Selkirk Copper upgrades Minto resources
Original announcement by miningnewsnorth on
- Company
- Selkirk Copper Mines Inc.
- Ticker
- Unavailable
- Exchange
- Unavailable
- Region
- Yukon
- Primary commodity
- Copper
- Secondary commodities
- Gold, Silver
- Document categories
- Resource update
- Extracted
- 2026-09-18 21:24:21 UTC
Analysis by Minestarters Atlas
Atlas analysis published:
Minestarters Atlas analysis
Summary
Selkirk Copper Mines Inc. has reported a significant upgrade to the Minto copper-gold-silver resource in the Yukon, with measured and indicated tonnage increasing by 280% to 47.8 million metric tons. The update, supported by a 52,288-meter inaugural drill program, expands the resource base across both underground and open-pit mining areas.
Reasoning: The resource update shows massive tonnage growth and successful conversion of mineralization into higher-confidence categories following a large drill program.
Positive factors
- Significant tonnage growth in M&I category (280%)
- Expansion of resource into both underground and open-pit configurations
- Successful completion of inaugural 52,288m drill program
- Resource upgrade from previous 2025 estimate
Facts used in scoring: 12
Classification and evidence
Tonnage Growthpositive
Significant tonnage increase (≥15%) vs prior estimate with grade maintained or improved.
Why it applies: M&I resource increased 280% compared to the 2025 estimate.
Evidence · text
“Minto's measured and indicated resource increased 280% to 47.8 million metric tons”
Resource Updateneutral
Revised estimate for an existing resource — compare to prior to assess progress.
Why it applies: The document reports an updated mineral resource estimate for the Minto mine.
Evidence · text
“reported an updated mineral resource estimate for its Minto copper-gold-silver mine”
Extracted facts
Stored fact records: 12. Some facts used in scoring do not have a stored record.
Resource Estimates (12)
indicatedMinto · copperTonnes: 47800000Grade: 0.89Grade Unit: %View all detailsHide details
Identity
- Project
- Minto
- Commodity
- copper
- Region
- canada_yt
- Reported Region
- Yukon
Resource scope
- Estimate type
- resource
- Resource group id
- resource:005238a739346adbce89
- Deposit or zone
- Minto
- Mining method
- combined
Resource Data
- Category
- indicated
- Tonnes
- 47800000
- Grade
- 0.89
- Grade Unit
- %
Review
- Needs Review
- No
- Historical
- No
Dates
- Event date
- 2026-07-31T00:00:00.000Z
Reasoning: Primary copper resource shows significant expansion.
Positive factors
- Massive tonnage increase in M&I category
Evidence · text
“Minto's measured and indicated resource increased 280% to 47.8 million metric tons”
Tags used in scoring
Indicated Resourcepositive
Reasonable geological confidence based on adequate drilling; continuity can be assumed. Basis for Probable Reserves.
Why it applies: category is "indicated"
Cut-off Undisclosednegative
High-grade interval reported without stating the cut-off grade used for compositing.
Why it applies: no cutoff_grade was stated
No Contained Metalnegative
Tonnage and grade reported but contained metal not calculated or disclosed — incomplete reporting.
Why it applies: contained_metal was not reported
No QP/CP Disclosurenegative
No Qualified Person or Competent Person named — lower credibility for the estimate. A QP/CP should be a member of a recognized professional association with relevant experience.
Why it applies: no Qualified or Competent Person is named anywhere in the release
Resource Updateneutral
Revised estimate for an existing resource — compare to prior to assess progress.
Why it applies: the release compares against a previous estimate
PEA-Supportingneutral
Resource estimate prepared to support a Preliminary Economic Assessment — early-stage study.
Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports
DFS-Supportingneutral
Resource estimate prepared to support a Definitive Feasibility Study — requires high M&I confidence.
Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports
indicatedMinto · goldTonnes: 47800000Grade: 0.34Grade Unit: g/tView all detailsHide details
Identity
- Project
- Minto
- Commodity
- gold
- Region
- canada_yt
- Reported Region
- Yukon
Resource scope
- Estimate type
- resource
- Resource group id
- resource:005238a739346adbce89
- Deposit or zone
- Minto
- Mining method
- combined
Resource Data
- Category
- indicated
- Tonnes
- 47800000
- Grade
- 0.34
- Grade Unit
- g/t
Review
- Needs Review
- No
- Historical
- No
Dates
- Event date
- 2026-07-31T00:00:00.000Z
Reasoning: Gold byproduct grade reported as part of the updated resource.
Evidence · text
“averaging 0.89% copper (940 million pounds), 0.34 g/t gold (530,000 oz)”
Tags used in scoring
Indicated Resourcepositive
Reasonable geological confidence based on adequate drilling; continuity can be assumed. Basis for Probable Reserves.
Why it applies: category is "indicated"
Cut-off Undisclosednegative
High-grade interval reported without stating the cut-off grade used for compositing.
Why it applies: no cutoff_grade was stated
No Contained Metalnegative
Tonnage and grade reported but contained metal not calculated or disclosed — incomplete reporting.
Why it applies: contained_metal was not reported
No QP/CP Disclosurenegative
No Qualified Person or Competent Person named — lower credibility for the estimate. A QP/CP should be a member of a recognized professional association with relevant experience.
Why it applies: no Qualified or Competent Person is named anywhere in the release
Resource Updateneutral
Revised estimate for an existing resource — compare to prior to assess progress.
Why it applies: the release compares against a previous estimate
PEA-Supportingneutral
Resource estimate prepared to support a Preliminary Economic Assessment — early-stage study.
Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports
DFS-Supportingneutral
Resource estimate prepared to support a Definitive Feasibility Study — requires high M&I confidence.
Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports
indicatedMinto · silverTonnes: 47800000Grade: 3.2Grade Unit: g/tView all detailsHide details
Identity
- Project
- Minto
- Commodity
- silver
- Region
- canada_yt
- Reported Region
- Yukon
Resource scope
- Estimate type
- resource
- Resource group id
- resource:005238a739346adbce89
- Deposit or zone
- Minto
- Mining method
- combined
Resource Data
- Category
- indicated
- Tonnes
- 47800000
- Grade
- 3.2
- Grade Unit
- g/t
Review
- Needs Review
- No
- Historical
- No
Dates
- Event date
- 2026-07-31T00:00:00.000Z
Reasoning: Silver byproduct grade reported as part of the updated resource.
Evidence · text
“3.2 g/t silver (4.97 million oz)”
Tags used in scoring
Indicated Resourcepositive
Reasonable geological confidence based on adequate drilling; continuity can be assumed. Basis for Probable Reserves.
Why it applies: category is "indicated"
Cut-off Undisclosednegative
High-grade interval reported without stating the cut-off grade used for compositing.
Why it applies: no cutoff_grade was stated
No Contained Metalnegative
Tonnage and grade reported but contained metal not calculated or disclosed — incomplete reporting.
Why it applies: contained_metal was not reported
No QP/CP Disclosurenegative
No Qualified Person or Competent Person named — lower credibility for the estimate. A QP/CP should be a member of a recognized professional association with relevant experience.
Why it applies: no Qualified or Competent Person is named anywhere in the release
Resource Updateneutral
Revised estimate for an existing resource — compare to prior to assess progress.
Why it applies: the release compares against a previous estimate
PEA-Supportingneutral
Resource estimate prepared to support a Preliminary Economic Assessment — early-stage study.
Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports
DFS-Supportingneutral
Resource estimate prepared to support a Definitive Feasibility Study — requires high M&I confidence.
Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports
inferredMinto · copperTonnes: 16900000Grade: 0.76Grade Unit: %View all detailsHide details
Identity
- Project
- Minto
- Commodity
- copper
- Region
- canada_yt
- Reported Region
- Yukon
Resource scope
- Estimate type
- resource
- Resource group id
- resource:ef7717b8fe50c6e51303
- Deposit or zone
- Minto
- Mining method
- combined
Resource Data
- Category
- inferred
- Tonnes
- 16900000
- Grade
- 0.76
- Grade Unit
- %
Review
- Needs Review
- No
- Historical
- No
Dates
- Event date
- 2026-07-31T00:00:00.000Z
Reasoning: Inferred resource component remains significant.
Evidence · text
“plus 16.9 million metric tons of inferred resources averaging 0.76% copper”
Tags used in scoring
Inferred Resourcenegative
Speculative category — limited drilling, geological continuity assumed but not confirmed. Cannot support economic studies alone.
Why it applies: category is "inferred"
Cut-off Undisclosednegative
High-grade interval reported without stating the cut-off grade used for compositing.
Why it applies: no cutoff_grade was stated
No Contained Metalnegative
Tonnage and grade reported but contained metal not calculated or disclosed — incomplete reporting.
Why it applies: contained_metal was not reported
No QP/CP Disclosurenegative
No Qualified Person or Competent Person named — lower credibility for the estimate. A QP/CP should be a member of a recognized professional association with relevant experience.
Why it applies: no Qualified or Competent Person is named anywhere in the release
Resource Updateneutral
Revised estimate for an existing resource — compare to prior to assess progress.
Why it applies: the release compares against a previous estimate
PEA-Supportingneutral
Resource estimate prepared to support a Preliminary Economic Assessment — early-stage study.
Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports
DFS-Supportingneutral
Resource estimate prepared to support a Definitive Feasibility Study — requires high M&I confidence.
Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports
inferredMinto · goldTonnes: 16900000Grade: 0.26Grade Unit: g/tView all detailsHide details
Identity
- Project
- Minto
- Commodity
- gold
- Region
- canada_yt
- Reported Region
- Yukon
Resource scope
- Estimate type
- resource
- Resource group id
- resource:ef7717b8fe50c6e51303
- Deposit or zone
- Minto
- Mining method
- combined
Resource Data
- Category
- inferred
- Tonnes
- 16900000
- Grade
- 0.26
- Grade Unit
- g/t
Review
- Needs Review
- No
- Historical
- No
Dates
- Event date
- 2026-07-31T00:00:00.000Z
Reasoning: Gold byproduct grade reported for inferred category.
Evidence · text
“0.26 g/t gold (142,000 oz)”
Tags used in scoring
Inferred Resourcenegative
Speculative category — limited drilling, geological continuity assumed but not confirmed. Cannot support economic studies alone.
Why it applies: category is "inferred"
Cut-off Undisclosednegative
High-grade interval reported without stating the cut-off grade used for compositing.
Why it applies: no cutoff_grade was stated
No Contained Metalnegative
Tonnage and grade reported but contained metal not calculated or disclosed — incomplete reporting.
Why it applies: contained_metal was not reported
No QP/CP Disclosurenegative
No Qualified Person or Competent Person named — lower credibility for the estimate. A QP/CP should be a member of a recognized professional association with relevant experience.
Why it applies: no Qualified or Competent Person is named anywhere in the release
Resource Updateneutral
Revised estimate for an existing resource — compare to prior to assess progress.
Why it applies: the release compares against a previous estimate
PEA-Supportingneutral
Resource estimate prepared to support a Preliminary Economic Assessment — early-stage study.
Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports
DFS-Supportingneutral
Resource estimate prepared to support a Definitive Feasibility Study — requires high M&I confidence.
Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports
inferredMinto · silverTonnes: 16900000Grade: 2.7Grade Unit: g/tView all detailsHide details
Identity
- Project
- Minto
- Commodity
- silver
- Region
- canada_yt
- Reported Region
- Yukon
Resource scope
- Estimate type
- resource
- Resource group id
- resource:ef7717b8fe50c6e51303
- Deposit or zone
- Minto
- Mining method
- combined
Resource Data
- Category
- inferred
- Tonnes
- 16900000
- Grade
- 2.7
- Grade Unit
- g/t
Review
- Needs Review
- No
- Historical
- No
Dates
- Event date
- 2026-07-31T00:00:00.000Z
Reasoning: Silver byproduct grade reported for inferred category.
Evidence · text
“2.7 g/t silver (1.5 million oz)”
Tags used in scoring
Inferred Resourcenegative
Speculative category — limited drilling, geological continuity assumed but not confirmed. Cannot support economic studies alone.
Why it applies: category is "inferred"
Cut-off Undisclosednegative
High-grade interval reported without stating the cut-off grade used for compositing.
Why it applies: no cutoff_grade was stated
No Contained Metalnegative
Tonnage and grade reported but contained metal not calculated or disclosed — incomplete reporting.
Why it applies: contained_metal was not reported
No QP/CP Disclosurenegative
No Qualified Person or Competent Person named — lower credibility for the estimate. A QP/CP should be a member of a recognized professional association with relevant experience.
Why it applies: no Qualified or Competent Person is named anywhere in the release
Resource Updateneutral
Revised estimate for an existing resource — compare to prior to assess progress.
Why it applies: the release compares against a previous estimate
PEA-Supportingneutral
Resource estimate prepared to support a Preliminary Economic Assessment — early-stage study.
Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports
DFS-Supportingneutral
Resource estimate prepared to support a Definitive Feasibility Study — requires high M&I confidence.
Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports
indicatedMinto · copperTonnes: 26000000Grade: 1.14Grade Unit: %View all detailsHide details
Identity
- Project
- Minto
- Commodity
- copper
- Region
- canada_yt
- Reported Region
- Yukon
Resource scope
- Estimate type
- resource
- Resource group id
- resource:77e4c4431dee05172311
- Deposit or zone
- underground
- Mining method
- combined
Resource Data
- Category
- indicated
- Tonnes
- 26000000
- Grade
- 1.14
- Grade Unit
- %
Review
- Needs Review
- No
- Historical
- No
Dates
- Event date
- 2026-07-31T00:00:00.000Z
Reasoning: Strong underground copper grade.
Positive factors
- High grade underground component
Evidence · text
“26 million metric tons averaging 1.14% copper... falls within underground mining areas”
Tags used in scoring
Indicated Resourcepositive
Reasonable geological confidence based on adequate drilling; continuity can be assumed. Basis for Probable Reserves.
Why it applies: category is "indicated"
Cut-off Undisclosednegative
High-grade interval reported without stating the cut-off grade used for compositing.
Why it applies: no cutoff_grade was stated
No Contained Metalnegative
Tonnage and grade reported but contained metal not calculated or disclosed — incomplete reporting.
Why it applies: contained_metal was not reported
No QP/CP Disclosurenegative
No Qualified Person or Competent Person named — lower credibility for the estimate. A QP/CP should be a member of a recognized professional association with relevant experience.
Why it applies: no Qualified or Competent Person is named anywhere in the release
Resource Updateneutral
Revised estimate for an existing resource — compare to prior to assess progress.
Why it applies: the release compares against a previous estimate
PEA-Supportingneutral
Resource estimate prepared to support a Preliminary Economic Assessment — early-stage study.
Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports
DFS-Supportingneutral
Resource estimate prepared to support a Definitive Feasibility Study — requires high M&I confidence.
Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports
indicatedMinto · goldTonnes: 26000000Grade: 0.49Grade Unit: g/tView all detailsHide details
Identity
- Project
- Minto
- Commodity
- gold
- Region
- canada_yt
- Reported Region
- Yukon
Resource scope
- Estimate type
- resource
- Resource group id
- resource:77e4c4431dee05172311
- Deposit or zone
- underground
- Mining method
- combined
Resource Data
- Category
- indicated
- Tonnes
- 26000000
- Grade
- 0.49
- Grade Unit
- g/t
Review
- Needs Review
- No
- Historical
- No
Dates
- Event date
- 2026-07-31T00:00:00.000Z
Reasoning: Gold byproduct grade for underground component.
Evidence · text
“0.49 g/t gold”
Tags used in scoring
Indicated Resourcepositive
Reasonable geological confidence based on adequate drilling; continuity can be assumed. Basis for Probable Reserves.
Why it applies: category is "indicated"
Cut-off Undisclosednegative
High-grade interval reported without stating the cut-off grade used for compositing.
Why it applies: no cutoff_grade was stated
No Contained Metalnegative
Tonnage and grade reported but contained metal not calculated or disclosed — incomplete reporting.
Why it applies: contained_metal was not reported
No QP/CP Disclosurenegative
No Qualified Person or Competent Person named — lower credibility for the estimate. A QP/CP should be a member of a recognized professional association with relevant experience.
Why it applies: no Qualified or Competent Person is named anywhere in the release
Resource Updateneutral
Revised estimate for an existing resource — compare to prior to assess progress.
Why it applies: the release compares against a previous estimate
PEA-Supportingneutral
Resource estimate prepared to support a Preliminary Economic Assessment — early-stage study.
Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports
DFS-Supportingneutral
Resource estimate prepared to support a Definitive Feasibility Study — requires high M&I confidence.
Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports
indicatedMinto · silverTonnes: 26000000Grade: 4.4Grade Unit: g/tView all detailsHide details
Identity
- Project
- Minto
- Commodity
- silver
- Region
- canada_yt
- Reported Region
- Yukon
Resource scope
- Estimate type
- resource
- Resource group id
- resource:77e4c4431dee05172311
- Deposit or zone
- underground
- Mining method
- combined
Resource Data
- Category
- indicated
- Tonnes
- 26000000
- Grade
- 4.4
- Grade Unit
- g/t
Review
- Needs Review
- No
- Historical
- No
Dates
- Event date
- 2026-07-31T00:00:00.000Z
Reasoning: Silver byproduct grade for underground component.
Evidence · text
“4.4 g/t silver falls within underground mining areas”
Tags used in scoring
Indicated Resourcepositive
Reasonable geological confidence based on adequate drilling; continuity can be assumed. Basis for Probable Reserves.
Why it applies: category is "indicated"
Cut-off Undisclosednegative
High-grade interval reported without stating the cut-off grade used for compositing.
Why it applies: no cutoff_grade was stated
No Contained Metalnegative
Tonnage and grade reported but contained metal not calculated or disclosed — incomplete reporting.
Why it applies: contained_metal was not reported
No QP/CP Disclosurenegative
No Qualified Person or Competent Person named — lower credibility for the estimate. A QP/CP should be a member of a recognized professional association with relevant experience.
Why it applies: no Qualified or Competent Person is named anywhere in the release
Resource Updateneutral
Revised estimate for an existing resource — compare to prior to assess progress.
Why it applies: the release compares against a previous estimate
PEA-Supportingneutral
Resource estimate prepared to support a Preliminary Economic Assessment — early-stage study.
Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports
DFS-Supportingneutral
Resource estimate prepared to support a Definitive Feasibility Study — requires high M&I confidence.
Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports
indicatedMinto · copperTonnes: 21800000Grade: 0.59Grade Unit: %View all detailsHide details
Identity
- Project
- Minto
- Commodity
- copper
- Region
- canada_yt
- Reported Region
- Yukon
Resource scope
- Estimate type
- resource
- Resource group id
- resource:34ae87668f6139f456d8
- Deposit or zone
- open pit
- Mining method
- combined
Resource Data
- Category
- indicated
- Tonnes
- 21800000
- Grade
- 0.59
- Grade Unit
- %
Review
- Needs Review
- No
- Historical
- No
Dates
- Event date
- 2026-07-31T00:00:00.000Z
Reasoning: Open pit copper component.
Evidence · text
“21.8 million metric tons averaging 0.59% copper... lies within the planned open pit”
Tags used in scoring
Indicated Resourcepositive
Reasonable geological confidence based on adequate drilling; continuity can be assumed. Basis for Probable Reserves.
Why it applies: category is "indicated"
Cut-off Undisclosednegative
High-grade interval reported without stating the cut-off grade used for compositing.
Why it applies: no cutoff_grade was stated
No Contained Metalnegative
Tonnage and grade reported but contained metal not calculated or disclosed — incomplete reporting.
Why it applies: contained_metal was not reported
No QP/CP Disclosurenegative
No Qualified Person or Competent Person named — lower credibility for the estimate. A QP/CP should be a member of a recognized professional association with relevant experience.
Why it applies: no Qualified or Competent Person is named anywhere in the release
Resource Updateneutral
Revised estimate for an existing resource — compare to prior to assess progress.
Why it applies: the release compares against a previous estimate
PEA-Supportingneutral
Resource estimate prepared to support a Preliminary Economic Assessment — early-stage study.
Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports
DFS-Supportingneutral
Resource estimate prepared to support a Definitive Feasibility Study — requires high M&I confidence.
Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports
indicatedMinto · goldTonnes: 21800000Grade: 0.17Grade Unit: g/tView all detailsHide details
Identity
- Project
- Minto
- Commodity
- gold
- Region
- canada_yt
- Reported Region
- Yukon
Resource scope
- Estimate type
- resource
- Resource group id
- resource:34ae87668f6139f456d8
- Deposit or zone
- open pit
- Mining method
- combined
Resource Data
- Category
- indicated
- Tonnes
- 21800000
- Grade
- 0.17
- Grade Unit
- g/t
Review
- Needs Review
- No
- Historical
- No
Dates
- Event date
- 2026-07-31T00:00:00.000Z
Reasoning: Gold byproduct grade for open pit component.
Evidence · text
“0.17 g/t gold”
Tags used in scoring
Indicated Resourcepositive
Reasonable geological confidence based on adequate drilling; continuity can be assumed. Basis for Probable Reserves.
Why it applies: category is "indicated"
Cut-off Undisclosednegative
High-grade interval reported without stating the cut-off grade used for compositing.
Why it applies: no cutoff_grade was stated
No Contained Metalnegative
Tonnage and grade reported but contained metal not calculated or disclosed — incomplete reporting.
Why it applies: contained_metal was not reported
No QP/CP Disclosurenegative
No Qualified Person or Competent Person named — lower credibility for the estimate. A QP/CP should be a member of a recognized professional association with relevant experience.
Why it applies: no Qualified or Competent Person is named anywhere in the release
Resource Updateneutral
Revised estimate for an existing resource — compare to prior to assess progress.
Why it applies: the release compares against a previous estimate
PEA-Supportingneutral
Resource estimate prepared to support a Preliminary Economic Assessment — early-stage study.
Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports
DFS-Supportingneutral
Resource estimate prepared to support a Definitive Feasibility Study — requires high M&I confidence.
Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports
indicatedMinto · silverTonnes: 21800000Grade: 1.8Grade Unit: g/tView all detailsHide details
Identity
- Project
- Minto
- Commodity
- silver
- Region
- canada_yt
- Reported Region
- Yukon
Resource scope
- Estimate type
- resource
- Resource group id
- resource:34ae87668f6139f456d8
- Deposit or zone
- open pit
- Mining method
- combined
Resource Data
- Category
- indicated
- Tonnes
- 21800000
- Grade
- 1.8
- Grade Unit
- g/t
Review
- Needs Review
- No
- Historical
- No
Dates
- Event date
- 2026-07-31T00:00:00.000Z
Reasoning: Silver byproduct grade for open pit component.
Evidence · text
“1.8 g/t silver lies within the planned open pit”
Tags used in scoring
Indicated Resourcepositive
Reasonable geological confidence based on adequate drilling; continuity can be assumed. Basis for Probable Reserves.
Why it applies: category is "indicated"
Cut-off Undisclosednegative
High-grade interval reported without stating the cut-off grade used for compositing.
Why it applies: no cutoff_grade was stated
No Contained Metalnegative
Tonnage and grade reported but contained metal not calculated or disclosed — incomplete reporting.
Why it applies: contained_metal was not reported
No QP/CP Disclosurenegative
No Qualified Person or Competent Person named — lower credibility for the estimate. A QP/CP should be a member of a recognized professional association with relevant experience.
Why it applies: no Qualified or Competent Person is named anywhere in the release
Resource Updateneutral
Revised estimate for an existing resource — compare to prior to assess progress.
Why it applies: the release compares against a previous estimate
PEA-Supportingneutral
Resource estimate prepared to support a Preliminary Economic Assessment — early-stage study.
Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports
DFS-Supportingneutral
Resource estimate prepared to support a Definitive Feasibility Study — requires high M&I confidence.
Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports
How Atlas produces this analysis
Minestarters Atlas uses automated extraction to summarize mining announcements, identify reported measurements, and classify supporting evidence. Sentiment reflects the extracted narrative and classification rules; it is an interpretation, not a reported measurement. Evidence quotes and context are provided where available. Missing data, low-confidence results, and review flags indicate limitations. Check the original publisher announcement before relying on an interpretation.