Copper Fox Metals Inc. has replaced previous plans for a single spiral decline at the Van Dyke in-situ copper recovery project in Arizona with a structured two-phase underground development program totaling approximately 4,900 metres of excavation.

Previous geotechnical planning evaluated a spiral decline reaching approximately 50 metres above the Gila and Pinal Schist contact. The updated project design now encompasses a 1,712-metre decline alongside roughly 4,110 metres of drifts and galleries within the Gila Conglomerate to support future leaching operations.

The underground work utilizes a roadheader for excavation rather than traditional drill and blast methods, a change intended to eliminate noxious gases and maintain the geotechnical stability of the conglomerate. The development is split into a Phase I higher-grade schedule covering years one through six, and a Phase II lower-grade schedule spanning years seven through 17.

The Van Dyke asset holds an updated mineral resource estimate from January 2020 reporting an indicated resource of 97.6 million tonnes grading 0.33% total copper and an inferred resource of 168.0 million tonnes grading 0.27% total copper.

“Completion of these front-end activities enables the PEA team to move toward finalizing key operating and cost components for the updated PEA. Trade-off studies focused on improving operational efficiency have been completed for each phase of the project and are being used to optimize the projected pre- and post-tax economic models using updated copper prices.”

— Elmer B. Stewart, President and CEO of Copper Fox

Alongside the technical study updates, Copper Fox has entered discussions to acquire its operational office and core storage facility located in Miami, Arizona, for US$290,000. The transaction is scheduled to close in September 2026, subject to customary closing conditions and adjustments.

Read the full announcement: Copper Fox Reports Progress on Van Dyke's Updated PEA and Establishing Permanent Facility in Miami, Arizona