Sun Summit Outlines Plans for Significant Drilling at the JD Project, Toodoggone Mining District, B.C.
Sun Summit Outlines Plans for Significant
Drilling at the JD Project, Toodoggone Mining
District, B.C.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 5, 2026) - Sun Summit Minerals Corp. (TSXV:
SMN) (OTCQB: SMREF) (
"Sun Summit"
or the
"Company"
) is pleased to provide an overview of its
upcoming 2026 exploration drill program at the JD Project, Toodoggone Mining District, north-central
British Columbia. Drilling is set to commence in early June with over 10,000 meters planned across the
Creek and Finn zones.
Highlights:
Transformational Drill Program:
Over 10,000 meters of drilling will evaluate the grade, continuity
and scale of near-surface gold-silver mineralization across the Creek and Finn zones. Results from
the 2026 drill program is expected to contribute to an inaugural mineral resource estimate ("MRE")
planned for Q1 of 2027.
Creek Zone Targeted Drilling
: Drilling at the Creek Zone will include step-out and infill drill holes
designed to investigate the extent and continuity of near-surface, high-grade and bulk-tonnage gold
mineralization. Drilling will follow-up significant 2024 and 2025 results, including:
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
)
78.0 meters of 3.72 g/t gold
, including 19.1 meters of 7.50 g/t gold in drill hole CZ-25-007
(
September 8
th
, 2025, News Release
)
122.5 meters of 2.11 g/t gold
, including 20.0 meters of 10.01 g/t gold in drill hole CZ-24-
004 (
October 2
nd
, 2024, News Release
)
Finn Zone Targeted Drilling:
Drilling at the Finn Zone will include step-out, infill and exploration
drill holes designed to investigate the extent and continuity of near-surface bulk-tonnage gold-silver
mineralization. Drilling will follow-up significant historic and 2025 results, including:
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
)
45.0 meters of 3.02 g/t gold with 143 g/t silver
, including 5.0 meters of 8.18 g/t gold with
918 g/t silver in historical drill hole JD95-076
2
20.85 meters of 8.76 g/t gold with 68 g/t silver
including 11.0 meters of 15.1 g/t gold
with108 g/t silver in historical drill hole JD95-097
2
Drilling scheduled for June:
Preparations are underway to mobilize crews to the project in the
coming weeks. Drill crews will arrive once camp is re-opened with drilling anticipated to begin in
early June.
"We are excited to kick off the most significant drill program at JD since the late 1990s, as we advance
towards an inaugural mineral resource estimate, expected in Q1 of 2027," said Niel Marotta, CEO of
Sun Summit Minerals. "The 2026 drill program has been carefully designed to achieve a clear goal of
defining a significant resource. Our 3D modeling to date suggests that drilling has defined the upper
levels of potentially much larger systems, which remain open at depth and along strike - pointing to
meaningful expansion potential at both the Finn and Creek zones. With 10,000 metres of planned
drilling, metallurgical testing underway, and a mineral resource estimate targeted for Q1 2027, we will
continue to unlock value at JD and capitalize on exploration success in the world-class Toodoggone
mining district."
Significant Drill Program
Drilling in 2026 at the JD project is designed with two primary goals, 1) establish an inaugural mineral
resource estimate for the Finn and Creek zones, and 2) explore the lateral and vertical extents of near
surface, epithermal-related gold-silver-base metal mineralization at both targets.
2026 drill program details include:
Creek Zone
- Drilling at the Creek Zone in 2024 and 2025 outlined a significant northwest trending,
mineralized corridor that spans at least ~750 meters by 300 meters and ~150 meters vertical
depth from surface. Near-surface mineralization comprises bulk-tonnage disseminated gold and
high-grade vein- and breccia-hosted gold. Up to 5,000 meters across 17 to 20 drill holes are
planned at the Creek Zone to systematically evaluate the modelled vein-controlling structures on 60
to 80 meter pierce-points covering a strike-length of over 600 meters (Figure 3) and a vertical
extent of over 350 meters. Results from this phase of drilling at the Creek Zone should inform
grade continuity, the down-dip and strike extents of mineralization, the presence of additional high-
grade zones (e.g., 34.0 meters of 9.07 g/t gold in drill hole CZ-25-021) and will contribute to the
inaugural mineral resource estimate.
Finn Zone
- The Finn Zone represents a broad zone of near-surface, epithermal-related gold-silver-base
metal mineralization hosted in the hanging wall of a gently, north-dipping, northeast-striking volcaniclastic
unit. The zone is open along strike and at depth. Up to 5,000 meters across 15 to 17 drill holes are
planned at the Finn Zone to systematically evaluate the down-dip and strike-extent of the favorable, and
well mineralized, volcaniclastic unit. Drill holes will cover a footprint of approximately 650 meters by 350
meters on 60 to 80 meter pierce points, primarily down-dip from the densely drilled core of the
mineralized zone. Results from this phase of drilling at the Finn Zone should inform grade continuity, the
down-dip and strike extents of mineralization, verify historical data and will contribute to the inaugural
mineral resource estimate.
Additional exploration activities across the highly prospective Finn to Creek corridor (Figure 1)
including exploration drilling, geological mapping, soil geochemistry, induced polarization
geophysical surveying, and airborne geophysics, are also being considered. Details of these
proposed complementary programs will be disclosed as budgets are finalised.
Figure 1
. Plan map highlighting the ~4.5 km Finn to Creek Corridor showing drill collar locations as
well as results from recent and historical rock and soil geochemical surveys (see
October 29
th
, 2025
news release
). The areas marked by the dashed yellow ovals will be the focus for the majority of the
2026 drilling. Targets between will be ranked and prioritised for potential drill testing. See references
for sources of historical data.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6142/295931_5127e55b9410fa9d_002full.jpg
Mineral Resource Estimate
Over 46,000 meters of drilling in 366 drill holes, including results from 2024 and 2025 by Sun Summit,
have been completed across the JD project.
Most of the previous drilling was focused on the Finn and
Creek zones (Figure 1). These compiled data, together with results from 2026 drilling and results from
an ongoing metallurgical testing (see
April 8
th
, 2026 News Release
), will form the basis of the mineral
resource estimate ("MRE"), planned for Q1 of 2027.
The Company has engaged Dahrouge Geological Consulting USA Ltd. ("Dahrouge USA") to complete
an inaugural mineral resource estimate for the JD Project. The MRE will include historical and modern
drilling from the Finn and Creek epithermal-related gold-silver mineralized zones. Dahrouge will review
and validate the project database and 3D geological domains and will also assist with drill targeting,
compositing, statistical analysis, and block model estimation using the supplied geological
interpretations. The completed MRE will be classified and reported in accordance with NI 43-101 -
Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("43-101") and Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and
Petroleum standards.
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 qualified person 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/6142/295931_5127e55b9410fa9d_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. Mr. MacDonald has verified
the data disclosed in this press release, including the sampling, analytical and test data underlying this
information that has been collected by Sun Summit. Verification procedures include industry standard
quality control practices. Some technical information contained in this press 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. Management cautions that past results are not
necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved on the property.
About Dahrouge USA.
Dahrouge USA is a leading and highly experienced group of qualified professional geologists and
mining engineers who provide independent consulting services to the mining and exploration sectors.
Jacob Anderson (CPG) is the independent qualified person who will lead the modeling validation and
estimation team for Dahrouge.
Mr. Anderson is a resource geologist and is a Certified Professional Geologist (CPG) with the American
Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG). He has significant experience in gold deposits, including
stratigraphic, epithermal, vein hosted and porphyry.
(1)
(1) For clarity, Mr. Anderson has not independently verified and is not responsible for the technical content and disclosure in this news release.
The technical content herein was reviewed and approved by Sun Summit's Vice President Exploration, Ken MacDonald, P. Geo., as described
above in "National Instrument 43-101 Disclosure".
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 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 (Figure 2).
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/2026/05/2026_JD_Plans_Figure1_20260502-scaled.jpg
Figure 2.
https://wp-sunsummitminerals-2024.s3.ca-central-
1.amazonaws.com/media/2026/01/20260121_Figure1-Toodoggone-map.jpg
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
This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of the applicable Canadian
securities legislation that is based on expectations, estimates, projections and interpretations as at the
date of this news release. Any statement that involves predictions, expectations, interpretations, beliefs,
plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often, but not always, using
phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "interpreted", "management's view",
"anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates",
"potential", "feasibility", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that
certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be
achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information and are intended
to identify forward-looking information. This news release contains the forward-looking information
pertaining to, among other things: the prospects, if any, of the JD Project; future exploration activities,
including drilling, at the JD Project, including timing and scope thereof; the significance and reliability of
historic exploration activities and results; the ability of exploration activities to predict mineralization; the
ability of mineralization to be extracted on favourable economic terms; the reliability of a 3D geological
and structural model; the advancement of the JD Project, including the inaugural MRE, and timing
thereof; future exploration activities at the JD Project, including step-out, infill, and exploration drilling and
key zones thereof; timing and size of the mobilization of drill crews and the commencement of drilling
activities; the contribution of drilling results to the understanding of grade continuity, down-dip and strike
extents of mineralization, and the identification of additional high-grade zones, and the expected impact
on the inaugural MRE, if any; additional exploration activities, including geological mapping, soil
geochemistry, geophysical surveys, and airborne geophysics. Although the forward-looking information
contained in this news release is based upon what management believes, or believed at the time, to be
reasonable assumptions, Sun Summit cannot assure shareholders and prospective purchasers of
securities of the Company that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking information, as
there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, and neither
Sun Summit nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any such
forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, risks relating to the ability of exploration
activities (including drill results) to accurately predict mineralization; errors in management's geological
modelling; the ability of Sun Summit to complete further exploration activities, including drilling; property,
option and royalty interests in the JD Gold Project; the ability of the Company to obtain required
approvals; the results of exploration activities; risks relating to mining activities; the global economic
climate; metal prices; dilution; environmental risks; and community and non-governmental actions. Sun
Summit does not undertake, and assumes no obligation, to update or revise any such forward-looking
statements or forward-looking information contained herein to reflect new events or circumstances,
except as may be required by law.
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/295931