Great Atlantic Resources Partner Discovers New Blind Massive Sulphide Lens at Optioned Pilley's Island Project North-Central Newfoundland
Great Atlantic Resources Partner Discovers
New Blind Massive Sulphide Lens at Optioned
Pilley's Island Project
North-Central Newfoundland
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 29, 2026) -
GREAT ATLANTIC RESOURCES
CORP. (TSXV: GR) (the "Company" or "Great Atlantic")
is pleased to provide an update on
diamond drilling by HM Exploration Corp. ("HM Exploration") at Great Atlantic's Pilley's Island Project at
Pilley's Island, north-central Newfoundland. HM Exploration holds an option to earn a 100% interest in the
project. HM Exploration has provided an update for the sixth to eighth drill holes (PI-26-006 to PI-26-008)
completed this year at the project (see HM Exploration news release of June 29
th
, 2026). The three
holes were all drilled within the area of Great Atlantic's Pilley's Island Project.
Figure 1 (by HM Exploration): Drill core (upper zone) in hole PI-26-008 from 16.12 - 24.78m downhole.
Detailed photo from core box, outlined in blue, highlighting sections of massive chalcopyrite + Pyrite
sulphide mineralization. See Table 2 for visual descriptions.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3027/303333_6326e2eef4cf7ba9_002full.jpg
"HM Exploration's reported discovery of a new blind massive sulphide lens represents another
positive step in advancing the Pilley's Island Project,"
states Anderson, CEO of Great Atlantic.
"This
development continues to highlight the property's potential and reinforces the value of our project
portfolio. We look forward to further results of the ongoing drill program and updates as more work
continues on the property."
HM Exploration states that hole nos. PI-26-006 to PI-26-008 represent an additional 544.27 metres for a
total drilled meterage of 1,632.27m of a planned minimum 2,500 metres of diamond drilling. HM
Exploration refers to their project area as the Lewis Pilley's Project (the "Project").
Highlights for holes PI-26-006 to PI-26-008 as stated by HM Exploration include:
Holes six, seven, and eight have successfully intersected massive sulphide
including a new
blind discovery of massive sulphide mineralization at a drill core depth of ~155 m. See
additional pictures of drill core below.
Multiple mineralized intervals encountered displaying varying types of mineralization
ranging from disseminated – semi-massive – massive sulphide, including:
PI-26-006
From 11.43 – 13.62m down-hole; 2.19m drilled length.
PI-26-007
From 7.00 – 28.00m down-hole; 21.00m drilled length.
From 176.85 - 179.00m down-hole; 2.15m drilled length.
PI-26-008
From 15.00 – 28.00m down-hole; 13.00m drilled length. (Figure 1)
From 163.45 – 170.22m down-hole; 6.77m drilled length.
The identification of a second sulphide lens below the previously recognized upper debris-flow
horizon supports the interpretation of a vertically extensive VMS system and provides a new
exploration target for follow-up drilling.
Assays pending; HM Exploration looks forward to providing updates as drilling continues.
States Nick Ryan, Chief Geologist for HM Exploration, "While we were expecting to see significant
mineralization below the exposed massive sulphide horizon at the Clifford Jones trench, the intersection
of the lower-lens came as a welcomed new exciting discovery. The discovery of a second mineralized
lens demonstrates that the system is more extensive than previously recognized and supports the
potential for multiple stacked sulphide horizons. We look forward to receiving laboratory assays back
and delineating the extents of this new discovery with subsequent drilling."
HM Exploration states the drilling was focused on evaluating the continuity of the mineralized system
below known surface showings and along strike of Clifford Jones Zone (the "Zone") to improve their
understanding of the geological controls on mineralization (Figure 2). As stated by HM Exploration visual
observations from drilled holes indicate that the upper targeted copper-bearing debris flow was
successfully intersected, with zones of alteration and massive to semi-massive sulphide mineralization
observed in the drill core.
HM Exploration states that drill holes 7 and 8 have successfully intersected a new lower mineralized
sulphide lens that was previously undiscovered. The lower-lens appears more massive indicating that
the geometry of this lens may assist with vectoring towards the source vent(s) as depicted in Figure 3.
Core samples have been submitted to the laboratory for analysis. Assay results will be released once
they have been returned to HM Exploration.
HM Exploration states that all three holes from this release intersected a wide range of massive, semi-
massive and disseminated sulphide mineralization over the following drill core lengths*:
PI-26-006
From 11.43 – 13.62m down-hole; 2.19m drilled length.
PI-26-007
From 7.00 – 28.00m down-hole; 21.00m drilled length. (Figure 4)
From 155.31 – 155.97m down-hole; 0.66m drilled length. (Figure 5)
From 176.85 – 179.00m down-hole; 2.15m drilled length. (Figure 5)
PI-26-008
From 7.55 – 12.52m down-hole; 4.97m drilled length.
From 15.00 – 28.00m down-hole; 13.00m drilled length. (Figure 1)
From 163.45 – 170.22m down-hole; 6.77m drilled length. (Figure 6)
Figure 2 (by HM Exploration): Plan map of 2026 diamond drilling at the Clifford Jones (Bull Road) Zone.
'This Release' drill collars shown as red circles; 'Past Release' drill collars shown as white circles;
Historic drill collars shown as black circles. Currently the upper lens (UL) and lower lens (LL)
mineralization remains open along strike and at depth.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3027/303333_6326e2eef4cf7ba9_003full.jpg
HM Exploration states that mineralization can be described as clast-dominated debris zones consisting
of sub-angular to angular fragments of massive sulphide (~85% of intercept) composed of Cpy + Py ±
Sph ± Gn suspended in interstitial fine-grained disseminated sulphides (Py + Cpy ± Sph ± Gn) and
milled felsic ± mafic rock. Matrix-dominated debris flow composed of fragments of sub-rounded to
angular clasts of massive sulphide (Py + Cpy ± Sph ± Gn) and felsic ± mafic lithic fragments suspended
in a matrix of fine-grained sulphide (Py + Cpy ± Sph ± Gn) and milled felsic ± mafic rock. More detailed
classifications for individual intercepts are referenced in Table 2 below*.
*
The Company cautions that the presence of visible sulphides and visual estimates of mineral abundance are not indicative of grade and
should not be considered a substitute for laboratory analysis. Assay results are pending.
Figure 3
(by HM Exploration)
: Conceptual VMS model illustrating the interpreted position of the newly
identified lower lens relative to the upper debris flow mineralization. Mineralization intersected at the
Clifford Jones Zone appears to be transported from source; however, the angularity of the massive-
sulphide clasts may indicate limited transport distance from the source vent(s) (Modified after Kirkham
and Thurlow, 1987).
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3027/303333_6326e2eef4cf7ba9_004full.jpg
Figure 4 (by HM Exploration): Drill core (upper zone) in hole PI-26-007 from 13.00 – 21.33m downhole.
Detailed photo from core box, outlined in blue, highlighting sections of massive sulphide mineralization.
See Table 2 for visual descriptions.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3027/303333_6326e2eef4cf7ba9_005full.jpg
Figure 5 (by HM Exploration): Drill core (lower zone) in hole PI-26-007 from 154.23 – 158.47m and
175.51 – 179.53m downhole. Detailed photo from core box, outlined in blue, highlighting sections of
massive sulphide mineralization. See Table 2 for visual descriptions.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3027/303333_6326e2eef4cf7ba9_006full.jpg
Figure 6 (by HM Exploration): Drill core (lower zone) in hole PI-26-008 from 160.17 – 168.73m
downhole. Detailed photo from core box, outlined in blue, highlighting sections of massive sulphide
mineralization. See Table 2 for visual descriptions.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3027/303333_6326e2eef4cf7ba9_007full.jpg
Table 1 (by HM Exploration): 2026 drill collar data; Coordinates reported in NAD83 - Zone 21N.
Hole_ID
East
North
Azi
Dip
Depth (m)
Assay Status
PI-26-001
593296
5485437
255
-45
187.00
Pending
PI-26-002
593269
5485422
75
-45
199.00
Pending
PI-26-003
593269
5485422
75
-65
199.00
Pending
PI-26-004
593269
5485422
90
-45
151.00
Pending
PI-26-005
593281
5485460
255
-45
352.00
Pending
PI-26-006
593281
5485460
255
-65
133.00
Pending
PI-26-007
593264
5485472
255
-45
191.27
Pending
PI-26-008
593264
5485472
255
-60
220.00
Pending
Table 2 (by HM Exploration): Mineralized interval descriptions.
Hole_ID
From_m
To_m
Length_m
Comments
PI-26-006
11.4310
13.62
2.19
Matrix-dominated debris flow composed of fragments of
sub-rounded to angular clasts of massive sulphide (Py + Cpy
± Sph ± Gn) and felsic ± mafic lithic fragments suspended in
a matrix of fine-grained sulphide (Py + Cpy ± Sph ± Gn) and
milled felsic ± mafic rock
PI-26-007
7.00
10.00
3.00
Predominantly fine-grained disseminated mineralization
(Py + Cpy ± Sph ± Gn) observed in matrix
10.00
17.00
7.00
Matrix-dominated debris flow composed of fragments of
sub-rounded to angular clasts of massive sulphide (Py + Cpy
± Sph ± Gn) and felsic ± mafic lithic fragments suspended in
a matrix of fine-grained sulphide (Py + Cpy ± Sph ± Gn) and
milled felsic ± mafic rock
17.00
19.00
2.00
Clast-dominated debris zones consisting of sub-rounded to
angular fragments of massive sulphide (~85% of intercept)
composed of Cpy + Py ± Sph ± Gn suspended in interstitial
fine-grained disseminated sulphides (Py + Cpy ± Sph ± Gn)
and milled felsic ± mafic rock
19.00
22.00
3.00
Matrix-dominated debris flow composed of fragments of
sub-rounded to angular clasts of massive sulphide (Py + Cpy
± Sph ± Gn) and felsic ± mafic lithic fragments suspended in
a matrix of fine-grained sulphide (Py + Cpy ± Sph ± Gn) and
milled felsic ± mafic rock
22.00
24.18
2.18
Clast-dominated debris zones consisting of sub-rounded to
angular fragments of massive sulphide (~85% of intercept)
composed of Cpy + Py ± Sph ± Gn suspended in interstitial
fine-grained disseminated sulphides (Py + Cpy ± Sph ± Gn)
and milled felsic ± mafic rock
24.18
26.41
2.23
Predominantly fine-grained disseminated mineralization
(Py + Cpy ± Sph ± Gn) observed in matrix
26.41
27.59
1.18
Clast-dominated debris zones consisting of sub-rounded to
angular fragments of massive sulphide (~85% of intercept)
composed of Cpy + Py ± Sph ± Gn suspended in interstitial
fine-grained disseminated sulphides (Py + Cpy ± Sph ± Gn)
and milled felsic ± mafic rock
27.59
28.00
0.41
Predominantly fine-grained disseminated mineralization
(Py + Cpy ± Sph ± Gn) observed in matrix
PI-26-007
155.31
155.97
0.66
Clast-dominated debris zones consisting of sub-rounded to
angular fragments of massive sulphide (~85% of intercept)
composed of Cpy + Py ± Sph ± Gn suspended in interstitial
fine-grained disseminated sulphides (Py + Cpy ± Sph ± Gn)
and milled felsic ± mafic rock
PI-26-007
176.85
179.00
2.15
Clast-dominated debris zones consisting of sub-rounded to
angular fragments of massive sulphide (~25% of intercept)
composed of Cpy + Py ± Sph ± Gn suspended in interstitial
fine-grained disseminated sulphides (Py + Cpy ± Sph ± Gn)
and milled felsic ± mafic rock
PI-26-008
7.55
12.52
4.97
Matrix-dominated debris flow composed of fragments of
sub-rounded to angular clasts of massive sulphide (Py + Cpy
± Sph ± Gn) and felsic ± mafic lithic fragments suspended in
a matrix of fine-grained sulphide (Py + Cpy ± Sph ± Gn) and
milled felsic ± mafic rock
PI-26-008
15.00
16.26
1.26
Predominantly fine-grained disseminated mineralization
(Py + Cpy ± Sph ± Gn) observed in matrix
16.26
23.40
7.14
Matrix-dominated debris flow composed of fragments of
sub-rounded to angular clasts of massive sulphide (Py + Cpy
± Sph ± Gn) and felsic ± mafic lithic fragments suspended in
a matrix of fine-grained sulphide (Py + Cpy ± Sph ± Gn) and
milled felsic ± mafic rock
23.40
24.87
1.47
Clast-dominated debris zones consisting of sub-rounded to
angular fragments of massive sulphide (~85% of intercept)
composed of Cpy + Py ± Sph ± Gn suspended in interstitial
fine-grained disseminated sulphides (Py + Cpy ± Sph ± Gn)
and milled felsic ± mafic rock
24.87
28.00
3.13
Predominantly fine-grained disseminated mineralization
(Py + Cpy ± Sph ± Gn) observed in matrix
PI-26-008
163.45
164.27
0.82
Clast-dominated debris zones consisting of sub-rounded to
angular fragments of massive sulphide (~85% of intercept)
composed of Cpy + Py ± Sph ± Gn suspended in interstitial
fine-grained disseminated sulphides (Py + Cpy ± Sph ± Gn)
and milled felsic ± mafic rock
164.27
166.00
1.73
Matrix-dominated debris flow composed of fragments of
sub-rounded to angular clasts of massive sulphide (Py + Cpy
± Sph ± Gn) and felsic ± mafic lithic fragments suspended in
a matrix of fine-grained sulphide (Py + Cpy ± Sph ± Gn) and
milled felsic ± mafic rock
166.00
168.55
2.55
Patchy sections of predominantly fine-grained disseminated
mineralization (Py + Cpy ± Sph ± Gn) observed in matrix
168.55
169.00
0.45
Clast-dominated debris zones consisting of sub-rounded to
angular fragments of massive sulphide (~85% of intercept)
composed of Cpy + Py ± Sph ± Gn suspended in interstitial
fine-grained disseminated sulphides (Py + Cpy ± Sph ± Gn)
and milled felsic ± mafic rock
169.00
170.22
1.22
Matrix-dominated debris flow composed of fragments of
sub-rounded to angular clasts of massive sulphide (Py + Cpy
± Sph ± Gn) and felsic ± mafic lithic fragments suspended in
a matrix of fine-grained sulphide (Py + Cpy ± Sph ± Gn) and
milled felsic ± mafic rock
Geology & Mineralization (as stated by HM Exploration)
The Project is located within the Notre Dame Subzone of the Dunnage Tectonostratigraphic Zone. Of
note, most of the Project is underlain by Ordovician submarine volcanic rocks of the Roberts Arm Group
which is regionally identified as part of a mature arc sequence referred to as the Buchans-Roberts Arm
Belt that also hosts the historic Buchans mine (after Dunning
et Al
., 1987). Mineralization occurs as lower
grade (Spencer's Dock); medium grade (Old Mines); and high grade (3B-Zone/Clifford Jones) deposits
that are of both sub-seafloor replacement and exhalative varieties. The deposits are often flanked by
extensive chlorite, sericite, silica, K-feldspar and epidote alteration often observed in bimodal-felsic
VMS systems. The Spencer's Dock area displays sericite/silica alteration that generally increases in
intensity near mineralized zones, while the 3B/Old Mine areas display sericite/silica alteration that is
abundant but less widespread and is more intense when proximal to mineralized zones (after Kerr,
1996).
VMS deposits are a globally significant source of copper, zinc, lead, silver, and gold. The Project's
geology shares key characteristics with known Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide ("
VMS
") districts in
Newfoundland, including the past producing Buchans, Ming and Rambler Mines, supporting the
exploration potential of the Project.
Figure 7 (by HM Exploration): Regional map of Newfoundland displaying the location of the Property and
other significant mineral exploration and mining projects in Newfoundland – Canada.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3027/303333_6326e2eef4cf7ba9_008full.jpg
About the Lewis Pilley's Project (as stated by HM Exploration)
The Project is road accessible and situated approximately twenty-five (25) km east of the town of
Springdale, approximately fifty-five (55) km southeast of Firefly Metals' Green Bay Project and
approximately one hundred fifty (150) km from the Pine Cove Mill and Port by way of major roads (Figure
7).
The Project has a long history of mining and exploration dating back to the late 1800s when the Pilley's
Island Pyrite Company Ltd. produced approximately 450,000 tonnes of massive pyritic ore from the
Pilley's Island Mine-Old Mines (after Kerr, 1996).
The Project hosts a cluster of VMS systems and prospects with demonstrated high-grade Zn-Pb-Cu-
Ag+/-Au intersections. Mineralization is typical bimodal-felsic VMS, with both massive sulphide and
sulphide-clast breccias (Thurlow, 1996). The geological setting is directly analogous to the Buchans
camp (Thurlow, 1996), and the presence of sulphide-clast breccias is a strong vector toward proximal
massive sulphide lens.
Most of the historic showings that fall within the extent of the Project have not seen systematic
exploration. Many of the historic drill holes were shallow and drilled in a vertical orientation limiting the
geological knowledge of the extents of the underlying lithology and mineralization. Work is being planned
to validate historic assay results as well as collect new data from the 3B-Zone, Clifford Jones (Bull Road)
Extension, Bouzanne Shaft, Henderson, Mansfield and Pilley's Cove Showings.
Sampling, Preparation & QA/QC (as stated by HM Exploration)
Drill collar locations were determined from hand-held GPS (NAD83-Zone 21N) and the drill rig was
aligned using a Reflex TN-14 Gyrocompass alignment tool. All samples are given a unique sample ID
and number and shipped directly to Eastern Analytical Ltd. (403 Little Bay Road, Springdale, NL), a