Fitzroy Minerals Inc. (TSXV: FTZ, OTCQX: FTZFF, FSE: C3Y) has released new drilling results from the Buen Retiro Copper Project near Copiapo, Chile, highlighting wide zones of copper mineralization in leachable material close to surface. The company reported results from 15 drill holes in the Tenorita area, a 1.7 km trend southwest of the historical Manto Negro open pit, with four drill rigs currently operating on site.
Drill hole BRT-DDH072 intersected 111.9 meters at 0.97% copper from 21.1 meters depth, including 18.0 meters at 1.59% copper from 84.0 meters. Drill hole BRT-DDH070 returned 147.7 meters at 0.41% copper from 26.3 meters, including 47.0 meters at 0.88% copper from 113.0 meters. These results confirm consistent shallow mineralization across approximately 300 meters in the widest part of the Tenorita area, as noted by Merlin Marr-Johnson, President and CEO of Fitzroy.
The company has completed 78 diamond drill holes totaling 13,036 meters since February 2026, with plans for an additional 9,000 meters of drilling in 2026. The drilling program has three key objectives: advancing the Tenorita area to Measured, Indicated, and Inferred resource categories to support a robust mine life for a Pre-Feasibility Study; defining Inferred resources elsewhere on the property; and testing new exploration targets.
Fitzroy is currently drilling with three diamond drill rigs and one reverse circulation rig. One rig is drilling shallow sulphides north of the historical Manto Negro pit in the Ortuzar area, another is testing the southern extension in the Nativo area, the third is drilling the northeast extension of Tenorita, and the RC rig is targeting regional exploration targets. The company aims to complete the drill-out of the Tenorita area in August, staying on track for production in early 2028.
The Buen Retiro project is part of Fitzroy Minerals' portfolio of copper-focused mineral assets in the Americas, which also includes the Caballos Copper and Polimet Gold-Copper-Silver projects in Chile, the Taquetren Gold Project in Argentina, and the Caribou Project in British Columbia, Canada. The company's shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol FTZ and on the OTCQX under the symbol FTZFF.
Dr. Scott Jobin-Bevans (P.Geo., Ph.D., PMP), a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 and independent geological consultant to the company, has reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release. The company has implemented rigorous QA/QC procedures, including the insertion of blanks, standards, and pulp duplicates, with no significant issues identified.
These results are significant for the copper industry as they demonstrate the potential for near-surface, leachable copper mineralization that could lead to low-cost production. For readers, this news underscores the ongoing development of copper resources in Chile, a key mining jurisdiction, and the progress of Fitzroy Minerals toward becoming a copper producer.
