Fitzroy Minerals Inc. (TSXV: FTZ, OTCQX: FTZFF, FSE: C3Y) has released drilling results from its Buen Retiro Copper Project in Copiapo, Chile, highlighting wide zones of copper mineralization in leachable material near the surface. The results, from 15 drill holes in the Tenorita area, underscore the project's potential for rapid development.
The company reported that 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.
Merlin Marr-Johnson, President and CEO of Fitzroy, stated that the company has four rigs operating at Buen Retiro, aiming to complete the drill-out of Tenorita by August to stay on track for production in early 2028. Since February 2026, Fitzroy has completed 78 diamond drill holes totaling 13,036 meters. The drilling program targets advancing Tenorita to Measured, Indicated, and Inferred resource categories for a Pre-Feasibility Study, defining Inferred resources elsewhere, and testing new exploration targets.
Drill hole 72, the best reported, included three notable sub-intervals: 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. Drill hole 70 included 47 meters at 0.88% copper from 113 meters and 27 meters at 1.20% copper from 133 meters. Cross-section A-A’ shows broad, shallow mineralization in the south-central Tenorita area, consistent with earlier holes such as BRT-DDH007 (25 meters at 0.72% copper) and BRT-DDH027 (133 meters at 0.46% copper), as detailed in the company’s previous releases (see here and here).
Fitzroy follows rigorous sampling and QA/QC procedures, including certified standards, blanks, and duplicates, with about 12% of samples being QA/QC samples. The Qualified Person, Dr. Scott Jobin-Bevans (P.Geo., Ph.D., PMP), has reviewed and approved the technical information.
These results are significant as they demonstrate the potential for a large, near-surface copper resource amenable to low-cost leaching, supporting Fitzroy’s accelerated timeline to production. The company’s focus on advancing Buen Retiro positions it as a potential near-term copper producer in Chile’s prolific mining district.
