Sterling Increases Strike of MEPS Discovery to 1.3km and Discovers Molybdenum-Copper Porphyry Stock at Depth Drill hole SC-26-16 intersects 451 Metres at 0.30% CuEq from top of bedrock including 101 Metres at 0.50% CuEq including 12 Metres at 1.70% CuEq
Sterling Increases Strike of MEPS Discovery to 1.3km and Discovers
Molybdenum-Copper Porphyry Stock at Depth
Drill hole SC-26-16 intersects 451 Metres at 0.30% CuEq from top of bedrock including 101
Metres at 0.50% CuEq including 12 Metres at 1.70% CuEq
September 3, 2026 – Toronto, Ontario – Sterling Metals Corp. (TSXV: SAG, OTCQB: SAGGF) (“Sterling”
or the “Company”) is pleased to report assay results from four drill holes, SC-26-14 through SC-26-17, at
the MEPS Zone (“MEPS”), part of the Company’s ongoing 20,000 metre drill program at the Soo Copper
Project (“Soo Copper” or the “ Project”), near Batchewana Bay, Ontario. The results build on the strong
mineralization reported in SC-26-13 (see press release dated August 10, 2026), demonstrating continuity
of broad copper-molybdenum mineralization and higher-grade copper zones as drilling progresses east.
Importantly, SC-26-16 intersected a granite porphyry stock at its shallowest depth to date and, for the
first time, confirmed that the stock itself is mineralized, with elevated molybdenum and associated
copper.
Highlights:
• Strike of the MEPS discovery has increased by 300m now extending to over 1.3km highlighted by SC-
26-16 intersecting 101m grading 0.5% CuEq including 12m of 1.7% CuEq within 450.92m of 0.30%
CuEq from the top of bedrock.
• SC-26-16 intersected a granite porphyry stock at 301m downhole. The stock was associated with
disseminated molybdenum, high grade molybdenum veining and associated copper grading 0.32%
CuEq over 162m with the final 3m returning elevated molybdenum grades o f 2,080ppm, 2,060ppm
and 659ppm (copper equivalent grades of 1.16%, 1.07% and 0.35% CuEq, respectively).
• Mineralized, molybdenum -rich intrusions are commonly associated with the central portions of
porphyry systems, providing an important vector for ongoing drilling as Sterling continues to test a
system that remains open to the east and at depth.
Jeremy Niemi, P.Geo., Senior Vice President, Exploration and Evaluation, commented, “Throughout the
2026 program, we have been systematically stepping outward from the core of the MEPS discovery
looking for the boundaries of this potential deposit . Drilling has now outlined mineralization over
approximately 1. 3 kilometres of east -west strike, and holes SC -26-15, 16 and 17 have extended the
eastern side of the system by 300 metres, while leaving it completely open in that direction. Importantly,
SC-26-16 intersected the shallowest and most strongly mineralized granite porphyry stock we have seen
to date, with persistent molybdenum mineralization and associated copper beginning at app roximately
300 metres depth and extending through the entirety of the stock intersected in this drill hole. Given the
common association of molybdenum with the central parts of porphyry systems, we believe this is an
important geological vector and provides a compelling opportunity for continued expansion to the east.”
Figure 1. Plan map of the MEPS area showing holes SC-26-14 through SC-26-17 and the eastward
progression of drilling.
Figure 2. Cross-section through SC-26-13, SC-26-15 and SC-26-16 highlighting the continuation of near-
surface copper mineralization, GFP porphyry sills and the molybdenum-rich granite porphyry stock.
Figure 3. Representative core photographs of GFP unit and copper mineralized ribbon vein below with
associated higher copper grades at 51.7m depth grading 4.21%Cu, 0.23 g/t Au, 18.3 g/t Ag and 11ppm
Mo (4.62% CuEq).
Figure 4. Representative core photograph from SC-26-16 showing typical molybdenite-rich quartz-
sericite vein within mineralized granite porphyry stock at 392.8m depth grading 0.024% Cu, 0.0025 g/t
Au, 1.9 g/t Ag, 1.6% Mo (8.21% CuEq)
Technical Discussion
The MEPS porphyry copper system is characterized by broad, near-surface copper mineralization hosted
predominantly in altered Neoarchean mafic volcanic rocks intruded by multiple phases of
Mesoproterozoic felsic porphyry. Previous drilling has demonstrated that stronger copper grades
commonly occur adjacent to early “GFP” felsic dykes and sills and associated magnetite-rich veining, while
deeper portions of the system contain molybdenum-rich breccias and mineralized granite porphyry.
SC-26-14 was drilled southwest from the core of MEPS to fill a large gap between MEPS -25-01 and the
main east-west mineralized trend. The hole was consistently mineralized and confirmed the upper GFP
horizon, but it appears to have passed south of the emer ging axis of stronger east -west copper
mineralization. The hole adds mineralized volume in an area that remains important for follow -up and
geological interpretation.
SC-26-15 was collared approximately 100m east of SC-26-13 and drilled west at a similar declination. The
hole confirmed a continuation of the same broad mineralization style observed in SC-26-13, including GFP
felsic sills with elevated copper mineralization and ribbon veins adjacent to the intrusive contacts. At
depth, SC-26-15 intersected a molybdenum-rich zone from 396m to 422m grading 0.79% CuEq over 26m.
SC-26-16 was drilled east from the same pad as SC-26-15 and intersected broad mineralization from near
surface to the end of the sampled interval. The near -surface portion of the hole intersected a GFP felsic
sill with elevated copper mineralization and multiple ribbon veins near its upper and lower contacts.
Farther downhole, SC-26-16 intersected the granite porphyry stock at its shallowest position encountered
to date. Unlike other, deeper intercepts of the stock, this interval is consistently mineralized with elevated
molybdenum and associated copper. The hole includes a broad molybdenum -rich interval within the
granite stock and remains mineralized at depth. It is considered possible that this shallow, Mo -Cu
mineralized body of granite porphyry is part of a cupola zone of the underlying stock, where more
concentrated Cu-Mo mineralization is characteristically found in other porphyry systems.
SC-26-17 was drilled southeast from the same pad as SC-26-15 and SC-26-16, approximately 200m south
of and above the granite porphyry stock intercepted in SC -26-16. The hole intersected broad copper -
molybdenum mineralization, a narrow GFP felsic sill near 80m downhole and a notable high -grade
molybdenite vein near 86m depth. Bornite with chalcopyrite was observed near the bottom of the hole .
SC-26-17 did not intersect the granite porphyry stock.
Together, the four holes continue to define a broad mineralized footprint at MEPS and provide additional
evidence that the copper-molybdenum system remains open to the east and at depth. Follow-up drilling
will continue to test the geometry, continuity and grade distribution of the GFP-associated copper zones
and the deeper mineralized intrusive and breccia domains.
Table 1. Significant Assay Intervals
Hole
Number From To Length Cu
%
Mo
ppm
Au
(g/t)
Ag
(g/t)
CuEq
%
SC-26-14 29 102 73 0.28 5.32 0.01 1.00 0.31
SC-26-14 50 72 22 0.41 6.30 0.01 1.62 0.44
SC-26-15 14.25 451 436.75 0.15 225.36 0.02 1.61 0.30
SC-26-15 137 188 51 0.41 31.00 0.05 3.16 0.50
SC-26-15 160 172.5 12.5 0.83 32.42 0.13 5.12 1.01
SC-26-15 396 422 26 0.02 1472.13 0.01 0.69 0.79
SC-26-16 17.18 468.1 450.92 0.13 275.84 0.02 1.22 0.30
SC-26-16 117 218 101 0.35 154.41 0.05 2.96 0.50
SC-26-16 147 186 39 0.65 345.61 0.10 5.10 0.97
SC-26-16 157 169 12 1.32 110.50 0.23 10.84 1.70
SC-26-16 306.0 468.1 162.1 0.03 545.74 0.00 0.52 0.32
SC-26-16 330 350 20 0.02 922.65 0.00 0.56 0.50
SC-26-16 408 437.5 29.5 0.02 767.62 0.00 0.39 0.41
SC-26-17 19.75 304.5 284.75 0.19 116.79 0.03 1.23 0.29
SC-26-17 26.5 136 109.5 0.26 244.56 0.04 1.67 0.43
SC-26-17 74.53 84.5 9.97 0.41 1608.40 0.06 2.90 1.31
SC-26-17 124.8 136 11.2 0.46 391.03 0.03 2.25 0.71
SC-26-17 297.5 304.5 6.5 0.49 126.58 0.26 4.25 0.84
SC-26-17 69.8 84.5 14.7 0.35 1104.61 0.05 2.41 0.98
Intervals may not represent true widths, which are not yet known, and capping has not been applied to
grades. Copper Equivalent (CuEq) for drill intersections is calculated based on a three-year trailing
average for each commodity (2023, 2024 and 2025), which equates to US$4.18/lb Cu, US$2,600/oz Au,
US$30.54/oz Ag and US$21.46/lb Mo, with 80% metallurgical recoveries assumed for all metals. The
formula is: CuEq % = Cu % + (0.907 × Au g/t) + (0.0107 × Ag g/t) + (0.00051 × Mo ppm).
Table 2. Hole Locations, Directions and Final Depths
Hole number Easting Northing Elevation Depth Dip Azimuth
SC-26-14 681072.00 5212429.00 449.00 408.00 -55.00 225.00
SC-26-15 681237.00 5212606.00 406.00 486.00 -72.00 255.00
SC-26-16 681238.00 5212603.00 406.00 468.10 -67.00 45.00
SC-26-17 681239.00 5212603.00 406.00 428.09 -45.00 110.00
Sampling Procedures – Quality Assurance/Quality Control
Analytical services were provided by Actlabs, which is an independent, CALA - and SCC -accredited
analytical services firm registered to ISO 17025 and ISO 9001 standard. Drill core samples were logged
and split in half with a diamond core saw. Half -core samples were securely stored at the core logging
facility until being delivered to Actlabs Thunder Bay lab by commercial transport.
Samples were crushed (< 7 kg) up to 90% passing 2mm (10 mesh), riffle split to 250 g and pulverized by
mild steel to 95% passing 105μm (150 mesh). Samples splits underwent a 4 -acid near total digestion
followed by a multi-element analysis, including base metals, using an ICP method for 35 elements.
Selected sample pulps were then analyzed for gold using a 30 g aliquot mixed with fire assay fluxes and
Ag as a collector, placed in a fire clay crucible, gradually heated to 1060ºC for 60 min, and followed with
an AA finish.
Laboratory QA/QC for the ICP analysis was 14% for each batch, including 5 method reagent blanks, 10 in-
house controls, 10 samples duplicates, and 8 certified reference materials. An additional 13% QA/QC was
performed as part of the instrumental analysis to ensure quality in the areas of instrumental drift.
Laboratory quality control for the gold fire assay included two blanks per 42 samples, three sample
duplicates and 2 certified reference materials, one high and one low (QC 7 out of 42 samples).
In-house QA/QC included the systematic insertion of blanks, duplicates, and certified reference materials
(CRM).
Qualified Person
Jeremy Niemi, P.Geo., Senior Vice President, Exploration and Evaluation for Sterling Metals has reviewed
and approved the technical information presented herein.
About the Soo Copper Project
The Soo Copper Project sits just 20 minutes off the Trans -Canada Highway, one hour north of Sault Ste.
Marie, and 20km from rail and deep-water access. With near-surface copper—one of the most critical of
all critical metals—alongside gold, and with the project now demonstrating both scale and grade, Sterling
sees the potential for Soo Copper to become a nationally significant asset as Canada accelerates its efforts
to secure strategic copper resources. Prime Minister Carney’s recent designation of copper a s one of
Canada’s first five strategic assets underscores the importance of this discovery and its potential to
emerge as a key project of national interest.
About Sterling Metals
Sterling Metals is a mineral exploration company focused on large scale and high -grade Canadian
exploration opportunities. The Company is advancing the 25,000 -hectare Soo Copper Project in Ontario
which has past production, and multiple breccia and porphyr y targets strategically located near robust
infrastructure and the 29,000-hectare Adeline Project in Labrador which covers an entire sediment-hosted
copper belt with significant silver credits. Both opportunities have demonstrated potential for important
new copper discoveries, underscoring Sterling's commitment to pioneering exploration in mineral rich
Canada.
Sterling Metals acknowledges that its exploration activities within the Soo Copper project are conducted
on the traditional lands of the First Nations of the North Shore of Lake Superior. We recognize and respect
the longstanding and diverse relationships Indigenous Peoples have with the land and are committed to
engaging in a manner that is respectful, transparent, and inclusive.
For more information, please contact:
Sterling Metals Corp.
Mathew Wilson, CEO and Director
Tel: (416) 643-3887
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.sterlingmetals.ca
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