KUTCHO COPPER CORP. Kutcho Copper Corp. provided a review of its accomplishments in 2023, outline its most compelling value opportunities, and looks forward to the next steps planned for 2024 at its feasibility stage, high-grade copper-zinc development project located in north-western British Columbia. Exploration Update Alongside advances in engineering studies, the Kutcho Copper Project also hosts a number of compelling exploration targets generated from an initial round of remote sensing geophysical surveys and target reviews.
An initial program is planned to (a) test two targets (Esso West and Mother) with 4,100 m of drilling and (b) collect soil and rock samples and other field geologic data on other, less advanced targets to better evaluate and prioritize their potential to host new deposits. Volcanogenic massive sulphide mineralizing systems like Kutcho commonly host multiple deposits, and Kutcho already hosts three Main, Sumac and Esso. Advanced targeting methods are being employed to refine the initial targeting prior to the next field season and Kutcho Copper plans to release further information on that process in the coming weeks.
Esso West Target: The Esso West target covers an area of 1,900 m strike by 500 m down dip and is defined by coincident ZTEM, VTEM, magnetic, and seismic anomalies that lie along strike and to the west of the high-grade Esso deposit. The target is bracketed by a total of five historic drillholes that intercepted a combination of (a) moderately to strongly sericite pyrite altered quartz crystals tuffs that correlate to the immediate hanging wall rocks to the Main, Sumac, and Esso deposits and (b) sericite pyrite altered lapilli tuffs, which are indicative of the foot wall sequence below the three known deposits. However, none of these holes directly tested the Esso West target.
In addition, a fence of historical drillholes that were testing for the west extension of Esso mineralization intersected the interpreted down dip eastern margin of the target and intersected semi-massive and massive sulphides in several holes, including 7.2m @ 2.0% Cu and 5.2% Zn in E094B3. Given that Esso is the highest grade of the three current deposits, the proximity of Esso West makes it a key focus of planned drill testing during 2024. Mother Target: Mother is a 7.5 km long, partially coincident ZTEM and VTEM target.
A total of four historical drill holes have tested portions of the target and define a prospective geological environment for a potential VMS deposit(s). Two historical holes anchored on the western extents of the target intersected an interpreted felsic flow dome consisting of a combination of sericite altered quartz, quartz feldspar and lapilli felsic tuffs, similar to the setting of the Main, Sumac, and Esso deposits. Silica exhalates with jasperoid development, and bands of magnetite and semi massive to massive sulphides occur between felsic units.
These exhalates returned surface rock chip samples that ranged from 2.3% to greater than 10% Cu, 0.04% - 0.10% Zn, 15 g/t 69 g/t Ag and 0.3 g/t 6.2 g/t Au over widths of 2.5 to 5cm. Two drillholes located 2 km and 5 km to the east of these holes intersected more distal felsic tuffaceous volcanic rocks and mudstones. The 2 km target segment between the felsic dome and distal basin mudstones is a prime environment for hosting potential VMS-style mineralization.
A preliminary ground-based geologic and sampling program is planned for 2024, prior to drill testing the target. Looking ahead into 2024: Kutcho Copper intends to showcase the Project's upside potential through: Advancing both near-resource and greenfields (3) exploration targets. Evaluating and, if warranted, executing on a number of accretive and strategic opportunities.
Continuing to evaluate project opportunities identified in the Feasibility Study through detailed engineering and executing on, or incorporating, accretive opportunities. Continuing to de-risk and advance the Project towards a production decision.
