So why does a company that mines for minerals and metals in Canada, have a HQ in rural Lancashire?

Ribchester is a pleasant village in the picturesque Ribble Valley, close to the Trough of Bowland, the late Queen Elizabeth’s favourite place to stay.

It has three pubs, a working men’s club, a Spar shop, a tea room and the headquarters of a stock market listed exploration company that is drilling for metals in the mineral rich Greenstone Belt in mineral rich Ontario in Eastern Canada. 

How so?

This is not a brass plate office of convenience, but First Class Metals PLC insists that from its administrative office in Ribchester, the company is “highlighting the benefits of maintaining its corporate base in the region while pursuing global opportunities.”

James Knowles, executive chairman of First Class Metals, told theBusinessDesk.com that First Class Metals PLC’s decision to establish its registered address and office in Ribchester reflects a blend of practical – as it’s close to where he lives – as well as strategic considerations. “As a company listed on the London Stock Exchange, we maintain a UK-based administrative presence to align with regulatory requirements and facilitate operations such as shareholder communication and corporate governance,” he said.

He says Ribchester, and the broader Lancashire region, is “an excellent choice for us due to its central location, strong transport links, and access to a skilled professional workforce. While our primary exploration activities are indeed focused on metal exploration opportunities in Canada, the Lancashire base supports the corporate and administrative side of the business, enabling us to efficiently manage our international operations.”

In terms of economic benefit to Lancashire, he says the business aims to contribute by engaging local professional services, such as legal, accounting,  printing and consultancy firms.

Additionally, having a presence here provides the potential to create employment opportunities as the company grows.

Knowles says the company’s Ribchester office serves as a hub for corporate governance, strategic planning, and shareholder engagement, drawing on the region’s skilled workforce and access to professional services. By operating in Lancashire, First Class Metals not only connects with the heart of the North West but also supports the local economy through its business activities, he says.

While its exploration focus remains in Canada, the company says it is proud to call Lancashire its corporate home.

He also says a recent development saw First Class Metals secure a conditional £2.18m investment from Southport-based The 79th Group, a leading asset management firm specialising in natural resources and real estate. This investment marks a pivotal moment for First Class Metals, providing the financial backing to accelerate its ambitious exploration programme in the mineral-rich Hemlo-Schreiber Greenstone Belt in Ontario, Canada.

Knowles said: “The support from The 79th Group is a testament to the strength of our portfolio and the confidence in our vision. This partnership is particularly meaningful as it reflects the collaboration between two North West-based organisations, showcasing how the region can drive innovation and impact on a global scale.”

He says the latest investment from The 79th Group demonstrates how businesses in the North West are leveraging regional expertise to support global projects, reinforcing Lancashire’s position as a vital hub for forward-thinking companies like First Class Metals.

In its most recent published accounts the business, common with mining exploration businesses, made a loss of over £1.5m but is hopeful that will literally strike gold by actively exploring high-potential assets in Canada. Projects include its North Hemlo gold and base metal project, the historic Sunbeam gold project, and the Zigzag Lithium project, which is aligned with the rising demand for critical minerals essential to renewable energy and electric vehicles.