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 intersections. The company reported results from nine drill holes in the Southwest Area, including notable intercepts of 59.0 meters at 1.73% copper from 92.0 meters in hole BRT-DDH052 and 76.0 meters at 0.74% copper from 69.0 meters in hole BRT-DDH062.
The expanded program, up from an earlier estimate, reflects the company's success in identifying shallow, leachable mineralization near existing infrastructure. Merlin Marr-Johnson, President and CEO of Fitzroy, highlighted the significance of these results, noting that the near-surface material could facilitate a route to near-term copper cathode production with reduced capital and permitting requirements. One plan under evaluation involves producing a 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 infill, geotechnical, and exploration holes. The ongoing drilling aims to define mineralization for a maiden mineral resource estimate, with two rigs testing extensions to the northwest and southeast of the Southwest Area. To address laboratory turnaround delays, the company has engaged SGS Laboratories for samples from the Pit Area, ensuring data integrity for the two main zones of interest.
Drill hole BRT-DDH052 returned 59 meters at 1.73% copper, including 12 meters at 5.39% copper from 136 meters. Hole BRT-DDH062 intersected 76 meters at 0.74% copper, with a higher-grade interval of 13 meters at 3.62% copper from 106 meters. Other results include hole BRT-DDH054 with 80.2 meters at 0.65% copper from 20.8 meters, including 22 meters at 1.32% copper. These intercepts are close to surface and contribute to the growing resource base.
The company's drilling strategy incorporates visual estimation of grade to mitigate laboratory delays, with ALS Global currently experiencing up to three-month turnaround times. Fitzroy maintains rigorous quality assurance and quality control procedures, including the insertion of blanks, standards, and pulp duplicates, with approximately 12% of samples being QA/QC samples. The company's Qualified Person, Dr. Scott Jobin-Bevans, has reviewed and approved the technical information.
Fitzroy Minerals is focused on copper-focused mineral assets in the Americas, with the Buen Retiro project as a flagship. The company's shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol FTZ and on the OTCQX under FTZFF.
