Arizona Sonoran Drilling Expands Primary Sulphide Zone Under and Around the Cactus West Pit

Rhea-AI Summary

Arizona Sonoran Copper Company (TSX:ASCU | OTCQX:ASCUF) reports new drill results from its infill and step-out drilling program at the Cactus Project in Arizona. The drilling has expanded the primary sulphide zones by up to 500 ft (152 m) below known mineralization around the Cactus West pit. Key highlights include:

- ECW-256: 2,119 ft (646 m) @ 0.40% CuT of continuous mineralization
- ECW-258: 2,108 ft (643 m) @ 0.31% CuT of continuous mineralization
- ECW-260: 1,901 ft (579 m) @ 0.33% CuT of continuous mineralization

The program aims to support the expansion of primary sulphide mineralization and extend it laterally. Drilling shows that copper grades increase at depth in the primary zone near a barren potassic quartz monzonite porphyry unit. The company is preparing for an infill drilling program at Parks/Salyer to move into an indicated resource ahead of a new PFS next year.

Positive

• Drilling expanded primary sulphide zones by up to 500 ft (152 m) below known mineralization
• Several drill holes showed continuous mineralization over long intervals with grades ranging from 0.31% to 0.40% CuT
• Copper grades increase at depth in the primary zone
• Preparing for infill drilling at Parks/Salyer to move into indicated resource category
• New PFS planned for next year

Negative

• None.

CASA GRANDE, Ariz. & TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Arizona Sonoran Copper Company Inc. (TSX:ASCU | OTCQX:ASCUF) (“ASCU” or the “Company”) reports new drill assay results from its infill and step-out drilling program below the previously untested extents of primary copper mineralization around the Cactus West pit, on the Cactus Project, in Arizona. Drilling builds upon the Company’s PEA drill database, extending the primary sulphide zones by upwards of 500 ft (152 m) below known mineralization (see FIGURES 1 – 10).

A total of 17 drill holes are reported herein for a total of 30,601 ft (9,387 m) of drilling, targeting the primary sulphides below the oxide and enriched zones at Cactus West. Step-out drilling continues with two drill rigs at Cactus West.

Drilling Highlights:

• ECW-256: 2,119* ft (646 m) @ 0.40% CuT of continuous mineralization
  • 1,896.6 ft (578 m) @ 0.41% CuT, 0.005% Mo (primary)
• ECW-258: 2,108 ft (643 m) @ 0.31% CuT of continuous mineralization
  • 2,001 ft (610 m) @ 0.31% CuT, 0.005% Mo (primary)
• ECW-260: 1,901 ft (579 m) @ 0.33% CuT of continuous mineralization
  • 1,696 ft (517 m) @ 0.33% CuT, 0.009% Mo (primary)
• ECW-266: 1,571 ft (479 m) @ 0.33% CuT of near continuous mineralization
  • 1,309 ft (399 m) @ 0.36% CuT, 0.009% Mo (primary)
• ECW-252: 1,002 ft (305 m) @ 0.40% CuT of continuous mineralization
  • 352 ft (107 m) @ 0.44% CuT, 0.41% Cu TSol, 0.014% Mo (enriched)
  • 650 ft (198 m) @ 0.37% CuT, 0.017% Mo (primary)

NOTE: True widths are not known, * includes 1.9 ft of core loss

George Ogilvie, Arizona Sonoran President and CEO commented, “The drill program at Cactus West is showing significantly more primary sulphide mineralization below and outside of the existing resource pit shell. In conjunction with drilling at Cactus West our geological team is in the process of preparing for an infill drilling program at Parks/Salyer, predominantly focused on the southern claim block (MainSpring) to move into an indicated resource ahead of a new PFS next year. As the team’s focus is on advancing Cactus to the PFS level, additional workstreams are ongoing, including metallurgical column testing. New columns from the southern claim block for Parks/Salyer, are anticipated to start in 4Q24, once new metallurgical core has been made available.”

Drilling Recap

The 2024 Cactus West infill and exploration drill program was designed to support the expansion of primary sulphide mineralization down to the basement fault below the oxide and enriched material, and laterally to extend mineralization in the south and southwest of the known resources.

Bedrock at Cactus West is exposed approximately 150 feet to the south-southeast of the Cactus West pit at the “Discovery Hill”. The bedrock contact slopes away from Discovery Hill, with up to approximately 100 ft (30 m) of alluvium cover in all directions. Gila conglomerate lies beneath the alluvium cover and increases in thickness to the west, east and south. Mineralized bedrock lies directly beneath the Gila conglomerate and the depth to bedrock extends from 0 feet at discovery hill to approximately 420 ft (128 m) at drill hole ECW-241 (PR JUN 10, 2024), 1,200 ft (366 m) to the west.

The main lithologies at Cactus West are like those seen at Cactus East and Parks/Salyer. Copper mineralization is hosted by brecciated porphyritic monzonite and granite with lesser dikes composed of porphyritic dacite and local diabase. There is typically a thin enriched zone sitting above thick primary mineralization. Drilling shows that copper grades increase at depth in the primary zone in proximity to a barren potassic quartz monzonite porphyry unit. This unit is typically 100-200 feet thick and lies directly above the basement fault.

Drilling has extended the primary mineralization another 500ft below and adjacent to the Cactus West open pit that was presented in the recently issued Preliminary Economic Assessment (PR AUG 7, 2024). Phase 2 of the primary exploration drilling, which remains ongoing, is testing lateral stepouts from Cactus West PEA pit shell to the north, south, and southwest.

TABLE 1: Significant Drilling Intercepts

Hole	Zone	Feet			Meters			CuT	Cu TSol	Mo
id		from	to	length	from	to	length	%	%	%
ECW-252	enriched	357.0	709.0	352.0	108.8	216.1	107.3	0.44	0.41	0.014
	including	411.7	456.0	44.3	125.5	139.0	13.5	0.63	0.62	0.040
	and	623.0	653.0	30.0	189.9	199.0	9.1	1.28	1.26	0.009
	primary	709.0	1,359.0	650.0	216.1	414.2	198.1	0.37	0.03	0.017
	including	1078.0	1,147.0	69.0	328.6	349.6	21.0	0.78	0.05	0.026
	and	1211.7	1,290.0	78.3	369.3	393.2	23.9	0.58	0.04	0.060
ECW-253	enriched	197.8	442.8	245.0	60.3	135.0	74.7	0.41	0.37	0.008
	including	197.8	238.0	40.2	60.3	72.5	12.3	0.65	0.64	0.008
	and	280.0	320.0	40.0	85.3	97.5	12.2	0.78	0.78	0.008
	primary	442.8	1,248.0	805.2	135.0	380.4	245.4	0.26	0.03	0.008
	including	581.0	637.0	56.0	177.1	194.2	17.1	0.34	0.03	0.002
	and	932.0	962.0	30.0	284.1	293.2	9.1	0.40	0.03	0.015
	and	1140.9	1,218.0	77.1	347.7	371.2	23.5	0.58	0.05	0.020
ECW-255	oxide	314.6	345.0	30.4	95.9	105.2	9.3	0.33	0.24	0.022
	enriched	345.0	506.0	161.0	105.2	154.2	49.1	0.26	0.24	0.008
	including	355.0	402.0	47.0	108.2	122.5	14.3	0.35	0.32	0.006
	primary	554.8	1848	1293.2	169.1	563.3	394.2	0.32	0.031	0.008
	including	1456.0	1,628.0	172.0	443.8	496.2	52.4	0.46	0.03	0.006
	and	1765.0	1,809.3	44.3	538.0	551.5	13.5	0.57	0.04	0.020
ECW-256	enriched	453.4	675.4	222.0	138.2	205.9	67.7	0.31	0.22	0.003
	primary	675.4	2,572.0	1,896.6	205.9	783.9	578.1	0.41	0.04	0.005
	including	2345.7	2,500.7	155.0	715.0	762.2	47.2	0.77	0.07	0.011
ECW-257	enriched	536.0	670.0	134.0	163.4	204.2	40.8	0.52	0.48	0.007
	including	546.0	580.0	34.0	166.4	176.8	10.4	1.36	1.33	0.011
	primary	670.0	1,104.9	434.9	204.2	336.8	132.6	0.28	0.03	0.008
	including	895.0	1,057.0	162.0	272.8	322.2	49.4	0.37	0.03	0.012
ECW-258	enriched	252.3	359.0	106.7	76.9	109.4	32.5	0.23	0.17	0.004
	primary	359.0	2,360.3	2,001.3	109.4	719.4	610.0	0.31	0.03	0.005
	including	793.0	836.0	43.0	241.7	254.8	13.1	0.46	0.03	0.003
	and	871.2	1,013.0	141.8	265.5	308.8	43.2	0.52	0.04	0.011
	and	2,009.0	2,112.0	103.0	612.3	643.7	31.4	0.67	0.05	0.007
ECW-259	oxide	377.0	407.0	30.0	114.9	124.1	9.1	0.21	0.15	0.002
ECW-260	enriched	257.0	432.0	175.0	78.3	131.7	53.3	0.38	0.28	0.011
	including	314.2	344.0	29.8	95.8	104.9	9.1	0.68	0.66	0.012
	primary	432.0	2,127.6	1,695.6	131.7	648.5	516.8	0.33	0.03	0.009
	including	522.0	669.7	147.7	159.1	204.1	45.0	0.60	0.04	0.018
	and	1598.0	1,778.0	180.0	487.1	541.9	54.9	0.46	0.03	0.008
	and	1807.0	1,937.0	130.0	550.8	590.4	39.6	0.43	0.03	0.012
ECW-261	enriched	212.2	295.5	83.3	64.7	90.1	25.4	0.29	0.25	0.001
	including	218.0	248.0	30.0	66.4	75.6	9.1	0.44	0.41	0.002
	primary	212.2	1,663.3	1,451.1	64.7	507.0	442.3	0.24	0.04	0.006
	including	1292.0	1,381.0	89.0	393.8	420.9	27.1	0.39	0.03	0.010
	and	1497.0	1,638.3	141.3	456.3	499.4	43.1	0.58	0.04	0.022
ECW-262	enriched	284.3	393.5	109.2	86.7	119.9	33.3	0.43	0.40	0.008
	primary	393.5	1,450.0	1,056.5	119.9	442.0	322.0	0.25	0.03	0.007
	including	853.0	883.0	30.0	260.0	269.1	9.1	0.48	0.04	0.008
	and	997.0	1,059.2	62.2	303.9	322.8	19.0	0.40	0.04	0.011
	and	1112.0	1,182.0	70.0	338.9	360.3	21.3	0.40	0.03	0.013
	and	1232.0	1,299.0	67.0	375.5	395.9	20.4	0.40	0.04	0.010
	and	1346.0	1,420.5	74.5	410.3	433.0	22.7	0.57	0.05	0.026
ECW-263	oxide	424.5	446.0	21.5	129.4	135.9	6.6	0.34	0.30	0.002
	enriched	541.0	601.0	60.0	164.9	183.2	18.3	0.11	0.07	0.013
	enriched	642.0	840.0	198.0	195.7	256.0	60.4	0.29	0.15	0.007
	including	810.0	840.0	30.0	246.9	256.0	9.1	0.47	0.11	0.005
	primary	840.0	1,420.0	580.0	256.0	432.8	176.8	0.31	0.04	0.005
	including	840.0	940.0	100.0	256.0	286.5	30.5	0.41	0.06	0.005
	and	1240.0	1,300.0	60.0	378.0	396.2	18.3	0.42	0.04	0.006
ECW-264	oxide	493.4	872.8	379.4	150.4	266.0	115.6	0.26	0.22	0.007
	including	503.5	547.0	43.5	153.5	166.7	13.3	0.34	0.28	0.005
	and	563.2	613.0	49.8	171.7	186.8	15.2	0.45	0.38	0.006
	enriched	872.8	1,093.0	220.2	266.0	333.1	67.1	0.24	0.23	0.009
	including	872.8	933.0	60.2	266.0	284.4	18.3	0.51	0.48	0.008
	primary	1093.0	1,562.3	469.3	333.1	476.2	143.0	0.16	0.02	0.007
	including	1500.0	1,562.3	62.3	457.2	476.2	19.0	0.31	0.03	0.004
ECW-265	enriched	346.5	538.0	191.5	105.6	164.0	58.4	0.52	0.48	0.010
	including	346.5	443.7	97.2	105.6	135.2	29.6	0.77	0.75	0.010
	primary	538.0	1,520.0	982.0	164.0	463.3	299.3	0.31	0.03	0.013
	including	735.0	765.0	30.0	224.0	233.2	9.1	0.65	0.05	0.011
	and	1297.0	1,438.0	141.0	395.3	438.3	43.0	0.50	0.03	0.014
ECW-266	oxide	393.0	418.0	25.0	119.8	127.4	7.6	0.21	0.13	0.004
	enriched	487.0	617.3	130.3	148.4	188.2	39.7	0.36	0.30	0.004
	including	517.0	554.0	37.0	157.6	168.9	11.3	0.65	0.62	0.006
	primary	654.7	1,964.0	1,309.3	199.6	598.6	399.1	0.36	0.03	0.009
	including	1222.0	1,262.0	40.0	372.5	384.7	12.2	0.53	0.04	0.016
	and	1470.0	1,626.0	156.0	448.1	495.6	47.5	0.50	0.04	0.009
	and	1676.0	1,716.0	40.0	510.8	523.0	12.2	0.46	0.04	0.013
	and	1876.0	1,934.3	58.3	571.8	589.6	17.8	0.67	0.04	0.013
ECW-267	oxide	526.0	906.0	380.0	160.3	276.1	115.8	0.35	0.29	0.005
	including	573.0	623.0	50.0	174.7	189.9	15.2	0.50	0.45	0.005
	and	639.0	718.7	79.7	194.8	219.1	24.3	0.48	0.41	0.006
	and	807.0	849.6	42.6	246.0	259.0	13.0	0.53	0.47	0.005
	enriched	906.0	1,033.0	127.0	276.1	314.9	38.7	0.51	0.32	0.006
	primary	1033.0	1,468.0	435.0	314.9	447.4	132.6	0.27	0.03	0.009
ECW-268	enriched	780.0	823.5	43.5	237.7	251.0	13.3	0.48	0.47	0.001
	enriched	893.0	933.0	40.0	272.2	284.4	12.2	0.17	0.15	0.001
	primary	953.0	1,367.7	414.7	290.5	416.9	126.4	0.14	0.02	0.001
	including	1326.0	1,367.7	41.7	404.2	416.9	12.7	0.24	0.02	0.000
ECW-269	oxide	828.1	1,245.0	416.9	252.4	379.5	127.1	0.23	0.19	0.003
	including	848.0	934.0	86.0	258.5	284.7	26.2	0.49	0.43	0.006
	primary	1245.0	1,751.3	506.3	379.5	533.8	154.3	0.18	0.02	0.004
	including	1701.8	1,742.0	40.2	518.7	531.0	12.3	0.47	0.04	0.011

1.	Intervals are presented in core length and are drilled vertically outside of the pit limits or angled where drilling under the historical Sacaton pit.
2.	Drill assays assume a mineralized cut-off grade of 0.1% CuT reflecting the potential for heap leaching of open pit material in the case of Oxide and Enriched or in the case of Primary material to provide typical average grades. Holes were terminated below the basement fault except ECW-259 which terminated short of the mineralized zone.
3.	Assay results are not capped. Intercepts are aggregated within geological confines of major mineral zones.
4.	Includes 1.9ft core loss in ECW-256, and 0.2ft missing core in ECW-258.
5.	True widths are not known.

Table 2: Drilling Details

Hole	Easting (m)	Northing (m)	Elevation (ft)	TD (ft)	Azimuth	Dip
ECW-252	423436.2	3646065.4	1436.5	1674.7	0.0	-90.0
ECW-253	423568.4	3646061.2	1437.6	1468.0	0.0	-90.0
ECW-255	423511.2	3646122.0	1437.7	2002.0	24.0	-65.0
ECW-256	423438.3	3646129.5	1430.0	2598.8	24.0	-45.0
ECW-257	423497.4	3645937.8	1447.3	1269.4	0.0	-90.0
ECW-258	423677.8	3646048.3	1443.4	2485.0	0.0	-45.0
ECW-259	423438.3	3646129.5	1430.0	433.6	24.0	-60.0
ECW-260	423568.5	3646061.4	1436.9	2215.0	8.0	-53.0
ECW-261	423678.2	3646046.6	1443.4	1928.0	0.0	-65.0
ECW-262	423568.4	3646060.0	1436.4	1741.6	8.0	-75.0
ECW-263	423336.1	3646216.8	1433.6	1861.8	0.0	-90.0
ECW-264	423282.5	3646363.1	1430.0	1852.7	0.0	-90.0
ECW-265	423507.7	3646071.9	1437.0	1795.1	25.0	-75.0
ECW-266	423427.6	3646061.6	1435.4	2241.0	20.0	-55.0
ECW-267	423307.1	3646278.5	1434.1	1874.8	0.0	-90.0
ECW-268	423504.5	3645609.8	1498.5	1367.7	0.0	-90.0
ECW-269	423950.1	3647229.9	1470.0	1792.2	0.0	-90.0

Note: Drill locations are based on drill plans and hand-held GPS locators and may be adjusted slightly when properly surveyed.

Quality Assurance / Quality Control

Drilling completed on the project between 2020 and 2023 was supervised by on-site ASCU personnel who prepared core samples for assay and implemented a full QA/QC program using blanks, standards, and duplicates to monitor analytical accuracy and precision. The samples were sealed on site and shipped to Skyline Laboratories in Tucson AZ for analysis. Skyline’s sample prep, analytical methodologies, and quality control system complies with global certifications for Quality ISO9001:2008.

Technical aspects of this news release have been reviewed and verified by Allan Schappert – CPG #11758, who is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101– Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

Links from the Press Release

Figures 1-11: https://arizonasonoran.com/projects/cactus-mine-project/press-release-images/

June 10, 2024: https://arizonasonoran.com/news-releases/arizona-sonoran-drilling-extends-primary-mineralization-by-750-ft-229-m-around-the-cactus-west-pit/

August 7, 2024: https://arizonasonoran.com/news-releases/arizona-sonoran-standalone-pea-for-cactus-open-pit-project-reports-post-tax-npv8-of-us-2.03-billion-c-2.77-billion-and-irr-of/

Neither the TSX nor the regulating authority has approved or disproved the information contained in this press release.

About Arizona Sonoran Copper Company (www.arizonasonoran.com | www.cactusmine.com)

ASCU’s objective is to become a mid-tier copper producer with low operating costs and to develop the Cactus and Parks/Salyer Projects that could generate robust returns for investors and provide a long term sustainable and responsible operation for the community and all stakeholders. The Company's principal asset is a 100% interest in the Cactus Project (former ASARCO, Sacaton mine) which is situated on private land in an infrastructure-rich area of Arizona. Contiguous to the Cactus Project is the Company’s 100%-owned Parks/Salyer deposit that could allow for a phased expansion of the Cactus Mine once it becomes a producing asset. The Company is led by an executive management team and Board which have a long-standing track record of successful project delivery in North America complemented by global capital markets expertise.

Forward-Looking Statements

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of ASCU to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could affect the outcome include, among others: future prices and the supply of metals; the results of drilling; inability to raise the money necessary to incur the expenditures required to retain and advance the properties; environmental liabilities (known and unknown); general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; results of exploration programs; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; political instability, terrorism, insurrection or war; or delays in obtaining governmental approvals, projected cash operating costs, failure to obtain regulatory or shareholder approvals.

Although ASCU has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and ASCU disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240916116755/en/

For more information

Alison Dwoskin, Director, Investor Relations

647-233-4348

adwoskin@arizonasonoran.com

George Ogilvie, President, CEO and Director

416-723-0458

gogilvie@arizonasonoran.com

Source: Arizona Sonoran Copper Company Inc.

FAQ

What are the key drilling results from Arizona Sonoran's Cactus Project?

Key drilling results include ECW-256 with 2,119 ft @ 0.40% CuT, ECW-258 with 2,108 ft @ 0.31% CuT, and ECW-260 with 1,901 ft @ 0.33% CuT of continuous mineralization.

How much has Arizona Sonoran expanded the primary sulphide zones at Cactus West?

Arizona Sonoran has expanded the primary sulphide zones by up to 500 ft (152 m) below known mineralization around the Cactus West pit.

What is Arizona Sonoran's next step for the Parks/Salyer area?

Arizona Sonoran is preparing for an infill drilling program at Parks/Salyer, focusing on the southern claim block (MainSpring) to move into an indicated resource category ahead of a new Preliminary Feasibility Study (PFS) next year.

What is the trend of copper grades in the primary zone at Cactus West?

Drilling shows that copper grades increase at depth in the primary zone, particularly in proximity to a barren potassic quartz monzonite porphyry unit.