Fitzroy Minerals Inc. (TSXV: FTZ, OTCQX: FTZFF, FSE: C3Y) has announced an expansion of its drill program at the Buen Retiro Copper Project in Copiapo, Chile, to approximately 22,000 meters for 2026. The decision follows continued high-grade copper intercepts from ongoing drilling, with three diamond drill rigs currently on site and a reverse circulation rig to be added shortly.
The company reported results from nine drill holes in the Southwest Area, including drill hole BRT-DDH052, which returned 59.0 meters at 1.73% copper from 92.0 meters, including 12.0 meters at 5.39% copper from 136.0 meters. Drill hole BRT-DDH062 returned 76.0 meters at 0.74% copper from 69.0 meters, including 13.0 meters at 3.62% copper from 106.0 meters. These intercepts are near surface and considered leachable, which could reduce capital and permitting requirements for potential production.
Fitzroy President and CEO Merlin Marr-Johnson highlighted the significance of the results, noting that consistent high-grade intersections from multiple holes indicate a well-mineralized system. The company is evaluating a plan to produce a soluble copper sulfate concentrate at site, which could be trucked to one of three electro-winning plants within a 90-kilometer radius for copper cathode production.
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 is focused on defining mineralization for a maiden resource estimate, with step-out holes testing extensions to the northwest and southeast. The company is also addressing laboratory turnaround delays by using visual grade estimation for exploration holes and contracting SGS Laboratories for samples from the Pit Area to maintain dataset integrity.
Additional results include drill hole BRT-DDH054 with 80.2 meters at 0.65% copper from 20.8 meters, including 22.0 meters at 1.32% copper, and drill hole BRT-DDH061 with 49.0 meters at 0.92% copper from 67.0 meters. A cross-section shows that drill holes 22, 50, and 52 intersect a high-grade body truncated by a fault, with assays for drill hole 88 pending.
The company’s quality assurance and quality control procedures include inserting blanks, pulp duplicates, and certified copper standards into the sample stream, representing about 12% of total samples. Samples are transported to ALS Global and SGS Laboratories, with no significant issues identified in QA/QC reviews. Dr. Scott Jobin-Bevans, a qualified person under NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information.
Fitzroy Minerals is focused on copper-focused projects in the Americas, with additional properties in Chile, Argentina, and Canada. The expansion of the drill program at Buen Retiro underscores the company’s commitment to advancing the project toward potential near-term production.
