NovaRed Reports Up to 1.67% Copper at Wilmac; Updated Model Identifies Multiple Porphyry Targets Approximately 10 km from Copper Mountain
Rhea-AI Summary
NovaRed Mining (CSE: NRED, OTCQB: NREDF) reported an updated exploration model for its Wilmac copper-gold project in British Columbia’s Quesnel porphyry belt, about 10 km west of Hudbay’s Copper Mountain Mine. Trench sampling at the Wilmac MINFILE occurrence returned copper results up to 1.67% Cu and 0.433 g/t Au, averaging 0.639% Cu from nine grab samples.
Between 2023 and 2026, new geological, geochemical and geophysical work led NovaRed to interpret multiple alkalic Cu-Au porphyry targets, including pipe- and cupola-shaped features, two interpreted parent magmas and a large magnetic anomaly viewed as a composite intrusive complex. Targets are interpreted approximately 200–550 m below surface. A comparison table shows upgraded indicators versus pre-2023 work, including stronger copper grades, the addition of gold assays, porphyry-style alteration and veining, enhanced geophysics and a refined Boundary Fault/Copper Mountain Suite model. According to NovaRed, these data suggest moderate to good porphyry potential, but no mineral resources or reserves have yet been identified.
Positive
- 0.639% average copper from nine trench grab samples, with a maximum of 1.67% Cu and gold up to 0.433 g/t Au at surface.
- Interpretation of multiple porphyry targets at approximately 200–550 m depth based on IP and AMT geophysics.
- Geophysical work identifies two interpreted parent magmas and a large magnetic anomaly viewed as a composite intrusive complex.
- Project location approximately 10 km from Hudbay’s producing Copper Mountain Mine with year-round road access and nearby infrastructure.
- 2023–2026 work upgraded indicators from speculative model to a Boundary Fault / Copper Mountain Suite geological framework with added porphyry-style alteration and veining.
- According to NovaRed, combined datasets indicate moderate to good copper-gold porphyry potential, subject to confirmation by further surveys and deeper drilling.
Negative
- According to NovaRed, no mineral resources or mineral reserves have been identified on the Wilmac Project to date.
- The updated model and interpreted porphyry targets remain conceptual and require confirmation by additional geophysics and deeper drilling.
- The geological interpretations rely in part on historical, third-party data that the company has not independently verified.
- No mineralization has been identified on the Plume grid portion of the project.
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 11, 2026) - NovaRed Mining Inc. (CSE: NRED) (OTCQB: NREDF) ("NovaRed" or the "Company") is pleased to report an update to the exploration model for its Wilmac Copper-Gold Project ("Wilmac" or the "Project") in British Columbia's Quesnel porphyry belt, approximately 10 kilometres west of Hudbay Minerals Inc.'s producing Copper Mountain Mine. Further to the Company's news releases dated May 13, June 11, July 24, August 3, and August 6, 2026, additional geological, geochemical and geophysical data collected between 2023 and 2026 have significantly strengthened the interpretation that Wilmac may host multiple alkalic copper-gold porphyry systems associated with a large intrusive complex at depth.
Key Highlights
- Results up to
1.67% copper and 0.433 g/t gold from previously excavated trenches at the Wilmac MINFILE occurrence, average0.639% copper from nine grab samples. - Multiple interpreted porphyry pipes and cupolas extending toward surface from deeper intrusive sources (i.e., Lamont grid).
- Two interpreted parent magmas identified by AMT geophysics on Lamont grid.
- Porphyry-style alteration, veining and mineralized stockwork identified at surface (Wilmac trenches) and drill core (Trojan - Condor Corridor).
- Defined exploration targets approximately 200-550 metres below surface.
- A large magnetic anomaly interpreted as a composite intrusive complex.
"Work completed since 2023 has transformed our understanding of the Wilmac Project," said Brian Goss, Chief Executive Officer of NovaRed Mining Inc. "We now have significant copper-gold mineralization at surface, porphyry-style veining and alteration, multiple geophysical targets at depth, and a geological model that is interpreted as potentially linking Wilmac to the broader intrusive complex associated with Copper Mountain."
Multiple Potential Porphyry Systems at Depth
NovaRed's updated model targets a predominantly buried, multi-phase alkalic copper-gold intrusive complex. Alkalic copper-gold porphyry systems are the same general deposit type mined at Copper Mountain and at several other major British Columbia copper-gold deposits.
Three geophysical surveys completed at Wilmac are interpreted to show multiple pipe- and cupola-shaped features extending upward from deeper intrusive sources. The mineralization and alteration exposed at surface may represent the upper levels of larger porphyry systems below. Supporting evidence is interpreted to include:
- Multiple intrusive rock types at surface. Pyroxenite, gabbro and diorite occur together across the Project, suggesting multiple phases of intrusive activity.
- Multiple generations of gabbro. Light- and dark-coloured gabbros are interpreted to indicate repeated magmatic pulses with different compositions.
- Two interpreted parent magmas. AMT geophysics on the Lamont grid images the subsurface to approximately 1,500 metres depth and is interpreted to show two deep intrusive bodies with pipe-like features extending toward surface.
- Large magnetic system. A strong regional magnetic anomaly beneath Wilmac is interpreted as a large composite intrusive complex subsequently segmented by regional faulting, including the Boundary Fault.
Wilmac and Copper Mountain — Approximately 10 km Apart
Copper Mountain is NovaRed's most important geological comparison because the two projects are interpreted to occur within portions of the same broader intrusive complex, separated by the regionally significant Boundary Fault. The Copper Mountain Mine is exploiting multiple Alkalic Cu-Au occurrences; the Wilmac Project involves exploring for, and currently evaluating, multiple Alkalic Cu-Au occurrences.
Copper Mountain hosts Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves of approximately 345 million tonnes grading
The Boundary Fault may have displaced the intrusive rocks underlying the Wilmac Project to greater depths compared with Copper Mountain. This interpretation is important because the deeper potassic core of an alkalic porphyry system is commonly associated with stronger copper-gold mineralization. This deeper intrusive environment may be better preserved at the Wilmac Project. This interpretation remains to be tested by drilling.
Six Major B.C. Porphyry Systems Provide Geological Comparisons
Copper Mountain — approximately 10 km east
The closest geological comparison and interpreted by the Company to occur within the same broader intrusive complex as the Wilmac Project.
New Afton — approximately 220 km north
Demonstrates the importance of pipe-shaped porphyry systems and deeper drilling. Several Wilmac Project geophysical responses are interpreted as potential pipe- or cupola-shaped targets.
Ajax — approximately 220 km north
Contains two separate intrusive centres. The two parent magmas interpreted beneath the Wilmac Project suggests the possibility of a similar multi-centre configuration.
Mount Milligan — approximately 500 km north
Demonstrates significant copper-gold mineralization in an alkalic porphyry setting and the potential for copper-gold skarn mineralization.
Red Chris and Galore Creek — approximately 900 km northwest
Demonstrate the potential scale of British Columbia copper-gold porphyry systems. In contrast to Galore Creek, the Wilmac Project has the advantage of year-round road access and proximity to operating infrastructure.
2023-2026 Work Significantly Upgrades Wilmac
The exploration picture at Wilmac has changed substantially since 2023. Recent work has added stronger surface copper-gold results, porphyry-style alteration and veining, deeper geophysical targets and a new regional geological model.
| Indicator | Previous Assessment | 2023-2026 Assessment |
| Copper | ||
| Gold | Not assayed | Results up to 0.433 g/t Au |
| Alteration | Distal propylitic | Epidote + porphyry-style alteration |
| Veining | Quartz-carbonate-epidote | AB-type porphyry veins + stockwork |
| Geophysics | IP chargeability | Two interpreted parent magmas + IP bullseye (at Wilmac) |
| Geochemistry | Copper in soil | Cu, Au, Se + fertility indicators |
| Target Depth | Unknown | Approximately 200-550 metres |
| Geological Model | Speculative | Boundary Fault / Copper Mountain Suite model |
| Copper Mountain Distance | Previously stated as ~25 km | Approximately 10 km |
A Clearer Exploration Target
Based on the 2023 to 2026 datasets, the Wilmac Project has moderate to good copper-gold porphyry potential, subject to confirmation through additional geophysical surveys and deeper drilling.
Strong surface mineralization. Previously excavated trenches averaged
Porphyry-style geology. Alteration, epidote, AB-type porphyry veins and stockwork have been identified.
Multiple targets at depth. IP and AMT geophysics have defined interpreted targets approximately 200-550 metres below surface.
Two interpreted parent magmas. AMT results are interpreted to suggest multiple deeper intrusive sources.
Multiple Porphyry Centres. Geophysical results from the Wilmac, Trojan-Condor Corridor and, in particular, the Lamont grid are interpreted to indicate the possibility of more than one porphyry centre.
Regional geological connection. NovaRed interprets Wilmac as occupying a fault-offset portion of the broader intrusive complex associated with Copper Mountain.
Excellent infrastructure. Wilmac is road-accessible year-round and approximately 10 kilometres from an operating copper-gold mine.
Qualified Person
The scientific and technical information in this news release, including the geological interpretations described herein, has been reviewed and approved by Rick Walker, P.Geo., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101"). Mr. Walker is not independent of the Company within the meaning of NI 43-101. The interpretations described above are conceptual and rely in part on historical, third-party data that the Company has not independently verified. No mineral resources or mineral reserves have been identified on the Project.
About NovaRed Mining Inc.
NovaRed Mining Inc. (CSE: NRED) (OTCQB: NREDF) is a mineral exploration company focused on the identification, acquisition, exploration and development of copper-gold porphyry projects in British Columbia, leveraging an artificial intelligence-enhanced geospatial technology platform that it developed to identify and evaluate prospective mineral properties. The Company's optioned Wilmac copper-gold project comprises 16,078 hectares located within the Quesnel porphyry belt in the Similkameen Mining Division, southwest of Princeton and approximately 10 kilometres west of Hudbay Minerals Inc.'s producing Copper Mountain Mine. For more information, visit novaredmining.com.
Readers are cautioned that the discussion of mineralization, alteration or grades on adjacent, similar or analogous properties - including the Copper Mountain Mine, the Mount Milligan mine, the New Afton Mine, the Ajax Mine, the Red Chris Mine, and the Galore Creek Mine - is not necessarily indicative of the mineralization or potential of the Wilmac Copper-Gold Project. The Company has no interest in, or right to acquire any interest in, any such properties. No mineralization has been identified on the Plume grid, and no mineral resources or mineral reserves have been identified on the Project.
ON BEHALF OF NOVARED MINING INC.
Brian Goss
Chief Executive Officer
E: info@novaredmining.com
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements regarding: the interpretation of geological, geochemical and geophysical data; the interpretation of data suggesting the potential for the Wilmac Project to host multiple alkalic copper-gold porphyry systems associated with a large intrusive complex at depth; the availability of the financing required to complete the proposed exploration on the Wilmac Project; and the Company's intention and ability to satisfy the cash payment, share issuance and exploration expenditure milestones required to exercise the option agreements respecting the Wilmac Project.
Forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company at the date of this news release, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Such assumptions include, without limitation: the accuracy of current geological interpretations, including the deposit-model analogy described in this news release; the accuracy and completeness of the third-party historical mapping on which the interpretation rests; the availability of adequate funding to complete the proposed exploration; the ability of the Company's geophysical contractors to complete the 2026 Plume grid survey on schedule; favourable weather, terrain and field conditions; access to the Project area; the availability of qualified personnel; the receipt of all necessary permits and authorizations for planned exploration; and the continued cooperation of the optionors under the terms of the relevant option agreements.
Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Important risk factors include, but are not limited to: the possibility that the 2026 IP/AMT survey results do not support the interpretation described; the possibility that one of the alternative explanations described in this news release is correct; the possibility that the geophysical surveys do not image to the depth required to test the interpretation; the continued availability of capital and financing; the ability to satisfy option earn-in requirements on the timelines contemplated; risks inherent in mineral exploration; adverse weather or terrain conditions; tenure grant, renewal and permitting outcomes, including under British Columbia's revised mineral tenure system; Indigenous and community consultation requirements; changes in applicable laws and regulations; the ability to retain key personnel and contractors; litigation; failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations; and general economic, market or business conditions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, except as required by applicable securities laws.
Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in CSE policies) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/309136