Hercules Metals Intersects 285 m of 0.47% Copper, Including 56 m of 0.89% Copper at the Leviathan Porphyry System and Discovers New Silver Zone in Southern Flats with 10.7 m of 420.5 g/t AgEq
Hercules Hits Copper Continuity and Silver Surprise While Trading Below Summer Financing Levels
The news release dated December 22, 2025, reports significant results from seven diamond drill holes at the Leviathan porphyry copper system in Idaho.
- Copper Intercepts: Hole HER-25-12 intersected 284.99m of 0.47% Cu, including a higher-grade zone of 56.39m of 0.89% Cu. This hole confirms the width and continuity of the "Footwall Zone" 400 meters southwest of previous successful drilling.
- Silver Discovery: Hole HER-25-06 discovered a new epithermal silver zone in the "Southern Flats" area, yielding 10.67m of 420.5 g/t AgEq within a broader 258.54m interval of silver-lead-zinc mineralization.
- Operational Status: The Phase II MT (Magnetotelluric) survey is complete, providing a 5km high-resolution model for future targeting. Drilling is currently paused for a holiday break, scheduled to resume in early February 2026.
The impact is Material - Positive because it achieves two critical exploration goals: validation of the 3D geological model and discovery of secondary mineral value.
- Continuity and Scale: The 400-meter step-out in HER-25-12 demonstrates that the Leviathan system is not just a series of isolated "hits" but a continuous mineralized body. The copper grades (0.47% to 0.89%) are respectable for a large-scale porphyry system, especially given the wide intercepts.
- Optionality: The silver discovery in the Southern Flats adds a potential second "engine" to the project. While copper is the primary driver, high-grade silver (420 g/t AgEq) provides significant byproduct potential or a separate near-surface target.
- Model Accuracy: Management’s reliance on the 3D model developed earlier in 2025 is yielding consistent results. This reduces the risk of "blind drilling" and increases capital efficiency.
- Market Context: Despite these positive results, the stock is trading at $0.65, which is below the $0.70 private placement price from August 2025. This suggests a disconnect between exploration success and market valuation.
Hercules Metals Corp. is focused on the Hercules Property in western Idaho. The flagship discovery is the Leviathan Porphyry Copper System. Originally explored for silver, the project was transformed in 2023 by the discovery of a large-scale porphyry copper system characterized by "hypogene enrichment" (telescoping), which management believes allows for higher grades at shallower depths than typical porphyries. The project now covers over 100,000 acres following the consolidation of the Olympus claim belt.