Yukon Metals Begins Inaugural Drilling Program at High-Grade Copper Zone of AZ Property
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Yukon Metals Corp. (CSE: YMC, FSE: E770, OTCQB: YMMCF) ('Yukon Metals' or the 'Company') is pleased to announce it has commenced the inaugural drilling program at its 11,755-hectare AZ Project, located 6 kilometers west of the Alaska Highway and 36 kilometres south of Beaver Creek, Yukon. The fully funded exploration program includes 2,000 metres of diamond drilling, along with extensive geological mapping and rock-chip sampling across several high-priority targets. (Figure 4).
2025 AZ Drilling Program:
2,000 metres of diamond drilling of extensive copper mineralization at Chair Mountain, with surface values up to 3.49% copper (Figures 1 and 5).
Hole AZ25-001 contains malachite and azurite down to 22.4m (Figure 2).
Follow-up on the Nutzotin skarn mineral occurrence, where historic trench samples returned up to 10.3% copper (AR # 095814) as well as testing of an intrusive-hosted chalcopyrite-bearing vein system (Figure 4).
Yukon-based and local First Nation contractors engaged: drill pads constructed by Minconsult in partnership with Vision Quest Drilling, a Kluane First Nation citizen-owned company; helicopter support provided by Yukon-based Capital Helicopters; drilling services contracted to Platinum Drilling; camp services provided by Käganì, a Kluane First Nation citizen-owned enterprise in partnership with longstanding Yukon-based exploration contractor - Archer Cathro.
'We are encouraged by the presence of visible copper oxide minerals, including malachite and azurite (Figures 2 and 3), observed in the upper portion of the first hole at AZ,' said Rory Quinn, President & CEO of Yukon Metals. 'These visual indicators align well with our exploration model, and we look forward to receiving assay results to confirm the extent and grade of mineralization.'Figure 1 – First drill rig mobilized at the AZ Project. Photo taken June 6, 2025.Figure 2 – Drill core from hole AZ25-001 at 22.4m containing malachite, azurite, and pyrite. Photo taken June 7, 2025.Figure 3 – Drill core from hole AZ25-001 at 13.4m highlighting strongly oxidized core with abundant azurite mineralization. Photo taken June 7, 2025.Figure 4 - Interpreted mineralization trend the focus of the 2025 field program at AZ highlighted along with 2024 prospected gossan area.
Building on last season's successful prospecting at Chair Mountain, where rock chip samples returned up to 3.49% copper (see YMC news release issued January 15, 2025 here), the Company has identified a high-priority target area extending an additional 2.5 kilometers toward the Nutzotin mineral occurrence. Notably, hematite alteration (see YMC news release issued February 19, 2025 here) observed at surface and the presence of multiple copper occurrences along this corridor suggest the potential for a porphyry-style system.Figure 5 - Sample K140202 grading 3.49% Cu at AZ Project.
About the AZ Project
In September 2024, Yukon Metals conducted a helicopter-supported mapping and sampling program on its AZ property. A prominent zone of orange iron-stained and altered rocks was followed over 1.2 kilometres on the north and eastern flanks of Chair Mountain. Consistent copper mineralization was found along the prospected area. Of the sixty rock-chip samples taken, 18 samples showing significant copper content, assayed from 0.12-3.49%. Hematite alteration was also noted in the area. This can be associated with oxidized hydrothermal fluids, which are key drivers in forming major porphyry copper deposits.
Rock-chip samples were collected in quartz veins within basalt and andesite volcanic rocks in both outcrop and float exposures near the ridge tops. This area is coincident with a major topographic lineament, mapped regionally as a NW trending fault zone, that extends a further kilometer down to Sanpete Creek (a past alluvial gold producer) and the property boundary to the southeast.
The large gossan and mineralized veins provide evidence of a large hydrothermal system driving fluids through the faults and fractures on Chair Mountain. Strongly clay-altered biotite-quartz diorite dykes were mapped in the vicinity of mineralization and are interpreted to be part of the Nutzotin suite of intrusions.
Grant of Equity Incentive Awards
Yukon Metals announces that it has granted a total of 2,594,000 options ("Equity Incentive Awards") to various employees, consultants, directors, and officers of the Company. The Equity Incentive Awards have been granted pursuant to the Company's Omnibus Incentive Plan and are subject to vesting provisions. The options have an exercise price of $0.53 per share and will expire five years from the date of grant.
Qualified Person
The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Helena Kuikka, P.Geo., VP Exploration for Yukon Metals and a Qualified Person (as defined by National Instrument 43-101).
About Yukon Metals Corp.
Yukon Metals is well financed and represents a property portfolio built on over 30 years of prospecting by the Berdahl family, the prospecting team behind Snowline Gold's portfolio of primary gold assets. The Yukon Metals portfolio consists primarily of copper-gold and silver-lead-zinc assets, with a substantial gold and silver component. The Company is led by an experienced Board of Directors and Management Team across technical and finance disciplines.
Yukon Metals is focused on fostering sustainable growth and prosperity within Yukon's local communities, while simultaneously enhancing stakeholder value. Our strategy centers around inclusivity and shared prosperity, offering both community members and investors the chance to contribute to, and benefit from, our ventures
The Yukon
The Yukon ranks 10th most prospective for mineral potential across global jurisdictions according to the Fraser Institute's 2023 Survey of Mining Companies and is host to a highly experienced and conscientious local workforce, fostered by a long culture of exploration coupled with deep respect for the land. Recent major discoveries with local roots such as Snowline Gold's Rogue Project - Valley Discovery, demonstrate the Yukon's potential to generate fresh district-scale mining opportunities.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF YUKON METALS CORP.
'Rory Quinn'
Rory Quinn, President & CEOEmail: roryquinn@yukonmetals.comPhone: 604-366-4408
For additional information please contact:
Kaeli GattensVice President, Investor Relations & CommunicationsYukon Metals Corp.Email: kaeligattens@yukonmetals.comWebsite: www.yukonmetals.com
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This news release contains certain forward-looking information, including information about the metal association and geology of the prospect areas at the AZ project, including Chair Mountain, Nutzotin, Wrangell and California, the accuracy of the copper mineralization, the potential for economic grades of copper, silver and gold, Yukon's potential to generate fresh district-scale mining opportunities, and the Company's future plans and intentions. Wherever possible, words such as 'may', 'will', 'should', 'could', 'expect', 'plan', 'intend', 'anticipate', 'believe', 'estimate', 'predict' or 'potential' or the negative or other variations of these words, or similar words or phrases, have been used to identify the forward-looking information. These statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management as at the date hereof.
Forward-looking information involves significant risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those discussed or implied in the forward-looking information. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to Chair Mountain and other properties not being prospective copper-rich, gold-rich or silver-rich geological systems; rock samples analysed not being representative of overall mineralization; the required assumptions of completed helicopter-supported mapping and sampling programs; not having significant scale and a lack of economic grade minerals; the Yukon not having the potential to generate fresh district-scale mining opportunities; and other risks and uncertainties. See the section entitled 'Risk Factors' in the Company's listing statement dated May 30, 2024, available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca for additional risk factors.
These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking information. Although the forward-looking information contained in this news release is based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure readers that actual results will be consistent with the forward-looking information. The forward-looking information is made as of the date of this news release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise the information to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.
References
Mitchell, A., B.Sc. (2012). Assessment report describing soil and rock geochemical sampling at the Nutz Property, Nutz 1-30 YD110353-YD110382, NTS 115/K02. Prepared for Strategic Metals Ltd. by Archer, Cathro & Associates (1981) Limited. Whitehorse Mining District, Yukon Territory. February 2012. AR # 095814
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/defe9b1d-b22c-402c-bc67-a6bbbecdbbe6https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6f9dadb0-9d19-43de-9e18-b42e93db9542https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/851bcef6-5c85-4a5e-af5b-bed58a3960f4https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c628ae4a-f0cd-4a64-921f-b144546c821fhttps://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bcd68fb9-b5ec-4602-a736-a72d94eb8e7d
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
19 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Brixey & Meyer Capital Acquires Universal Distribution Group (UDG) to Expand its Automotive Shop Equipment Platform
CINCINNATI and CHARLOTTE, N.C., June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Brixey & Meyer Capital ("BMC") is pleased to announce the acquisition of Universal Distribution Group, ("UDG"), a leading provider of aftermarket automotive shop equipment, including sales, installation, and technical field service. UDG was acquired from founder and operator Josh Lyerly, who will retain an ownership stake and continue in a leadership role in the business. Headquartered in Charlotte, NC, UDG is a market leader in comprehensive shop equipment solutions for dealerships, municipalities, and independent repair facilities. Its highly trained field service team specializes in preventative maintenance, inspections, and repairs of light and heavy-duty automotive lifts, air compressors, A/C recovery systems, wheel alignment tools, and more. UDG represents the third investment in BMC's aftermarket automotive equipment platform and significantly expands its geographic coverage across the Southeast. In October 2024, BMC acquired Professional Maintenance & Equipment ("PME" or "ProMain") and Smith Equipment Solutions ("SES"), both based in Eastern North Carolina. The addition of UDG now extends the platform's footprint across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Southern Virginia. "UDG's mission has always been to deliver the best equipment in the industry backed by exceptional service," said Josh Lyerly. "This partnership enables us to expand across the Carolinas and meet the growing needs of our customers--especially in the collision repair segment." The platform is led by a seasoned executive team with plans for continued organic and acquisitive growth. "The partnership with UDG is a natural fit," said Patrick Nichol, CEO of the platform. "We're excited to bring UDG's heavy-duty capabilities into our platform while offering its customers expanded collision repair solutions. Together, we're elevating our value proposition and delivering complete solutions across the market." About Brixey & Meyer Capital: Brixey & Meyer Capital is a Cincinnati-based private investment firm focused on lower-middle-market companies. Since its founding, BMC has successfully completed 19 acquisitions and raised over $200 million in committed capital. The firm currently manages five different platform businesses across various industries. More on Brixey & Meyer Capital can be found on their website. About BMC's Automotive Shop Equipment Platform: The platform is a full-service distributor, installer, and field service provider of automotive and collision repair equipment. Serving dealerships, multi-site operators, municipalities, and independent repair centers across the Southeast, the platform delivers end-to-end solutions—from facility design through ongoing maintenance. Contact: Patrick View original content: SOURCE Brixey & Meyer Capital
20 minutes ago
In the Arizona desert, a farm raising fish raises questions about water use
DATELAND, Ariz. -- Storks scatter, white against blue water, as Dan Mohring's pickup truck rumbles down the dirt road. He's towing a trailer full of ground-up beef, chicken, fish and nutrient bits behind him, ready to be shot out of a cannon into the ponds below. It's time to feed the fish. Mohring fires up the machine and the food flies out in a rainbow arc. Then the water comes alive. Hundreds of thrashing, gobbling barramundi wiggle their way to the surface, all fighting for a piece. Until, in a few months, they will become food themselves. In the desert of landlocked Arizona, where the Colorado River crisis has put water use under a microscope, Mainstream Aquaculture has a fish farm where it's growing the tropical species barramundi, also known as Asian sea bass, for American restaurants. Mainstream sees it as a sustainable alternative to ocean-caught seafood. They say chefs and conscious consumers like that the food has a shorter distance to travel, eliminating some of the pollution that comes from massive ships that move products around the world. And they and some aquaculture experts argue it's efficient to use the water twice, since the nutrient-rich leftovers can irrigate crops like Bermuda grass sold for livestock feed. 'We're in the business of water,' said Matt Mangan, head of Australia-based Mainstream's American business. 'We want to be here in 20 years', 30 years' time.' But some experts question whether growing fish on a large scale in an arid region can work without high environmental costs. That question comes down to what people collectively decide is a good use of water. In Arizona, some places manage water more aggressively than others. But the whole state is dealing with the impacts of climate change, which is making the region drier and water only more precious. The farm uses groundwater, not Colorado River water. It's a nonrenewable resource, and like mining, different people and industries have different philosophies about whether it should be extracted. 'As long as groundwater is treated as an open resource in these rural parts of Arizona, they're susceptible to new industries coming in and using the groundwater for that industry,' said Sarah Porter, director of the Kyl Center for Water Policy at Arizona State University's Morrison Institute. Some scientists believe aquaculture can play a role in protecting wild ocean ecosystems from overfishing. And it might play at least a small role in smoothing any supply problems that result from the Trump administration's tariffs on imports from dozens of countries, including those that send the U.S. about 80% of its seafood, per the United States Department of Agriculture. In the greenhouses at University of Arizona professor Kevin Fitzsimmons' lab in Tucson, tilapia circle idly in tanks that filter down into tubs full of mussels and floating patches of collard greens and lettuce. Fitzsimmons mentored the student who started the tilapia farm eventually bought by Mainstream about three years ago where they now raise barramundi. 'I don't think desert agriculture is going away," he said. 'Obviously, we want to do it as water-efficient as possible." But not everyone agrees it's possible. 'Artificial ponds in the desert are stupid,' said Jay Famiglietti, a professor at ASU and director of science for the Arizona Water Innovation Initiative. He worried about heavy water losses to evaporation. Mangan says that evaporation hasn't been an issue so much as the loss of heat in the wintertime. That has required pumping more water since its warmth when it arrives at the surface helps keep the barramundi cozy. But Mangan says they've been improving pond design to retain heat better and have found, after the last year of research and development, that they can cut their water requirement by about half as a result. Plus, he argues, the water coming out of the fish ponds is "essentially liquid fertilizer," and though it's slightly salty, they use it for crops that can tolerate it, like Bermuda grass dairy cows can eat. But that's supporting the cattle industry, which contributes more than its share of planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions, Famiglietti said. 'Doing two suboptimal things doesn't make it better,' he said. Purple flowers sprout alongside paddle wheels. Fish bones crunch underfoot. The faint odor of brackish water and ammonia catches in the breeze. Without groundwater, none of it would be possible. Some farmers in Arizona rely on water from the Colorado River, but many others use well water to irrigate crops like alfalfa for the dairy industry or the lettuce, cucumbers and melons shipped nationwide year-round. Arizona has seven areas around the state where groundwater is rigorously managed. Dateland doesn't fall into one of those, so the only rule that really governs it is a law saying if you land own there, you can pump a 'reasonable' amount of groundwater, said Rhett Larson, who teaches water law at ASU. What might be considered 'reasonable' depends from crop to crop, and there's really no precedent for aquaculture, an industry that hasn't yet spread commercially statewide. Using numbers provided by Mainstream, Porter calculated that the fish farm would demand a 'very large amount' of water, on par with a big ranch or potentially even more than some suburbs of Phoenix. And she noted that although the water use is being maximized by using it twice, it's still depleting the aquifer. When the company scoped out Arizona to expand, Mangan said they didn't see nearly the same kinds of regulations as back in Australia. As part of its growth strategy, Mainstream is also hoping to work with other farmers in the area so more can use nutrient-rich fish pond wastewater to produce hay. They say a few have expressed interest. The seafood industry needs to reduce its reliance on catching small wild fish to feed bigger farmed ones that humans eat, said Pallab Sarker, an assistant professor at the University of California, Santa Cruz, who studies sustainability in the aquaculture industry. He said seabirds and mammals rely on small species like anchovies and mackerel commonly used in fish meal. 'We should not rely on ocean fish to grow fish for aquaculture to meet the demand for humans,' Sarker said. Mainstream gets its fish feed from two suppliers, Skretting and Star Milling, but Mangan and Mohring said they didn't know for certain where those suppliers got their base ingredients from. Fitzsimmons, of the University of Arizona, also pointed out that between pollution, overfishing and oceanfront development for recreation, the commercial fishing industry had already been facing problems. He doesn't think that Trump's moves this spring to open up marine protected areas for commercial fishing will improve that situation the way aquaculture could. 'We can't keep hunting and gathering from the ocean,' Fitzsimmons said. ___ ___
Hamilton Spectator
21 minutes ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Seine River School Division finds surplus at end of error-filled financial ‘roller-coaster'
After 18 months of widespread disruption tied to budgeting errors, a rural school division says it's on track to get out of the red sooner than expected — thanks in part to what officials admit were 'over-corrections.' The Seine River School Division provided staff members and student families with an unexpected update on its financial health late Tuesday. The Lorette-based board office, which recorded a $4.1-million surprise deficit in 2023-2024, is projected to end June with a surplus ranging between $2 million and $2.5 million. Senior administration is attributing the U-turn to a second major miscalculation in financial planning in just as many years. 'It doesn't give our kids back the year that they needed or make sure that kids are hitting their educational targets,' said Alexina Key, a mother of four school-aged children in St. Norbert. Key said she is frustrated and in disbelief about the reocurring mistakes that have resulted in significant staffing and programming cuts, as well as finger-pointing at previous leaders. An external probe initiated by Manitoba Education in early 2024 found decision-maker oversights and high turnover on Seine River's superintendent team were to blame for shoddy projections built into the 2023-2024 budget. The financial fiasco, first made public in November 2023, has led to reduced school budgets and administrative spending and the end of a free, extended-day kindergarten program known as Kids at Play. Area schools stopped lending iPads outside instructional hours to find technology-related savings. They also introduced fees for busing, extracurriculars and optional courses to balance the budget. 'Over-corrections were made in some areas, and we recognize the impact this situation has had, especially on staff members who were affected by job changes, families who lost access to valued programs, and students who were not able to receive some services or who were placed on waitlists,' states a new letter signed by chief superintendent Colin Campbell and Wendy Bloomfield, chair of the board of trustees. The June 10 memo said an internal review over the winter months identified an error in the current budget that was developed under previous administrators. Corrected data show the division will eliminate its deficit a year ahead of schedule, it said. '(Budget cuts) were made in good faith based on the information available at the time. Even so, the consequences were real, and we are committed to doing better,' it added. Campbell, who joined the division in December, is the sixth person to serve in the division's top administrative role since the summer of 2021. Four years ago, the looming threat of Bill 64 — the former Progressive Conservative government's ultimately failed plan to amalgamate divisions — sparked an exodus from the board office in Lorette. It has has been a revolving-door workplace since. The last two years have especially been a 'roller-coaster,' said Bloomfield, one of the longest-serving school trustees in the province with more than 40 years of experience. 'We're not happy to have to come forward with this and say, 'There's another calculation error,' but it is what it is,' the 12-term trustee told the Free Press. She and Campbell said their team shared an update on Tuesday to be transparent, rebuild trust and show they have nothing to hide. They indicated an extra $3 million was unecessarily budgeted for staffing at one school in the division encompassing Ile des Chênes, Ste. Anne and surrounding communities in southeastern Manitoba. Campbell said decision-makers need to be 'good stewards' of their newfound savings, adding it would not be responsible to immediately rehire staff or reinstate programs with recurring costs. Jonathan Waite, president of the local teachers union, said he is encouraged about the division's 'up front' discovery and early elimination of the deficit. Waite said in a vague statement that he will continue to discuss the matter with Campbell, and he is looking forward to what lies ahead in 2025-2026. Campbell has pledged to increase communication on financial planning with managers of all kinds, and ensure more people review estimates in the future. Seine River will be subject to an independent audit in the coming months as part of Manitoba's annual budget-oversight process for its 38 school boards. A spokesperson for the Department of Education indicated officials were made aware of the latest budget challenges in Seine River. 'You don't get into the school trustee game unless you care. That is a pretty thankless job when it comes to politics, but the lack of accountability and the flip-flopping…. It makes it hard to be thankful,' said Key, a mother of children in grades 4, 7, 9 and 10. She noted that the current board, which was formed after the 2022 municipal elections, has overseen all of the financial problems. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
