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First Drill Hole Confirms High-Grade Copper Skarn Mineralization at the Birch Project

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First Drill Hole Confirms High-Grade Copper Skarn Mineralization at the Birch Project

 

 

 

 

 

Yukon Metals Corp. (CSE: YMC) (FSE: E770) (OTCQB: YMMCF) is pleased to announce initial results from the 2025 drill program at its 100% owned Birch Copper-Gold Project, located 65 kilometers northeast of Burwash Landing, Yukon. The Company has received assays from the first drill hole, BR25-001, along with promising surface sample results from prospecting a geochemically anomalous zone 2 kilometers south of the drilling.

 

Highlights:

  • The initial drill hole encountered stacked skarn horizons containing copper mineralization over lengths of up to 21.2 meters, including multiple intervals over 3.1% copper equivalent.
  • Drilling intersected skarn horizons extending along a 750-meter strike east-west (Figure 1); Hole 3, a 250-meter step-out to the east, encountered near-surface mineralization beginning at ~25 meters and a 46-meter thick, continuous interval of intensely skarn altered rock from 256.5 to 302.5 meters (News Release September 3, 2025).
  • Prospecting 2km south of the drill pad returned up to 16g/t Au, 1,825 g/t Ag, and 0.43% Cu, in surface rock samples from an area coincident with a large molybdenum soil geochemical anomaly (Figure 6).

 

“Our team is very encouraged by results from the first of six drill holes at Birch,” said Rory Quinn, President & CEO. “We are seeing clear evidence of a copper-gold skarn system, with high-grade zones and strong alteration along intrusive contacts. Early signs of a porphyry-style source are compelling, and we are particularly eager to see what emerges from Holes 3 and 4, spaced 750 meters apart within the 1400-meter-long skarn trend, with Hole 4 located within a surface high-grade gold anomaly.”

 

Drill Results

 

The 2025 drill program at Birch consisted of 1,685m of HQ diamond drill core in six holes off 4 pads (Figure 1). Highlights from Hole BR25-001:

  • 21.2m of 0.30% Cu (0.41% CuEq*) from 138.8m to 160m including 2.5% Cu with 0.55 g/t Au and 18.5 g/t Ag (3.2% CuEq) from 145.45–146.00m and 2.7% Cu with 0.55 g/t Au and 24.1 g/t Ag over 1.0m (3.5% CuEq) from 150.0–151.0m (Figure 2).

 

Figure 1 – 2025 Drill Location Map with Overlain 2024 Soil Copper Anomaly.

 

  • BR25-001 intersected several copper and gold bearing skarn horizons hosted in schist units adjacent to intrusive contacts. These high-grade zones occur within foliated skarn units containing disseminated and banded sulfides.

 

Table 1: Highlighted Drill Hole Assay Intervals

 

Hole ID From_m To_m Length_m Cu % Au g/t Ag g/t CuEq_%*
BR25-001 138.8 160.0 21.2 0.30 0.08 3.81 0.41
and incl 145.5 146.0 0.6 2.50 0.55 18.5 3.20
incl 150.0 160.0 10.0 0.39 0.10 5.76 0.53
and incl 150.0 151.0 1.0 2.70 0.55 24.1 3.45
and 283.0 283.9 0.9 0.00 1.50 0.25 1.43
and 285.4 286.0 0.6 0.45 0.45 5.20 0.93

Notes: True widths are not yet known but are estimated to be near true thickness based on current geological interpretation.*Copper equivalent (CuEq %) values have been calculated using the formula: CuEq % = Cu % + (Au g/t × 0.95) + (Ag g/t x 0.0095), based on metal prices of US $4.00/lb Cu, $3,000/oz Au, US $40/oz Ag. Recovery factors of 92% copper, 80% gold, and 60% silver were assumed based on a review of similar projects. No metallurgical test work has yet been completed at Birch. 

 

 Figure 2 – Hole BR25-001 at 149m: close-up of massive pyrrhotite > chalcopyrite within skarn horizon grading 2.7% Cu, 0.55% Au, and 24.1 g/t Ag.

 

 Figure 3 – Cross Section View of Hole BR25-001 with Copper Equivalent and Geologic Interpretation.

 

 Figure 4 – Hole BR25-001 from 144m. Massive pyrrhotite > chalcopyrite zones within skarn horizons hosting up to 2.7% Cu and 0.55 g/t Au.

 

In addition, BR25-001 contained a particularly interesting section at around 311m depth, consisting of a crowded porphyritic intrusion with pervasive silica alteration (Figure 6). The interval hosts minor disseminated sulphides that returned geochemically anomalous copper values ranging from 350 to 575 ppm. Early interpretations suggest the unit dips south and may be related to subcropping mineralized dykes mapped approximately 2 km to the south and identified during the 2025 prospecting program.

 

Figure 5 – Hole BR25-001 around 311m. Crowded porphyritic intrusion unit with minor disseminated sulphides and anomalous copper values.

 

Prospecting Results South of Birch Drill Area

 

Prospecting 2km south of the drill pad returned up to 16g/t Au, 1,825 g/t Ag, and 0.43% Cu, in surface rock samples from an area coincident with a large molybdenum soil geochemical anomaly.

 

A total of 133 rock samples were collected across the Birch property during the 2025 program, including 43 samples from an area located approximately 2 km south of the drilling area (Figure 4). This southern target, first identified by a molybdenum-in-soil anomaly in a 2012 grid and partially confirmed by Yukon Metals’ 2024 soils (News Release, October 16, 2024), is underlain by a potassium/thorium low in airborne geophysical surveys and has limited bedrock exposure. Sampling focused on float and subcrop boulders, which are considered near-source given the absence of glacial till overburden and low downslope transport of frost-heaved blocks.

 

Of the 43 samples collected in this region, 13 returned anomalous values in one or more of Au, Ag, Cu, Mo, Pb, W, or Zn (Table 2). Highlights from Birch Sampling Program:

  • 16.0 g/t Au, 667 g/t Ag, 0.027% Cu, 81 ppm Mo, and 1.53% Pb from quartz-carbonate vein float with arsenopyrite, pyrite, and sulfosalts.
  • 9.3 g/t Au, 1,115 g/t Ag, 0.20% Cu, and 5.96% Pb from a vein in subcrop with 10–15% sulfides, dominated by arsenopyrite and sulfosalts.
  • 7.73 g/t Au, 1,825 g/t Ag, 0.43% Cu, and 1.58% Pb from vein float containing arsenopyrite, pyrite, galena, and sulfosalts.
  • 2.98 g/t Au, 573 g/t Ag, 0.07% Cu, and 0.75% Pb from a quartz-epidote vein with arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite, and sulfosalts.
  • 2,320 ppm Mo, 0.1% Cu, and 1% pyrrhotite from a skarn horizon developed in limestone subcrop.

 

The diversity of lithologies and mineral associations, including quartz-carbonate and quartz-epidote veining, altered diorite, schist, and skarn horizons, points to a broad hydrothermal footprint with multiple mineralizing pulses.

 

High silver and lead values correlate with sulfosalt and galena-rich samples, while molybdenum enrichment and associated copper in skarn float suggest proximity to a porphyry-style source. This southern anomalous area is interpreted as potentially linked to the mineralized skarn horizons intersected in the 2025 drilling, possibly marking a feeder zone or the outer expression of a buried porphyry system.

 

Figure 6 – Location of 2025 Rock Samples collected near the soil molybdenum anomaly on the southeast portion of the Birch property. 2024 Rock Samples are shown with triangle symbols.

 

Table 2 – Highlighted 2025 Rock Samples from Southeast Birch

 

Sample Au g/t Ag g/t Cu % Mo ppm Pb ppm Sb ppm W ppm Zn ppm Type Lithology
K155346 <0.05 <0.5 0.02 5 1 3 470 69 Float Schist
K155352 16.00 667 0.03 81 15,300 3,800 5 189 Float Quartz Vein
K155353 9.30 1,115 0.20 1 59,600 >10,000 5 3,470 Subcrop Quartz Vein
K155354 7.73 1,825 0.43 3 15,800 >10,000 5 2,890 Subcrop Quartz Vein
K155355 2.19 87 0.03 20 6,070 255 5 81 Subcrop Quartz Vein
K155357 1.52 602 0.02 125 17,400 268 5 72 Subcrop Quartz Vein
K155362 0.36 3 0.00 17 150 7 5 42 Float Diorite
K155365 0.02 <0.5 0.01 90 5 3 290 104 Subcrop Skarn
K155366 0.01 <0.5 0.00 2,320 6 5 160 69 Subcrop Skarn
K155367 0.41 <0.5 0.02 13 13 3 570 27 Subcrop Diorite
K155370 0.19 2 0.00 2 122 3 5 4 Float Schist
K155371 2.98 573 0.07 49 7,480 133 5 839 Float Quartz Vein
K155372 0.86 116 0.02 6 15,950 68 10 620 Float Schist

Table 3 – 2025 Birch Drill Hole Locations

 

Hole ID Easting Northing Elevation Total Depth (m) Core Size
BR25-001 648314 6859029 1562 350 HQ
BR25-002 648314 6859029 1562 401 HQ
BR25-003 648587 6859167 1478 339 HQ
BR25-004 647780 6859057 1550 285 HQ
BR25-005* 648317 6859295 1437 36 HQ
BR25-006 648317 6859295 1437 273 HQ

*BR25-005 was ended early and redrilled due to poor ground conditions.

 

About the Birch Project

 

Yukon Metals owns 100% of the helicopter-accessed Birch project located 65 kilometres northeast of the community of Burwash Landing. The Birch project area is dominated by frost-heaved boulders in unglaciated terrain, with outcrop present on steeper ridges. The project lies predominantly within the Finlayson assemblage of the Yukon-Tanana Terrane, consisting of variably carbonaceous schist and quartzite, marble, garnet amphibolite and rare metaplutonic rocks.

 

The Yukon-Tanana Terrane structurally overlies the Ruby Range Batholith which is regionally mapped in the northeastern portion of the property occurring as Ruby Range quartz-feldspar porphyry and Rhyolite Creek porphyry and intermediate and felsic volcanic rock (Israel et. Al., 2011).

Project-level mapping indicates the geology of the area is comprised of schists and marble units, moderately to strongly oxidised felsic intrusive, and patchy oxidised porphyritic rhyolite dykes.

 

Yukon-based and Local First Nation Contractors Engaged

 

Drill pad construction at the Birch Property was completed by Minconsult in partnership with Vision Quest Drilling, a Kluane First Nation citizen-owned company. Helicopter support is being provided by Yukon-based Capital Helicopters. Drilling services were contracted to New Age Drilling in partnership with Vision Quest Drilling. Camp services were delivered by Käganì, a Kluane First Nation citizen-owned enterprise, in partnership with long-standing Yukon-based exploration contractor Archer Cathro.

 

QAQC

 

All diamond drill core from the 2025 program at the Birch Project was logged, photographed, and sawn in half using a diamond blade core saw. One half of the core was submitted for geochemical analysis, while the other half was retained in secure storage for reference. Sampling intervals were determined based on geological boundaries and typically ranged 0.3- 1.5 meters. Control samples comprised approximately 10% of all samples submitted, including certified reference standards, analytical blanks, field duplicates, and preparation duplicates. QA/QC results were reviewed in real time, and all data have been verified as meeting acceptable thresholds for accuracy, precision, and contamination before inclusion in this release.

 

Drill core and rock samples were sent to ALS Minerals for analysis with sample preparation in Whitehorse, Yukon and analysis in North Vancouver, British Columbia. Samples were prepared by crush to 70% passing 2mm, 250g split pulverised better than 85% passing 75 microns (Prep-31A). Pulp samples were analysed for 34 elements by four acid digestion and ICP-AES (ME-ICP61). All samples were analyzed for gold by fire assay and AAS with a 50g nominal sample weight (Au-AA24). Samples over 10,000 g/t Cu were assayed by Ore grade Cu- Four Acid (Cu-OG62).

 

Rock samples taken while prospecting referenced in this release are selective in nature and collected to determine the presence or absence of mineralization and may not be representative of the mineralization hosted on the project.

 

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 a well-financed exploration company with a 17-project portfolio covering more than 43,000 hectares. Built on over 30 years of Berdahl family prospecting, the same team behind Snowline Gold’s district-scale assets, YMC provides exposure to copper, gold, silver, and critical metals. While advancing high-priority drill targets at the Birch and AZ copper-gold systems and the Star River gold-silver project, the Company is also conducting generative exploration across its broader portfolio to develop the next pipeline of discovery opportunities. Guided by an experienced leadership team with technical, financial, and Yukon expertise, the Company is well positioned to unlock new mineral discoveries across the Yukon territory.

 

Yukon Metals is committed to fostering sustainable growth and prosperity within Yukon’s local communities, while also enhancing shareholder value. Rooted in a philosophy of inclusiveness and shared prosperity, the Company’s strategy offers both local community members and investors the opportunity to contribute to and benefit from its success.

 

The Yukon

 

The Yukon remains one of the world’s last underexplored mineral belts, offering exceptional discovery potential. The Territory is home to a highly skilled and conscientious local workforce, shaped by generations of exploration experience coupled with a deep respect for the land.

 

Recent major discoveries with local roots, such as Snowline Gold’s Rogue Project – Valley Discovery, highlight the Yukon’s potential to generate fresh district-scale mining opportunities.

 

Posted October 15, 2025

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