NorthWest Copper Corp. has reported impressive new assay results from its ongoing 2025 drilling program at the fully-owned Kwanika project in British Columbia. The latest findings reveal substantial near-surface copper-gold mineralization that could significantly enhance the project's economic potential.
Exceptional Drill Results
The company's fifth drill hole of the season, designated K-25-278, intersected two broad zones of near-surface mineralization. The standout result shows 44 metres grading 0.62% copper and 0.42 grams per tonne gold, equivalent to 1.01% copper equivalent mineralization starting from just 172 metres depth.
Paul Olmsted, CEO of NorthWest, expressed enthusiasm about the results. "This hole builds on the strong momentum we've established at Kwanika," he stated. "The results confirm continuous near-surface mineralization and reinforce the potential for a high-grade starter pit that could enhance the project's near-term economics."
Detailed Mineralization Breakdown
The drill hole achieved multiple objectives, confirming near-surface mineralization within the current open-pit mineral resource while improving confidence in the upper Central Zone's position and thickness. The upper Central Zone was intersected closer to surface than anticipated, suggesting potential continuity with higher-grade areas in the Pit Zone.
Key intercepts from the drilling include:
- Pit Zone: 80 metres of 0.59% Cu and 0.16g/t Au (0.75% CuEq) from 47 metres depth
- Pit Zone: 44 metres of 0.62% Cu and 0.42g/t Au (1.01% CuEq) from 172 metres depth
- Central Zone: 36 metres of 0.65% Cu and 0.64g/t Au (1.25% CuEq) from 222 metres depth
The Central Zone results included particularly rich sections, with 10 metres of 1.50% CuEq and 18 metres of 1.51% CuEq mineralization.
Geological Insights and Program Objectives
The drilling revealed valuable geological patterns, including an east-west lateral metal zonation trend that continues into the Central Zone, where gold to copper ratios approach 1:1. This information could support improved understanding of metallurgical recoveries across the deposit.
NorthWest's expanded 2025 drill program totals 6,435 metres and focuses on defining higher-grade zones within the current mineral resource. The program targets both underground areas that could support selective mining methods and higher-grade open-pit zones that could serve as starter pits.
Results from the first five holes have met or exceeded expectations, highlighting opportunities to improve upon the economics outlined in the company's 2023 Preliminary Economic Assessment. The company plans to release additional results from the remaining thirteen drill holes in the coming weeks.
These findings strengthen NorthWest Copper's confidence in delivering meaningful improvements to project economics in an updated Preliminary Economic Assessment, potentially positioning the Kwanika project as a significant copper-gold development in British Columbia's mining landscape.
