TERRACE, B.C. – A Vancouver-based mining company has announced plans to acquire a significant copper-gold exploration project located in the busy industrial corridor between Kitimat and Terrace.
Copper Quest Exploration has entered into an agreement to purchase a 100 per cent interest in the Kitimat Copper-Gold Project, a 2,954-hectare property situated approximately 10 kilometres northwest of Kitimat. The property is accessible by logging and exploration roads, giving it direct access to critical infrastructure.
“This project is ideally located with exceptional infrastructure, in a proven geological belt known for hosting major copper-gold systems,” said Brian Thurston, CEO of Copper Quest, highlighting the property’s close proximity to tidewater, rail lines, and high-voltage hydro infrastructure.
Promising Early Results and Geological Context
The Kitimat Copper-Gold Project lies within the Skeena Mining Division, in the mineral-rich geological zone known as the Stikine Terrane. Copper Quest plans to focus its exploration on the Jeannette Cu-Au Zone, where previous studies suggest the presence of a larger porphyry copper-gold system.
Initial drilling on the property has revealed promising results, showing consistent copper and gold deposits between roughly 100 and 120 metres below the surface. Specifically, three key drill holes showed results of over one gram of gold per tonne of rock and around half a per cent copper. These results suggest a strong near-surface deposit that remains open at depth.
Future Plans and Acquisition Terms
Copper Quest announced plans to leverage modern technology in its follow-up work, including using artificial intelligence (AI) to integrate historic and modern geological data to guide exploration. Future work may include mapping, sampling, and advanced geophysical surveys such as induced polarization and passive seismic methods.
The acquisition terms involve purchasing the interest from Canadian prospector and entrepreneur Bernie Kreft, who is known for his appearance on the Discovery Channel’s Yukon Gold television series.
Copper Quest has until January 5, 2026, to complete its due diligence review. If the purchase proceeds, the company will issue two million common shares to the vendor on January 6, 2026. The agreement also includes a 2.5 per cent net smelter return royalty, 40 per cent of which Copper Quest has the option to repurchase for $1 million. The transaction also includes a finder’s fee.
