Trilogy Metals Inc. (NYSE American: TMQ) (TSX: TMQ) has announced the commencement of its 2026 summer exploration program at the Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects in Alaska’s Ambler Mining District. The fully funded program, operated through its 50/50 joint venture Ambler Metals with South32, is designed to advance the high-grade Arctic copper-zinc-lead-gold-silver project toward a potential construction decision. This initiative comes as the United States intensifies efforts to secure domestic supplies of critical minerals essential for clean energy technologies and national defense.
The 2026 field season will include approximately 40 drill holes, with at least 5,400 meters of drilling aimed at supporting mine design, permitting, and exploration activities at the Arctic Project. The program also supports regional exploration across the district’s 100-kilometer volcanogenic massive sulfide belt, which hosts significant polymetallic deposits. The Ambler Mining District is recognized as one of the world’s richest copper-dominant districts, containing copper, zinc, lead, gold, and silver, as well as high-grade copper and cobalt in carbonate replacement deposits.
In conjunction with the field program, Trilogy Metals announced the appointment of Ron Rimelman as president of Ambler Metals. Rimelman will lead permitting, exploration, and development efforts across both the Arctic and Bornite projects as the joint venture advances toward future development decisions. His leadership is expected to be pivotal in navigating the complex regulatory and environmental landscape of Alaska, while maintaining cooperation with local communities.
The Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects span approximately 190,929 hectares and include the Arctic volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit and the Bornite carbonate replacement deposit. Ambler Metals holds a 100% interest in these projects and has an agreement with NANA Regional Corporation, an Alaska Native Corporation, to explore and develop the district in a manner that respects subsistence livelihoods. This partnership is crucial for ensuring that local communities benefit from and have a voice in the development process.
The announcement highlights the strategic importance of the Arctic Project as a potential source of critical minerals. As global demand for copper and zinc increases, driven by electric vehicle production and renewable energy infrastructure, domestic projects like Arctic become vital for reducing reliance on foreign supplies. The U.S. government has identified copper as a critical mineral, and projects in Alaska are positioned to play a key role in meeting national needs.
Trilogy Metals emphasized that the 2026 program is fully funded, reflecting confidence in the project’s potential. The company’s vision is to develop the Ambler Mining District into a premier North American copper producer while protecting and respecting subsistence livelihoods. With the appointment of Rimelman and the ongoing exploration, the joint venture is taking concrete steps toward that goal.
For more information, the full press release is available at https://ibn.fm/y7Ysc. Investors can also access the latest updates on Trilogy Metals in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/TMQ.
