
Latest drilling demonstrates the continuity and quality of the VMS mineralisation, paving the way for a Mineral Resource upgrade and mining studies
KEY POINTS
FireFly Managing Director Steve Parsons said: “These are absolutely superb assays which show why Green Bay is in such an enviable position.
“With investors and metal traders around the world scrambling for exposure to high-quality copper and gold projects in tier-one locations, Green Bay meets all the key criteria.
“We will have eight rigs drilling as part of our plan to keep growing the Mineral Resource and upgrading more of it to the Indicated Resource category. The updated Mineral Resource will then feed into mining studies.
“This multi-pronged strategy is aimed at unlocking the value of what is clearly an exceptional copper-gold asset in a highly desirable location at a time when such projects are in hot demand.”
FireFly Metals Ltd (ASX: FFM) (TSX: FFM) is pleased to announce extremely high-grade assays from its Green Bay Copper-Gold Project.
There are two distinct styles of mineralisation at the Ming underground mine at Green Bay. One comprises the upper copper-gold rich Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide lenses. This sits above a broad copper stringer zone known as the Footwall Zone.
An extensive eight-rig drill campaign is underway with the dual objectives of growing the current Mineral Resource and upgrading more of the Inferred Resources to the comparatively more valuable Measured and Indicated categories.
From the results in this announcement, the Company anticipates strong growth in the M&I portion of the Mineral Resource when it next releases the Mineral Resource Estimate later in 2025. This is important because the higher-confidence M&I categories of Mineral Resources will underpin upscaled mining studies scheduled for completion in early 2026.
The current Mineral Resource stands at 24.4Mt @ 1.9% for 460Kt CuEq of M&I Resources and a further 34.5Mt @ 2.0% for 690Kt CuEq of Inferred Resources.
Figure 1: Long section through the Green Bay Ming underground mine showing the location of select drill results from this announcement. Results from both the high-grade copper-gold VMS zone and broad copper Footwall Zone are shown. The green shape is a modelled DHEM anomaly (from hole MUG25-040 – see ASX announcement dated 7 May 2025 for further details) Drill assays >0.5% copper are shown in red.
Drilling continues to demonstrate continuity of the high-grade copper-gold rich VMS mineralisation, with key intersections including 11.6m @ 9.3% CuEq, 14.6m @ 6.7% CuEq, 14.9m @ 5.5% CuEq and 5.5m @ 7.1% CuEq (~ true widths).
Infill drilling of the broad copper-rich zone repeatedly intersected thick and continuous zones exceeding 2% copper. Highlights include 26.2m @ 5.3% CuEq, 24.1m @ 3.7% CuEq and 9.5m @ 6.4% CuEq (~ true widths).
The development of phase two of the 805 exploration drive has now been completed. Two drill rigs have been mobilised to the northern extent of the platform to test for extensions of mineralisation more than 400m beyond the extent of the current Mineral Resource.
A second surface diamond drill rig is now on site to accelerate the regional discovery campaign. Both rigs will systematically test geophysical anomalies generated by the Company’s airborne VTEM surveys. Further results from Rambler Main Mine are expected in the coming weeks following the initial intersections4 of 10m @ 6.4% CuEq (5.7g/t Au & 1.3% Cu) and 12.9m @ 4.3% CuEq (4.2g/t Au & 0.5% Cu).
Engineering studies into the resumption of upscaled production from the Ming Mine are well underway. Sector-leading consultants including Entech Mining, Ausenco and Stantec have been engaged to contribute to the studies. Comprehensive metallurgical test results completed by the Company are expected in the coming weeks.
In March 2025, FireFly submitted a registration document (EA Registration) with the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Environment and Climate Change for environmental assessment of the upscaled Green Bay Copper-Gold Project. Following review of the upscaled Green Bay project by both Provincial and Federal regulators, the Company has been notified by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador that no further detailed environmental or socio-economic assessment is required for the upscaled project to proceed.
This conditional release from further environmental assessment will enable the Company to apply for permits to commence early works and construction.
FireFly is well funded to accelerate its growth campaign and engineering studies with a recent well supported equity raising which has strengthened the Company’s balance sheet, with anticipated cash and liquid investments of ~A$145 million,5 subject to receiving shareholder approval of the issue of securities for the second tranche of the Institutional Placement6 for net proceeds of ~$26.6M.
About the Drill Results
Drilling at the Ming underground copper-gold mine recommenced following the acquisition of the Green Bay Copper-Gold Project by FireFly in October 2023. In total, the Company has completed ~99,700m of underground diamond drilling to 30 June 2025.
Assays have been received for 192 underground holes drilled by FireFly. Logging and analysis of additional drill holes is ongoing, with details to be reported regularly as results are received. This announcement contains the results of 59 drill holes. The drilling reported is predominantly infill drilling as well as drilling of holes targeting the lateral margins of the mineralisation.
There are two distinct styles of mineralisation present at the Green Bay Ming Mine, consisting of a series of upper copper-gold rich Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide (VMS) lenses underlain by a broad copper stringer zone, known as the Footwall Zone (FWZ).
The Footwall Zone is extensive, with the stringer mineralisation observed over thicknesses of ~150m and widths exceeding 200m. The known strike of the mineralisation defined to date is 2.3km and it remains open down-plunge.
Six drill rigs are currently operating underground, with the focus split between both extension and exploration (two rigs) and resource conversion drilling (four rigs).
The location of drill positions and holes reported in this announcement is presented in Figure 2. Significant assay results are presented in Appendix B of this announcement.
Figure 2: Long section through the Ming Mine showing the location of drill platforms and drilling reported in this announcement. Assay results greater than 0.5% Cu are shown in red.
Resource Conversion Drilling from the 805L Exploration Drive
Drilling from the 805L drill drive focused primarily on upgrading the data density in the high-grade copper-gold dominated VMS lenses defined by previously reported exploration drilling. The results demonstrate strong continuity and consistent high grades in the Ming North and South VMS lenses in addition to the footwall zone (where targeted).
Drilling from the 805L was predominantly completed from the 805L Crosscut 3 West, 805 Escapeway Access and, later in the program, the 850L stockpile (Figure 3).
Figure 3: Isometric view of drill positions in the 805L Exploration drill drive. Drill results from this announcement are shown with copper assays >0.5% shown in red.
805L Crosscut 3 West
Resource definition drilling from the 805L Crosscut 3 west targeted high-grade VMS mineralisation identified by initial wide-spaced drilling in areas that are classified as Inferred Mineral Resource in the current model. Select holes were extended to intersect the broad footwall style mineralisation. Significant intersections7 include, but are not limited to:
Hole MUG24-128 comprised of a thick copper and gold rich massive sulphide zone with local sericite altered stringers immediately beneath, delivering an intersection of:
Hole MUG25-032 contained an upper copper-gold massive sulphide zone grading into upper footwall style stringers
Hole MUG25-014 intersected a massive sulphide zone with strong copper-gold mineralisation
Hole MUG25-042 intersected an upper high-grade VMS zone underlain by multiple thick zones of copper-rich footwall-style mineralisation
Hole MUG25-073 includes the upper copper-gold VMS zone underlain by a high-grade sericite altered stringer zone followed by multiple intersections of broad lower footwall style mineralisation
Hole MUG25-018 intersected an upper copper-gold VMS horizon underlain by consistent stringer-style mineralisation:
Hole MUG25-011 was drilled to test the margins of the sulphide channel, and intersected strong copper and gold mineralisation:
805L Escapeway Access
Drilling from the 805L Escapeway Access focused on improving definition of the footwall zone style mineralisation identified in previous campaigns. Drilling was also completed to test the margins of the mineralisation which have no defined hard contact in the footwall zone.
Significant intersections8 include, but are not limited to:
Hole MUG25-015 intersected a thick zone of very high-grade stringer-style mineralisation, with chalcopyrite routinely exceeding 10% of the zone:
Hole MUG25-006 included numerous zones of copper stringer-style mineralisation, including but not limited to:
Hole MUG25-009 intersected multiple thick zones of footwall stringer style mineralisation, including, but not limited to:
Hole MUG25-001 contained multiple zones of copper-dominated footwall stringer style mineralisation, including, but not limited to:
Hole MUG25-041 exhibited strong mineralisation throughout the hole with localised high-grade zones, including but not limited to:
Hole MUG25-037 intersected multiple mineralised zones consistently throughout the drill hole, with intersections including:
850L Stockpile
Drilling commenced from the 850L stockpile as an interim drill position whilst the reaming lateral development was completed. This is the northernmost drilling completed to date.
Hole MUG25-069W1 from the 850L Stockpile confirmed the presence of strong VMS-style mineralisation underlain by a broad footwall stringer zone. This stringer zone is at the projected margins of the lower footwall zone. Key intersections included:
Resource Conversion Drilling from the 2200L Exploration Drive
Resource conversion drilling from the historical 2200 level of the Ming Mine is targeting an area of low drill density higher up in the mine down-plunge of the historical shaft. (~500m RL). Significant intersections9 include, but are not limited to:
Hole MUG25-046 contained numerous mineralised zones throughout the hole, headlined by the broad intersection of:
Hole MUG25-005 intersected multiple zones of stringer-style copper dominated mineralisation, including:
Hole MUG25-034 drilled multiple zones of stringer-style chalcopyrite rich veins, with key intersections including:
Hole MUG24-126 intersected frequent mineralised stringer zones, with thicker lower-grade intersections including:
Forward Work Plan
Near-term drilling activities at the Green Bay Copper-Gold Project will continue to focus on three key areas: Resource Growth, Upgrading the Resource (with infill drilling results) and New Discoveries from both underground and surface. At 30 June 2025, the Company had completed 192 drill holes for ~99,700 metres of underground diamond drilling. A total of six underground rigs will continue to advance the underground Mineral Resource growth and development activities. Additionally, a second surface drill rig has been mobilised to fast-track surface regional discovery.
Green Bay (Ming Mine) Resource Growth and Development
The low-cost Mineral Resource growth strategy is underpinned by the 805L exploration drill drive at the Ming Mine. The Company has invested in 2,335 metres of underground exploration and ancillary development since acquisition of the project in October 2023 to provide drill platforms to accelerate growth and discovery from underground. The second phase of 805L Exploration drive has been completed, providing locations for both infill drilling and further down-plunge Mineral Resource extension. Underground drilling from the drill drive during the current quarter is planned to test the Ming mineralisation more than 400m beyond the current Mineral Resource boundary.
Development of additional platforms for further ongoing exploration and infill drilling will continue at Ming throughout 2025.
Upgrading the Mineral Resource Estimate remains a key priority for the Company’s plans to resume upscaled mining at Green Bay. Infill drilling will upgrade the Inferred Resource (34.5Mt @ 2.0% CuEq) to the higher quality Measured and Indicated (M&I) Resource category which currently stands at 24.4Mt @ 1.9% CuEq10.
Based on results to date, it is likely that the amount of mineralisation classified as M&I will increase in the Mineral Resource Estimate update currently planned for Q4 2025. This is important because only M&I Mineral Resources can be considered in future feasibility studies.
Economic evaluation of the rescaled resumption of production at Green Bay is well underway. Key consultants have been appointed to complete the economic studies, including Entech Mining, Ausenco, Stantec and Knight Piesold. SGS Laboratories are currently nearing completion of comprehensive metallurgical test work on samples of both VMS and footwall stringer-style mineralisation. The results are expected in coming weeks and will be a catalyst for further discussions with potential offtake groups interested in securing the high-quality copper-gold concentrate expected to be produced from the Ming Mine.
Various scenarios for an up-scaled restart to operations are being evaluated. With the huge success of the drilling programs to date, the Company wishes to avoid unnecessarily limiting the size of any future potential upscaled mining operation until it has completed the next phase of growth drilling.
In March 2025, FireFly submitted a registration document with the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Environment and Climate Change for environmental assessment of the upscaled Green Bay Copper-Gold Project. Following review of the upscaled Green Bay project by both Provincial and Federal regulators, the Company has been notified by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador that no further detailed environmental or socio-economic assessment is required for the upscaled project to proceed.
This conditional release from further environmental assessment will enable the Company can apply for permits to commence early works and construction.
The first economic studies are planned for completion in Q1 2026 once the M&I Mineral Resource upgrade drilling has been completed.
Green Bay (Ming Mine) Regional Discovery
Regional exploration is underway with a two surface drill rigs testing high-priority targets across the Company’s 346km2 surface exploration claims.
One of the drill rigs will continue to test high-priority targets close to the Ming Mine. Drilling will initially focus on the historical mines within 5km of the Ming deposit that have recently returned results such as 10m @ 6.4% CuEq (5.7g/t Au & 1.3% Cu) and 12.9m @ 4.3% CuEq (4.2g/t Au & 0.5% Cu) from the Rambler Main Mine (see ASX announcement dated 15 May 2025). Further results are expected in the coming weeks.
The second drill rig will systematically test early-stage Greenfields targets generated by airborne VTEM and magnetic surveys completed in 2024. Ground geophysical crews continue to validate and refine multiple anomalies identified with close-spaced electromagnetic surveys.
Funding of Growth Activities
FireFly is well funded to complete its large-scale accelerated growth campaign at Green Bay. The Company has undertaken an ~A$98.1M equity raising in conjunction with a A$10M Share Purchase Plan. As a result of the equity raising, the Company has strengthened its balance sheet, with anticipated cash and liquid investments of ~A$145 million,11 subject to receiving shareholder approval of the issue of securities for the second tranche of the Institutional Placement.12 The Company’s strong balance sheet is expected to fund exploration activities and economic evaluation studies through to final investment decision.
Figure 4: Key 2024-2025 milestones for the Green Bay Copper-Gold Project.
1. Please note that timelines are indicative and may be subject to change.
ABOUT FIREFLY METALS
FireFly Metals Ltd is an emerging copper-gold company focused on advancing the high-grade Green Bay Copper-Gold Project in Newfoundland, Canada. The Green Bay Copper-Gold Project currently hosts a Mineral Resource prepared and disclosed in accordance with the 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves and Canadian National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects of 24.4Mt of Measured and Indicated Resources at 1.9% for 460Kt CuEq and 34.5Mt of Inferred Resources at 2% for 690Kt CuEq. The Company has a clear strategy to rapidly grow the copper-gold Mineral Resource to demonstrate a globally significant copper-gold asset. FireFly has commenced a 130,000m diamond drilling program.
FireFly holds a 70% interest in the high-grade Pickle Crow Gold Project in Ontario. The current Inferred Resource stands at 11.9Mt at 7.2g/t for 2.8Moz gold, with exceptional discovery potential on the 500km2 tenement holding.
The Company also holds a 90% interest in the Limestone Well Vanadium-Titanium Project in Western Australia.
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