TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / March 26, 2025 / Sterling Metals Corp. (TSXV:SAG)(OTCQB:SAGGF) ("Sterling" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the commencement of its inaugural drill program at the Copper Road Project (the "Project") in Ontario. The fully funded, minimum 2,000-metre diamond drill program is scheduled to run until the end of April, targeting multiple high-priority zones. The program aims to test near-surface copper mineralization and its connection to a larger porphyry center at depth, as identified by extensive field and geophysical studies. Drilling will focus on key targets within the property's central corridor, covering an initial 2.5km x 1.5km x 1.5km target area within the broader 30 km-wide Project (Figure 1). This area hosts significant geophysical anomalies and historically underexplored zones, pointing to the potential for a much larger mineral system at depth.
Mathew Wilson, CEO of Sterling Metals, commented, "Recent political developments have cast a spotlight on Canada's vast but underutilized natural resource potential. With only 1% of the world's copper reserves1, we are alarmingly short on what is arguably the most essential metal for the global energy transition. At Sterling, we've been focused on strategically located exploration opportunities to unlock Canada's copper potential, an effort that ultimately led us to the Copper Road Project. What makes this project stand out is the rare combination of size and grade potential with unparalleled accessibility: 20 minutes off the Trans-Canada highway, and just 1 hour north of the US border. Exploration always carries tremendous risk, but we believe this initial target area within the 30km wide copper mineral system contains many of the key geological ingredients necessary to find a cornerstone copper asset in Canada."
Highlights
A minimum 2,000-metre diamond drill program is underway, focusing on four initial high priority targets in the heart of the Project, covering a 2.5km x 1.5km x 1.5km footprint. Drill targets, as demonstrated in plan view chargeability map in Figure 2 include:
Target 1 - Connection Between the Jogran Porphyry and Richards Breccia: This target features a large chargeability anomaly flanked by resistivity lows, linked to a significant ZTEM anomaly at depth (Figure 3). Mineralized historical drilling has come close to the target area but has not ever tested this target.
Target 2 - Near-Surface Mineralization North of the Jorgan Porphyry and Richards Breccia: The largest chargeability anomaly, coinciding with a resistivity low and an induced magnetization high, connects at depth with an extensive ZTEM resistivity low conduit. At surface, basaltic and mafic volcanic rocks host fracture-filled pyrite (Py) and chalcopyrite (Cpy), presenting a highly prospective opportunity for copper mineralization in an area that remains untested by direct drilling.
Target 3 - Additional Breccia and Porphyry Target North of Richards Breccia: Located 200m north of historical drilling in the Richards Breccia which intersected 50.17m at 0.88% Cu (R2304) and 38.6m at 1.06% Cu (R2301)2, a similar resistivity low connecting to the large ZTEM anomaly at depth (Figure 3) highlights the potential for high-grade mineralization near surface connecting to the larger ZTEM body at depth.
Target 4 - Surface Expression Area of the Large ZTEM Anomaly South of the Jogran Porphyry: Where the large ZTEM anomaly and the resistivity lows from the Dias survey come to surface are the best soil samples and outcrop on the property discovered to date. Historical drilling by Phelps Dodge in 1967 intercepted 3m at 1.4% Cu approximately 150m from the resistivity low target and with the hole ending in mineralization at 240m depth- suggesting strong potential for further mineralization at depth2. The recent surface sampling by Sterling has also returned high-grade results, including 15.9% Cu at the Cave showing and 15.44% Cu in an 80cm magnetite G-vein (see press release dated October 29, 2024).
This systematic drilling approach is designed to confirm and expand upon historical results while unlocking the broader potential of the project.
Figure 1: The Copper Road Project located 80 km north of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, spans 25,000 hectares and extends 30 km in width. The Project benefits from proximity to key infrastructure and excellent accessibility, facilitating efficient exploration and development. The 2025 drilling program is concentrated in the central corridor of the Project, while historical mining activity at the Copper Corp and Tribag Breccia Mines is situated along the property's fringes.
Figure 2: 2024 Chargeability Plan Map at 300m depth with clipped 30 mV/V isosurface chargeability anomalies highlighting four priority drill targets in the central corridor.
Figure 3: A long section demonstrating historical drill results as they apply to a +25mv chargeability shell when connecting to resistivity lows and the connection of this low to a larger potential porphyry core ("source") at depth.
Receipt of OJEP Grant to Support Critical Minerals Exploration
Sterling Metals is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a $200,000 grant from the Ontario Junior Exploration Program (OJEP) to support drilling at the Copper Road Project. A key focus of OJEP is the exploration of critical minerals-such as nickel, copper, cobalt, and platinum-group elements-which are essential to Canada's resource and clean energy sectors.
This funding highlights the strategic significance of Copper Road in advancing Ontario's resource sector and reinforces Sterling's commitment to responsible, efficient, and high-impact exploration.
Corporate Update
In addition, the Company announces that it has granted an aggregate of 2,430,000 stock options to purchase common shares in the capital of the Company exercisable at a price of $0.40 per common share for a period of two (2) years to certain directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company. The common shares issuable upon exercise of the options are subject to a four month hold period from the original date of grant.
Qualified Person
Jeremy Niemi, P.Geo., Senior Vice President, Exploration and Evaluation for Sterling Metals has reviewed and approved the technical information presented herein.
About Sterling Metals
Sterling Metals (TSXV:SAG and OTCQB:SAGGF) is a mineral exploration company focused on large scale and high-grade Canadian exploration opportunities. The Company is advancing the 25,000-hectare Copper Road Project in Ontario which has past production, and multiple breccia and porphyry targets strategically located near robust infrastructure and the 29,000-hectare Adeline Project in Labrador which covers an entire sediment-hosted copper belt with significant silver credits. Both opportunities have demonstrated potential for important new copper discoveries, underscoring Sterling's commitment to pioneering exploration in mineral rich Canada.
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.
This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "would", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the information is provided and is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. For a description of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company and its business and affairs, readers should refer to the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change, unless required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.
2Independent Technical Report entitled "Technical Report on the Copper Road Property", dated April 29, 2024, prepared by Kelly Malcolm, P.Geo., for Sterling Metals Corp.
