TORONTO, ON — March 1, 2026 — Leads & Copy — Sterling Metals Corp. has announced the discovery of a significant copper and molybdenum sulphide mineralization zone at its Soo Copper Project. The discovery was made in the first drill hole of the 2026 drill program (TSXV:SAG)(OTCQB:SAGGF).
The company reported intersecting a zone of felsic porphyry stock spanning over 400 meters. This zone exhibits widespread, multi-stage copper and molybdenum sulphide mineralization, accompanied by potassic alteration and porphyry-type veining.
The newly discovered porphyry stock lies approximately 1.5 kilometers from the MEPS Discovery, an area already known for its near-surface copper mineralization. The MEPS Discovery features a continuous 400 x 400 meter zone of copper mineralization, highlighted by drill hole MEPS-25-02, which yielded 265.5 meters of 1.05% CuEq*, including 68.3 meters of 3.25% CuEq* (as detailed in a press release dated September 29, 2025).
According to Sterling Metals, the presence of a Cu-Mo mineralized felsic porphyry stock at a distance from the MEPS Discovery suggests the potential for a large porphyry copper system at the Soo Copper Project. The project is located 70 kilometers north of Sault Ste Marie, near the Trans-Canada Highway, and 20 kilometers from rail and deep-water access.
Drillhole SC-26-01 targeted a ZTEM resistivity low geophysical target near surface exposures of bornite and chalcopyrite and as a large step-out to the MEPS Discovery.
The drillhole intersected a thick zone of altered mafic volcanics transitioned sharply into a coarse-grained felsic porphyry, interpreted as part of a stock-like intrusive body, which was then drilled for over 400m currently continuing at approximately 1000m depth. The porphyry stock contains widespread copper sulphides as fine chalcopyrite and bornite disseminations in the groundmass and as coarser grains within veins and is closely associated with potassic feldspar alteration. Molybdenite is also commonly present within quartz veins with or without chalcopyrite.
While assays are pending, visual evidence from the drill hole indicates the potential for a larger copper zone. The company believes the findings confirm the presence of a large porphyry stock complex linked to surface copper showings across a 7km x 3km corridor, representing the upper expression of a larger porphyry copper system.
The company plans to conduct further drilling to test the western edge of the ZTEM anomaly, seeking the stock’s shoulders and potential zones of higher-grade copper mineralization.
A similar ZTEM resistivity anomaly has been identified beneath the MEPS Discovery area, making it another target for drill-testing during the winter program.
Neil O’Brien, Chief Geologist of Sterling Metals, stated that the early discovery of a source porphyry stock with widespread potassic alteration and copper mineralization validates the company’s belief in a large porphyry copper complex underlying the Soo Project. He added that the exploration targeting approach is proving effective in identifying areas with high potential for copper concentrations.
Based on core logging, the stock primarily consists of granite porphyry to quartz monzonite porphyry intrusive, compositions commonly found in major porphyry copper systems. The porphyry contains feldspar and quartz phenocrysts, along with hydrous minerals like hornblende and biotite, indicating a ‘wet’ hydrous source magma critical for developing metal-rich hydrothermal fluids that mineralize copper and other metals.
The granite porphyry exhibits potassic feldspar alteration, epidote alteration, and porphyry-style veining. Copper is present as chalcopyrite disseminations and grains within veins, while bornite replaces chalcopyrite. Molybdenite is found within thicker quartz veins.
Evidence suggests other intrusive porphyry phases comprise the stock complex, including an early-stage felsic porphyry with a fine-grained groundmass similar to the GFP felsic porphyry dykes at MEPS. This porphyry is potassic altered and contains a higher concentration of veins.
Sterling Metals will attend PDAC 2026 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre from March 1-2, 2026, at Core Shack – Session A, Booth 3113A.
Jeremy Niemi, P.Geo., Senior Vice President, Exploration and Evaluation for Sterling Metals has reviewed and approved the technical information presented.
Sterling Metals is focused on Canadian exploration opportunities. The Company is advancing the Soo Copper Project in Ontario and the Adeline Project in Labrador.
Sterling Metals acknowledges that its exploration activities within the Soo Copper project are conducted on the traditional lands of the Batchewana, Garden River, and Michipicoten First Nations of the North Shore of Lake Superior.
Source: Sterling Metals
