Sun Summit Completes Over 16,000 Meters of Drilling at the JD Project, Toodoggone Mining District, B.C.
Sun Summit Completes Over 16,000 Meters of
Drilling at the JD Project, Toodoggone Mining
District, B.C.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 15, 2026) - Sun Summit Minerals
Corp. (TSXV: SMN) (OTCQB: SMREF) (
"Sun Summit"
or the
"Company"
) is pleased to announce
that its 2026 exploration drill program at the Company's JD Project, Toodoggone Mining District, north-
central British Columbia is now finished. Over 16,000 meters of drilling were completed at the Creek,
Finn and Schmitt Zones across 55 drill holes, with assays pending.
This represents approximately 60%
more work than originally planned, driven by exceptional productivity, encouraging results from field
activities, and supported by an oversubscribed private placement financing completed late in August
2026 (
August 26
th
, 2026, News Release
).
Highlights:
Transformational Drill Program:
The largest single-season drill program ever initiated at the JD
Project is now complete. A total of 55 drill holes over 16,000 meters were drilled across the Creek,
Finn and Schmitt Zones, highlights include:
Creek Zone:
21 drill holes for approximately 7,400 meters covered an area of
approximately 650 by 300 meters, with holes designed to follow-up significant previous
results, including
81.0 meters of 4.80 g/t gold
in drill hole CZ-25-021 (
November 25
th
,
2025, News Release
).
Finn Zone:
19 drill holes for approximately 5,400 meters covered an area of approximately
650 by 600 meters, with holes designed to follow-up significant previous results, including
17.0 meters of 2.31 g/t gold
with
113.1 g/t silver
in drill hole FZ-25-002 (
January 22
nd
,
2026, News Release
).
Schmitt Zone:
15 drill holes for approximately 3,200 meters covered an area of
approximately 350 by 150 meters, with holes designed to investigate the western extent of
Finn Zone-style gold-silver mineralization along the sparsely tested Schmitt zone.
All holes
drilled in the Schmitt Zone intersected local zones of strong brecciation and
alteration similar to the western strike-extent of Finn Zone-style mineralization
known to host gold-silver mineralization.
Results Pending:
Logging and sampling of drill core is ongoing, with samples continuing to
be submitted for analysis. Assay results will be released as they are received, reviewed and
interpreted.
Focused Drill Program:
Results from the completed drill program, including results from drilling
at the Schmitt Zone, will contribute to inaugural mineral resource estimates planned for Q1 of 2027.
Target generation;
A project-wide airborne mobile magnetotelluric (MobileMT) survey was
completed across the entire JD Project (
July 14
th
, 2026, News Release
). Preliminary results from
this survey were used to design an IP (induced polarization) geophysical survey which will
commence shortly.
Project-Wide Geophysical Surveying Ongoing:
A focused, induced polarization geophysical
survey is set to commence in the coming days. This survey will focus primarily on priority target
areas along the JD Porphyry trend. Results will be used to refine high-priority drill targets on
several zones including McClair Creek, Belle South and Moosehorn.
Metallurgical report expected in early Q4, 2026:
Fuse Advisors Inc. ("
Fuse
") and Blue Coast
Research Ltd. ("
BCR
") were engaged in April 2026 to complete an initial metallurgical test
program for the Creek and Finn zones at the Company's JD Project in the Toodoggone Mining
District, north-central British Columbia.
Results of the report are expected in the coming weeks.
"Completing 55 drill holes and over 16,000 meters of drilling across Creek, Finn, and the newly tested
Schmitt Zone is a significant milestone for Sun Summit and for the JD Project. The results we saw from
several western Finn Zone holes gave us the confidence to expand the program and put 15 additional
holes into the Schmitt Zone. We are encouraged that every hole drilled in the Schmitt Zone intersected
mineralization. We are now focused on receiving and reporting assay results through year-end, with our
inaugural mineral resource estimates for Creek, Finn, and Schmitt targeted for Q1 2027. I want to thank
our exploration team and field partners for their exceptional work this season. A perfect safety record of
3,300 person days with no lost time accidents and efficiency in the field is what allowed us to expand the
drill program well beyond its original scope."
— Niel Marotta, CEO, Sun Summit Minerals
Completed Over 16,000 Meter Drill Program in 2026
The recently completed drill program at the JD project was primarily designed to inform an inaugural
mineral resource estimate, anticipated to be released in Q1 of 2027 (see
May 5
th
, 2026, News
Release
). Camp was mobilized in late May, drilling commenced June 3
rd
, 2026, and continued through
early September with two drill rigs operating throughout the program.
Details of the drill program include:
Creek Zone:
21 drill holes for approximately 7,400 meters covered an area of approximately 650
by 300 meters to a vertical extent of approximately 350 meters (Figure 1). Drill holes were
designed to systematically evaluate the modelled vein-controlling structures by testing the extent
and continuity of near-surface, high-grade and bulk-tonnage gold mineralization. Drilling followed-
up significant previous results, such as
81.0 meters of 4.80 g/t gold
, including
34.0 meters of
9.07 g/t gold
in drill hole CZ-25-021 (
November 25
th
, 2025, News Release
). Results from this
phase of drilling should inform grade continuity, the down-dip and strike-extents of mineralization
and presence of additional high-grade zones.
Finn Zone:
19 drill holes for approximately 5,400 meters covered an area of approximately 650
by 600 meters. Drill holes were designed to evaluate the down-dip and strike-extent of the
favorable volcaniclastic unit host to near-surface, bulk-tonnage gold-silver mineralization (Figure 1).
Drilling followed-up significant previous results, such as
17.0 meters of 2.31 g/t gold
with 113.1
g/t silver
, including
6.0 meters of 5.30 g/t gold with 157.9 g/t silver
in drill hole FZ-25-002
(
January 22
nd
, 2026, News Release
). Results from this phase of drilling at the Finn Zone should
inform grade continuity, the down-dip and strike extents of mineralization, as well as validate
historical drill data. Results should also inform the structural model for high-grade silver
mineralization central to the target (e.g.,
6.0 meters of 5.30 g/t gold with 157.9 g/t silver
in drill
hole FZ-25-002).
Schmitt Zone:
15 drill holes for approximately 3,200 meters covered an area of
approximately 350 by 150 meters with holes designed to systematically investigate the western
strike-extent of Finn Zone-style mineralization along the favourable northwest-striking volcaniclastic
unit. Drilling also evaluated the presence of cross-cutting, vein-hosted gold-silver mineralization as
observed in several historic trenches (
May 28
th
, 2024, News Release
).
Figure 1.
Plan map highlighting the ~4.5 km Finn to Creek Corridor showing 2026 drill collar locations
as well as results from recent and historical drilling and rock and soil geochemical surveys. See
references for sources of historical data.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6142/314351_5940c037740468f8_002full.jpg
Figure 2.
Map of the Toodoggone District showing the location of the JD Project in relation to other
development and exploration projects. Data sourced from Thesis Gold & Silver Inc., TDG Gold Corp.
and Centerra Gold Inc.'s respective corporate websites. The QP has been unable to verify the
information and that the information is not necessarily indicative to the mineralization on the property
that is the subject of the disclosure.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6142/314351_5940c037740468f8_003full.jpg
National Instrument 43-101 Disclosure
This news release has been reviewed and approved by Sun Summit's Vice President Exploration, Ken
MacDonald, P. Geo., a "Qualified Person" as defined in National Instrument 43-101
Standards of
Disclosure for Mineral Projects
of the Canadian Securities Administrators. Some technical information
contained in this news release is historical in nature and has been compiled from public sources
believed to be accurate. The historical technical information has not been verified by Sun Summit and
may in some instances be unverifiable dependent on the existence of historical drill core and grab
samples.
Community Engagement
Sun Summit is engaging with First Nations on whose territory our projects are located and is discussing
their interests and identifying contract and work opportunities, as well as opportunities to support
community initiatives. The Company looks forward to continuing to work with local and regional First
Nations with ongoing exploration.
About the JD Project
The JD Project is located in the Toodoggone mining district in north-central British Columbia, a highly
prospective deposit-rich mineral trend. The JD Project covers an area of over 15,000 hectares and is in
close proximity to active exploration and development projects, such as Thesis Gold and Silver Inc.'s
Lawyers and Ranch projects, TDG Gold Corp's Baker-Shasta projects, Amarc Resource Ltd.'s AuRORA
project, Centerra's Gold Inc's Kemess East and Underground projects, as well as the past-producing
Kemess open pit copper-gold mine.
The project is 450 kilometres northwest of the city of Prince George, and 25 kilometres north of the
Sturdee airstrip. It is proximal to existing infrastructure in place to support the past-producing Kemess
mine, including roads and a hydroelectric power line.
The JD Project is in a favourable geological environment characterized by both high-grade epithermal
gold and silver mineralization, as well as porphyry-related copper and gold mineralization. Some
historical exploration, including drilling, geochemistry and geophysics, has been carried out on the
property, however the project area is largely underexplored.
About Sun Summit
Sun Summit Minerals (TSXV: SMN) (OTCQB: SMREF) is a mineral exploration company focused on the
discovery, expansion, and advancement of district-scale gold and copper assets in British Columbia.
The Company's portfolio is anchored by its flagship JD Project, alongside the Theory Project in the
prolific Toodoggone region of north-central BC, and the Buck Project in central B.C.
Further details are available at
www.sunsummitminerals.com
.
References
1
.
Hawkins, P.A. (1998), 1997 Exploration Report on the Creek Zone for Antares Mining and Exploration Corporation and AGC Americas Gold
Corporation, JD Property, Toodoggone River Area, Omineca Mining Division, Internal Report #98-065-1.
2
.
Davis, J.W., and Jamieson, M.D. (1998), Drilling and Geophysical Report on the M.H. Mineral Clain Group, Toodoggone District, Assessment
Report Indexing System, Report 25757,
https://apps.nrs.gov.bc.ca/pub/aris
.
3
.
Krause, R.G. (1995), 1994 Geological and Geochemical Report on the JD Gold Silver Property, Toodoggone River Area, Omineca Mining
Division, British Columbia, Assessment Report Indexing System, Report 23663,
https://apps.nrs.gov.bc.ca/pub/aris
.
4
.
Krause, R.G. (1996), 1995 Geological Report on the JD Gold Silver Property, Toodoggone River Area, Omineca Mining Division, British
Columbia, Assessment Report Indexing System, Report 24284,
https://apps.nrs.gov.bc.ca/pub/aris
.
5
.
McBride, S. (2013), 2012 Geological, geochemical and diamond drilling report on the JD Property, Assessment Report Indexing System,
Report 33556,
https://apps.nrs.gov.bc.ca/pub/aris
.
6
.
McBride, S. and Leslie, C. (2014), 2013 Geological, geophysical and diamond drilling report on the JD Property, Assessment Report Indexing
System, Report 34762,
https://apps.nrs.gov.bc.ca/pub/aris
.
Link to Figures
Figure 1.
https://wp-sunsummitminerals-2024.s3.ca-central-
1.amazonaws.com/media/2026/09/20260915__JD_Figure1.jpg
Figure 2
. https://wp-sunsummitminerals-2024.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/media/2026/08/SMN-
Area-Map-Aug-2026.png
On behalf of the board of directors
Niel Marotta
Chief Executive Officer & Director
For further information, contact:
Matthew Benedetto, Simone Capital
Tel. 416-817-1226
Forward-Looking Information
Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts may be forward-looking
statements, which involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition, the forward-
looking statements require management to make assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and
uncertainties. There is significant risk that the forward-looking statements will not prove to be accurate,
that the management's assumptions may not be correct and that actual results may differ materially from
such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-
looking statements. Generally forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology
such as "anticipate", "will", "expect", "may", "continue", "could", "estimate", "forecast", "plan", "potential"
and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may include, but
are not limited to, the timing of and size and scope of the drill program at the JD Project; the Company's
expectation that results from the 2026 drill program will contribute to an inaugural mineral resource
estimate and the timing of any such estimate; the advancement of exploration targets at the JD Project;
the anticipated completion, interpretation and utilization of geophysical, geological, geochemical and
geochronological studies, including MobileMT and potential IP surveys; and the Company's exploration
plans, expectations and forecasts. These forward-looking statements are based on a number of
assumptions which may prove to be incorrect which, without limiting the generality of the following,
include: the Company's ability to complete the drill program as currently contemplated; risks inherent in
exploration activities; volatility and sensitivity to market prices; volatility and sensitivity to capital market
fluctuations; and fluctuations in metal prices. The forward-looking statements contained in this news
release are made as of the date hereof or the dates specifically referenced in this press release, where
applicable. Except as required by applicable securities laws and regulation, Sun Summit disclaims any
intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. All forward-
looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined
in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or
accuracy of this release.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit
https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/314351