Fitzroy Minerals Inc. (TSXV: FTZ, OTCQX: FTZFF, FSE: C3Y) has released results from 15 drill holes at the Buen Retiro Copper Project in Copiapo, Chile, highlighting wide zones of leachable copper mineralization close to surface. The results come from the Tenorita area, a 1.7 km trend southwest of the historical Manto Negro open pit. Drilling continues with three diamond drill rigs and one reverse circulation rig on site.
Drill hole BRT-DDH072 returned 111.9 meters at 0.97% copper from 21.1 meters depth, including 18.0 meters at 1.59% copper from 84 meters. Drill hole BRT-DDH070 returned 147.7 meters at 0.41% copper from 26.3 meters, including 47.0 meters at 0.88% copper from 113 meters. These results confirm consistent shallow mineralization across approximately 300 meters east-west in the southern central portion of Tenorita.
Merlin Marr-Johnson, President and CEO of Fitzroy, stated that the company has four rigs turning at Buen Retiro, aiming to complete the drill-out of the Tenorita area in 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 company plans an additional 9,000 meters of drilling in 2026 with three 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.
Drilling is also testing the Ortuzar area north of Manto Negro and the Nativo area to the south, as well as the northeast extension of Tenorita. The company's quality assurance and quality control protocols include inserting blanks, pulp duplicates, and certified copper standards, representing about 12% of total samples. The qualified person, Dr. Scott Jobin-Bevans, has reviewed and approved the technical information.
These results are significant as they demonstrate the potential for a large-scale, near-surface copper deposit amenable to low-cost leaching methods. The consistent mineralization over broad widths at shallow depths supports the company's goal of advancing the project toward development and production, which could position Fitzroy as a near-term copper producer in a region with established mining infrastructure.
For more details, see the drill results table at NewMediaWire and cross-sections at Fitzroy Minerals website.
