Sterling Metals Expands Bornite Zone within Large Porphyry Copper System
Sterling Metals Expands Bornite Zone within Large Porphyry Copper System
January 15, 2026 – Toronto, Ontario – Sterling Metals Corp. (TSXV: SAG, OTCQB: SAGGF) (“Sterling” or
the “Company”) is pleased to report new assay results from its expanded and completed 2025 drilling
program at the Soo Copper Project (“Soo Copper” or the “Project”) located near Batchewana Bay, Ontario.
These new results continue to expand a continuous zone of porphyry copper mineralization first
highlighted earlier last year in MJ -25-01 which was later found to contain very high -grade bornite
mineralization as previously reported in discovery hole MEPS -25-02 (see press release dated September
29, 2025).
Highlights
• MEPS-25-11 and MEPS-25-12 delivered wide and high-grade copper (Cu) intercepts consistent
with the mineralization style discovered in MEPS-25-02 (see Table 1 for full results and Figures
4 and 5).
o MEPS-25-12 intersected 300.5m of 0.4% Copper Equivalent (CuEq) starting at 131.6m
depth, including 50m of 0.92% CuEq starting at 315.5m depth.
o MEPS-25-11 intersected 279.5m of 0.31% CuEq starting at 135.2m depth, including
11.4m of 1.69% CuEq starting at 344.1m depth.
• Results further define a higher -grade bornite core within a continuously copper-mineralized
400m × 400m area that remains open to the east, south, and at depth. The interval of strongest
bornite accumulation in MEPS -25-12 graded 2.42% CuEq across 10.0m starting from 343.0m
depth (Figure 2).
• MEPS-25-01 expanded the footprint of copper mineralizatio n by approximately 300m to the
south, opening a large untested area of near-surface potential while also intersecting a higher
grade 10.0m interval grading 1% CuEq starting at 370.5m depth, confirming that the copper
mineral system extends a long way to the south (Figure 3).
• Seven of the holes reported today tested the western extension of the system, within the
broader 1,000m × 600m area evaluated in the 2025 program.
• Results released today represent 17 of 33 drillholes (6,267m) completed in 2025, including four
holes previously released, with assays pending for 12 additional holes from the central core of
the system. The majority of these pending results are from neighbouring drill holes within this
emerging bornite zone and are expected to have a significant impact on the resource
development potential and plans for 2026 follow-up drilling.
Mathew Wilson, CEO and Director, commented, “These latest results continue to demonstrate the scale
and zonation of a large, mineralized porphyry system. They reinforce the importance of exploring both
the broader system and the high -grade bornite discovery area to unlock additional new discoveries. We
look forward to reporting the remaining assays from our 2025 drill program and to commencing our
upcoming winter drill campaign next month, where we aim to rapidly advance our understanding of the
system’s copper potential while fully leveraging the projec t’s excellent accessibility and existing
infrastructure.”
Figure 1. Plan map of 2025 drilling and reported results on holes.
Figure 2: Long section of 2025 drilling and reported results on holes.
Figure 3: Cross section of highlight holes.
Building on the discovery made in MEPS-25-02, which confirmed a new style of high -grade copper-gold
mineralization near surface, occurring approximately 200m south of the long, continuous copper interval
in MJ -25-01 ( see press release dated May 29, 2025 ), Sterling has demonstrated that the Soo Copper
mineral system is substantially larger and richer than previously recognized, and that significant potential
exists for an initial near -surface mineral resource that could be rapidly evaluated. Consequently, the
Company accelerated its strategic plans by expanding the 2025 program, moving directly into a resource-
exploration drilling program of the discovery area, and laying the foundation for a larger 2026 campaign.
MEPS-25-01 was drilled southwards away from the discovery area (Figure 3) and intercepted broad
intervals of continuous porphyry copper style mineralization (e.g., 186.6m of 0.26% Cu including 26.8m of
0.58% CuEq) that extend a long way into a previously u ntested area to the south. This newly defined
corridor of continuous copper-gold mineralization as well as a higher grade 10.0m interval grading 1.07%
CuEq starting at 370.5m depth, opens up a large new zone that will be one focus of the Company’s 2026
drill program.
It is thought that MEPS -25-02 drilled through the high grade bornite copper zone into a lower grade
molybdenum-copper zone, demonstrating the presence of a large, metal zoned porphyry system. The
high-grade zone crossed in MEPS-25-02 is still wide open to the east, south and at depth.
Drilling to the west of the MEPS discovery successfully followed the 1km long resistivity low corridor and
corresponding soil geochemical trend, testing a 500m wide section of this structural geophysical target.
Holes in this western area generally interse cted broad intervals of copper mineralization dominated by
chalcopyrite, with increasing pyrite and pyrrhotite content toward the west. Within this 1km by 500m drill
window, the strongest copper grades continued to occur to the east, anchoring the centre of the bornite
zone outlined earlier in the 2025 program.
A fan of drill holes (MEPS-25-07, 08, 09, and 10) completed in a valley directly west of the discovery area
all intersected bornite, with holes closer to the discovery centre, particularly 07, 09, and 10, returning the
widest intervals. These results extend the footprint of the bornite zone by approximately 250m to the
west and demonstrate that the valley hosts the potential for both wide zones of copper mineralization
and loc ally high-grade intervals. Holes MEPS -25-08 and MEPS -25-09 each returned high -grade copper
hosted in chalcopyrite and associated with magnetite rich M-veins, including 0.25 m grading 9.28% CuEq
in MEPS-25-08 and 0.30 m grading 15.73% CuEq in MEPS-25-09.
The valley holes also intersected extensive faulting, which appears to play an important role in localizing
high-grade mineralization within the system. This structural preparation, combined with the continuation
of bornite and high-grade copper farther west than previously demonstrated, provides a compelling new
target corridor for follow -up drilling in 2026.
To date, 117 new samples returned assays exceeding 1.0% Cu from drill holes completed after discovery
hole MEPS-25-02, demonstrating the potential fo r the nearby discovery of additional high -grade zones
that will impact the resource development potential which has become an important focus of the
Company. Additional assays from logged copper -mineralized drill intercepts remain pending and will be
disclosed in a subsequent news release.
The Company continues target development work of additional copper mineralization centres across the
property, including the Gimlet target (see press release dated October 8, 2025), where initial drill testing
will be part of the 2026 drill program.
Jeremy Niemi, SVP Exploration, commented, “The combination of broad copper mineralization in MEPS -
25-01 and the high-grade zones discovered in MEPS-25-02 made it clear that our copper system warranted
a faster, more aggressive drilling approach. That’s why we expanded our 2025 program and are preparing
for a significantly larger 2026 resource exploration drill program. The 117 new samples over 1.0% copper
— outside the original discovery area — illustrate that high-grade domains are emerging across multiple
parts of the system.”
Dr. Neil O’Brien, Chief Geologist , commented, “Drilling has indicated that the bornite -rich copper-gold
mineralization is closely associated with the presence of the earliest porphyry (“GFP”) dykes with the
grades generally increasing towards the contacts with these dykes. While these mineralized GFP dykes
have been intercepted in the majority of drillholes, some holes intercepting multiple dykes, additional
drilling is required to establish the preferred orientation of these dykes and therefore the orientation of
the very high -grade bornite mineralization. Ho wever, the drilling has confirmed that a broad halo of
continuous bornite -chalcopyrite copper mineralization exists between, and away from these dykes,
allowing for the potential development of a mineral resource that comes to surface.”
Figure 4. Massive chalcopyrite mineralization in MEPS-25-11 at 349.55m grading 13.1% Cu, 0.2 g/t Au,
22 g/t Ag and 340 ppm Mo
Figure 5. Bornite and chalcopyrite mineralization in MEPS-25-12 at 348.2m grading 8.2% Cu, 4.86 g/t
Au, 71.4 g/t Ag and 20 ppm Mo
Table 1. Significant Assay Intervals
Drillhole Zone From
(m)
To
(m)
Length
(m)
Cu
(%)
Mo
(ppm)
Au
(g/t)
Ag
(g/t)
CuEq
(%)
MEPS-25-01 Central 3.9 484 480.1 0.17 4.3 0.016 0.79 0.20
Including 194.7 381.5 186.63 0.26 3.6 0.022 1.12 0.30
Including 213 260.5 47.5 0.40 4.1 0.019 1.77 0.44
Including 254 260.5 6.5 0.64 3.9 0.032 1.87 0.70
Including 354.7 381.5 26.8 0.48 8.5 0.088 1.34 0.58
Including 370.5 380.5 10 0.87 17.6 0.19 2.35 1.07
MEPS-25-02 Central 5 341 336 0.43 43.5 0.39 2.75 0.83
Including 47.5 310 262.5 0.52 46.6 0.49 3.15 1.02
Including 179.72 248 68.28 1.39 71 1.83 8.46 3.13
Including 181.25 181.65 0.4 13.3 3 1.03 22.9 14.5
Including 215.6 224.75 9.15 6.8 80.6 13.2 46.26 18.92
Including 219.85 220.45 0.6 21.3 2 196 168 193.85
Including 220.45 221 0.55 33 2 0.342 210 36.04
And 341 461 120 0.06 460.1 0.008 0.57 0.31
MEPS-25-03 Central 1.12 318 316.88 0.16 33.1 0.017 0.5 0.20
Including 78.25 147 68.75 0.28 13 0.023 0.89 0.32
Including 98.25 125 26.75 0.45 14.3 0.037 1.49 0.51
Including 105 111 6.0 0.94 7.3 0.079 3.86 1.06
MEPS-25-04 Central 12.42 360 347.58 0.20 75.9 0.022 1.42 0.28
Including 14 35 21 0.37 126.1 0.058 2.04 0.52
Including 162 328 166 0.30 18 0.029 2.23 0.36
Including 220.5 237 16.5 0.97 34 0.091 10.07 1.20
Including 231.5 237 5.5 1.62 21.4 0.16 20.14 2.03
Including 231.5 231.75 0.25 8.31 0.5 0.39 75.3 9.64
Including 233.5 236 2.5 2.27 13.5 0.26 34.94 2.96
MEPS-25-05 West 1.25 252 250.75 0.06 1.4 0.010 0.34 0.08
Including 49 51.7 2.7 0.58 0.5 0.035 2.78 0.65
Including 190.77 191.23 0.46 2.15 6 0.2 9.9 2.45
MEPS-25-06 West 4.7 337 332.3 0.08 2.3 0.009 0.34 0.10
Including 151.3 151.5 0.2 1.95 8 0.21 7.6 2.24
Including 221 223 2 0.48 4 0.038 1.35 0.54
MEPS-25-07 Central 0.8 418 417.2 0.13 22.1 0.017 0.72 0.16
Including 156 383.4 227.4 0.18 12.6 0.021 1.08 0.22
Including 335 383.4 48.4 0.32 38.5 0.043 1.89 0.40
Including 335.6 340 4.4 0.94 128.8 0.089 4.99 1.15
MEPS-25-08 Central 0.61 348 347.39 0.14 2.7 0.015 0.52 0.16
Including 51 283 232 0.19 3 0.020 0.65 0.22
Including 51 86 35 0.20 0.8 0.036 0.6 0.24
Including 251.75 283 31.25 0.60 4.1 0.019 1.51 0.64
Including 251.75 259 7.25 1.41 8.9 0.035 3.31 1.49
Including 251.75 254.36 2.61 3.17 8.2 0.073 6.95 3.33
Including 251.75 252 0.25 8.82 0.5 0.24 19.3 9.28
Including 274 281 7 0.87 2 0.035 2.13 0.93
MEPS-25-09 Central 3.04 381.2 378.16 0.14 7.8 0.011 0.56 0.16
Including 125.86 381.2 255.34 0.18 11.3 0.013 0.68 0.21
Including 223 270 47 0.42 31.1 0.020 1.08 0.47
Including 223 227 4 0.91 10.8 0.037 2.09 0.97
Including 255.7 270 14.3 0.62 90.3 0.026 1.36 0.71
Including 255.7 256 0.3 14.9 4 0.56 26.6 15.73
Including 346 365.15 19.15 0.34 8 0.020 1.37 0.38
MEPS-25-10 Central 1.55 444 442.45 0.12 16.3 0.017 0.6 0.16
Including 45.5 86 40.5 0.16 1.1 0.032 0.62 0.20
Including 68 73 5 0.56 0.5 0.032 1.78 0.61
Including 221 402 181 0.18 9 0.020 0.89 0.21
Including 373 402 29 0.27 19 0.047 1.33 0.34
Including 393 397.6 4.6 0.68 6.1 0.18 3.25 0.88
MEPS-25-11 Central 2.05 441 438.95 0.19 22 0.026 1.12 0.24
Including 135.23 414.75 279.52 0.25 25.1 0.034 1.39 0.31
Including 336.75 355.5 18.75 0.98 33.6 0.12 4.93 1.17
Including 344.12 355.5 11.38 1.42 39.7 0.18 6.63 1.69
Including 349.55 349.83 0.28 13.1 338 0.2 22 13.74
Including 410.3 414.1 3.8 0.72 90.3 0.11 4.28 0.91
MEPS-25-12 Central 2.15 438 435.85 0.24 53.8 0.035 1.32 0.31
Including 131.55 432 300.45 0.30 69.7 0.046 1.67 0.40
Including 131.55 409.15 277.6 0.32 73.5 0.048 1.75 0.42
Including 177 183.89 6.89 1.10 57.1 0.18 4.82 1.35
Including 315.46 365.35 49.89 0.67 150 0.12 4.37 0.92
Including 343 358 15 1.46 151 0.32 9.63 1.95
Including 343 352.9 9.9 1.81 155.8 0.43 11.84 2.42
Including 343 349.2 6.2 2.56 236.9 0.67 17.75 3.49
Including 346.8 349.2 2.4 4.92 377 1.62 38.42 7.02
Including 348.2 348.7 0.5 8.62 18 4.86 71.4 13.79
Including 391 395 4 1.06 43.1 0.14 6.05 1.29
MJ-25-04 West No Significant Results
MJ-25-05 West 255.4 255.7 0.3 1.09 0.5 0.11 5.1 1.25
Including 340.6 363 22.4 0.14 2.5 0.011 0.67 0.16
Including 348.7 349.05 0.35 1.26 0.5 0.06 3.3 1.36
MJ-25-06 West 5 390 385 0.066 2.1 0.015 0.54 0.09
Including 74 75 1 0.019 0.5 2.57 0.3 2.26
Including 168.7 182 13.3 0.19 4.4 0.018 0.78 0.21
Including 168.7 169.2 0.5 2.03 32 0.11 3.7 2.19
Including 302 323 21 0.15 1.4 0.012 0.57 0.17
MJ-25-07 West 2.45 288 285.55 0.09 4.7 0.01 0.41 0.11
Including 28.8 29.3 0.5 1.36 5 0.054 4.5 1.47
Including 80 141.5 61.5 0.15 2.3 0.012 0.55 0.17
Including 218 288 70 0.12 9.7 0.012 0.54 0.14
Including 277 277.25 0.25 1.47 2 0.13 2.6 1.61
RB-25-01 Richards 3 279 276 0.05 2 0.009 0.3 0.06
Including 105.45 105.7 0.25 1.1 3 0.044 4.7 1.2
Including 243 248 5 0.2 4.4 0.014 0.86 0.23
Intervals may not represent true widths which are not yet known and capping has not been applied to
grades. CuEq grade calculations for reporting assumes spot metal prices January 8, 2026 metal prices of
US$5.81/lb Cu, US$32.12/lb Mo, US$4452/oz Au and US$78.14/oz Ag and recoveries of 90% Cu, 85% Mo,
70% Au, 60% Ag. Recoveries used are from recent test work on the Solaris, Warintza Project in Peru
which is a similar style mineralization to Soo Copper. See “Mineral Resource Estimate Update - NI 43-101
Technical Report, Warintza Project, Ecuador” with an effective date of July 1, 2024, and available on
SEDAR+ under Solaris Resources profile.
Table 2. Hole locations, directions and final depths.
Hole number Easting Northing Elevation Depth Dip Azimuth
CH-25-01 680,287 5,212,436 507 375 -70 0
MEPS-25-01 681,062 5,212,466 455 484 -45 158
MEPS-25-02 681,061 5,212,471 457 597 -70 330
MEPS-25-03 681,061 5,212,471 457 318 -80 330
MEPS-25-04 681,154 5,212,669 421 360 -46 224
MEPS-25-05 680,298 5,212,241 488 252 -45 135
MEPS-25-06 680,665 5,212,261 446 337 -65 360
MEPS-25-07 680,766 5,212,326 419 418 -45 50