Finlay Minerals Ltd. has expanded its 2026 drill program at the PIL Property in north-central British Columbia by 1,600 metres, bringing the planned total to 4,400 metres.

The initial 2026 drill program at the project was originally planned for 2,800 metres before the recent expansion. The additional drilling is fully funded by Freeport-McMoRan Mineral Properties Canada Inc. under the terms of the PIL Earn-In Agreement. Under that six-year agreement, Freeport-McMoRan can earn an 80% interest in the property by funding $35 million in exploration expenditures and making $4.1 million in cash payments, with Finlay acting as the project operator. Both the PIL and ATTY earn-in agreements are currently in the second year of their six-year terms.

Fieldwork is progressing rapidly at the project, where three diamond drill holes totaling 2,300 metres have been completed across the Gold and Reef targets. A fourth hole has been collared and is nearing completion at the Reef target. Surface mapping and sampling have also focused on the Gold, Reef, Spruce, Silver Ridge and GWP target areas, alongside induced polarization geophysical surveys.

The laboratory has received drill core from the first two completed holes, and Finlay will release assay results once they have been reviewed and confirmed through internal quality assurance and quality control procedures.

At the separate ATTY Property, which is also subject to a six-year earn-in agreement with Freeport-McMoRan, the 2026 work program is nearing final stages. Induced polarization geophysical surveys at ATTY are scheduled to conclude by the end of August.

Read the full announcement: Finlay announces expanded 2026 PIL Drill Program with increase to 4,400 meters