Bell Copper talks new study at Big Sandy

Executive Summary

• The Arizona Geological Survey (AZGS), funded by the USGS and the State of Arizona, has initiated a second government study at Bell Copper’s 100%-owned Big Sandy porphyry copper project to assess critical mineral resources.
• Bell Copper is contributing core samples from the project, which contains significant copper, rhenium, and silver, with the latter two elements appearing on the USGS 2025 draft list of critical minerals.
• The company is actively working to secure financing to resume drilling at the Big Sandy project, specifically targeting the completion of drill hole BS-4, which was suspended in August 2024.

Key Details

• Study Scope: The AZGS initiative is led by Dr. Carson Richardson and Zoey Plonka, focusing on two components:
  • Constraining the timing of exhumation via thermochronology and supergene processes via argon-argon geochronology of alunite and jarosite.
  • A detailed study of the Big Sandy supergene profile using systematic sampling to quantify elemental and critical mineral presence.
• Sample Contribution: Initial samples have been contributed from the company's drill core. The core records the continuous transition from leached capping to supergene blanket.
• Critical Minerals: The Big Sandy core has demonstrated significant amounts of copper, rhenium, and silver.
• Previous Research: A prior study supported by a University of Arizona master's thesis (by Jonothan Chappell) generally supports the genetic link between the Big Sandy porphyry and the root zone at Diamond Joe Peak, located 13 kilometres to the west.
• Drilling Update (BS-4):
  • Bell Copper is securing financing to complete drilling of BS-4, suspended in August 2024.
  • BS-4 is located 900 metres from the previous hole, BS-3.
  • BS-3 previously intersected 200 metres of chalcocite-bearing porphyry (referenced in June 7, 2022 release).
  • Planned methodology for BS-4 involves drilling into bedrock using an angle-capable mud rotary drill, followed by coring into bedrock.

Notable Quotes

• "Bell is pleased to contribute further samples of the Big Sandy core to aid this assessment of the nation's critical mineral resources. Big Sandy's status as one of the few complete profiles from leached capping through supergene enrichment in an unmined porphyry copper deposit gives the AZGS a great example to study." — Dr. Timothy Marsh, President and CEO