FireFly Metals announces Mineral Resource increased by 51% at Green Bay Copper Gold Project, Canada

Core Insights - FireFly Metals Ltd has announced a substantial increase in the Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for its Green Bay Copper-Gold Project, with significant growth in both tonnes and grades, particularly in the high-grade core zone [17][18][19] - The updated MRE now stands at 50.4 million tonnes (Mt) at 2.0% copper equivalent (CuEq) in the Measured and Indicated (M&I) categories, and 29.3Mt at 2.5% CuEq in the Inferred category, representing a 35% increase in tonnes and a 51% increase in CuEq metal compared to the previous estimate [18][19][25] - The high-grade core zone includes 8.8Mt at 3.9% CuEq in the M&I category and 10.9Mt at 3.8% CuEq in the Inferred category, which is expected to enhance the project's development potential, especially in the early years of production [12][19][20] Mineral Resource Increase and Upgrade - The MRE reflects a significant increase in contained metals, with copper in the M&I category increasing to 863,000 tonnes (kt), a 113% rise, and gold increasing to 546,000 ounces (koz), a 174% rise [19][21] - The M&I resources now constitute 67% of the total MRE, which is crucial for future economic studies [19][21] - The total discovery cost per estimated tonne of CuEq metal added in this MRE is low at C$25.12 (US$17.83) per tonne, indicating efficient resource growth [21] Drilling and Exploration Activities - FireFly has utilized eight rigs for drilling, with a focus on converting Inferred resources to M&I and discovering new regional targets [16][40] - A total of 242 new holes and 78,165 meters of drilling have been completed since the last MRE, contributing to the updated estimates [69][76] - The company plans to continue drilling into 2026, with a focus on upgrading the Mineral Resource and preparing for a feasibility study expected in the second half of 2026 [40][42] Economic and Development Outlook - Discussions with potential offtake customers and funding entities are progressing well, indicating strong market interest in the project's concentrate [17][48] - The company had A$129.7 million in cash, receivables, and liquid investments as of September 30, 2025, positioning it well for continued exploration and development [54] - The upcoming Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) study is planned for completion in the first half of 2026, which will be based on the updated MRE [44][45]