Metal Energy's AMT Survey Accelerates Exploration Targeting at Highland Valley

Rhea-AI Summary

Metal Energy Corp (TSXV: MERG, OTCQB: MEEEF) has completed a 60 km² ground-based Audio Magnetotellurics (AMT) survey at its Highland Valley project, located near Canada's largest copper mine. The survey identified seven exploration targets in the eastern part of the project.

The AMT survey helps map different intrusive phases of the Late Triassic Guichon Creek Batholith, with two high-priority areas identified as Zone 1 and Zone 2. The data revealed a northeast-dipping contact between inner and outer batholith sections, where mineralization is found within and along boundaries of AMT resistors.

The identified target areas include:

• Billy Lake: Large AMT resistive zone with strong Cu-in-soil anomaly
• Zone 2: Conductive zone adjacent to AMT resistor within fault wedge
• Zone 1: North-south trending resistive zone with fault offsets
• Mystery, Chataway, LeRoy Lake, and Sho: Additional targets with varying geological characteristics

Highlights:

• Metal Energy has received results for a 60 km² ground-based AMT survey covering the eastern part of Highland Valley project.
• AMT maps intrusive phases of the Guichon Creek Batholith, which hosts Canada's largest copper mine - Teck's Highland Valley Copper operation.
• Based on the results, Metal Energy has identified seven targets, including high-priority Zone 2 and Zone 1.

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2025) - Metal Energy Corp. (TSXV: MERG) (OTCQB: MEEEF) (the "Company" or "Metal Energy") is pleased to announce that it has completed and received inversion results for a large 60 km² ground-based Audio Magnetotellurics (AMT) survey covering the eastern part of its Highland Valley project. This AMT data is an important part of the Company's systematic, multi-parameter exploration targeting strategy at Highland Valley.

What does AMT see?

AMT helps map different intrusive phases of the Late Triassic Guichon Creek Batholith, which hosts Canada's largest copper mine - Teck's Highland Valley Copper operation. These phases have distinct physical properties that can be identified using AMT, magnetics, and gravity:

1. Younger/Inner Phases (Bethsaida, Skeena, Bethlehem) - More resistive, less magnetic, and less dense. These are the primary source of mineralization in the district.

2. Older/Outer Phases (Highland Valley, Border) - Less resistive, more magnetic, and denser. These often contain mineralization.

Interpretation of Results

Our data suggests a northeast-dipping contact between the inner and outer batholith, with irregularities extending upward (Figure 1). Mineralization is found within (Zone 1) and along the boundaries (Zone 2) of similar AMT resistors, making them high-priority exploration targets. These features may represent intrusive dike swarms, stocks, or cupolas-structures known to concentrate mineralization in porphyry Cu systems.

While the AMT survey does not directly detect mineralized zones due to its broad 500 m spacing, porphyry Cu mineralization and alteration can influence the resistivity patterns identified. Additionally, geophysical data may highlight younger post-mineral faults that displaced the Guichon internal contacts, which are best seen in the Company's high-resolution airborne magnetic data (Figure 2).

Figure 1: Cross Section through Zone 1 and Chataway Target, demonstrating the geometry of interpreted intrusive units indicated by AMT resistivity patterns

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7926/242396_fig1.jpg

Figure 2: Map of aeromagnetic TMI data, interpreted faults, known deposits and exploration target areas

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7926/242396_fig2.jpg

Next Steps: Exploration Targeting

AMT resistivity patterns in map view reveal batholith features and post-intrusion faulting (Figure 3). We have identified exploration targets by combining AMT resistivity with airborne magnetic data.

Ongoing integration of historical geological, geochemical, magnetic, and IP survey data will refine these targets. This will be followed by mapping, geochemical sampling, and geophysical surveys. As the process continues, target areas will be further refined, and drill holes will be prioritized.

Figure 3: Map of AMT resistivity at 1,200m elevation, known deposits and exploration target areas

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7926/242396_fig3.jpg

Initial Exploration Target Areas - Eastern Highland Valley

Billy Lake: A large AMT resistive zone aligns with a strong Cu-in-soil anomaly. Bounded by faults, it is interpreted as an uplifted fault block bringing younger intrusive rocks close to surface.

Zone 2: Mineralization occurs in a conductive zone adjacent to an AMT resistor, open to the southwest and north. It lies within a large fault wedge, possibly down-dropped relative to surrounding rocks.

Zone 1: A north-south trending resistive zone with fault offsets and potential for parallel mineralized zones, based on geophysical and historical drilling data.

Mystery: Similar geology and geophysics to Zone 1, with historical drill holes intersecting copper mineralization.

Chataway: A covered area beneath glacial overburden with strong geophysical characteristics. Limited historical drilling near its margins has intercepted copper.

LeRoy Lake: An unexplored area northeast of Zone 1, Zone 2, and Billy Lake, with promising geophysical signatures but no drilling or significant historical exploration.

Sho: Stock-like AMT resistivity features near narrow, high-grade copper intersections in historical drill holes.

About Metal Energy

Metal Energy is a critical metals exploration company with two high-potential projects in politically stable, Canadian jurisdictions: Manibridge (Ni-Cu-Co-PGE) in Manitoba and its recently acquired Highland Valley Project (Cu-Mo-Ag-Au-Re) in British Columbia. Metal Energy's projects are 100% owned.

QP Statement

The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Roy Greig, Ph.D., P.Geo., a Qualified Person as defined in "National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects."

For further information, please contact:

Metal Energy Corp.
MERG on the TSXV
info@oregroup.ca
www.metalenergy.ca

Reader Advisory

This news release contains certain forward-looking information. All statements included herein, other ‎than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking information and such information involves various ‎risks and uncertainties. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information in relation ‎to: the anticipated benefits of the Acquisition to Metal Energy and its shareholders; the ability of Metal Energy to satisfy the other conditions to, and to complete, the Acquisition; ‎and the ability of the Company to complete the Financing Conditions, the exploration expenditures, and make all payments in a timely matter so as to maintain the interest in the Project. There can be no assurance ‎that such information will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ ‎materially from those anticipated in such information. This forward-looking information reflects the ‎Company's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to the Company and on ‎assumptions the Company believes are reasonable. These assumptions include, TSXV acceptance and market acceptance of the Acquisition; the ‎Company's current and initial understanding and analysis of its projects; the Company's general and ‎administrative costs remaining constant; market acceptance of the Company's business model, goals ‎and approach; and the feasibility and reasonableness of conducting exploration on and developing any ‎of the Company's projects. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, ‎uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or ‎achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such ‎forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to: there is no ‎certainty that work programs will result in significant or successful ‎exploration and development of the ‎Company's properties; uncertainty as to ‎the actual results of exploration and development or operational ‎activities; uncertainty as to the availability and terms of ‎future financing on acceptable terms; ‎uncertainty as to timely availability of permits and other governmental approvals; the Company may not ‎be able ‎to comply with its ongoing obligations regarding its properties; the early stage development of ‎the Company and its projects; general business, economic, competitive, political and social ‎uncertainties; capital market conditions and market prices for securities, junior market securities and ‎mining exploration company securities; commodity prices; the actual results of current exploration and ‎development or operational activities; competition; changes in project parameters as plans continue to ‎be refined; accidents and other risks inherent in the mining industry; lack of insurance; delay or failure to ‎receive board or regulatory approvals; changes in legislation, including environmental legislation or ‎income tax legislation, affecting the Company; conclusions of economic evaluations; and lack of ‎qualified, skilled labour or loss of key individuals. A description of additional risk factors which may ‎cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking information can be found in the Company's ‎disclosure documents on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca. Although the Company has ‎attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those ‎contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as ‎anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-‎looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information ‎except in accordance with applicable securities laws.‎

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange Inc. nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/242396

FAQ

What are the main findings from Metal Energy's AMT survey at Highland Valley?

The AMT survey identified seven exploration targets, including high-priority Zone 1 and Zone 2, across 60 km² of the eastern Highland Valley project, revealing a northeast-dipping contact between inner and outer batholith sections.

How does the MEEEF Highland Valley project location compare to other mining operations?

The Highland Valley project is located near Teck's Highland Valley Copper operation, which is Canada's largest copper mine, within the same Guichon Creek Batholith geological formation.

What are the key exploration targets identified in Metal Energy's Highland Valley project?

The key targets are Billy Lake (Cu-in-soil anomaly), Zone 2 (conductive zone in fault wedge), Zone 1 (north-south resistive zone), Mystery, Chataway, LeRoy Lake, and Sho areas.

What are the next steps for MEEEF's Highland Valley exploration program?

Next steps include integrating historical geological, geochemical, magnetic, and IP survey data, followed by mapping, geochemical sampling, and geophysical surveys to refine targets for drilling.

What geological features make the Highland Valley project promising for MEEEF?

The project contains younger and older intrusive phases of the Guichon Creek Batholith, with distinct physical properties that are favorable for copper mineralization, similar to Canada's largest copper mine.