Vizsla Copper Plans Aggressive Drill Program Across the Thira Alteration Corridor, Poplar Project
VIZSLA COPPER PLANS AGGRESSIVE DRILL
PROGRAM ACROSS THE THIRA ALTERATION
CORRIDOR, POPLAR PROJECT
VANCOUVER, BC
,
Jan. 14, 2026
/CNW/ - Vizsla Copper Corp. (TSXV: VCU) (OTCQB: VCUFF)
(
FRANKFURT
: 97E0) ("
Vizsla Copper
" or the "
Company
") is pleased to report preparations are
underway for an aggressive drill program at the Poplar Project (the "
Poplar Project
" or "
Poplar
"),
central
British Columbia
. Up to 8,000 meters of drilling will focus on investigating the extent of the
Thira porphyry copper-molybdenum discovery as well as evaluating new targets across the
extensive +8 kilometer long, Thira alteration corridor.
HIGHLIGHTS
Significant follow-up drill program:
Up to 8,000 meters of drilling across ~16 drill holes
designed to build on significant results from 2025, including the discovery of the Thira porphyry
copper-molybdenum zone (237.3 meters of 0.51% CuEq* (0.36% Cu, 0.02% Mo, 1.19 g/t Ag,
and 0.06 g/t Au) from 117.7 meters downhole in TH25-145).
Expansion of the Thira discovery:
One drill rig will investigate the extent and the structural
and/or lithological controls on strong porphyry-related copper-molybdenum mineralization at the
Thira discovery.
Explore for other porphyry systems:
One drill rig will evaluate two recently defined targets
along trend from the Thira discovery associated with the extensive Thira alteration corridor.
Program to commence:
The two drill rigs are scheduled to mobilise in the coming weeks, with
drilling to commence in the first week of February.
"With a strong treasury, fantastic targets, and copper hitting
$6
per pound, 2026 is shaping up to
be the most exciting year to date for Vizsla Copper" commented
Craig Parry
, Chairman and CEO.
"Thira discovery expansion is up first for our year-round exploration plans for 2026. Look for
constant news flow as our winter drill season in
British Columbia
transitions to our summer drill
program at Palmer."
"We are excited to kick off 2026 with a winter drill program at our Thira discovery" commented
Steve Blower
, VP, Exploration. "We have planned an aggressive two rig drill program that will
extend known copper-molybdenum mineralization at the Thira discovery as well as evaluate new
targets recently refined with ground geophysics and soil geochemistry."
Drill Plans
The Phase 1, 2026 drill program at Poplar will consist of up to 8,000 meters of core drilling within
the extensive Thira alteration corridor (Figure 1). Drilling is designed with two primary objectives:
1
.
Investigate the lateral and vertical extent of known porphyry-related copper-molybdenum
mineralization at the Thira Discovery. Results from the 2025 discovery drill program highlight a
zone of near-surface, porphyry-related copper-molybdenum-silver-gold mineralization (e.g.,
237.3 meters of 0.51% CuEq* (0.36% Cu, 0.02% Mo, 1.19 g/t Ag, and 0.06 g/t Au from 117.7
meters downhole in TH25-145, see
October 20
th
, 2025 News Release) that spans at least 800
meters east-west and at least 500 meters north-south. Planned step-out holes in all directions
are designed to constrain the scale of the porphyry system. Drilling will also investigate the
structural and/or lithological controls on higher-grade copper mineralization (e.g., 77.0 meters of
0.55% CuEq* (0.43% Cu, 0.01% Mo, 1.48 g/t Ag, and 0.09 g/t Au) from 124.0 meters
downhole in TH25-145) within the Thira porphyry system.
2
.
Test for porphyry-related copper-molybdenum mineralization at two recently defined high-
priority targets (Copper Pond and Camp Lake) situated along trend from the Thira discovery
(Figure 2). Both target areas are highlighted by inverted chargeability and resistivity models
derived from compiled 2024 and 2025 DCIP (direct current induced polarization) data (Figure
2). The targets are characterised by zones of moderate-chargeability response surrounded by
zones of very high-chargeability which extend to depth in the 3D models. These patterns are
similar to the Thira discovery (Figure 2) where a center of chalcopyrite-molybdenite bearing
potassic alteration (moderate chargeability) is surrounded by a broad zone of highly-chargeable,
pyrite-bearing phyllic alteration. These targets have yet to be systematically drill tested.
Timeline
Two drill rigs are planned to mobilise to site in the coming weeks. Drilling is scheduled to begin in
the first week of February.
*Copper equivalent calculation (CuEq) uses metal prices of: Cu US$4.00/lb, Mo US$20.00/lb, Au US$2,000/oz and Ag US$22/oz and conceptual recoveries of Cu: 80%, Mo: 80%, Au:
70% and Ag: 65%. Metallurgical test work has not been performed on core from Thira, therefore it is uncertain which metals would report to potential concentrates - recoveries are
conceptual in nature. CuEq is provided for illustrative purpose only to show the combined grades of Cu, Mo, Au and Ag relative to copper price net of conceptual metallurgical
recoveries. CuEq% = Cu% + (Au g/t x (Au recovery / Cu recovery) x [Au price US$/oz ÷ 31] / [Cu price US$/lb x 22.04623]) + (Ag g/t x (Ag recovery / Cu recovery) x [Ag price
US$/oz ÷ 31] / [Cu price US$/lb x 22.04623] + (Mo grade % x (Mo recovery / Cu recovery) x [Mo price US$/lb x 2204.623] / [Cu price US$/lb x 2204.623]). Composite intervals are
calculated using length-weighted averages above the cutoff grades noted above, with up to 10 meters of internal dilution. True thickness of the bulk-tonnage style, stockwork-
hosted mineralization is unknown.
Figure 1. Map of the Poplar Project showing the location of the Thira target area and previously
acquired MobileMT data1. The area circled around the apparent conductivity-high anomaly marks
the footprint of the Thira alteration corridor which is the focus of the upcoming 8,000 meter drill
program. (CNW Group/Vizsla Copper Corp.)
Figure 1. Map of the Poplar Project showing the location of the Thira target area and previously
acquired MobileMT data
1
. The area circled around the apparent conductivity-high anomaly marks
the footprint of the Thira alteration corridor which is the focus of the upcoming 8,000 meter drill
program.
Figure 2. Map showing chargeability results (100 meter depth plan) from the new 3D inverted
chargeability model with data compiled from 2024 (see January 15th, 2025 News Release) and
2025 (see November 25th, 2025 News Release) DCIP surveys across the Thira alteration corridor.
Priority drill targets to be evaluated in the upcoming 8,000 meter drill program include Thira, Camp
Lake and Copper Pond. Locations of the key target areas are shown as well as locations of
historical shallow drill holes. Results from holes TH25-138 and TH25-145 were previously released
(see July 22, 2025 and October 20, 2025 news releases). See references below for sources of
historical data2,3. (CNW Group/Vizsla Copper Corp.)
Figure 2. Map showing chargeability results (100 meter depth plan) from the new 3D inverted
chargeability model with data compiled from 2024 (see
January 15
th
, 2025 News Release) and
2025 (see
November 25
th
, 2025 News Release) DCIP surveys across the Thira alteration corridor.
Priority drill targets to be evaluated in the upcoming 8,000 meter drill program include Thira, Camp
Lake and Copper Pond. Locations of the key target areas are shown as well as locations of
historical shallow drill holes. Results from holes TH25-138 and TH25-145 were previously
released (see
July 22, 2025
and
October 20, 2025
news releases). See references below for
sources of historical data
2,3
.
Poplar Project
The 44,200-hectare Poplar project in central BC covers Mesozoic aged arc-related volcanic,
sedimentary and intrusive rocks considered prospective for porphyry-related copper and gold
mineralization. In addition to the Thira target, the project also hosts the Poplar deposit, a near-
surface porphyry-related copper and gold system. The Thira target is approximately 10 km south of
the Poplar deposit. Vizsla Copper has the option to earn a 100% interest in the property through a
series of expenditure commitments and annual cash payments until 2027.
Changes to Compensation Plan and Grant
The Company has replaced its stock option plan that was originally adopted by the Company's
board of directors on
September 20, 2021
and amended
April 25, 2024
with an omnibus equity
incentive compensation plan (the "
Omnibus Plan
"). The Omnibus Plan will consist of a 10% rolling
stock option plan and an 8% fixed other equity plan. The fixed amount in additional equity that
includes performance share units, deferred share units and restricted share units is set to a
maximum issuable of 7,071,203.
The purpose of the Omnibus Plan is to: (i) promote a significant alignment between officers,
directors, and employees of the Company and the growth objectives of the Company; (ii) to
associate a portion of participating employees' compensation with the performance of the Company
over the long term; and (iii) to attract, motivate and retain the critical employees to drive the
business success of the Company.
Pursuant to the Company's Omnibus Plan, it has granted 4,785,000 stock options ("
Options
") at an
exercise price of
$1.81
and 6,129,000 restricted share units (each, an "
RSU
") to directors, officers,
employees and consultants (the "
Optionees
") of the Company. The Options are exercisable for a
period of five years and will vest over the next two years and the RSUs will vest in three equal
annual instalments commencing on the first anniversary of the grant date.
The Omnibus Plan and all issuances granted under the Omnibus Plan are subject to approval of the
TSX Venture Exchange and disinterested shareholder approval. These approvals will be sought at
the Company's next annual general meeting to be held in Q3 2026.
Marketing Services Agreement
Vizsla Copper announces that it has entered into a marketing services agreement (the "
Marketing
Agreement
") with
1123963 B
.C. Ltd. (d.b.a. Capitaliz) ("
Capitaliz
"), an arm's-length marketing firm
based in
Vancouver, British Columbia
, subject to acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange (the
"
Exchange
"). Capitaliz and its principals, do not beneficially own, directly or indirectly, any securities
of the Company.
Under the Marketing Agreement, Capitaliz will provide digital marketing and investor awareness
services, including the dissemination of Company-approved information, in accordance with
applicable securities laws and Exchange policies, for a term of three months commencing on the
later of
January 18, 2026
and acceptance of the Marketing Agreement by the Exchange.
In consideration for the marketing services to be provided under the agreement, the Company has
allocated a total marketing budget of
$400,000
CAD for the three-month term. The fee is payable in
full upon execution of the agreement and Exchange approval and will be expended on a fee-for-
service basis in accordance with TSX Venture Exchange Policy 3.4. Either party may terminate the
Marketing Agreement upon 30 days' written notice.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as defined in the polices of
the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news
release.
About Vizsla Copper
Vizsla Copper is a Cu-Au-Mo focused mineral exploration and development company headquartered
in
Vancouver, Canada
. The Company is primarily focused on its Palmer VMS project in
Southeast
Alaska
, and its Poplar and Woodjam porphyry-related projects in Central and
Southern British
Columbia
. All of the Company's projects are well situated amongst significant infrastructure. The
Company's growth strategy is focused on the exploration and development of the properties within
its portfolio in addition to value accretive acquisitions. Vizsla Copper's vision is to be a responsible
copper explorer and developer in the stable mining jurisdictions of
Alaska
and
British Columbia
, and
it is committed to socially responsible exploration and development, working safely, ethically and
with integrity.
Vizsla Copper is a spin-out of Vizsla Silver and is backed by Inventa Capital Corp., a premier
investment group founded in 2017 with the goal of discovering and funding opportunities in the
resource sector. Additional information about the Company is available on SEDAR+ (
www.sedarplus.ca
) and the Company's website (
www.vizslacopper.com
).
Qualified Person and National Instrument 43-101 Disclosure
The Company's disclosure of technical or scientific information in this press release has been
reviewed and approved by
Christopher Leslie
, Ph.D., P.Geo., Technical Advisor for Vizsla Copper.
Dr. Leslie is a Qualified Person as defined under the terms of National Instrument 43-101.
Some technical information contained in this 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 Vizsla Copper and may in some instances be unverifiable.
References
1
.
Henneberry, T.R. (2024), Data acquisition and processing report, Helicopter Borne MobileMT
Electromagnetic and Magnetic Survey, Assessment Report Indexing System, Report 41614,
https://apps.nrs.gov.bc.ca/pub/aris
2
.
Wagner, D. (1995), Soil sampling and percussion drilling on the Thira Property, Omineca Mining
District, BC, Assessment Report Indexing System, Report 24109,
https://apps.nrs.gov.bc.ca/pub/aris
3
.
Wagner, D. (1996), Assessment report, Diamond drilling on the Thira Property, Omineca Mining
District, BC, Assessment Report Indexing System, Report 24392,
https://apps.nrs.gov.bc.ca/pub/aris
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.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the
United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information"
within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. "Forward-looking information"
includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the activities, events or developments that
the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including, without limitation,
planned exploration activities. Generally, but not always, forward-looking information and statements
can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget",
"scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or the negative
connotation thereof or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or
results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative
connotation thereof. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, among others,
statements relating to the Company's exploration plans.
Such forward-looking information and statements are based on numerous assumptions, including
among others, that the results of planned exploration activities are as anticipated, the anticipated
cost of planned exploration activities, that general business and economic conditions will not change
in a material adverse manner, that financing will be available if and when needed and on reasonable
terms, that third party contractors, equipment and supplies and governmental and other approvals
required to conduct the Company's planned exploration activities will be available on reasonable
terms and in a timely manner. Although the assumptions made by the Company in providing forward-
looking information or making forward-looking statements are considered reasonable by
management at the time, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be
accurate.
Forward-looking information and statements also involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties
and other factors, which may cause actual events or results in future periods to differ materially from
any projections of future events or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking information
or statements, including, among others: negative operating cash flow and dependence on third party
financing, uncertainty of additional financing, no known mineral reserves or resources, the limited
operating history of the Company, the influence of a large shareholder, aboriginal title and
consultation issues, reliance on key management and other personnel, actual results of exploration
activities being different than anticipated, changes in exploration programs based upon results,
availability of third party contractors, availability of equipment and supplies, failure of equipment to
operate as anticipated; accidents, effects of weather and other natural phenomena and other risks
associated with the mineral exploration industry, environmental risks, changes in laws and
regulations, community relations and delays in obtaining governmental or other approvals.
Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information or implied by forward-
looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated
or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information and statements will prove
to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated,
estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking
statements or information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or reissue forward-
looking information as a result of new information or events except as required by applicable
securities laws.
SOURCE
Vizsla Copper Corp.
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For further information:
Contact Information: For more information and to sign-up to the mailing
list, please contact: Craig Parry, Executive Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, Tel: (604) 364-2215 |
Email: [email protected]
CO: Vizsla Copper Corp.
CNW 08:00e 14-JAN-26