Fitzroy Minerals Inc. (TSXV: FTZ, OTCQX: FTZFF, FSE: C3Y) has announced an expansion of its 2026 drill program at the Buen Retiro Copper Project in Copiapo, Chile, to approximately 22,000 meters following continued high-grade copper intercepts near surface. The company reported results from nine drill holes in the Southwest Area, with highlights including 59.0 meters at 1.73% copper from 92.0 meters in hole BRT-DDH052, including 12.0 meters at 5.39% copper, and 76.0 meters at 0.74% copper from 69.0 meters in hole BRT-DDH062, including 13.0 meters at 3.62% copper.
Merlin Marr-Johnson, President and CEO of Fitzroy, commented: "I am delighted that we continue to see good results from Buen Retiro. This time the intersections close to surface include intercepts of 59 metres at 1.73% Cu in drill hole 52 and 76.0 m at 0.74% Cu in drill hole 62. Results of this calibre, news release after news release, are the hallmark of a well mineralized system. What makes it so valuable is that this is near-surface, leachable material, near infrastructure in Chile. 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 a soluble copper sulphate concentrate at site, which could then be trucked and processed into copper cathode at any of the three Electro-Win plants within a 90 km radius. This approach aims to accelerate production while lowering upfront capital costs.
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 drilling has been focused on defining mineralization for a maiden mineral resource estimate, but the continued discovery of new mineralization has expanded the program. Currently, two rigs are testing extensions to the northwest and southeast of the Southwest Area.
To address laboratory turnaround delays with ALS Global, which can extend up to three months, Fitzroy has engaged SGS Laboratories for samples from the Pit Area, ensuring data integrity for each area of interest. The company plans exploration holes based on visual estimation of grade to mitigate delays.
Drill hole BRT-DDH054 returned 80.2 meters at 0.65% copper from 20.8 meters, including 22.0 meters at 1.32% copper, while drill hole BRT-DDH062 intersected 76.0 meters at 0.74% copper. Additionally, drill holes 22, 50, and 52 intersect a high-grade body truncated at depth by a fault. Drill hole BRT-DDH022, reported earlier (see June 6, 2025 news release), returned 110 meters at 1.94% copper from 62 meters, including 58 meters at 3.06% copper. Assays from drill hole 88 are pending.
The company maintains rigorous quality assurance and quality control procedures, inserting blanks, pulp duplicates, and certified copper standards at a rate of about 12% of total samples. Samples are analyzed by ALS Global and SGS Laboratories, with the Qualified Person confirming no significant QA/QC issues.
Dr. Scott Jobin-Bevans (P.Geo., Ph.D., PMP), a Qualified Person under NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release.
