Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
June 29, 2026

Fitzroy Minerals Expands Buen Retiro Drill Program After Strong Copper Hits

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Original Source

TLDR

  • Fitzroy Minerals expands drilling to 22,000m at Buen Retiro, hitting 59m at 1.73% Cu, enhancing resource upside.
  • Three diamond rigs and an RC rig target shallow copper mineralization with step-out drilling and QA/QC protocols.
  • Near-surface copper in Chile could enable low-capital cathode production, supporting cleaner energy transition.
  • Drill hole 52 returned 12m at 5.39% Cu, highlighting high-grade zones near surface at Buen Retiro.

Impact - Why it Matters

This news matters because it signals the potential for a new, near-surface copper source in Chile, a country that produces about a quarter of the world's copper. With copper demand rising for electrification and renewable energy, such discoveries could help meet supply needs. The shallow, leachable nature of the mineralization suggests lower-cost production, which could improve project economics and attract investment. For investors, the expanded drill program and consistent high-grade intercepts increase the likelihood of a maiden resource estimate, potentially boosting Fitzroy's valuation.

Summary

Fitzroy Minerals Inc. (TSXV: FTZ, OTCQX: FTZFF, FSE: C3Y) has released an update on drilling at its Buen Retiro Copper Project in Copiapo, Chile, reporting significant near-surface copper intercepts that have expanded the 2026 drill program to approximately 22,000 meters. The company intersected 59.0 meters grading 1.73% copper 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. These results, released via NEWMEDIAWIRE, underscore the potential for a well-mineralized system near surface and near infrastructure.

President and CEO Merlin Marr-Johnson highlighted the value of these shallow, leachable intercepts, noting a potential route to near-term copper cathode production with reduced capital and permitting timelines. One plan under evaluation involves producing a soluble copper sulphate concentrate at site for processing at any of three Electro-Win (EW) plants within a 90 km radius. The company has completed 67 drill holes totaling 10,583 meters since February 2026, with three diamond drill rigs currently active and a reverse circulation rig to be added. To mitigate assay delays at ALS Global, Fitzroy has contracted SGS Laboratories for samples in the Pit Area.

Key intercepts also include BRT-DDH054 with 80.2 meters at 0.65% copper from 20.8 meters, and BRT-DDH022 (reported earlier) with 110 meters at 1.94% copper. Drill holes 22, 50, and 52 intersect a high-grade body truncated by a fault. The company is focusing on defining a maiden mineral resource estimate, though expansion continues as more mineralization is found. Fitzroy Minerals is a copper-focused explorer with projects in Chile, Argentina, and Canada.

Source Statement

This curated news summary relied on content disributed by NewMediaWire. Read the original source here, Fitzroy Minerals Expands Buen Retiro Drill Program After Strong Copper Hits

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