Sterling Metals Expands Soo Copper Footprint of Broad Near-Surface Copper Mineralization
Sterling Metals Expands Soo Copper Footprint of Broad Near-Surface Copper
Mineralization
June 17, 2026 – Toronto, Ontario – Sterling Metals Corp. (TSXV: SAG, OTCQB: SAGGF) (“Sterling” or the
“Company”) is pleased to report assay results from the first six holes of it 2026 drilling program at the Soo
Copper Project (“ Soo Copper ” or the “ Project”) located near Batchewana Bay, Ontario. These results
continue to demonstrate the scale and continuity of the Soo Copper system at the MEPS Discovery
(“MEPS”), expanding the footprint of copper mineralization , confirming a copper bearing, multi -phase
porphyry stock across a 1.4-kilometre corridor (Figure 1), and identifying a new higher grade molybdenum
zone at depth.
Highlights
• Broad intervals of near surface mineralization returned:
o 503.9m of 0.26% CuEq (0.14% Cu, 0.05 g/t Au, 0.64 g/t Ag, 177.4 ppm Mo) from 3.1m
depth in SC-26-04;
o 289.5m of 0.26% CuEq (0.2% Cu, 0.03 g/t Au, 0.97 g/t Ag, 50.9 ppm Mo) from 3.5m depth
in SC-26-05; and
o 214.5m of 0.29% CuEq (0.22% Cu, 0.02 g/t Au, 0.94 g/t Ag, 75.3 ppm Mo) from 3.0m
depth in SC-26-06, including 10.5m of 1.01% CuEq (0.41% Cu, 0.07 g/t Au, 2.67 g/t Ag,
1003.8 ppm Mo) from 207.0m depth.
• Extensive copper -molybdenum mineralization highlights the robust mineralization system
associated with the underlying porphyry complex.
• The presence of a multi -phase porphyry stock was intersected in two separate locations –
beneath MEPS (SC-26-04 and SC-26-05) and approximately 1km east of MEPS (SC-26-01 and SC-
26-02) – supporting Sterling's interpretation of a robust copper system.
• The Company has drilled over 12,000m across 22 holes in 2026.
• Watch Mathew Wilson, CEO walk through cross sections and an interactive 3D visualization of
today’s highlighted drill holes on VRIFY, while discussing the broader potential of the Soo
Copper Project and Sterling Metals by clicking here.
Mat Wilson, CEO, commented, “With the launch of VRIFY , investors and stakeholders can follow along
with us as we plug assay results into our model, as we look to define extensions and edges at MEPS, and
new areas of mineralization. It is rare to come across such a giant copper system with so little drilling and
part of the fun – once you have a discovery to grasp onto – is testing new areas while also expanding on
the known. With 12km of drilling completed across 22 holes we are just getting started as we expand
MEPS and find new zones to dig into across our 8km corridor of outcrop within the 30km copper system.”
Jeremy Niemi, SVP Exploration, commented, “In these first six holes, we have intersected a mineralized
multiphase porphyry stock below two separate and significant copper prospects, beneath MEPS and
approximately one kilometre to the east. This confirms to us that the copper mineral system is very large
with the potential of clustered centres of more concentrated copper mineralization at shallow depths,
allowing for a rapid succession of more new copper discoveries and future copper resources. At MEPS,
the broad continuous copper intervals and high-grade molybdenum-copper beneath are but two parts of
what is clearly revealing itself to being a very large porphyry copper-molybdenum system. This comes to
surface, is remarkably well -preserved, and will continue to rapidly grow with more exploratory drilling.
Follow-up holes are already drilled and we look forward to what the future has in store.”
Figure 1. Plan map of 2026 drilling and reported results on holes.
Figure 2. High-grade molybdenite core photo from hole SC-26-04 at 360.3m depth grading 1.7% Mo
over 1m length
Figure 3. Copper mineralization above GFP dyke in SC-26-05 at 140.7m depth grading 1.79% CuEq
Figure 4. High-grade copper mineralization grading 2.07% CuEq in hole SC-26-01 at 154.85m depth,
located approximately 1km east of the main MEPS discovery
SC-26-01 – Eastern ZTEM Target; Discovery of New Cu-Mo mineralized Porphyry Stock
SC-26-01 was designed to test the large ZTEM resistivity anomaly located approximately one kilometre
east of the MEPS Discovery zone. Drilled toward the south-southwest, the hole intersected altered mafic
volcanics before entering a felsic porphyry stock complex dominated by coarse-grained granite porphyry,
at approximately 637m depth. The upper mafic volcanics host copper mineralization, including distinct
higher-grade intervals of semi -massive chalcopyrite and pyrrhotite between approximately 154m and
207m. At depth, the granite porphyry hosts widespread copper -molybdenum mineralization as quartz -
molybdenite and quartz-biotite-chalcopyrite stockwork veining associated with pervasive potassic (biotite
and feldspar) alteration, with copper sulphides also occ urring as pervasive finely disseminated
chalcopyrite and lesser bornite within the groundmass. Assays confirm widespread copper-molybdenum
mineralization throughout the intrusive section; the porphyry complex remains open at depth beyond
one kilometre and along strike to north, east and south.
SC-26-02 – Western Flank Test of Eastern ZTEM Anomaly and Porphyry Stock
SC-26-02 tested the western flank of the eastern ZTEM anomaly to evaluate whether copper grades
increase approaching the main intrusive contact. The hole remained within chlorite -magnetite altered
mafic volcanics to approximately 634m hole depth before entering the stock, again dominated by granite
porphyry. The upper volcanic package hosts pervasive copper mineralization as disseminated chalcopyrite
within the groundmass, within local zones of magnetite alteration, and within quartz-sulphide veins. At
the main contact with the porphyry stock, mineralization changes to stockwork veining dominated by
early biotite and quartz-molybdenite veins with minor disseminated chalcopyrite and trace bornite
throughout.
SC-26-03 – ZTEM Continuity / Western Linkage Test
SC-26-03 was drilled to the west to test the continuity of the eastern ZTEM anomaly and to evaluate a
possible structural linkage toward the western anomaly. The hole remained entirely within largely
chlorite-epidote altered mafic volcanics, intersecting only a narrow GFP -type felsic porphyry dyke
between approximately 145m and 152m hole depth. Volcanic-hosted mineralization consists of minor but
pervasive pyrite-chalcopyrite with trace bornite that locally intensifies along hydrothermal fracture
networks. This strong, pyrite-dominated mineralization with widespread, anomalous copper-
molybdenum contents is interpreted to represent a pyritic propylitic shell located outboard of inner
copper zone mineralization.
SC-26-04 – MEPS West Extension and ZTEM Target
SC-26-04 tested the western ZTEM anomaly and found that its upper margin coincides with the contact
zone of a multi -phase felsic porphyry stock complex. The hole intercepted a cluster of three distinct
intermineral porphyry dyke phases before entering a granite porphyry stock at approximately 631m hole
depth. The shallower porphyry dyke phases host veins, hydrothermal brecciation and increased presence
of chalcopyrite-molybdenite, with local minor presence of bornite-covellite. At approximately 444m hole
depth, the hole intercepted a 50m length of hydrothermal quartz -sulphide breccia dominated by
molybdenite-chalcopyrite, helping define a high -priority, structural corridor of copper -molybdenum
mineralization interpreted to link Cu -Mo mineralization intercepted in holes MJ -25-02 and MEPS-25-02
drilled in 2025. The deeper granite porphyry stock is altered and hosts extensive, minor quartz -
molybdenite and quartz-biotite-chalcopyrite stockwork veining.
SC-26-05 – MEPS West Extension and ZTEM Target
SC-26-05 also tested the ZTEM anomaly west of MEPS , adjacent to SC -26-04 and intersected a broad ly
mineralized mafic volcanic succession hosting generally minor but widespread chalcopyrite, bornite and
covellite mineralization. The hole entered the contact zone of the granite porphyry stock complex at
approximately 609m hole depth, where it intersected a well-developed hydrothermal quartz-sulphide
breccia, containing chalcopyrite and molybdenite, along the upper contact boundary. Below this breccia
the granite porphyry hosts pervasive but minor quartz-molybdenite and quartz -biotite-chalcopyrite
stockwork veining with potassic alteration.
SC-26-06 – MEPS Near-Surface Extension
SC-26-06 tested the extension of near -surface mineralization at a steeper angle to SC -26-05. The hole
remained entirely within mineralized mafic volcanic s, intersecting a GFP porphyry dyke between
approximately 110m and 124m. Elevated copper grades are associated with increased chalcopyrite -
bornite-covellite mineralization developed in the mafic volcanics immediately adjacent to this GFP dyke.
Volcanic-hosted mineralization consists of chalcopyrite -molybdenite-bornite-pyrite with associated
potassic alteration, that locally intensifies along hydrothermal fractures and vein networks. The hole
entered a sub -vertical gabbro dyke , interpreted as a subvolcanic intrusive within the Archean mafic
volcanic succession, at approximately 217m hole depth and continued drilling down this unit until the end
of the hole. In general, these gabbro units host weaker copper mineralization as compared to the basalts;
their more massive , less permeable nature may have hindered hydrothermal fluid flow during the
subsequent porphyry copper event.
Exploration Update
Drilling continues at Soo Copper. Sterling is currently drilling the 22nd hole of its 2026 program and has
completed approximately 12,000m of a minimum 20,000m campaign. Following completion of follow-up
drilling in the core of the MEPS system, the rig is now testing a favourable northeast trend approximately
one kilometre northeast of the MEPS Discovery and a recently identified, high -priority target along that
corridor. Sterling intends to return to the MEPS area and extend drilling westward towards the z ones of
mineralization seen in CH-25-01 and R2304 (see Figure 1) and then towards the very large Gimlet target
area where in 9 days during last year’s field program, 93 copper outcrop samples were found (38 with
bornite) within a 3 x 3km area approximately 2km from the MEPS Discovery.
The company has begun making access trails for field work, including detailed prospecting across other
areas of Gimlet, as it plans to work its way from the MEPS Discovery zone towards the Gimlet target area.
During the trail construction, approximately 1.2 kilometres west of the MEPS Discovery, the Sterling team
made a new surface discovery of copper mineralization in outcrop. To date, surface copper mineralization
covers an area of approximately 25 metres by 5 metres and consists of quartz-sulphide breccia hosted
chalcopyrite and bornite with pyrite hosted in neighboring mafic volcanic rocks - sulphide mineralogy
comparable to that observed in surface outcrop at the MEPS Discovery. The showing lies along the same
northeast-southwest trending corridor that runs through the MEPS Discovery and farther to the northeast
toward the area of current drilling and other regional exploration targets.
Figure 5. New Outcropping Areas of Interest seen in Parallel Structure to MEPS Discovery
Table 1. Significant Assay Intervals
Hole ID Min Style From To Length
CuEq
%
Cu
%
Au
g/t
Ag
g/t
Mo
ppm
Mo
%
SC-26-01
Gold+Cu
sulphides 98 102.3 4.3 0.47 0.02 0.49 0.72 1
and Cu sulphides 123 136.4 13.4 0.16 0.13 0.02 0.72 2.74
and Cu sulphides 154.4 155.4 3.6 0.79 0.71 0.06 2.71 2.84
and Cu sulphides 630 637.1 7.1 0.21 0.17 0.04 0.46 8.2
and Mo sulphides 721 721.6 0.6 1.31 0.02 0.003 1.2 2500
and
Cu+Mo
sulphides 755 765 10 0.1 0.04 0 0.25 116.9
and
Cu+Mo
sulphides 780 785 5 0.15 0.05 0.25 0.25 171.48
and
Cu+Mo
sulphides 811 814 3 0.36 0.23 0.02 1.8 178
SC-26-02 Cu sulphides 248 258.8 10.8 0.13 0.11 0.01 0.28 5.66
and
Cu+Mo
sulphides 633.7 664 30.3 0.42 0.02 0 0.26 781.3
including
Cu+Mo
sulphides 633.7 641 7.3 1.32 0.03 0 0.29 2531.74 0.25
and
Cu+Mo
sulphides 680 683 3 0.26 0.03 0 0.25 434.6
SC-26-03 Cu sulphides 121 129 8 0.19 0.18 0.01 0.54 0.18
and Cu sulphides 354.7 361.5 6.8 0.29 0.27 0.02 0.67 7.04
SC-26-04 Cu sulphides 3.07 507 503.93 0.26 0.14 0.05 0.64 177.16
and Cu sulphides 36 48.3 12.3 0.68 0.27 1.31 1.23 260.98
and Cu sulphides 82.9 92.2 9.4 0.48 0.31 0.81 0.06 208.98
and Cu sulphides 217 229.3 12.3 0.45 0.26 0.04 1.5 254.41
and Cu sulphides 259.5 263.4 3.9 0.78 0.11 7.39 0.59 17.87
and Mo Sulphides 359.3 360.3 1 8.74 0.06 0 0.25 17,000.00 1.70
and Mo Sulphides 463.4 464.1 0.7 8.66 0.03 0.01 0.25 16,900.00 1.69
SC-26-05 Cu sulphide 3.52 293 289.48 0.26 0.2 0.03 0.97 50.82
and
Cu+Mo
sulphides 365.4 377.0 11.6 0.44 0.15 0.01 0.38 539.87
SC-26-06
Cu+Mo
sulphides 3.0 452.3 449.3 0.21 0.15 0.02 0.72 78.30
and Cu sulphides 3.0 217.5 214.5 0.29 0.22 0.02 0.94 75.33
inc Cu sulphides 107.0 133.5 26.5 0.50 0.41 0.05 2.17 33.47
inc Cu sulphides 107.0 110.9 3.9 1.13 0.92 0.14 5.80 35.98
inc Cu sulphides 123.3 126.6 3.3 1.04 0.88 0.11 4.46 22.37
and Cu sulphides 197.0 240.5 43.5 0.50 0.29 0.04 1.67 314.76
inc
Cu + Mo
sulphides 207.0 217.5 10.5 1.01 0.41 0.07 2.67 1,003.78
and
Cu+Mo
sulphides 217.5 452.3 234.8 0.14 0.08 0.01 0.52 81.02
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 x Au g/t) + (0.0107 x Ag g/t) + (0.00051 x Mo ppm).
Table 2. Hole locations, directions and final depths.
Drillhole Easting Northing Elevation Depth Dip Azimuth
SC-26-01 682129.00 5212101.00 429.00 1073.00 -53.00 195.00
SC-26-02 681675.00 5212029.00 446.00 709.00 -75.00 140.00
SC-26-03 681675.00 5212029.00 446.00 516.00 -45.00 280.00
SC-26-04 681060.00 5212644.00 446.00 1167.00 -70.00 233.00
SC-26-05 681009.00 5212554.00 460.00 654.00 -67.00 303.00
SC-26-06 681009.00 5212554.00 460.00 452.3 -78.00 290.00
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 fi re 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.