Fitzroy Minerals Inc. (TSXV: FTZ, OTCQX: FTZFF, FSE: C3Y) has 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 intersections of high-grade mineralization. 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 in hole BRT-DDH062, including 13.0 meters at 3.62% copper.
Merlin Marr-Johnson, President and CEO of Fitzroy, emphasized the significance of the near-surface, leachable material. “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 be trucked to one of three electro-winning plants within a 90-kilometer radius for processing into copper cathode.
Since February 2026, Fitzroy has completed 67 drill holes totaling 10,583 meters, comprising infill, geotechnical, and exploration holes. The drilling aims to define mineralization for a maiden mineral resource estimate, centered on the Southwest Area. However, laboratory turnaround times with ALS Global have caused delays of up to three months. To mitigate this, Fitzroy has engaged SGS Laboratories for samples from the Pit Area, ensuring dataset integrity for both main areas of interest.
Key intercepts from the latest results include drill hole BRT-DDH054 returning 80.2 meters at 0.65% copper from 20.8 meters, with a higher-grade interval of 22.0 meters at 1.32% copper. Drill hole BRT-DDH022, previously reported on June 6, 2025 (here), returned 110 meters at 1.94% copper, including 58 meters at 3.06% copper. Drill hole BRT-DDH059, reported on May 13, 2026 (here), returned 78.0 meters at 1.70% copper. These results demonstrate a well-mineralized system that remains open for expansion.
The company’s quality assurance and quality control procedures include inserting blanks, pulp duplicates, and certified copper standards at a rate of about 12% of total samples. Samples are processed at ALS Global and SGS Laboratories, with the Qualified Person Dr. Scott Jobin-Bevans (P.Geo., Ph.D., PMP) independently reviewing the data. No significant QA/QC issues were identified.
Fitzroy Minerals is focused on copper-focused mineral assets in the Americas, with 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.
