Fitzroy Minerals Inc. (TSXV: FTZ, OTCQX: FTZFF, FSE: C3Y) announced an expansion of its drilling program at the Buen Retiro Copper Project in Copiapo, Chile, to approximately 22,000 meters in 2026, following continued high-grade copper intersections. The company reported results from nine drill holes in the Southwest Area, including significant near-surface mineralization that supports a potential pathway to near-term copper cathode production.
Drill hole BRT-DDH052 returned 59.0 meters at 1.73% copper from 92.0 meters depth, including 12.0 meters at 5.39% copper from 136.0 meters. Drill hole BRT-DDH062 intersected 76.0 meters at 0.74% copper from 69.0 meters, including 13.0 meters at 3.62% copper from 106.0 meters. These results add to a growing body of evidence indicating a well-mineralized system amenable to leaching, according to President and CEO Merlin Marr-Johnson.
“What makes it so valuable is that this is near-surface, leachable material, near infrastructure in Chile,” Marr-Johnson stated. “We see a route to near-term copper cathode production with reduced capital requirements and reduced permitting timelines.” The company is evaluating a plan to produce soluble copper sulphate concentrate at site, which could be trucked to one of three electro-winning plants within a 90-kilometer radius.
Since February 2026, Fitzroy has completed 67 drill holes totaling 10,583 meters, comprising 49 infill holes, six geotechnical holes, and 12 exploration holes. The expanded drill program reflects the company’s success in defining mineralization that will contribute to a maiden mineral resource estimate. Currently, two rigs are testing extensions to the northwest and southeast of the Southwest Area.
Laboratory turnaround times remain slow, with delays up to three months. To mitigate this, Fitzroy is using visual estimation for exploration holes and has contracted SGS Laboratories to process samples from the Pit Area, ensuring data integrity for the two main zones of interest.
Drill holes 22, 50, and 52 intersect a high-grade body truncated by a fault. Drill hole BRT-DDH022, reported on June 6, 2025 (https://www.fitzroyminerals.com/news/2025/june-6-2025/), returned 110 meters at 1.94% copper from 62 meters, including 58 meters at 3.06% copper. Assays from drill hole 88 are pending. Drill hole BRT-DDH059, reported on May 13, 2026 (https://www.fitzroyminerals.com/news/2026/may-13-2026/), returned 78 meters at 1.70% copper, including 40 meters at 3.02% copper.
The company’s quality assurance and quality control procedures include insertion of blanks, pulp duplicates, and certified standards at a rate of about 12% of total samples. No significant issues were identified by the Qualified Person, Dr. Scott Jobin-Bevans, who reviewed and approved the technical information.
Fitzroy Minerals is focused on copper projects in the Americas, with additional properties in Chile, Argentina, and Canada. The company’s shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol FTZ and on the OTCQX under FTZFF.
