
Results Indicative of Expansion Potential
Highlight Intercepts Include 37.5m grading 2.93% CuEq and 52.6m grading 2.54% CuEq
Assays Pending for Expected Down-Dip Expansion of Mineralized Lenses
Tesla Zone Exploration Ongoing to Support Future Maiden Resource Estimate
Foran Mining Corporation (TSX: FOM) (OTCQX: FMCXF) is pleased to announce additional results from the ongoing 2025 winter drill program at the Company’s 100%-owned McIlvenna Bay Project in east-central Saskatchewan.
Click Here to Watch Erin Carswell, Foran’s VP Exploration, discuss the Company’s latest exploration results.
The first infill drill hole of the winter drill program at Tesla has returned robust intervals from the central part of the Tesla Zone, with drill hole TS-25-37 successfully intersecting multiple zones of almost-continuous mineralization over an unprecedented 143m of core length. These intercepts correlate well with previous drilling but have yielded thicker than average mineralized intervals, underscoring Tesla’s expanding growth potential as drilling further delineates the Zone. Winter drilling continues with seven drill rigs focused on the Tesla infill program, one drill targeting the Bridge Zone and one additional rig testing high priority regional exploration targets in the vicinity of McIlvenna Bay.
Key Highlights
Drill hole TS-25-37 intersected multiple zones of massive and semi-massive sulphides and associated stringer and breccia zones from the heart of the Tesla Zone:
Erin Carswell, Foran’s Vice President, Exploration, commented: “Tesla has delivered another stunning surprise this winter, revealing an exceptionally thick intersection in the central part of the zone. The cumulative thickness of mineralization in hole TS-25-37 is twice that of our previous best intercept, significantly expanding a zone of high-grade copper mineralization that was previously discovered in Hole TS-23-10. Additionally, a down-dip wedge hole has identified another broad interval of sulphides (assays pending) that should further strengthen the lenses. Accurately assessing the controls on this 143m thick package of mineralized rock will require further drilling, most likely from the footwall side of Tesla after ice melt. Most excitingly, it is an indication of the upside that still remains at Tesla and Bridge as we continue working towards our maiden resource estimate.”
2025 Winter Drill Program
Foran’s current 2025 ice-based winter drill program will be the largest in the Company’s history, encompassing over 30,000m of drilling and utilizing eight drill rigs to further delineate and grow the Tesla and adjacent Bridge Zones. Current drilling is focused on confirming the continuity of Tesla mineralization and tightening up the drill hole spacing across central parts of the Tesla Zone as we work towards completing a maiden resource estimate. A ninth rig is focused on testing high priority regional targets in proximity to the McIlvenna Bay Deposit, which is currently under construction.
To date, Foran’s drilling has defined multiple lenses of zinc and/or copper-rich mineralization over a strike length of at least 1,200m and 500-700m in the down dip direction at Tesla. The winter program is targeting a series of larger 200-300m gaps in the current drill spacing across the Tesla and Bridge Zones, utilizing wedging and directional drilling technologies to maintain the efficiency and precision of the drilling at tighter spacings. A plan map showing the location of TS-25-37 relative to the previous drilling that currently defines the zone is provided in Figure 1 below.
TS-25-37 targeted the central part of the Tesla Zone in an area where previous drilling from multiple directions had identified anomalously thick zones of mineralization. These early holes intersected the zones at low angles, so TS-25-37 was drilled from frozen muskeg to provide a perpendicular intersection and better characterize the mineralized lenses in this part of the zone. This hole also began to infill a large +200m gap between drill holes in the central part of the currently defined Tesla Zone. A longitudinal section through the Tesla Zone showing the current density of drilling is provided in Figure 2, which also shows the location of the pierce point for TS-25-37.
TS-25-37 intersected a substantially thickened zone of mineralization, advancing our interpretation and providing important information on the probable true thickness of the lenses. The geology in this part of Tesla is complex, and additional drilling will be required to fully understand the geometry. However, given the significant widths of mineralization intersected to date it is likely that this area will be an important contributor as the Tesla Zone continues to grow. Assay composites from TS-25-37 are provided in Table 1 below.
TS-25-37
TS-25-37 successfully intersected an area of thickened mineralization in the central part of the Tesla Zone that had been previously identified by drill holes TS-23-10 and TS-23-14w2 (see below for additional details). The bulk of the mineralization in this hole is contained in four discrete sulphide zones that occur between 1,289.9m and 1,432.1m, containing a combined 119.2m of mineralization. Figure 3 provides a series of representative photographs showing the various styles of mineralization encountered in TS-25-37.
The upper zone of mineralization in TS-25-37 was intersected at a higher elevation than anticipated, at a depth of 1,289.5m. Mineralization commenced with an upper interval of dominantly stringer-style pyrite and chalcopyrite hosted in a chlorite-sericite-carbonate altered felsic unit together with narrow intervals of massive sulphide. This was followed downhole by a broad zone of massive to semi-massive sulphides, dominantly consisting of coarse-grained pyrite in a fine grained red-brown sphalerite matrix with local chalcopyrite (Figure 3A). The entire interval returned 37.5m of mineralization grading 0.41% Cu, 7.76% Zn, 25.1 g/t Ag and 0.20 g/t Au (2.93% CuEq), and included a thick massive to semi-massive sulphide interval grading 10.62% Zn over 24.9m.
A second lens was intersected at 1,342.3m, consisting of a narrow upper zinc-rich massive sulphide lens and followed by copper stockwork style mineralization to 1,349.2m, similar to that shown in Figure 3B. This copper stockwork style mineralization consists mainly of stringers of pyrite and chalcopyrite in chlorite-sericite-carbonate altered schistose unit. The interval graded 0.80% Cu, 1.48% Zn, 21.7 g/t Ag and 0.18 g/t Au (1.38% CuEq) over 6.9m.
The third lens was intersected at 1,353.2m and consisted primarily of pyrite and chalcopyrite forming both stringers and breccia-style zones of mineralization in a strongly chlorite altered unit. Overall, this lens graded 0.92% Cu, 0.16% Zn, 16.5 g/t Ag and 0.23 g/t Au (1.10% CuEq) over 22.3m, including a 5.5m interval grading 1.49% Cu, 0.30% Zn, 20.9 g/t Ag and 0.29 g/t Au (1.71% CuEq).
Finally, the fourth lens began at 1,379.5m where the hole intersected an unprecedented 52.6m interval grading 1.75% Cu, 2.04% Zn, 22.0 g/t Ag and 0.41 g/t Au (2.54% CuEq). This thick zone is characterized by copper-rich stockwork and breccia zones which are interbedded with two massive sulphide zones, including an 8.7m core length of zinc and copper rich massive sulphide (Figure 3C) that graded 9.81% Zn, 1.68% Cu, 21.8 g/t Ag and 0.15 g/t Au (4.65% CuEq).
Thickened Telsa Lens: Supporting Drill intercepts
The occurrence of a thickened zone of mineralization in the central part of Tesla is supported by the results from several drill holes completed both this season and in previous drilling campaigns. In addition to the newly reported, standout intercept from TS-25-37, the interpretation of thicker zones of mineralization in the core of Tesla is supported by surrounding historical drillholes TS-23-10, TS-23-14w2 and newly drilled hole TS-25-37w1, all of which intersected above average thicknesses of mineralization and in most cases higher than average grades. All four drillholes are plotted on the cross section provided in Figure 4, which shows the current preliminary interpretation for this part of the Tesla Zone.
TS-23-10 was drilled during the 2023 winter program and returned the most significant Tesla intersection by grade-thickness prior to the drilling of TS-25-37. TS-23-10 intersected several zones of mineralization including one of the best copper intersections returned to date from Tesla, as highlighted by a 39.0m interval grading 2.86% Cu, 0.88% Zn, 41.4 g/t Ag and 0.74 g/t Au (3.98% CuEq), which included an 11.2m interval grading 4.97% Cu, 1.72% Zn, 60.2 g/t Ag and 1.26 g/t Au (6.88% CuEq). See Foran’s April 20, 2023 news release for additional information.
TS-23-14w2 was drilled during the summer of 2023 to follow up on the above results from TS-23-10. It was designed as a ‘scissor hole’, approaching the mineralization from the opposite direction in order to provide additional spatial constraints and confirm lens geometry. TS-23-14w2 successfully intersected a long core length of mineralization, including the same large lower zone as hole TS-23-10, returning a 49.6m core interval grading 0.25% Cu, 9.32% Zn, 37.0 g/t Ag and 0.32 g/t Au (3.37% CuEq). See Foran’s December 14, 2023 news release for additional information.
Finally, TS-25-37w1 (assays pending) was drilled as a wedged hole from TS-25-37 and intersected the mineralized horizon approximately 65m down dip from the parent hole. TS-25-37w1 appears to have intersected similar mineralization as TS-25-37 with a wide zone of massive sulphide over an approximately 80m core length consisting of dominantly massive to semi-massive coarse-grained pyrite +/- chalcopyrite in a strong red-brown sphalerite matrix with minor associated stringer zones. The upper mineralized interval is followed approximately 100m downhole by a second similar massive to semi-massive zone and associated stringer-style mineralization. The identification of copper and zinc-bearing minerals has been confirmed by TruScanTM XRF core scanning data, but laboratory assays are pending for this hole and further analysis is required to confirm the significance of any mineralization therein. A photograph of a section from the upper massive sulphide interval is provided in Figure 5 below.
Foran’s Geoscience & Exploration team is currently investigating the potential geological or structural mechanisms behind the apparent thickening of the mineralization in this central part of the Tesla Zone. As the area will likely have a significant positive impact on the future resource estimates, additional drilling to tighten up the current drill hole spacing is planned from the footwall in the spring/summer of 2025.
Table 1 – 2025 Winter Program Assay Results
Hole | Zone | From_m | To_m | Interval_m | Cu % | Zn % | Ag g/t | Au g/t | CuEq % |
TS-25-37 | MS/CS | 1289.5 | 1327.0 | 37.5 | 0.41 | 7.76 | 25.1 | 0.20 | 2.93 |
Including | MS | 1300.4 | 1325.3 | 24.9 | 0.28 | 10.62 | 28.3 | 0.15 | 3.65 |
TS-25-37 | QV | 1333.0 | 1336.0 | 3.0 | 0.23 | 1.22 | 66.8 | 0.41 | 1.12 |
TS-25-37 | MS/CS | 1342.3 | 1349.2 | 6.9 | 0.80 | 1.48 | 21.7 | 0.18 | 1.38 |
Including | MS | 1342.3 | 1343.0 | 0.7 | 0.41 | 10.30 | 21.7 | 0.18 | 3.66 |
TS-25-37 | CS | 1353.2 | 1375.4 | 22.3 | 0.92 | 0.16 | 16.5 | 0.23 | 1.10 |
Including | CS | 1370.0 | 1375.4 | 5.5 | 1.49 | 0.30 | 20.9 | 0.29 | 1.71 |
TS-25-37 | MS/CS | 1379.5 | 1432.1 | 52.6 | 1.75 | 2.04 | 22.0 | 0.41 | 2.54 |
Including | CS | 1392.0 | 1402.0 | 10.1 | 3.17 | 0.44 | 36.1 | 1.04 | 3.79 |
And | MS | 1403.9 | 1412.6 | 8.7 | 1.68 | 9.81 | 21.8 | 0.15 | 4.65 |
And | CS | 1413.1 | 1419.1 | 6.0 | 2.91 | 0.53 | 33.9 | 0.31 | 3.15 |
TS-25-37 | CS | 1444.1 | 1447.1 | 3.0 | 1.00 | 0.22 | 9.7 | 0.16 | 1.11 |
TS-25-37 | CS | 1450.1 | 1452.1 | 2.0 | 0.52 | 0.15 | 9.1 | 0.10 | 0.62 |
Note 1: Composite widths are presented as core lengths. Additional drilling will be required to confirm the geometry of the mineralized zones, but generally true widths are thought to be 80-85% of core length. Intervals generally composited using a 0.5% Cu cut-off grade in the stringer zones. Copper Equivalent values calculated using metal prices of $4.00/lb Cu, $1.50/lb Zn, $20.00/ounce Ag and $1,800/ounce Au and LOM metallurgical recovery rates derived from test work on blended ores for the McIlvenna Bay Deposit completed as part of our April 2022 Feasibility Study: 91.1% Cu, 79.8% Zn, 88.6% Au and 62.3% Ag (MS – massive / semi-massive sulphide, CS – Copper Stockwork/Stringer, QV – quartz-carbonate-albite alteration/veining, L3 – Lens 3 (McIlvenna Bay), L2 – Lens 2 (McIlvenna Bay), CSZ – Copper Stockwork Zone (McIlvenna Bay)). To date no metallurgical test work has been completed on the Tesla Zone or Bridge Zone mineralization. |
Quality Assurance and Quality Control
Drilling was completed using NQ size diamond drill core and core was logged by employees of the Company. During the logging process, mineralized intersections were marked for sampling and given unique sample numbers. Sampled intervals were sawn in half using a diamond blade saw. One half of the sawn core was placed in a plastic bag with the sample tag and sealed, while the second half was returned to the core box for storage on site. Sample assays are performed by the Saskatchewan Research Council (“SRC”) Geoanalytical Laboratory in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. SRC is a Canadian accredited laboratory (ISO/IEC 17025:2017) and independent of Foran. Analysis for Ag, Cu, Pb and Zn is performed using ICP-OES after total multi-acid digestion. Au analysis is completed by fire assay with AAS finish and any samples which return results greater than 1.0 g/t Au are re-run using gravimetric finish. A complete suite of QA/QC reference materials (standards, blanks, and duplicates) are included in each batch of samples processed by the laboratory. The results of the assaying of the QA/QC material included in each batch are tracked to ensure the integrity of the assay data.
Qualified Person
Mr. Roger March, P. Geo., Principal Geoscientist for Foran, is the Qualified Person for all technical information herein and has reviewed and approved the technical information in this release.
The Company’s head office is located at 409 Granville Street, Suite 904, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6C 1T2. Common Shares of the Company are listed for trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “FOM” and on the OTCQX Best Market under the symbol “FMCXF”.
About Foran Mining
Foran Mining is a copper-zinc-gold-silver exploration and development company, committed to supporting a greener future and, empowering communities while creating value for our stakeholders. The McIlvenna Bay project is located within the documented traditional territory of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, comprises the infrastructure and works related to development activities of the Company, and hosts the McIlvenna Bay Deposit and Tesla Zone. The Company also owns the Bigstone Deposit, a resource-development stage deposit located 25 km southwest of the McIlvenna Bay Property.
The McIlvenna Bay Deposit is a copper-zinc-gold-silver rich VHMS deposit intended to be the centre of a new mining camp in a prolific district that has already been producing for 100 years. The McIlvenna Bay Property sits just 65 km West of Flin Flon, Manitoba, and is part of the world class Flin Flon Greenstone Belt that extends from Snow Lake, Manitoba, through Flin Flon to Foran’s ground in eastern Saskatchewan, a distance of over 225 km.
The McIlvenna Bay Deposit is the largest undeveloped VHMS deposit in the region. The Company filed its NI 43-101 compliant 2025 Technical Report on the McIlvenna Bay Project, Saskatchewan, Canada on March 12, 2025, with an effective date and report date of March 12, 2025, outlining a mineral resource in respect of the McIlvenna Bay Deposit estimated at 38.6 Mt grading 2.02% CuEq in the Indicated category and an additional 4.5 Mt grading 1.71% CuEq in the Inferred category. Investors are encouraged to consult the full text of the 2025 Technical Report which is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca under the Company’s profile.
Tesla Zone Drilling Returns Highest Grade-Thickness Intercept to Date
Multiple drill rigs actively drilling towards additional intersections into the Tesla Zone. (CNW Group/Foran Mining Corporation)
Figure 1 – Plan view of the Tesla and Bridge Zones with the location of drill hole TS-25-37 and its down-dip daughter hole TS-25-37w1, along with the surface projections of the interpreted Tesla, McIlvenna Bay and Bridge Zone lenses. Older drillholes in the TS-25-37 area are also labelled. (CNW Group/Foran Mining Corporation)
Figure 2 – Longitudinal cross section through the Tesla Zone Main Lens, showing the pierce points of historic drill holes that define the Zone, along with the hole trace and mineralized interval in TS-25-37. (CNW Group/Foran Mining Corporation)
Figure 3. Photo examples and associated assays of lenses in TS-25-37 A) Clastic pyrite and interstitial sphalerite Zn-rich massive sulphide (1,310m); B) Chalcopyrite-rich, gold bearing copper stockwork zone hosted within felsic volcanics (1,401.5m); C) Interval of massive sulphide hosting significant sphalerite and chalcopyrite (1,407.4m) (CNW Group/Foran Mining Corporation)
Figure 4 – Cross section along Line 300N through the Tesla Zone, showing the relationship between drill holes TS-25-37, TS-25-37w1, TS-23-10 and TS-2314w2 (CNW Group/Foran Mining Corporation)
Figure 5 – Example of the massive to semi-massive sulphide intersection described for TS-25-37w1 (1,401.1 – 1,426.7m). Assays are currently pending for this hole and further analysis is required to confirm the significance of any mineralization therein. (CNW Group/Foran Mining Corporation)
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