Arras Minerals Announces Recommencement of Drilling at Elemes Project IN Kazakhstan
ARRAS MINERALS ANNOUNCES
RECOMMENCEMENT OF DRILLING AT
ELEMES PROJECT IN KAZAKHSTAN
TSX-V: ARK / OTCQB: ARRKF
VANCOUVER, BC
,
Feb. 20, 2026
/CNW/ -
Arras Minerals Corp.
(TSXV: ARK) (OTCQB: ARRKF)
("Arras" or "Arras Minerals" or "the Company")
is pleased to announce the recommencement of
diamond drilling at the Elemes Project in northeastern
Kazakhstan
.
Tim Barry
, CEO of Arras Minerals commented,
"The 2026 program at Elemes is off to a very
strong start. Two rigs have just mobilised to site, with a further two rigs scheduled to arrive in
March as we materially accelerate activity across the project. With approximately 20,000 metres of
drilling planned this year, this represents our most ambitious program to date and reflects our
growing confidence in the scale potential emerging at Elemes. Our focus is to rapidly advance and
expand the Berezski North and Berezski Central discoveries while continuing to define the broader
porphyry footprint. In parallel, we will begin systematically testing Berezski East and Novii targets
to determine their relationship to the main porphyry centres, with the objective of unlocking the
potential across the 10-kilometre Berezski Trend."
He went on to add,
"The final Magneto-telluric and gravity survey results received in December
have sharpened our targeting and provided greater conviction in the structural controls and scale
of the system. Drilling to date has returned broad, near-surface intervals of copper and gold
mineralization, reinforcing our view that Elemes has the potential to host a significant, large-scale
porphyry system comparable to low-cost producing mines in
Kazakhstan
. We believe 2026 will be
a transformative year for Arras as we continue to demonstrate the scale and continuity of this
emerging copper-gold district."
Figure 1: Berezski Trend showing Key Target Areas (CNW Group/Arras Minerals Corp.)
Figure 2. Elemes Project (Berezski East target) - two drill rigs operating February 19, 2026 (CNW
Group/Arras Minerals Corp.)
Two diamond drill rigs have arrived on site, with the first two holes commencing at the Berezski East
target, focusing on defining and expanding the wide zones of gold-copper mineralization intersected
by holes EL24004 (
138.8m
grading 0.77 g/t Au and 0.09% Cu starting from a depth of
1.2m
) and
EL25019 (
457.5m
grading 0.61 g/t Au and 0.10% Cu from surface), and explore the prominent
gravity anomaly located to the east-northeast of drill-hole EL25019.
Upon completion of these two holes, both drill-rigs will move up to drill at Berezski North, 4.5
kilometres northwest of Berezski East to follow-up on our previously announced holes EL25023
(
246.2m
grading 0.75 g/t Au, 0.24% Cu starting from a depth of
0.8m
) and EL25014A (
154.0m
grading 0.72 g/t Au, 0.28% Cu starting at a depth of
130m
), and to explore for the continuation of
porphyry style bornite-chalcopyrite mineralization intersected by hole EL25027 (results pending).
Two more drill rigs will arrive at site March, and will commence drilling at Berezski Central, where
the Company has completed nine holes and defined a zone of copper-gold mineralization measuring
approximately
600m
x
500m
by up to
550m
depth. The target remains open to the north and south
and top-of-bedrock (KGK) drilling reported in
December 2025
(
link
) identified the continuation of gold
and copper mineralization extending under cover to the east and west of the currently defined
Berezski Central Target area.
Figure 3: Plan map of completed Arras diamond drill-holes and KGK results (AuEq). (CNW
Group/Arras Minerals Corp.)
Notes: For copper and gold equivalent calculations the following metal process were used:
US$3.75
/lb. Copper,
US$3,000
/oz Gold,
US$35
/oz Silver,
US$30
/lb Molybdenum, and metallurgical recoveries have been updated to Cu
90%, Au 85%, Ag 75%, Mo 80%. All intervals are presented as core lengths as the true thicknesses of mineralization
is currently unknown.
Figure 4. Berezski East Target with completed drill-holes and initial two holes planned for February
2026 (CNW Group/Arras Minerals Corp.)
Figure 5. Berezski North Target with completed drill-holes, and initial two holes planned for March
2026. (CNW Group/Arras Minerals Corp.)
Elemes Phase II Drill Program:
Since June of last year, Arras Minerals has been advancing its
20,000m
Phase II diamond drill program at the Elemes Project. Drilling was paused in late
December for a scheduled winter break and recommenced in February. Nearly
10,000m
were
completed in 2025, and the strength of the results has prompted Arras to plan an expansion of the
program to
30,000m
, with completion targeted by the end of 2026.
Elemes Project Overview:
The Elemes Project comprises two exploration licenses covering 531
square kilometres in northeast
Kazakhstan
, located approximately 13 km southwest of Ekibastuz
and just 20 km from Arras's operational base. The project benefits from exceptional infrastructure,
with a paved highway crossing the licence, and access to 1100 KVA power lines, heavy rail, and
other utilities within a 15 km radius.
Situated within the prolific Bozshakol-Chingiz metallogenic belt, Elemes lies near significant regional
deposits, including the Beskauga porphyry copper-gold-silver deposit (~80 km east) and KAZ
Minerals' Bozshakol copper-gold mine (~60 km northwest), which reported mined grades in Q1 2025
of 0.37% Copper and 0.20 g/t gold.
1
Geologically, the property is underlain by interbedded intermediate volcanic and sedimentary rocks
intruded by multiple phases of diorite and monzodiorite porphyry. Copper-gold mineralization occurs
in sheeted and stockwork quartz-chalcopyrite veins associated with these intrusions. In addition,
high-grade low-sulphidation epithermal veins have been mapped on the property, representing a
secondary exploration target.
Property-wide soil sampling programs defined two extensive Cu-Mo-As geochemical anomalies: the
Berezski and Aimandai Trends, both considered priority targets for follow-up exploration drilling. A
Phase 1 drill program on the Berezski Trend in late 2024 returned high-grade porphyry/epithermal
copper and gold mineralization in results announced in Q1 2025. A
20,000m
Phase 2 drill program
commenced in
May 2025
which was expanded to 30,000 metres in
January 2026
and is expected to
be completed by the end of 2026.
References
1
Bozshakol Q1, 2025 Report
https://kazminerals.com/app/uploads/2025/12/q3-2025-production-report_final.pdf
Quality Assurance and Quality Control
The Company adheres to CIM Best Practices Guidelines for exploration related activities conducted
on its property. Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) procedures are overseen by the
Qualified Person.
Arras Minerals QA/QC protocols are maintained through the insertion of certified reference material
(standards), blanks and field duplicates within the sample stream. Drill core is cut at Arras Minerals
operations base in Ekibastuz, Kazakhstan by Company personnel. Diamond drill core was sawed in-
half with a diamond saw, and then sampled in maximum 2-meter intervals, stopping at geological
boundaries, with one-half placed in sealed bags and shipped to the laboratory and the other half
retained on site.
Each bagged core sample was shipped to ALS Laboratory in Karaganda,
Kazakhstan
. Samples
were dried, crushed and pulverized to >80% passing -200 mesh. The prepared sample splits were
sent to the ALS Chemex's geochemical analysis laboratories laboratory in Loughrea,
County
Galway, Ireland
and
Lima, Peru
for multi-element analysis. Multielement analyses were analyzed
with ICP-MS following a four-acid digestion (method ME-MS61) and samples containing >1.0%
copper are analyzed via method Cu-OG62.
Gold analysis was conducted by ALS Chemex at the analytical laboratory in Karaganda,
Kazakhstan
. Gold was analyzed by fire assay (30 g) with an AA (atomic absorption) finish (method
Au-AA23) with detection limits of 0.005 g/t gold. Samples containing greater than 10.0 g/t gold are
analyzed by fire assay with a gravimetric finish (method Au-GRA21).
ALS is an accredited laboratory which is independent of the Company. Chain of custody is
maintained from the drill to the submittal into the laboratory preparation facility.
Qualified Person
The scientific and technical disclosure for this news release has been prepared under supervision of
and approved by
Matthew Booth
, Vice President of Exploration, of Arras Minerals Corp., a Qualified
Person for the purposes of NI 43-101. Mr. Booth has reviewed and approved this release. Mr.
Booth has over 20 years of mineral exploration experience and is a Qualified Person member of the
American Institute of Professional Geologists (CPG 12044).
Gold, copper and other mineral equivalents are calculated on the basis specifically set forth in
respect thereto in this presentation and are based upon the reasonable assumptions as to the prices
of various metals and their recoveries thereof made by management of the Company on a project-
by-project basis as converted metal. All drill-hole intervals are reported as drill widths, as true
thicknesses are unknown. Assumed metal prices are:
US$3.75
/lb. Copper,
US$3,000
/oz Gold,
US$35
/oz Silver, &
US$30
/lb Molybdenum.
The Company has updated metal recoveries: 90% for copper, 85% for gold, 75% for silver, and
80% for molybdenum. These figures are based on a review of published data from advanced-stage
porphyry projects (including Vizcachitas, Los Andes Copper; Copper Creek, Faraday Copper;
Valeriano, ATEX Copper; Los Helados, NGEx Resources Inc.; Opemiska, XXIX Metal Corp; Costa
Fuego, Hot Chili Limited; Moonlight-Superior, US Copper Corp; Warintza, Solaris Resources, Inc.;
Chita Valley
, Minsud Resources Corp.; Hat, Doubleview Gold Corp.).
Copper Equivalent ("CuEq") grades reported for the drill holes at Elemes were calculated using the
following formula: CuEq % = ((Copper (%))*0.9) + ((Gold (g/t) x 0.8571)*0.85) + ((Silver (g/t) x
0.0117)*0.75) + ((Molybdenum (ppm) x 6.8568)*0.80).
Gold Equivalent ("AuEq") grades reported for the drill holes at Elemes were calculated using the
following formula: AuEq g/t = ((Gold (g/t)*0.85) + ((Copper (%) x 1.1667)*0.9) + ((Silver (g/t) x
0.0136)*0.75) + ((Molybdenum (ppm) x 8.0)*0.80).
On behalf of the Board of Directors,
"Tim Barry"
Tim Barry, MAusIMM CP(Geo)
Chief Executive Officer and Director
Further information can be found on:
the Company's website https://
www.arrasminerals.com
or
follow us on LinkedIn: https://
www.linkedin.com/company/arrasminerals
or
follow us on X (formerly Twitter):
https://twitter.com/arrasminerals
About Arras Minerals Corp:
Arras is a Canadian exploration and development company advancing
a portfolio of copper and gold assets in northeastern
Kazakhstan
, including the Elemes copper-gold
porphyry project where initial drill results in 2025 identified porphyry style mineralization across a 10
km line of strike. The Company has established one of the largest land packages in the country
prospective for copper and gold. The Company's shares are listed on the TSX-V under the trading
symbol "ARK" and on the OTCQB under the trading symbol "ARRKF".
Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements
: This news release contains forward-
looking statements regarding future events and Arras' future results that are subject to the safe
harbors created under the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, and the Exchange Act, and applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-
looking statements include, among others, statements regarding plans and expectations of the
exploration program Arras is in the process of undertaking, the timing, scope, nature, breadth and
other information related to Arras' exploration program, any results that may be derived from the
Arras' exploration program, the prospects of Arras' business plans, and any expectations with
respect to any permitting, development or other work that may be required to bring any of the
projects into development or production. These statements are based on current expectations,
estimates, forecasts, and projections about Arras' exploration projects, the industry in which Arras
operates and the beliefs and assumptions of Arras' management. Words such as "expects,"
"anticipates," "targets," "goals," "projects," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates,"
"continues," "may," variations of such words, and similar expressions and references to future
periods, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are
necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management
at the time, are inherently subject to business, market and economic risks, uncertainties and
contingencies that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different
from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Such assumptions include, but are
not limited to, assumptions that the anticipated benefits of Arras' proposed exploration program will
be realized, that no additional permit or licenses will be required in connection with Arras' exploration
programs, the ability of Arras' to complete its exploration activities as currently expected and on the
current anticipated timelines, that Arras' will be able to execute on its current plans, that Arras'
proposed explorations will yield results as expected, and that general business and economic
conditions will not change in a material adverse manner. Although Arras has attempted to identify
important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-
looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated
or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual
results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.
Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Such
statements represent the current view of Arras with respect to future events and are necessarily
based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by Arras, are
inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks,
contingencies and uncertainties. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to the following:
inability of Arras to realize the benefits anticipated from the exploration and drilling targets described
herein or elsewhere; inability of Arras to complete current exploration plans as presently anticipated
or at all; inability for Arras to economically realize on the benefits, if any, derived from the exploration
program; failure to complete business plans as it currently anticipated; overdiversification of Arras'
portfolio; failure to realize on benefits, if any, of a diversified portfolio; unanticipated changes in
market price for Arras shares; changes to Arras' current and future business and exploration plans
and the strategic alternatives available thereto; growth prospects and outlook of the business of
Arras; and the ability to advance Arras' projects and its proposed exploration program; risks inherent
in mineral exploration including risks related worker safety, weather and other natural occurrences,
accidents, availability of personnel and equipment, and other factors; aboriginal title; failure to obtain
regulatory and permitting approvals; no known mineral resources/reserves; reliance on key
management and other personnel; competition; changes in laws and regulations; uninsurable risks;
delays in governmental and other approvals, community relations; stock market conditions generally;
demand, supply and pricing for uranium; and general economic and political conditions in
Canada
,
Kazakhstan
and other jurisdictions where Arras conducts business. Other factors which could
materially affect such forward-looking information are described in the filings of Arras with the
Canadian securities regulators which are available on Arras' profile on SEDAR+ at
www.sedarplus.ca
. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of
future performance and that actual results or developments may differ materially from those
expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement made by
Arras in this release is based only on information currently available and speaks only as of the date
on which it is made. Arras undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking
statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new
information, future developments, or otherwise.
SOURCE
Arras Minerals Corp.
View original content to download multimedia:
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/February2026/20/c6208.html
%SEDAR: 00053495E
For further information:
INVESTOR RELATIONS: +1 604 687 5800, [email protected]
CO: Arras Minerals Corp.
CNW 06:00e 20-FEB-26