Fitzroy Minerals Inc. (TSXV: FTZ, OTCQX: FTZFF, FSE: C3Y) has released results from 15 diamond drill holes at the Buen Retiro Copper Project in Copiapo, Chile, revealing wide zones of copper mineralization close to surface in leachable material. The drilling is part of an ongoing program with four rigs at site, targeting the Tenorita area southwest of the historical Manto Negro open pit.
Highlights include drill hole BRT-DDH072, which returned 111.9 meters at 0.97% copper from 21.1 meters depth, including an 18-meter interval at 1.59% copper from 84 meters. Drill hole BRT-DDH070 returned 147.7 meters at 0.41% copper from 26.3 meters, including 47 meters at 0.88% copper from 113 meters. These results confirm consistent shallow mineralization across approximately 300 meters east-west in the Tenorita area, as illustrated in cross-section A-A’ (see Figure 2).
Merlin Marr-Johnson, President and CEO of Fitzroy, stated: “Buen Retiro continues to deliver excellent results and several of the fifteen drill holes reported today reflect wide zones of mineralization in leachable material close to surface. Note that the best drill hole reported today, drill hole #72, is to the east of drill hole #70, confirming consistent shallow mineralization for about 300 metres across the widest part of the Tenorita area.” He added that the company has four rigs turning and aims to complete the drill-out of the Tenorita area in August, staying on track for production in early 2028.
Since February 2026, Fitzroy has completed 78 diamond drill holes totaling 13,036 meters. The current drilling program includes one rig testing shallow sulphides north of Manto Negro (Ortuzar area), another testing the southern extension (Nativo area), a third drilling the northeast extension of Tenorita, and an RC rig exploring regional targets. The company plans an additional 9,000 meters of drilling in 2026 with three key objectives: advancing Tenorita to Measured, Indicated, and Inferred resource categories for a Pre-Feasibility Study; defining Inferred resources elsewhere on the property; and testing new exploration targets.
Table 1 (see original release) details selected results from drill holes BRT-DDH066 to BRT-DDH080. Drill hole 72 also included sub-intervals of 19 meters at 1.50% copper from 32 meters, 18 meters at 1.59% copper from 84 meters, and 18 meters at 1.91% copper from 111 meters. Previous drilling in the area, such as drill hole 27 (133 meters at 0.46% copper, reported here) and drill hole 58 (75 meters at 0.82% copper, reported here), further supports the continuity of mineralization.
The company follows rigorous QA/QC protocols, with blanks, standards, and duplicates comprising about 12% of samples. Certified copper standards from INTEM are used, and no significant issues were identified in the QA/QC review. The Qualified Person, Dr. Scott Jobin-Bevans (P.Geo., Ph.D., PMP), has reviewed and approved the technical information.
The results underscore the potential of Buen Retiro to become a near-term copper producer, with shallow, leachable mineralization that could reduce initial capital costs and development timelines. With drilling ongoing and a clear path to a Pre-Feasibility Study, Fitzroy is positioning the project for advancement toward production.
