Metallic Minerals' La Plata Project Selected for U.S. DOE Genesis Mission AI Research Initiative Award Funding
Rhea-AI Summary
Metallic Minerals (OTCQB:MMNGF) will participate in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Genesis Mission through the AGAPEX AI research initiative, led by Colorado School of Mines, to develop AI-enabled tools for critical minerals exploration. La Plata in Colorado was selected as one of two initial test systems, representing an alkalic polymetallic porphyry case against Arizona’s calc-alkaline Copper Triangle benchmark.
The company will contribute its extensive La Plata datasets and expertise, gaining access to national AI frameworks and high-performance computing. La Plata hosts an Inferred Mineral Resource of 181.4 million tonnes at 0.36% copper equivalent, including about 1.3 billion pounds of copper and 17.0 million ounces of silver, plus newly incorporated platinum group elements and gold.
Positive
- La Plata chosen as 1 of 2 AGAPEX test systems, highlighting its extensive datasets and strategic relevance for AI-assisted exploration
- AGAPEX selected from 5,000+ DOE Genesis Mission applications, ranking among 278 funded awards
- La Plata 2026 Inferred Resource: 181.4 Mt at 0.36% CuEq with ~1.3 billion lb copper and 17.0 million oz silver
- 45.4 Mt subset includes 272,000 ounces of platinum group elements plus gold in the updated 2026 estimate
- Access to DOE Genesis Mission AI and HPC platforms may enhance future exploration efficiency and targeting at La Plata
Negative
- None.
News Explained
La Plata is an initial DOE-supported AI research test site; Metallic supplies data and expertise while the exploration tools remain under development.
Metallic Minerals reports that its La Plata project has been selected for the DOE-supported AGAPEX research award as one of two initial test systems. The company’s disclosed role is to contribute exploration datasets and geological expertise, with access to Genesis Mission AI frameworks, models and high-performance computing resources.
AGAPEX is designed to rank follow-up actions—such as geophysical surveys, geochemical sampling or drilling—by expected uncertainty reduction relative to cost, rather than produce only a conventional mineral-prospectivity map.
The work is not described as complete: the release says the technologies are expected to enhance future programs and that project milestones will be provided as work progresses.
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / July 27, 2026 / Metallic Minerals Corp. (TSX-V:MMG)(OTCQB:MMNGF)(FSE: 9MM1) ("Metallic" or the "Company") announces its participation in a U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE") supported research initiative led by the Colorado School of Mines ("Mines") to develop next-generation artificial intelligence ("AI") technologies for critical minerals exploration. The collaborative project, Agentic GeoAI for Precision Mineral Exploration ("AGAPEX"), is part of the DOE's Genesis Mission, a national initiative that brings together government, industry, academia and philanthropy to accelerate scientific discovery through artificial intelligence, high-performance computing and advanced scientific research.
Highlights
La Plata selected as one of two initial test systems for the development and validation of next-generation AI-assisted exploration technologies, representing an alkalic polymetallic porphyry case against a conventional calc-alkaline porphyry benchmark in the Arizona Copper Triangle.
The AGAPEX project was selected as one of 278 awards under the DOE's Genesis Mission, which DOE reports generated the largest response to a funding opportunity in its history, with more than 5,000 applications received.
The AGAPEX project is led by Dr. Sebnem Düzgün, Fred Banfield Distinguished Endowed Chair in Mining Engineering at Colorado School of Mines, with project partners including the U.S. Department of Energy's National Laboratory of the Rockies ("NLR"), formerly the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the Colorado Geological Survey, and Metallic Minerals, represented by Scott Petsel, President, and Regina Molloy, Vice President Exploration.
Objective is to develop AI-enabled exploration tools that improve targeting efficiency, reduce geological uncertainty and optimize the allocation of exploration capital.
Extends Metallic's use of advanced data analytics in exploration, building on the Company's prior AI-based target generation work and the multi-element re-analysis and re-logging of the La Plata dataset.
Technologies developed through the initiative are expected to enhance future exploration programs at La Plata while contributing to broader advances in AI-driven mineral exploration.
Provides access to national-scale AI and computing resources through the Genesis Mission Platform, including AI agent frameworks, advanced AI models and high-performance computing resources across DOE's National Laboratories.
Supports growing U.S. strategic initiatives focused on domestic critical mineral supply chains, energy security and advanced manufacturing.
Metallic Minerals' La Plata project was selected for the AGAPEX initiative based on its district-scale alkalic polymetallic mineral system, extensive geological, geochemical and geophysical database, and diverse suite of critical minerals. This provides an ideal environment to develop and validate next-generation AI-assisted exploration technologies. Through the project, Metallic will contribute its exploration datasets and geological expertise while working alongside researchers at Mines, NLR and the Colorado Geological Survey. Initial testing under AGAPEX will be conducted across two contrasting geological systems: the Arizona Copper Triangle, representing a calc-alkaline setting, and La Plata, representing an alkalic system hosting copper, silver, gold, platinum, palladium and a range of critical mineral co-products currently under study.
AGAPEX seeks to integrate geological knowledge, geoscience datasets, physics-constrained AI, uncertainty analysis and economic decision-making into a unified exploration workflow designed to improve exploration targeting and prioritize the highest-value opportunities. Rather than producing a conventional mineral prospectivity map, AGAPEX is designed to evaluate and rank potential next steps - additional geophysical surveys, geochemical sampling or drilling - based on the expected reduction in uncertainty relative to their cost.
The initiative comes at a time of increasing U.S. federal emphasis on strengthening domestic critical mineral supply chains, advancing exploration technologies and securing the materials needed for energy, advanced manufacturing and national security. Recent federal actions have reinforced the strategic importance of identifying and responsibly developing domestic sources of critical minerals to support long-term U.S. economic and supply chain resilience.
Additional details regarding the AGAPEX project and project milestones will be provided as work progresses.
Colorado School of Mines is internationally recognized for its leadership in mining engineering, earth sciences and critical minerals research. The collaboration combines the University's expertise in artificial intelligence, mineral systems and computational geoscience with Metallic's district-scale geological database while further strengthening the Company's relationship with Colorado School of Mines and supporting innovation, research and workforce development in Colorado. The initiative is anchored in Colorado, with Mines and NLR both located in Golden, the Colorado Geological Survey participating as a project partner, and La Plata located within the southwestern portion of the Colorado Mineral Belt.
"La Plata was selected for this work because of the quality and completeness of the geological, geochemical and geophysical database we have assembled through years of systematic exploration, and because its alkalic polymetallic character makes it a demanding test of these new methods," stated Greg Johnson, Chairman & CEO of Metallic Minerals. "Working alongside Colorado School of Mines, the National Laboratory of the Rockies and the Colorado Geological Survey gives our technical team access to AI and computing capability well beyond what a company of our size could develop independently, applied directly to our own datasets. As the United States continues to prioritize secure domestic sources of critical minerals and resilient supply chains, we believe projects with comprehensive geological datasets such as La Plata can play an important role in developing more efficient, responsible and data-driven exploration methods for these strategically important resources in the US."
About the La Plata Project
La Plata is a district-scale copper-silver-gold-platinum-palladium and associated critical minerals project in southwestern Colorado. The project's updated 2026 NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate, announced January 26, 2026, comprises an Inferred Mineral Resource of 181.4 million tonnes grading
About Metallic Minerals
Metallic Minerals Corp. is a resource-stage exploration and development company advancing copper, silver and platinum group elements, along with gold and other associated critical minerals, at the La Plata project in southwestern Colorado, and high-grade silver, gold, lead and zinc exploration at the Keno Silver project in the Yukon Territory, adjacent to Hecla Mining's Keno Hill silver operations. The Company is also one of the largest holders of alluvial gold claims in the Yukon and is building a production royalty business through partnerships with experienced mining operators.
Metallic is led by a team with a strong track record of discovery and exploration success across multiple precious and base metal deposits in North America and is backed by strategic investment by Newmont Corporation and Eric Sprott. The Company integrates advanced data analytics into its exploration process to support target generation, accelerate discovery, and unlock value across its portfolio.
Metallic's project districts have a history of significant mineral production and benefit from existing infrastructure, including road access and nearby power. The Company's team has been recognized for environmental stewardship practices and is committed to responsible and sustainable resource development, engaging with Canadian First Nations, U.S. Tribal Nations and Native Corporations, and with local communities to support long-term project advancement.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Contact: Daniel McRobert, Corporate Development Manager
Website: metallic-minerals.com Phone: 604-629-7800
Email: info@metallic-minerals.com Toll Free: 1-888-570-4420
Qualified Person
The scientific and technical information contained in this news release relating to the La Plata Project mineral resource estimate and the associated NI 43-101 technical report has been reviewed and approved by Scott Petsel, M.S., CPG, P.Geo., President of Metallic Minerals Corp., who is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Petsel is not independent of the Company. The 2026 La Plata Mineral Resource Estimate referred to in this news release was prepared by Brian Hartman, M.S., P.Geo. of SLR USA Advisory Inc., an independent Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release includes certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the Company's participation in the AGAPEX project and the DOE's Genesis Mission, the expected development, performance and availability of AI-assisted exploration tools and workflows, the anticipated application of those tools to future exploration programs at La Plata, the advancement of the Company's projects, the potential for the La Plata project to host or become a source of critical minerals, anticipated demand for critical minerals, the potential for additional porphyry centres and exploration targets, U.S. government policy, funding and permitting priorities relating to critical minerals, and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and assumptions and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization, historic production, estimation of mineral resources, the realization of mineral resource estimates, interpretation of prior exploration and potential exploration results, the timing and success of exploration activities generally, the timing and results of future resource estimates, permitting timelines, metal prices and currency exchange rates, availability of capital, government regulation of exploration operations, environmental risks, reclamation, title, statements about expected results of operations, royalties, cash flows, financial position and future dividends as well as financial position, prospects, and future plans and objectives of the Company are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Although Metallic Minerals believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include failure to obtain necessary approvals, unsuccessful exploration results, unsuccessful operations, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, risks associated with regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, uninsured risks, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, the risk that metallurgical recovery of copper, precious metals and critical minerals remains subject to ongoing test work and may not achieve anticipated results, that markets, demand or U.S. government policy for critical minerals may not develop as anticipated, the risk that the AGAPEX project may be delayed, modified, reduced in scope or not completed, the risk that the DOE award may not be finalized on the terms currently anticipated, and the risk that AI-assisted exploration tools developed through the initiative may not perform as expected or may not improve exploration outcomes and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. The selection of the AGAPEX project under the Genesis Mission relates to research funding awarded to Colorado School of Mines and does not constitute an endorsement of the Company, the La Plata project or the Company's securities by the U.S. Department of Energy or any other government agency. Readers are cautioned that mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral exploration, development of mines and mining operations is an inherently risky business. Accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law. For more information on Metallic Minerals and the risks and challenges of their businesses, investors should review their annual filings that are available at sedarplus.ca.
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.
SOURCE: Metallic Minerals Corp.
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