Core Insights - NorthWest Copper Corp. announced positive results from sorting tests at its Kwanika project, indicating potential improvements in mill feed grades and project economics [1][2] Sorting Test Program - The sorting tests utilized X-Ray Transmission (XRT) technology, with a representative sample of approximately 312 kg of mineralized and waste material [4] - The tests were conducted by Canenco Consulting Corp. and Saskatchewan Research Council, focusing on the rejection of barren material to enhance the quality of the mill feed [5][6] Test Work Highlights - The sorting process resulted in a significant increase in sorted metal grades, with copper grades improving by approximately 20%, gold by 18%, and silver by 19% [3][11] - High recovery rates were achieved, with approximately 90% for copper, 88% for gold, and 90% for silver, while only processing 75% of the original mass [12][11] - Low-grade rejects constituted 25% of the overall feed, with a grade of 0.33% Cu, 0.75 g/t Au, and 1.13 g/t Ag, which will be stockpiled for future processing [12] Environmental and Economic Benefits - Incorporating sorting technology is expected to reduce the overall environmental footprint of the project by decreasing greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, and the volume of tailings [13][10] - The potential reduction in mill size and upfront capital costs while maintaining similar production rates for copper and gold enhances the project's economic viability [2][9]

TORONTO, Jan. 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NorthWest Copper Corp. (“NorthWest” or the “Company”) (TSX-V: NWST) is pleased to report successful results from its 2025 metallurgical program at its Kwanika project, adding to the positive results from the 2025 drilling. The program tested higher-grade1 zones and demonstrated material improvements in recoveries of 34% for gold and 37% for silver. These results will be reflected in an updated mineral resource at Kwanika in the first quarter followed by a new Preli ...

Core Insights - NorthWest Copper Corp. has reported final drill results from its 2025 exploration at the Kwanika project, indicating potential for expansion at the Andesite Breccia target and plans for a follow-up drill program in 2026 [1][5]. Exploration Results - The final three holes of the 2025 drill program focused on areas outside the main Kwanika Central deposit, with one hole successfully advancing the Andesite Breccia target [1]. - Hole K-25-279 at the Andesite Breccia target extended the mineralized zone by approximately 90 meters to the southeast, returning a copper-dominant intercept of 43.6 meters grading 0.17% Cu and 0.03 g/t Au [3][28]. - Historical hole K-22-247, located 280 meters north of K-25-279, contained a low-grade palladium intersection of 0.17 g/t Pd over 80 meters, suggesting palladium may be an additional exploration vector [4]. Geological Model and Resource Update - The first fifteen holes drilled at the Kwanika Central deposit have been incorporated into a geological model, with an updated mineral resource expected in the first quarter of the year [2]. - The exploration drilling has upgraded the Andesite Breccia target into a three-dimensional mineralized zone with near-surface potential, remaining open towards the northwest and at depth [10]. Future Plans - The company aims to deliver a higher-quality mineral resource to support a more capital-efficient and economically compelling combined open pit and underground development plan, with an updated preliminary economic assessment (PEA) planned for mid-2026 [5]. - The 2026 drill program will focus on further defining the potential of the Andesite Breccia target and expanding the Kwanika Central deposit [10]. Transfer Target Evaluation - The 2025 drill program also evaluated the Transfer Target, but neither of the two holes completed returned significant assay results, leading to a downgrade of this target [9][10]. - Hole K-25-285 intersected disseminated pyrite mineralization, interpreted as the source of the induced polarization response, while hole K-25-288 intersected a healed fault zone, providing valuable geological information for future exploration [9][27]. Technical Aspects - Drilling was designed and supervised by NorthWest, with QA/QC checks implemented by Explore Geosolutions, ensuring analytical accuracy and precision [31]. - The laboratory's internal quality control system complies with global certifications for quality ISO 17025, and samples were analyzed using a combination of multi-element analysis methods [31].

Core Insights - Pacific Empire Minerals Corp. provided a year-end corporate update highlighting key milestones achieved in 2025 and strategic priorities for 2026 [1] - The company completed a six-hole diamond drilling program at its Trident Project, supporting its exploration thesis and laying the groundwork for future evaluations [1][8] Historical Context - The company was founded in 2014 and initially focused on the Trident-Pinnacle land position, facing challenges in consolidation and structural constraints [2] - Between 2016 and 2022, Pacific Empire adopted a prospect generator business model, advancing multiple projects and enhancing in-house drilling capabilities [2] - In 2022, the company successfully acquired the Col property, allowing for the full consolidation of its original land position [2] Exploration Strategy for 2026 - Pacific Empire plans to advance exploration activities at both the Trident and Pinnacle projects through diamond drilling programs, viewing them as part of a single, district-scale mineral system [3][9] - The company aims to secure a long-term capital partner to support sustained exploration activities through 2026 and into 2027 [4] Geological Insights - The Trident-Pinnacle land position is characterized by significant geological features and evidence of porphyry-style mineralization, which supports the company's exploration strategy [8][11] - The presence of placer gold within the Klawli River corridor further reinforces the potential for mineralization at a district scale [8] Operational Developments - The company has consolidated its land position, with all claims in good standing through December 31, 2029, allowing for a focused exploration approach [2][10] - Improved access to the Pinnacle project through a new network of logging roads is expected to enhance cost-effective drill support [15]

Core Insights - NorthWest Copper Corp. reported successful drill results from hole K-25-287 at the Kwanika project, indicating higher-grade mineralization in both the Pit and Central Zones, with a notable intercept of 25.9 meters grading 0.91% Cu and 1.29 g/t Au [1][2] Exploration Program Highlights - The 2025 exploration program aimed to confirm and expand the understanding of higher-grade copper-gold mineralization, achieving significant results with 15 holes drilled, including K-25-287 [6] - The program has demonstrated continuity of higher-grade zones over significant widths, particularly in the Central and Pit Zones, which is expected to enhance the mineral resource update anticipated in Q1 2026 [2][6] Drill Results Summary - Hole K-25-287 intersected multiple higher-grade intervals, including: - Pit Zone 11: 47.5 meters of 1.22% Cu and 0.82 g/t Au (1.99% CuEq) from 96.5 meters [4] - Pit Zone 10: 35.9 meters of 0.81% Cu and 1.03 g/t Au (1.75% CuEq) from 144 meters, including 25.9 meters of 0.91% Cu and 1.29 g/t Au (2.09% CuEq) from 179.9 meters [4] - Central Zone: 32.0 meters of 0.32% Cu and 1.13 g/t Au (1.34% CuEq) from 285 meters [4] Geological Insights - The mineralization at Kwanika is structurally controlled, with distinct higher-grade zones formed along active fault zones, indicating a favorable geological environment for further exploration [3][11] - The exploration has clarified the east-west zonation of mineralization, transitioning from copper-dominant to gold-dominant towards the west [3] Future Developments - The company anticipates an updated preliminary economic assessment (PEA) in mid-2026, which aims to improve upon the previous PEA from 2023, focusing on a more capital-efficient development plan combining open pit and underground methods [2][5]

Core Insights - NorthWest Copper Corp. reported positive drill results from its Kwanika project, indicating higher-grade mineralization in two drill holes, K-25-283 and K-25-273, with significant copper and gold grades [1][2][3] Drill Results - Hole K-25-283 intersected 43 metres grading 1.83% Cu and 1.28g/t Au (3.01% CuEq) in the Central Zone, confirming continuity of mineralization [1][4][21] - Hole K-25-273 showed a near-surface intercept of 123 metres grading 1.31% Cu and 0.83g/t Au (2.09% CuEq), providing insights into structural controls in the mineralized area [1][3][4] Exploration Strategy - The 2025 exploration program aims to confirm and expand the understanding of higher-grade copper-gold mineralization, with results supporting a more economically robust development plan [2][6] - The company is focusing on higher-grade zones within the existing mineral resource, which is expected to enhance the project's economic viability [2][5] Geological Insights - The drilling results indicate the presence of significant mineralization across both the Pit and Central Zones, with K-25-273 providing clarity on the structural controls within a mineralized area [3][4][14] - The exploration program has successfully filled gaps in previous drilling, enhancing the understanding of the mineralization continuity [2][21] Future Plans - NorthWest plans to incorporate the latest drilling results into an updated preliminary economic assessment (PEA), improving upon the 2023 PEA [2][6] - The company is committed to responsible mineral exploration and aims to work collaboratively with First Nations for future development [27]

Core Insights - NorthWest Copper Corp. reported strong near-surface drill results from its Kwanika project, indicating successful expansion of mineralization zones and potential for further exploration [1][3][4] Drill Results - The two drill holes, K-25-265 and K-25-266, intersected multiple zones of near-surface mineralization, with K-25-266 showing 59.8 meters grading 0.70% Cu and 0.95 g/t Au (1.57% CuEq) [2][4] - K-25-265 returned significant intervals, including 39.4 meters of 0.57% Cu and 0.73 g/t Au (1.23% CuEq) [4][22] Exploration Program - The 2025 exploration program aims to confirm and expand the understanding of higher-grade copper-gold mineralization within the Kwanika project [7][28] - The program focuses on three key higher-grade zones: Pit, Central, and Western Zones, targeting grades of 1.5% to 2.5% CuEq over thicknesses of 30 to 45 meters [5][6] Geological Insights - The drilling results have improved the understanding of structural controls on mineralization, with the identification of new zones such as Pit Zone 12 [4][17] - Geological analysis indicates that the mineralization is hosted in various rock types, including diorite and monzonite porphyry, with significant potassic alteration [12][20] Future Outlook - The results are expected to support a higher-quality mineral resource estimate and lead to a more economically robust development plan, enhancing the potential for a future preliminary economic assessment (PEA) [3][4] - The company believes that a higher-grade open pit could provide a strong economic foundation for future assessments [3][4]

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 15, 2025) - Pacific Empire Minerals Corp. (TSXV: PEMC) ("Pacific Empire", "PEMC" or the "Company"), a copper-gold explorer based in British Columbia, is pleased to announce initial assay results from the upper portion of the first hole of its 2025 winter diamond drilling program at the Trident copper-gold project in north-central British Columbia. These initial results, which represent only the upper portion of Hole DD25-TRI-001, demonstrate broad, ne ...

Core Insights - NorthWest Copper Corp. reported positive drill results from its Kwanika project, with significant mineralization found in three drill holes, particularly hole K-25-275, which intersected 58 meters grading 0.96% Cu and 1.04 g/t Au, equating to 1.92% CuEq [1][2][4] Drill Results - The three drill holes exceeded expectations, expanding the quality and continuity of higher-grade near-surface mineralization, with hole K-25-284 extending Pit Zone 10 along strike and down-dip, indicating potential for future growth [2][6] - Significant intervals with higher grades were returned at shallow depths, supporting the potential for a high-grade starter pit in a future preliminary economic assessment (PEA) [2][4] Objectives and Strategy - The drill program aimed to define and expand higher-grade domains within the Pit Zone area, aligning with the company's strategy to enhance the economics of a new PEA by prioritizing higher-grade areas within the existing mineral resource [3][4] - The results from the first ten holes validate the 2025 drill program's objectives, which include improving understanding of higher-grade mineralization within the Central and Pit Zones [4][9] Geological Insights - The drill holes confirmed the presence of multiple near-surface, high-grade zones of mineralization, representing a shift from past modeling practices and enhancing future mineral resource estimates [6][7] - The exploration program is designed to confirm and expand understanding of higher-grade copper-gold mineralization, with early results indicating meaningful progress toward these objectives [9][8] Technical Details - Drill hole K-25-275 intersected a wide copper-gold zone over 58 meters, significantly wider than expected, attributed to structural thickening in the area [17][18] - Hole K-25-284 successfully extended Pit Zone 10 by 40 meters along strike and down-dip, where it remains open for further exploration [24][6] Company Overview - NorthWest Copper is focused on copper-gold exploration and development, with a portfolio of advanced and early-stage projects in British Columbia, positioning the company to capitalize on strengthening global copper and gold markets [30]

Core Viewpoint - NorthWest Copper Corp. announced positive drill results from its Kwanika project, confirming the presence of higher-grade copper-gold mineralization and enhancing the project's open pit potential [1][2][3]. Group 1: Drill Results - Drill hole K-25-281 reported an intercept of 26 metres grading 0.72% Cu and 1.30 g/t Au, with a copper equivalent (CuEq) of 1.91% [1]. - Drill hole K-25-282 showed 75.7 metres of 0.93% Cu and 0.30 g/t Au, with a CuEq of 1.23% [4][20]. - Both holes demonstrated broad intervals of near-surface mineralization, indicating strong potential for a high-grade starter pit [2][4]. Group 2: Strategic Focus - The company shifted its strategy in 2025 to prioritize higher-grade zones within the existing mineralization at Kwanika, aiming to enhance the economics of a future Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) [3][7]. - The exploration program is designed to confirm and expand the understanding of higher-grade copper-gold mineralization, supporting alternative bulk mining methods [7][6]. Group 3: Geological Insights - Hole K-25-281 extended the upper Central Zone by 30 metres to the northeast, confirming higher-grade mineralization over substantial thicknesses [5][16]. - A potential link between the Central Zone and Pit Zone was identified, with increasing gold-to-copper ratios observed [6][19]. - Hole K-25-282 confirmed a separate, copper-dominant high-grade mineralized zone within the Pit Zone, which may extend toward the Central Zone [19][17]. Group 4: Future Plans - The company anticipates announcing initial metallurgical test results by the end of the year, which will support an updated mineral resource estimate [3]. - The objective is to deliver a more capital-efficient and economically robust development plan in the updated PEA compared to the previous assessment [3].