Pacific Empire Provides Updated Drill Targets at Trident and Pinnacle Projects
Pacific Empire Minerals (TSXV: PEMC) has announced updated exploration targets at its Trident and Pinnacle projects in British Columbia, located near the Mt. Milligan Mine and Kwanika deposit. The Trident Project, their primary focus, shows promising signs of a gold-enriched copper porphyry system with significant geochemical findings including:
- Copper values up to 5,213 ppm in soils across a 2km x 4km area
- Gold values up to 591 ppb in a 2km x 1.5km zone
- Two identified breccia targets with samples showing up to 3.3% Cu, 3.6 g/t Au
The Pinnacle property features two main target areas: Aplite Creek North, which yielded historical drilling results of 6m grading 6.4 g/t Au, and South Pinnacle, characterized by copper-in-soil anomalies and geophysical signatures. Recent logging operations have created new access roads, enhancing exploration opportunities at Pinnacle. The company plans to launch a systematic drill program at Trident in the coming months.
Pacific Empire Minerals (TSXV: PEMC) ha annunciato obiettivi di esplorazione aggiornati per i suoi progetti Trident e Pinnacle nella Columbia Britannica, situati vicino alla miniera di Mt. Milligan e al deposito di Kwanika. Il Progetto Trident, il loro principale obiettivo, mostra segni promettenti di un sistema porfirico di rame arricchito in oro con risultati geochimici significativi, tra cui:
- Valori di rame fino a 5.213 ppm nei suoli su un'area di 2 km x 4 km
- Valori di oro fino a 591 ppb in una zona di 2 km x 1,5 km
- Due obiettivi di breccia identificati con campioni che mostrano fino al 3,3% di Cu e 3,6 g/t di Au
La proprietà Pinnacle presenta due principali aree target: Aplite Creek North, che ha fornito risultati storici di perforazione di 6 m con un grado di 6,4 g/t di Au, e South Pinnacle, caratterizzata da anomalie di rame nel suolo e firme geofisiche. Recenti operazioni di disboscamento hanno creato nuove strade di accesso, migliorando le opportunità di esplorazione a Pinnacle. L'azienda prevede di avviare un programma di perforazione sistematica a Trident nei prossimi mesi.
Pacific Empire Minerals (TSXV: PEMC) ha anunciado objetivos de exploración actualizados en sus proyectos Trident y Pinnacle en Columbia Británica, ubicados cerca de la mina Mt. Milligan y el depósito Kwanika. El Proyecto Trident, su enfoque principal, muestra señales prometedoras de un sistema de pórfido de cobre enriquecido en oro con hallazgos geoquímicos significativos, incluyendo:
- Valores de cobre de hasta 5,213 ppm en suelos en un área de 2 km x 4 km
- Valores de oro de hasta 591 ppb en una zona de 2 km x 1.5 km
- Dos objetivos de brecha identificados con muestras que muestran hasta un 3.3% de Cu y 3.6 g/t de Au
La propiedad Pinnacle cuenta con dos áreas objetivo principales: Aplite Creek North, que arrojó resultados históricos de perforación de 6 m con un grado de 6.4 g/t de Au, y South Pinnacle, caracterizada por anomalías de cobre en el suelo y firmas geofísicas. Las recientes operaciones de tala han creado nuevas carreteras de acceso, mejorando las oportunidades de exploración en Pinnacle. La empresa planea lanzar un programa de perforación sistemática en Trident en los próximos meses.
퍼시픽 엠파이어 미네랄스 (TSXV: PEMC)는 브리티시컬럼비아의 트라이던트 및 피나클 프로젝트에서 업데이트된 탐사 목표를 발표했습니다. 이 프로젝트들은 Mt. Milligan 광산 및 Kwanika 매장지 근처에 위치해 있습니다. 그들의 주요 초점인 트라이던트 프로젝트는 금이 풍부한 구리 포르프리 시스템의 유망한 징후를 보여주며, 중요한 지구화학적 발견이 포함되어 있습니다:
- 2km x 4km 지역에서 최대 5,213 ppm의 구리 값
- 2km x 1.5km 구역에서 최대 591 ppb의 금 값
- 최대 3.3% Cu, 3.6 g/t Au를 보여주는 샘플이 포함된 두 개의 브레치아 목표
피나클 속성은 두 개의 주요 목표 지역을 특징으로 합니다: Aplite Creek North, 역사적인 시추 결과로 6m에서 6.4 g/t Au의 성적을 기록했으며, South Pinnacle은 토양에서의 구리 이상과 지구물리학적 신호로 특징지어집니다. 최근의 벌목 작업으로 새로운 접근 도로가 만들어져 피나클에서의 탐사 기회가 향상되었습니다. 이 회사는 향후 몇 개월 내에 트라이던트에서 체계적인 시추 프로그램을 시작할 계획입니다.
Pacific Empire Minerals (TSXV: PEMC) a annoncé des objectifs d'exploration mis à jour pour ses projets Trident et Pinnacle en Colombie-Britannique, situés près de la mine de Mt. Milligan et du dépôt de Kwanika. Le projet Trident, leur principal axe, montre des signes prometteurs d'un système porphyrique de cuivre enrichi en or avec des résultats géochimiques significatifs, notamment :
- Valeurs de cuivre allant jusqu'à 5 213 ppm dans les sols sur une zone de 2 km x 4 km
- Valeurs d'or allant jusqu'à 591 ppb dans une zone de 2 km x 1,5 km
- Deux cibles de brèche identifiées avec des échantillons montrant jusqu'à 3,3 % de Cu et 3,6 g/t d'Au
La propriété Pinnacle présente deux principales zones cibles : Aplite Creek North, qui a donné des résultats de forage historiques de 6 m avec un grade de 6,4 g/t d'Au, et South Pinnacle, caractérisée par des anomalies de cuivre dans le sol et des signatures géophysiques. Des opérations d'abattage récentes ont créé de nouvelles routes d'accès, améliorant les opportunités d'exploration à Pinnacle. L'entreprise prévoit de lancer un programme de forage systématique à Trident dans les mois à venir.
Pacific Empire Minerals (TSXV: PEMC) hat aktualisierte Explorationsziele für seine Trident- und Pinnacle-Projekte in British Columbia bekannt gegeben, die sich in der Nähe der Mt. Milligan Mine und des Kwanika-Vorkommens befinden. Das Trident-Projekt, auf das der Schwerpunkt liegt, zeigt vielversprechende Anzeichen eines goldangereicherten Kupferporphyrsystems mit bedeutenden geochemischen Ergebnissen, darunter:
- Kupferwerte von bis zu 5.213 ppm in Böden über ein Gebiet von 2 km x 4 km
- Goldwerte von bis zu 591 ppb in einer Zone von 2 km x 1,5 km
- Zwei identifizierte Brekzieziele mit Proben, die bis zu 3,3% Cu und 3,6 g/t Au zeigen
Die Pinnacle-Eigenschaft umfasst zwei Hauptzielgebiete: Aplite Creek North, das historische Bohrergebnisse von 6 m mit einem Gehalt von 6,4 g/t Au lieferte, und South Pinnacle, das durch Kupferanomalien im Boden und geophysikalische Signaturen gekennzeichnet ist. Jüngste Holzerntearbeiten haben neue Zugangsstraßen geschaffen, die die Erkundungsmöglichkeiten in Pinnacle verbessern. Das Unternehmen plant, in den kommenden Monaten ein systematisches Bohrprogramm in Trident zu starten.
- Strong geochemical results with high-grade copper (up to 5,213 ppm) and gold (up to 591 ppb) in soil samples
- Historical drilling at Pinnacle showed high-grade gold intersection (6m at 6.4 g/t Au)
- Eastern Breccia Target samples showed high-grade mineralization (up to 3.3% Cu, 3.6 g/t Au)
- New logging roads provide improved access to previously inaccessible areas at Pinnacle
- Previous drilling has not yet tested the upslope area where anomalous material is believed to originate
- exposed outcrops at Pinnacle property historically restricted exploration
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 27, 2025) - Pacific Empire Minerals Corp. (TSXV: PEMC) ("Pacific Empire", "PEMC" or the "Company"), a British Columbia copper-gold explorer, is pleased to announce updated exploration target areas at its Trident and Pinnacle projects. These properties, located approximately 50 km west of the Mt. Milligan Mine (operated by Centerra Gold) and 30 km southeast of the Kwanika deposit (owned by Northwest Copper Corp.), represent significant copper-gold exploration opportunities.
Trident Project: Priority Target Areas
The Trident Project is currently the primary focus for Pacific Empire. The main exploration target is a gold-enriched copper porphyry system, supported by robust copper, gold, and zinc soil geochemistry. Key findings include:
- Geochemical Support: The copper geochemical anomalies from soil sampling have values up to 5,213 ppm in soils and measures approximately 2 km north-south and 4 km northwest to southeast (Figure 1). Considering the anomalies are located on a significant slope, drilling to date has yet to test the upslope area where the anomalous material is inferred to originate. Anomalous gold values of up to 591 ppb yielded from soil geochemistry results characterize this prospective zone which covers an area approximately 2 km northwest to southeast and 1.5 km north-south. A robust zinc in soil anomaly lies at the southeast extent of the soil grid which may be a result of the presence of a proximal hydrothermal system in the immediate area.
- Geophysical Support: The porphyry target aligns with an airborne resistivity high, a chargeability anomaly from ground-based induced polarization (IP), a resistivity high from ground-based IP, and a strong apparent resistivity anomaly from an airborne Mobile Magnetotelluric (MT) survey (Figure 2).
- Historical and Future Drilling: South of the porphyry target, historical drilling from the 1970's and 2007 intercepted several mineralized porphyry dikes classified as a hornblende-feldspar monzonite porphyry. These dikes dip north, however previous drilling was conducted from north to south. Future drilling will be conducted north of historical drilling and will be oriented from south to north to test the main porphyry zone.
Breccia Targets: Two breccia targets adjacent to the porphyry system have been identified:
Eastern Breccia Target: Supported by a strong conductivity anomaly and float rock samples grading up to
3.3% Cu, 3.6 g/t Au, and 56.6 g/t Ag. A barite vein sample in this area returned6.0% Cu,6.0% Zn, 1.5 g/t Au, and 5.0 g/t Ag.Western Breccia Target: Associated with both a robust copper and gold-in-soil geochemical anomaly and a significant conductivity high.
Figure 1 - Compilation of geochemical and IP geophysical data
with 2025 drill targets at Trident
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Figure 2 - Resistivity high extending to depth at primary target area at Trident
(Level Slice at 500m depth from the 2024 Mobile MT Survey)
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Figure 3 - Resistivity high extending to depth at primary target area at Trident
(From the 2024 Mobile MT Survey)
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Figure 4 - Resistivity high extending to depth at Mt. Milligan Mine
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Significance of Sinistral Transpression at Trident and Pinnacle:
- Both Trident and Pinnacle may be influenced by an "Elbow" feature described by BC Government Geologist Joanne Nelson in the 1990's.
- During the Middle to Late Jurassic (~170-145 Ma), sinistral transpression played a critical role in shaping the region's structural geology. Sinistral transpression is interpreted to be associated with regional compression and left-lateral movement along fault structures, often creating pathways for hydrothermal fluids and enhancing mineralization potential.
- Notably, Trident's structural setting is similar to that of the Mt. Milligan Mine, where sinistral transpression facilitated the emplacement of gold-enriched copper porphyry deposits. North to northeast-trending faults within this regime have been instrumental in controlling the location of porphyry stocks, and similar structural trends have been identified at both Trident and Pinnacle properties, thus reinforcing the prospectivity of these projects.
- Another notable example is the New Afton copper-gold deposit near Kamloops, British Columbia. This deposit is part of the Iron Mask batholith complex within the Quesnel Terrane. The mineralization at New Afton is localized within a dilatational fault jog formed during regional sinistral transpression which occurred in the Middle to Late Jurassic period. This structural setting provided pathways for magma ascent and hydrothermal fluid flow, resulting in the concentration of copper and gold mineralization.
- In summary, the "Elbow" is significant because it acts as a structural focal point that enhances permeability and, in turn, creates the ideal conditions for both the emplacement of metal-rich magmas and supports the subsequent flow of hydrothermal fluids-key ingredients in forming gold-enriched copper porphyry deposits.
Figure 5 - Regional geology showing distinctive "Elbow" feature potentially resulting from
Middle-Late Jurassic sinistral transpression
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Figure 6 - Northwest trending structural corridor
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Figure 7 - North trending structures at the Mt. Milligan Mine
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Pinnacle Project: Emerging Targets
The Pinnacle property, located immediately west of Trident, has two primary target areas:
- Aplite Creek North Target:
- Copper in outcrop associated with aplite dikes and quartz veining at Aplite Creek.
- Historical drilling returned 6m grading 6.4 g/t Au at Aplite Creek (AH-90-01).
- Supported by a radiometric Thorium/Potassium low (Potassium/Thorium high), indicative of potassic alteration.
- Strong IP chargeability response around target margins and promising copper-in-soil geochemical anomalies.
- South Pinnacle Target:
- Copper-in-soil geochemical anomaly.
- Ovate magnetic and resistivity anomalies from 2007 Fugro Airborne Mag-EM survey.
- Induced polarization chargeability and resistivity high anomalies from 2014 IP survey.
- Strong IP chargeability response around target margins coincident with promising copper-in-soil geochemical anomalies.
Figure 8 - Exploration targets at Pinnacle with recent forestry cutblocks and new roads
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Gold in the Klawli River
The Klawli River, which separates the Trident and Pinnacle properties, has demonstrated gold potential. Panning in the river has yielded significant gold, ranging from fine flour gold to flakes measuring approximately 1 mm thick and 2-3 mm in diameter. The presence of placer gold in the Klawli River suggests a nearby hard-rock gold source, further underscoring the potential for additional discoveries in the region.
Figure 9 - Gold from the Klawli River.
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Moving Forward
Pacific Empire is excited to advance exploration programs on both properties, focusing on refining drill targets and launching a systematic drill program in the coming months at Trident. These projects underscore the company's commitment to unlocking the mineral potential in this prospective region.
Pacific Empire is actively engaging with corporate and strategic partners to drive the advancement of our Trident and Pinnacle projects.
From March 2 to March 5, 2025, we'll be attending the Prospectors and Developers Conference (PDAC) in Toronto, where we'll be meeting with investors and potential partners to explore new opportunities.
"Our recent exploration advancements at Trident and Pinnacle provide a strong foundation for our next phase of drilling. We are eager to test these compelling targets and believe they hold significant potential," said Brad Peters, President and CEO of Pacific Empire Minerals Corp. "It was the large-scale structural architecture in this area that caught our attention in 2012 and since that time all of the evidence suggests we are on the right path and in the right spot to make a discovery in 2025."
2025 Exploration Plans at Pinnacle
The Pinnacle property, located immediately west of Trident, now has extensive road access due to ongoing logging operations over the past few years. Additionally, widespread forest fires in 2022 cleared large areas of the property, creating new opportunities for prospecting and mapping.
Initially, the Company intends to evaluate the extent of new road building, which will be followed by extensive prospecting in new areas that were previously inaccessible. The priority will be to identify new areas of exposed rock while mapping and collecting rock samples, ideally in areas where new road building has exposed previously hidden bedrocck.
"For years, large areas of Pinnacle remained virtually inaccessible due to dense forest cover and a lack of access roads. This is no longer the case. With extensive road-building activities from logging operations, we are excited about the opportunity to prospect newly created roads and roadcuts for fresh rock exposures. Historically, the only known outcrop at Pinnacle has been in the Aplite Creek area, where copper and gold have been observed, which also coincides with the only exposed outcrop on the property," commented Brad Peters, President, CEO, and Director of Pacific Empire.
About Trident
The Trident property is an early exploration stage property hosting an alkalic porphyry copper-gold-silver prospect with district-scale potential that is accessible by vehicle. The property is located approximately 50 km to the southeast of NorthWest Copper Corp.'s Kwanika Deposit and 50 km to the northwest of Centerra Gold's Mt. Milligan Mine. The property covers 6,618 hectares endowed with well-established logging roads providing important efficient access to conduct exploration programs.
Copper mineralization on the property was first discovered in 1969, while exploration crews were following up on anomalous stream sediment samples. The following year, Falconbridge optioned the property and over the next two years completed IP and magnetic surveys, geological mapping, soil sampling and diamond drilling. This work ultimately led to the discovery of the A Zone.
Additional exploration programs were completed by Kookaburra Gold Corp. from 1988 through 1991, Solomon Resources Ltd., from 2006 through 2008. In 2013, PEMC optioned the property and in 2014, in turn, PEMC optioned the property to Oz Minerals which completed during that same year, an IP survey and completed a two drillhole, diamond drill program at Trident.
In 2022, Pacific Empire acquired a
Prior to 2014, known mineralization on the property was believed to be associated with fracture and/or shear zones structures striking 120 degrees and dipping 75 degrees towards the northeast. A review of historical drill core by the Pacific Empire exploration team has led to a much different interpretation with respect to the nature of known mineralization on the property. The most important observation made was the determination of the presence of hornblende-feldspar monzonite porphyry intrusions detected within drill core obtained from the A Zone. These types of porphyry intrusions are typically characterized by sheeted quartz sulphide veins hosting disseminated chalcopyrite and bornite residing immediately adjacent to and within the porphyry dikes. Other observations include the highest grades noted in historical drilling can be seen to be directly associated with intervals where such porphyry intrusions occur.
About Pinnacle
The Pinnacle project is located 60 km west of Centerra Gold's Mt. Milligan Copper-Gold Mine and 30 km southeast of NorthWest Copper's Kwanika Copper-Gold Deposit in a proven copper-gold porphyry district. Access to the Pinnacle is by road including a new and expanding network of logging roads and trails throughout the main target areas. This improved access is a significant development and is anticipated to contribute to cost effective drill support and provides additional bedrock exposure.
Qualified Person's Statement
Kristian Whitehead, P.Geo., serves as a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101 and has reviewed the scientific and technical information in this news release, approving the disclosure herein.
About Pacific Empire
Pacific Empire is a copper exploration company based in Vancouver, British Columbia and trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol PEMC. The Company has a district scale land position in north-central British Columbia totaling 22,541 hectares.
British Columbia is a "Green" copper jurisdiction with abundant hydroelectric power, access and infrastructure in close proximity to the end market.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD,
"Brad Peters"
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Pacific Empire Minerals Corp.
Tel: +1-604-356-6246
brad@pemcorp.ca
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange 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.
Forward-Looking Statements
Information set forth in this news release may involve forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Forward-Looking statements are statements that relate to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", and "intend", statements that an action or event "may", "might", "could", "should", or "will" be taken or occur, or other similar expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following risks: the need for additional financing; operational risks associated with mineral exploration; fluctuations in commodity prices; title matters; environmental liability claims and insurance; reliance on key personnel; the potential for conflicts of interest among certain officers, directors or promoters with certain other projects; the absence of dividends; competition; dilution; the volatility of our common share price and volume and the additional risks identified the management discussion and analysis section of our interim and most recent annual financial statement or other reports and filings with the TSX Venture Exchange and applicable Canadian securities regulations. Forward-Looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements.
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FAQ
What are the key copper and gold values found in Pacific Empire's (PEMC) Trident Project soil samples?
What are the two main target areas identified at PEMSF's Pinnacle property?
What are the grades from the Eastern Breccia Target samples at PEMSF's Trident Project?
When does Pacific Empire (PEMSF) plan to begin their systematic drill program at Trident?
