g/t Au at Cub East, Expanding High-Impact Discovery
Gladiator Intersects 21.2m @ 3.07% Cu + 1.19
g/t Au at Cub East, Expanding High-Impact
Discovery
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 15, 2026) -
Gladiator Metals Corp. (TSXV:
GLAD) (OTCQX: GDTRF) (FSE: ZX7) ("Gladiator" or the "Company")
is pleased to announce
further high-impact assay results from ongoing drilling at the Cub East target within the Whitehorse
Copper Project, Yukon.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Cub East continues to emerge as a high-grade copper-gold-silver discovery, delivering broad,
consistent copper mineralization with strong precious-metal credits and continuity across the
1.5km prospective Black Cub trend.
BCG-045: 21.2m @ 3.07% Cu, 1.19 g/t Au & 24.65 g/t Ag from 183.0m
BCG-050: 47.0m @ 1.01% Cu, 0.44 g/t Au & 7.07 g/t Ag from 200.0m
Incl. 32.31m @ 1.40% Cu, 0.63 g/t Au & 9.70 g/t Ag from 202.69m
First pass exploration drilling more than 600m southeast of Cub East has hit additional mineralized
skarn, demonstrating the potential to expand the mineralized horizon at the Black Cub trend up to
1.5km. (assays pending).
Two drill rigs at Cub East targeting up-dip and strike extensions, while testing new priority targets
generated from gravity and Induced Polarisation (IP) modelling proving to be a highly effective tool
across the Whitehorse Copper Project
Four drill rigs moving to Five : Planned 2026 drilling at the Whitehorse Copper Project has
increased to more than 50,000m, with 23,000m completed and five rigs scheduled for Q4,
including drilling at the high-priority Best Chance prospect on the Arctic Chief trend.
Gladiator CEO Jason Bontempo commented:
"Cub East continues to consistently deliver the type of high-grade copper-gold results that can
materially change the scale and market profile of the Whitehorse Copper Project. The 21.2m intercept
grading 3.07% copper with strong gold and silver credits in BCG-045 is an exceptional result, while the
broader mineralized interval in BCG-050 also demonstrates the growth potential of the Black Cup
Trend."
"Importantly, the system remains open in all directions, and drilling is now focused on defining the true
potential of the Cub East discovery and testing additional high-priority targets within the broader Black
Cub Trend. With more than 600m of additional prospective strike to the southeast of the Cub East
discovery to be tested, the Black Cub Trend is rapidly becoming one of Gladiator's most important
near-term growth opportunities within the Whitehorse Copper Project."
MARKET HIGHLIGHTS - CUB EAST
Recent assay results from Cub East continue to build a compelling high-grade copper-gold-silver growth
story, with broad mineralized intervals, multiple stacked high-grade zones and strong precious-metal
credits (for full table of results refer to Table 1). Selected results include:
BCG-045: 21.2m @ 3.07% Cu, 1.19 g/t Au & 24.65 g/t Ag from 183.0m
BCG-050: 47.0m @ 1.01% Cu, 0.44 g/t Au & 7.07 g/t Ag from 200.0m
Incl. 32.31m @ 1.40% Cu, 0.63 g/t Au & 9.70 g/t Ag from 202.69m
BCG-036: 12.1m @ 1.19% Cu, 1.12 g/t Au & 10.76 g/t Ag from 152.9m
Incl. 5.9m @ 2.23% Cu, 2.25 g/t Au & 19.82 g/t Ag from 152.9m
And 27.0m @ 0.70% Cu, 0.42 g/t Au & 5.00 g/t Ag from 233.0m
Incl. 13.0m @ 1.23% Cu, 0.82 g/t Au & 9.25 g/t Ag from 234.9m
BCG-038: 23.0m @ 0.84% Cu, 0.30 g/t Au & 7.90 g/t Ag from 129.0m
Incl. 5.8m @ 2.47% Cu, 0.87 g/t Au & 22.79 g/t Ag from 140.2m
The broader Cub East drilling dataset now includes several standout high-grade intervals that
demonstrate both grade intensity and scale potential, including 35.9m @ 2.68% Cu, 1.35 g/t Au and
19.55 g/t Ag in BCG-023; 40.0m @ 2.01% Cu, 0.72 g/t Au and 19.43 g/t Ag in BCG-020; and 72.0m @
1.14% Cu, 0.42 g/t Au and 8.03 g/t Ag in BCG-019.
These latest results continue to confirm Cub East as a rapidly emerging high-grade copper-gold-silver
centre within the broader 1.5km prospective Black Cub trend.
Figure 1:
Plan map of Black Cub over Drone Aeromagnetic Survey. New drill results from Cub East
subject to this release highlighted in dark yellow.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1930/314357_1c45874394e20827_002full.jpg
TARGET TESTING - BLACK CUB TREND
Current drilling is targeting down-dip, up-dip and strike extensions across a coincident gravity and
induced-polarization (IP) geophysical anomaly extending for more than 1.5km.
Importantly, the demonstrated effectiveness of IP and gravity as targeting tools gives Gladiator a clear,
repeatable exploration framework to identify, prioritize and drill test additional high-impact copper-gold-
silver targets at Cub East and across the broader Whitehorse Copper Project.
Results are increasingly defining a robust mineralized core bounded by interpreted, subvertical, eastern
and western faults. Geological modelling indicates the system may step up to the west toward shallower
levels and potentially connect with the historically mined Black Cub South open pit. This target is currently
being drill tested with assays eagerly anticipated for holes BCG-057 and BCG-058.
To the east, the interpreted down-step highlights compelling depth potential, reinforcing Cub East as an
open, expandable and increasingly strategic growth target.
The high-grade core of the Cub East discovery has now been confirmed over 350 metres of strike
continuity between drill holes BCG-015 and BCG-017. Significant step-out drilling more than 600m to the
southeast has also encountered skarn mineralisation in holes BCG-052, BCG-054 and BCG-056.
Coincident magnetite skarn mineralisation has also been mapped at surface, with rock-chip results of up
to 2.37% Cu, 38.0 g/t Ag and 3.24 g/t Au (refer to Figure 1). These observations continue to strengthen
confidence in the scale, continuity and near-term resource-growth potential of this emerging copper-
gold-silver discovery; assays are pending).
Overall, the Cub Trend continues to demonstrate potential for a materially larger mineralised system than
currently defined by drilling. Recent work supports the view that mineralisation may be controlled by a
broader structural and mineralogical framework, rather than isolated skarn occurrences. The scale
potential at the Black Cub trend therefore requires additional time to assess how the structural
architecture, alteration/mineralogy, geophysical responses and emerging drill results tie together across
the trend. This integrated interpretation will be critical for determining whether the Cub area represents
multiple discrete targets or a more continuous, district-scale mineralised system.
In addition to the headline Cub East intercepts listed above, this release reports results from 15
additional drill holes-BCG-026 to BCG-029, BCG-032 to BCG-034, BCG-036 to BCG-041, BCG-045
and BCG-050-for a total of 4,703 metres. The results continue to define multiple stacked copper-gold-
silver zones across the Cub East area and the broader Black Cub Trend, with broad mineralized
intervals supported by discrete high-grade shoots and locally significant silver credits. Results include:
BCG-032
19.50 m @ 0.65% Cu, 0.15 g/t Au and 3.71 g/t Ag from 159.00 m
Incl. 10.80 m @ 1.04% Cu, 0.23 g/t Au and 6.11 g/t Ag from 159.00 m
AND
16.80 m @ 0.99% Cu, 0.44 g/t Au and 6.19 g/t Ag from 186.70 m
Incl. 4.10 m @ 2.80% Cu, 1.26 g/t Au and 16.36 g/t Ag from 186.70 m
Plus 3.10 m @ 1.23% Cu, 0.48 g/t Au and 10.83 g/t Ag from 200.40 m
BCG-028
9.25 m @ 1.53% Cu, 0.69 g/t Au and 9.96 g/t Ag from 173.00 m
BCG-033
3.60 m @ 2.51% Cu, 0.76 g/t Au and 10.60 g/t Ag from 147.40 m
And 31.00 m @ 0.40% Cu, 0.11 g/t Au and 4.29 g/t Ag from 173.00 m
Incl. 15.70 m @ 0.51% Cu, 0.14 g/t Au and 5.02 g/t Ag from 174.30 m
And 6.00 m @ 0.64% Cu, 0.18 g/t Au and 7.70 g/t Ag from 198.00 m
BCG-045
5.30 m @ 1.02% Cu, 0.34 g/t Au and 11.52 g/t Ag from 167.70 m
BCG-034
4.07 m @ 0.90% Cu, 0.55 g/t Au and 8.96 g/t Ag from 163.93 m
BCG-041
8.00 m @ 0.75% Cu, 0.17 g/t Au and 5.80 g/t Ag from 132.00 m
BLACK CUB TREND DRILL PLANNING
Two diamond drill rigs are currently operating on the Black Cub Trend and will be joined by an additional
RC drill rig scheduled to commence in late September. The RC program will initially target historic
trenches before expanding to other known shallow targets and mineralisation proximal to the Cub East
discovery. This next phase is expected to provide a cost- and time-effective way to rapidly test the
system's broader strike potential, accelerate target ranking and support continued news flow from one of
Gladiator's highest-priority growth areas.
COWLEY RESOURCE DELINEATION DRILLING
Drilling commenced at Cowley on 20 April. One diamond drill rig is currently operating and will be joined
by a second in the coming week. Gladiator plans to complete at least 12,000 metres of drilling to support
resource delineation. Using a regularly spaced grid, the program will systematically test mineralized
zones and support comprehensive resource definition.
The initial priority is to:
Complete step-out, sectional and infill drilling in areas where high-grade mineralisation may be
incorporated into future resource models; and
Assess near-surface high-grade mineralisation for inclusion in future resource models on both the
southern and northern limbs of the deposit. This work is intended to maximise shallow resource
potential in areas where drilling directly above the mineralisation is now possible under Class 3
permit conditions, allowing greater flexibility and increased drill density both within and beyond the
boundaries of the known mineralised system
Additional results are expected in the coming weeks.
Hole Id
Depth
East
North
RL
Dip
Azim
Note
From
To
Interval
(m)
Cu
(%)
Au
(g/t)
Ag
(g/t)
Remarks
BCG-
026
321.56
503,123
6,715,485
805
-60
221
NSA
BCG-
027
400.81
503,222
6,715,585
803
-64
219
NSA
BCG-
028
396.24
503,016
6,715,381
810
-61
226
173.00
182.25
9.25
1.53
0.69
9.96
216.00
226.00
10.00
0.55
0.15
3.50
BCG-
029
265.18
503,124
6,715,373
807
-60
229
192.00
226.00
34.00
0.29
0.16
2.71
Incl.
211.80
226.00
14.20
0.43
0.25
4.16
BCG-
030
253.50
503,091
6,715,344
807
-60
222
168.00
206.00
38.00
1.20
0.43
10.29
Includes 1.6m of
Lost Core
Incl.
185.40
200.50
15.10
2.41
0.93
18.85
Previously
Released
BCG-
031
399.28
503,063
6,715,310
808
-61
224
75.00
81.00
6.00
1.10
0.49
11.77
Previously
Released
115.00
117.00
2.00
1.04
0.31
16.10
198.00
233.00
35.00
0.83
0.18
6.91
Incl.
198.00
219.00
21.00
1.22
0.24
10.48
Incl.
202.00
219.00
17.00
1.38
0.29
11.75
BCG-
032
262.13
503,036
6,715,514
806
-58
224
159.00
178.50
19.50
0.65
0.15
3.71
Incl.
159.00
169.80
10.80
1.04
0.23
6.11
186.70
203.50
16.80
0.99
0.44
6.19
Incl.
186.70
190.80
4.10
2.80
1.26
16.36
And
200.40
203.50
3.10
1.23
0.48
10.83
BCG-
033
225.55
503,107
6,715,359
808
-60
225
147.40
151.00
3.60
2.51
0.76
10.60
173.00
204.00
31.00
0.40
0.11
4.29
Incl.
174.30
190.00
15.70
0.51
0.14
5.02
And
198.00
204.00
6.00
0.64
0.18
7.70
BCG-
034
320.04
503,010
6,715,488
807
-59
229
163.93
168.00
4.07
0.90
0.55
8.96
174.00
182.00
8.00
0.40
0.13
2.60
BCG-
035
294.13
503,121
6,715,314
808
-61
226
178.00
210.00
32.00
1.36
0.63
10.93
Previously
Released
Incl.
188.00
206.00
18.00
2.12
1.06
16.33
BCG-
036
359.47
502,981
6,715,459
808
-61
228
152.90
165.00
12.10
1.19
1.12
10.76
Incl.
152.90
158.80
5.90
2.23
2.25
19.82
233.00
260.00
27.00
0.70
0.42
5.00
Incl.
234.90
247.90
13.00
1.23
0.82
9.25
BCG-
037
348.99
503,097
6,715,294
807
-61
223
166.90
177.00
10.10
0.25
0.07
0.94
BCG-
038
361.19
502,947
6,715,429
810
-62
222
129.00
152.00
23.00
0.84
0.30
7.90
Incl.
140.20
146.00
5.80
2.47
0.87
22.79
BCG-
039
256.03
503,151
6,715,236
807
-61
225
181.00
195.00
14.00
0.25
0.06
1.50
BCG-
040
251.16
503,152
6,715,340
808
-62
227
NSA
BCG-
041
356.62
502,920
6,715,407
811
-61
227
132.00
140.00
8.00
0.75
0.17
5.80
148.00
154.00
6.00
0.45
0.05
4.77
190.00
198.00
8.00
0.45
0.20
2.23
BCG-
042
300.23
503,102
6,715,255
808
-61
267
Assays Pending
BCG-
043
252.98
503,103
6,715,426
807
-61
274
Assays Pending
BCG-
044
251.46
503,104
6,715,469
806
-61
274
Assays Pending
BCG-
045
275.84
503,100
6,715,333
808
-62
268
167.70
173.00
5.30
1.02
0.34
11.52
Partial Assays
Returned
183.00
204.20
21.20
3.07
1.19
24.65
BCG-
046
412.09
503,142
6,715,173
805
-60
270
Assays Pending
BCG-
047
376.43
503,062
6,715,174
806
-62
273
Assays Pending
BCG-
048
286.51
503,037
6,715,345
809
-60
221
Assays Pending
BCG-
049
281.94
502,972
6,715,393
812
-60
220
Assays Pending
BCG-
050
301.75
502,890
6,715,142
808
-60
40
200.00
247.00
47.00
1.01
0.44
7.07
Partial Assays
Returned, 1m of
LC
Incl.
202.69
235.00
32.31
1.40
0.63
9.70
255.00
257.30
2.30
0.98
0.09
3.70
BCG-
051
246.89
502,927
6,715,349
813
-85
220
Assays Pending
BCG-
052
217.93
503,320
6,714,779
790
-60
38
Assays Pending
Hole Id
Depth
East
North
RL
Dip
Azim
Note
From
To
Interval
(m)
Cu
(%)
Au
(g/t)
Ag
(g/t)
Remarks
Table 1
: Recently returned drill assay results from Cub East Drill holes. Note that the quoted
Intersections are reported as interval widths and not true width. True widths of the intersected
mineralized skarn system is complex, with different grade distributions present related to the form of
the contact between the granodiorite and sedimentary units as well different vein generations and
orientations within the various intervals.
THE WHITEHORSE COPPER PROJECT
The Whitehorse Copper Project is an advanced-stage high grade copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), silver
(Ag) and gold (Au) skarn exploration project in the Yukon Territory, Canada.
Copper mineralization was first discovered in 1897 on the Whitehorse Copper Belt and comprises over
30 copper-related, primarily skarn occurrences covering an area of 35 km long by 5 km wide on the
western margin of Whitehorse City, Yukon.
Exploration and mining development have been carried out intermittently since 1897 with the main
production era lasting between 1967 and 1982 where production from primarily the Little Chief deposit
totalled 267,500,000 pounds copper, 225,000 ounces of gold and 2,838,000 ounces of silver from 10.5
million tons of mineralized material milled (Watson, 1984). The Whitehorse Copper Project is accessible
by numerous access roads and trails located within 2 km of the South Klondike Highway and the Alaska
Highway. An extensive network of historical gravel exploration and haul roads exists throughout the
project area, providing excellent access to the claim package. Access to existing electric power facilities
is available through the main Yukon power grid.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
Advanced 35 km long high-grade copper belt.
Located on western margin of infrastructure rich Whitehorse City, Yukon.
Expanded 2026 exploration program now targeting more than 50,000 m of drilling across the
Whitehorse Copper Project, with near-term focus on advancing Cowley toward maiden resource
definition, accelerating the high-grade Cub East discovery, and systematically testing multiple
high-priority copper-gold skarn targets across the broader district-scale portfolio.
Later in the year focus will revert to the known mineralized areas adjacent to previous operating
mines, including the Chiefs and Arctic Chief-Best Chance trends.
Targeting to report maiden high-grade copper NI 43-101 compliant inferred resource(s), in 2026
for Cowley on completion of Class 3 delineation drilling.
The Project area was a previous producer at Little Chief, Arctic Chief, Keewenaw & Black Cub
South and other deposits.
Between 1967-82 Hudson Bay Mining & Smelting, mined 10.5 mt at 1.5% Cu plus 0.75 g/t Au
(Watson P.H. (1984) The Whitehorse Copper Belt - A Compilation. Yukon Geological Survey,
Open File 1984-1).
Key Institutional Investors - BlackRock, Dynamic, Mackenzie, Macquarie Bank and Orimco.
QA / QC
Drilling completed by Gladiator is irregularly spaced to test parts of the mineralized systems, holes are
directionally surveyed utilising a North Seeking Gyro direction tool. Drill collars are subsequently
surveyed utilising a high-accuracy RTK DGPS or DeviSite system. Diamond drilling is usually cased,
then cored utilising HTW diameter before reducing at shallow depth in stable ground to NTW diameter
drill core.
Mineralized quoted intersections are reported as interval widths and not true width. True widths of the
intersected mineralized skarn system is complex making an estimate of the true width unreliable. This is
due to different grade distributions and angle geometries present related to the form or outline of the
contact between the granodiorite and sedimentary units as well different vein paragenesis and
orientations within the various intervals. Where possible, drilling is conducted perpendicular to
interpreted mineralization.
Upon drilling of diamond core, Gladiator undertakes geological logging, marking up of lineal length of the
core, recording core recovery, and Geotech measurements such as RQD's and taking core
photographs.
Based on the geological logging, core is then marked up for sampling with a new sampling ticket that
matches the submitted sample for analysis at the start of the sample interval, the drill core is then cut in
half utilizing a core saw equipped with a diamond saw blade. The core samples are then sent for
analysis and the remaining half core retained for future reference. Certified Reference Materials (CRMs)
or known blank material is placed within the sampling sequence at a nominal sampling rate of at least 1
in 20 samples to monitor the Laboratory.
Rock chip samples reported in this release were collected by Gladiator personnel from exposed
mineralized outcrop and historic trench material as representative grab samples of observed skarn
mineralization. Sample locations were recorded using handheld GPS, and samples were placed in
labelled sample bags prior to secure transport to the laboratory. Rock chip samples are selective by
nature and may not be representative of the average grade or continuity of mineralization across the
broader target area; however, the Company considers the results appropriate for identifying and
prioritizing prospective areas for follow-up exploration and drilling. The sampling, chain-of-custody,
analytical procedures and QA/QC protocols applied to the rock chip samples are considered suitable for
exploration reporting under National Instrument 43-101.
Samples are submitted to the Whitehorse based prep facility of ALS Global Laboratory (Canada).
Samples subject to this release were crushed to 70% less than 2mm before pulverizing to better than
85% passing <75 microns. Assay pulps are then transported by ALS to the Vancouver (Langley) facility
to be analysed. On occasions where the Whitehorse prep facility has reduced capacity to complete
preparation of the samples within a timely manner, samples may be forwarded by ALS Global to their
Langley facility for preparation utilising the same method as described above.
Samples were analysed by ALS method ME-ICP61 (34 Element as four-acid digestion with ICP-AES
finish), with over-limit Cu analysed by method CU-OG62 (four-acid digestion with ICP finish). Au was
analysed by ALS method AU-AA25 (Ore Grade Au 30g Fire Assay AA Finish). Gladiator captures
required sampling metadata and considers the QA/QC protocols applied to be suitable for exploration
reporting under National Instrument 43-101. The data is considered reliable for identifying future
exploration targets and informing follow-up drilling and exploration campaigns.
Additional drilling may be required to further confirm the reliability or future usability of certain data,
including through twinning of reported mineralization where appropriate, particularly where collar
locations, downhole surveys or historical QA/QC information cannot be independently verified.
References:
Watson P.H. (1984) The Whitehorse Copper Belt - A Compilation. Yukon Geological Survey, Open File 1984-1.
(
https://data.geology.gov.yk.ca/Reference/42011#InfoTab
)
Tenney D. (1981) - The Whitehorse Copper Belt: Mining, Exploration and Geology (1967-1980).
(
https://ia800602.us.archive.org/7/items/whitehorsecopper00tenn/whitehorsecopper00tenn.pdf
)
Qualified Person
All scientific and technical information in this news release has been prepared or reviewed and
approved by Kell Nielsen, the Company's Vice President Exploration, a "qualified person" as defined by
NI 43-101.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
"
Jason Bontempo
"
Jason Bontempo
Director and CEO
For further information please contact:
+1 778 726 3356
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