- Pacific Empire Minerals (TSXV:PEMC) reported 183 metres of near-surface copper-gold mineralization grading 1.23 per cent CuEq in the upper portion of Hole DD25-TRI-001 at the Trident project, including several high-grade intervals
- Geological observations and assays indicate a significant alkaline copper-gold porphyry system, advancing PEMC’s exploration model and discovery potential
- Assays from the remainder of the hole and five additional drill holes are pending, representing key near-term catalysts for defining scale and continuity
- Pacific Empire Minerals stock (TSXV:PEMC) last traded at $0.12
Pacific Empire Minerals (TSXV:PEMC) announced promising initial assay results from the upper portion of the first hole of its 2025 winter diamond drilling program at the Trident copper-gold project in north-central British Columbia.
These results mark a significant milestone for the company, highlighting broad, near-surface copper-gold mineralization consistent with the interpreted A Zone porphyry system.
Key highlights from Hole DD25-TRI-001 (upper portion)
- 183.0 metres grading 1.23 per cent CuEq from 9.0 to 192.0 metres
(0.772 per cent Cu, 0.51 g/t Au, 3.4 g/t Ag)
Demonstrates extensive near-surface copper-gold mineralization. - 71.5 metres grading 1.80 per cent CuEq from 21.0 to 92.5 metres
(1.06 per cent Cu, 0.83 g/t Au, 4.6 g/t Ag)
Represents a higher-grade interval within the broader zone. - 14.8 metres grading 1.91 per cent CuEq from 22.7 to 37.5 metres
(1.23 per cent Cu, 0.75 g/t Au, 5.5 g/t Ag)
Highlights strong copper-gold-silver grades. - Notable high-grade gold-rich intervals include:
- 0.50 m @ 4.02 per cent CuEq (34.1–34.6 m)
- 1.0 m @ 2.50 per cent CuEq (46.0–47.0 m)
- 1.25 m @ 11.01 per cent CuEq (59.0–60.25 m)
These results represent the strongest copper-gold mineralization intersected at Trident to date and materially advance PEMC’s geological understanding of the system.
Geological context
Hole DD25-TRI-001 intersected potassic-altered, magnetite-bearing porphyritic intrusive rocks, hosting copper-gold mineralization primarily as disseminated and fracture-controlled chalcopyrite ± pyrite, with locally observed bornite. This assemblage is characteristic of an alkaline copper-gold porphyry system, suggesting proximity to the core of a potentially significant deposit.
From surface to ~77 metres, the hole encountered monzodiorite and hornblende-feldspar porphyry with consistent potassic alteration, abundant magnetite, and localized K-feldspar mottling—key indicators of porphyry-style mineralization.
Program overview
- Six diamond drill holes totalling 2,603 metres were completed across three priority targets:
- A Zone: Three holes following up on historical mineralization and new models.
- Northern extension: Two holes testing geophysical trends 400 metres north of A Zone.
- Central resistivity target: One hole targeting a MobileMT anomaly.
Assays for the remainder of Hole DD25-TRI-001 and five additional holes are pending, representing near-term catalysts for defining the scale and continuity of mineralization.
Market importance
The Trident program comes amid rising global copper demand driven by electrification and renewable energy initiatives. Large-scale copper discoveries are increasingly rare, making exploration in mining-friendly jurisdictions like British Columbia critical. With gold consistently present as a by-product credit, Trident offers the potential for a gold-enriched copper porphyry system—a highly attractive deposit type.
Operational challenges
Drilling was completed under challenging winter conditions, including rapid weather shifts and difficult access. Despite these obstacles, Omineca Drilling exceeded expectations, completing 2,603 metres versus the planned 2,500 metres.
Leadership commentary
“These results materially advance our understanding of Trident and are exactly the type of outcome we were hoping for as we continue to advance the project,” Brad Peters, President and CEO of Pacific Empire said in a news release. “The A Zone drilling has identified broad intervals of strong copper-gold mineralization from near-surface, including a substantial higher-grade interval, which significantly elevates the exploration potential at Trident. Importantly, our step-out drilling to the north and our test of the large MobileMT resistivity anomaly will provide critical information for the next phase of drilling. The combination of strong copper grades, gold enrichment, potassic alteration and magnetite is a hallmark of well-developed porphyry copper-gold systems in British Columbia, and we believe we are working in the right part of such a system.”
Pacific Empire Minerals Corp. is a copper exploration company based in Vancouver. Its flagship Jean Marie Project is a copper-gold-silver-molybdenum porphyry project located 50 kilometres west of Centerra Gold’s Mt. Milligan copper-gold mine in central B.C.
Pacific Empire Minerals stock (TSXV:PEMC) last traded up 118.18 per cent at $0.12 and has risen more than 316 per cent since the beginning of the year.
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