Eskay Mining Corp. (TSXV:ESK) has officially launched its 5,000-meter diamond drilling campaign at the Eskay project, located in the prolific Golden Triangle region of British Columbia. The company, which maintains a 100% interest in 177 claims totaling 52,600 hectares, has initiated operations from the Goldstorm Metals Corp. Electrum camp. Due to lingering snow conditions at the higher-elevation TM and Vermillion target areas, the drilling team has prioritized the C-10 prospect for the program's initial boreholes.

The company is scaling its operational capabilities alongside this exploration push. Eskay has successfully commissioned a dedicated analytical laboratory in Stewart, B.C., designed to deliver multi-element drill core analysis within 48 hours. This facility utilizes specialized core-saw sludge collection and advanced analytical technologies, including pXRF and PortablePPB’s detectORE system. By securing this rapid turnaround, the company aims to facilitate real-time decision-making to optimize the drill rig's performance throughout the summer season.

"The synchronization of our drilling commencement, the arrival of world-class structural expertise, and the commissioning of our Stewart lab marks a transformative moment for Eskay."

— Mac Balkam, President & Chief Executive Officer

The exploration strategy for the remainder of the season involves a systematic shift toward high-priority targets as site conditions improve. Following initial work at C-10, the program will progress to the Big Red porphyry copper target and the Sultan gold veins zone. To support the technical interpretation of these sites, renowned structural geologist Dr. Brett Davis is scheduled to arrive on-site on July 22, 2026, for an eight-day residency to guide mapping and core logging efforts.

"By utilizing reliable, rapid-turn-around analytical data from new lab and applying Dr. Davis's structural insights, we are maximizing the efficiency of our 2026 exploration window. I am also delighted to be announcing the first boreholes ever to be drilled on our Big Red and Sultan targets."

Looking ahead, the company expects to pivot its drill rig toward the TM and Vermillion targets as surface conditions permit. The program specifically targets chargeability and conductivity anomalies within the Betty Creek Formation. Boreholes EM26-03 at Big Red and EM26-04 at the Sultan zone are already queued, with pads currently under preparation.

Market participants responded positively to the operational updates and the strategic integration of the new analytical facility. Following the announcement, shares of Eskay Mining rose 5.80% in the session, settling at a closing price of $0.365. The company continues to advance its 100% owned land package, maintaining its focus on the prospective Eskay rift to unlock potential porphyry copper-gold and precious metal mineralization. This 2026 campaign represents a streamlined effort to maximize the current exploration window through both onsite structural expertise and localized, high-speed assay processing, ensuring the company can adapt its geological models as results emerge from the field in the coming weeks.

Read the full announcement: Eskay Mining Corp. Commences 2026 Drill Program, Commissions Stewart Analytical Lab, and Welcomes Structural Geologist Brett Davis to the Golden Triangle