty

Negative

• Extended timeline for environmental review process with submission not expected until October 2025

VANCOUVER, BC, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Western Copper and Gold Corporation ("Western" or the "Company") (TSX: WRN) (NYSE American: WRN) is pleased to provide an update on its Environmental and Socio-economic Effects Statement ("ESE Statement") submission for the Casino Project (the "Project").

The ESE Statement incorporates extensive technical work, including environmental and socio-economic baselines studies and assessments. Western is pleased with the progress to date and the level of consultation achieved thus far with First Nations and communities. The feedback from this engagement is making the Project stronger, and we look forward to continuing and intensifying these efforts during the assessment process. The Company expects to deliver its ESE Statement to the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board ("YESAB") before the end of October.

"The Western team and our external consultants have been working diligently on the Project ESE Statement" said Sandeep Singh, President & CEO. "There is an incredible amount of work that has already gone into the Project. We are now in the final stages of compiling and refining this body of work into our submission.

The Company is the first to undertake a Panel Review in the Yukon, the highest level of rigor of any project assessed in the territory. We welcome that oversight and believe, more than ever, that the Project can be advanced sustainably and for the benefit of all Yukoners.

As one of Canada's largest and most advanced critical minerals projects, we are uniquely positioned to benefit from Yukon and Federal priorities around resource security, Arctic sovereignty, and nation-strengthening infrastructure."

ABOUT WESTERN COPPER AND GOLD CORPORATION

Western Copper and Gold Corporation is developing the Casino Project, Canada's premier copper-gold mine in the Yukon Territory and one of the most economic greenfield copper-gold mining projects in the world. 

The Company is committed to working collaboratively with our First Nations and local communities to progress the Casino Project, using internationally recognized responsible mining technologies and practices.

For more information, visit www.westerncopperandgold.com.

On behalf of the board,

"Sandeep Singh"

Sandeep Singh
President and CEO
Western Copper and Gold Corporation

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "projects", "intends", "estimates", "envisages", "potential", "possible", "strategy", "goals", "opportunities", "objectives", or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements herein include statements regarding the timing of the ESE Statement submission and expectations about the assessment process.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual events to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. Such factors include but are not limited to the risk of unforeseen challenges in advancing the Casino project, potential impacts on operational continuity, changes in general market conditions that could affect the Company's performance; and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's annual information form and Form 40-F for the most recently completed financial year and its other publicly filed disclosure documents.

Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable, such assumptions and factors as set out herein, and in the Company's annual information form and Form 40-F for the most recently completed financial year and its other publicly filed disclosure document.

Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, other factors may cause results to be materially different from those anticipated, described, estimated, assessed or intended. These forward-looking statements represent the Company's views as of the date of this news release. There can be no assurance that any forward-looking statements will 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. The Company does not intend to and does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements other than as required by applicable law.

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SOURCE Western Copper and Gold Corporation

FAQ

When will Western Copper and Gold (WRN) submit its ESE Statement for the Casino Project?

Western Copper and Gold plans to submit its Environmental and Socio-economic Effects Statement to YESAB before the end of October 2025.

What makes the Casino Project's environmental assessment unique in Yukon?

The Casino Project is the first project to undergo a Panel Review in Yukon, which represents the highest level of rigorous assessment ever conducted in the territory.

How is Western Copper's Casino Project aligned with Canadian federal priorities?

The Casino Project is positioned as one of Canada's largest critical minerals projects, supporting federal priorities in resource security, Arctic sovereignty, and nation-strengthening infrastructure.

What type of consultation has Western Copper (WRN) conducted for the Casino Project?

Western Copper has conducted extensive consultation with First Nations and local communities, incorporating their feedback to strengthen the project through environmental and socio-economic baseline studies.

What is included in Western Copper's ESE Statement for the Casino Project?

The ESE Statement includes comprehensive technical work, environmental and socio-economic baseline studies, and assessments, along with feedback from First Nations and community consultations.