Selkirk Copper Mines Reports High-Grade 4.96% Copper Intercepts at Minto North West Zone, Validating Minto System Potential
Selkirk Copper Mines Inc. (TSXV: SCMI), operating the Minto Copper-Gold-Silver system, reported highly encouraging assay results on December 22, 2025, with the Minto North West zone yielding a high-grade intercept of 4.96% copper (Cu), 0.85 grams per tonne gold (Au), and 18.67 g/t silver (Ag) over 9.9 meters from 225.1 meters. The results stem from the company's ongoing 50,000-meter drill program in the Yukon, confirming the robust potential of the Minto deposit.
Drill Program Confirms High-Grade Mineralization
The high-grade intercept at the Minto North West zone was recorded in drill hole 25SCM009, which represented a 150-meter southern step-out. This core high-grade section was situated within a broader mineralized zone measuring 24.0 meters, grading 2.34% Cu, 0.43 g/t Au, and 8.69 g/t Ag.
The company also provided updates on the Ridgetop zone, where drilling targeted an under-explored area. Key intercepts from the Ridgetop zone include:
- Drill hole 25SCM006: 1.46% Cu, 0.47 g/t Au, and 4.04 g/t Ag over 14.7 meters from 90.3 meters. This was part of a wider zone grading 1.02% Cu, 0.37 g/t Au, and 3.17 g/t Ag over 27.7 meters.
- Drill hole 25SCM004: 2.20% Cu, 0.80 g/t Au, and 4.52 g/t Ag over 7.0 meters from 108.0 meters, contained within a 23-meter zone grading 1.36% Cu, 0.5% g/t Au, and 2.92 g/t Ag.
As of December 19, 2025, Selkirk Copper had completed 32,026 meters of drilling across 121 drill holes, representing 64% completion of the planned 50,000-meter program. The Minto North West zone alone accounted for 8,979 meters of the total drilling completed to date.
Advancing Engineering and Metallurgical Testwork
In parallel with the exploration efforts, Selkirk Copper is advancing critical engineering and design work necessary for future mine planning. The company is collaborating with leading consultants, including Hatch Ltd. and SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc., on a Trade-Off Study. This work encompasses mine planning and design, metallurgy, mineral processing, and waste rock and tailings management, with direct involvement from consultants representing the Selkirk First Nation.
A key focus is the metallurgical testwork program, which aims to optimize the recovery rates for copper, gold, and silver, particularly on the Ridgetop deposit. Preliminary results from this testwork have been reported as positive. The program is also investigating the potential to enhance precious metals recovery through the use of gravity recovery methods.
Corporate Update and Shareholder Approval
The announcement follows the company’s Annual General and Special Meeting (the “Meeting”), which was held on December 17, 2025, in Whitehorse, Yukon. Shareholders at the meeting approved all matters of business brought before the company, signaling continued support for the management and strategic direction of the Minto project.
The combination of successful high-grade drilling results and the positive advancement of technical studies positions Selkirk Copper Mines to potentially upgrade its mineral resource estimates and move closer to future development decisions for the Minto Copper-Gold-Silver system.
