- Early 2026 drilling at Sunnyside delivered broad, shallow copper intersections, including hundreds of metres of continuous mineralization, with all four holes ending in mineralization
- Results confirm a large hypogene porphyry copper system at the Triple C target, with high‑grade copper‑silver zones and no evidence of a supergene blanket
- Barksdale Resources (TSXV:BRO) is accelerating drilling and expanding targets, with plans to test deeper porphyry levels, structural extensions, and additional high‑priority zones later in the year
- Barksdale Resources stock (TSXV:BRO) opened trading at $0.27
Barksdale Resources (TSXV:BRO) has kicked off its 2026 drilling campaign with a set of early results that underscore the scale and continuity of mineralization at its flagship Sunnyside Project in Arizona. Assays from the first four reverse circulation (RC) holes of the current program reveal multiple broad intervals of shallow, high‑grade copper‑zinc‑silver mineralization hosted within the Sunnyside Monzonite Porphyry—an encouraging signal for a district‑scale porphyry copper system that has remained largely untested for decades.
The standout result to date comes from hole SUN26‑002R, which returned 0.45 per cent copper over an impressive 392.19 metres, starting just below surface at 3.05 metres and extending to 396.24 metres. Within this broad interval are two stronger zones grading 0.90 per cent copper over 60.96 metres and 0.93 per cent copper over another 60.96 metres. The hole ended in mineralization, hinting that the system remains open at depth.
Hole SUN26‑001R delivered similarly compelling results, intersecting 0.29 per cent copper over 454.15 metres from near surface, again ending in mineralization. This hole also cut a higher‑grade core grading 0.95 per cent copper over 39.63 metres, and included a particularly rich section of 3.05 metres averaging 2.75 per cent copper and 73.5 g/t silver—a combination that reinforces the precious‑metal upside within the copper system.
Additional drilling continues to highlight the near‑surface potential of the property. Hole SUN26‑003R returned 0.64 per cent copper over 53.34 metres beginning at 7.62 metres depth, while SUN26‑004R, although terminated early due to intersecting a fault gouge, still reported 0.12 per cent copper and 0.15 per cent zinc over 21.33 metres. Like the others, this hole also ended in mineralization.
“These initial holes are doing exactly what we hoped—confirming thick, consistent runs of hypogene copper mineralization at relatively shallow depths,” said Alan Roberts, Vice President of Exploration at Barksdale. “The current and historical data show that the high‑grade mineralization at Sunnyside is part of a significant porphyry copper deposit, notably without a supergene enrichment zone. That conclusion is supported by copper isotope work on chalcocite from both historical and recent drill cores.”
Unlocking a largely untested target
The results are centred on the Triple C target, located within the project’s Chalcocite Zone. Despite Sunnyside’s past production history, this area has not been systematically drilled for more than 50 years. Limited historical work by ASARCO between the 1970s and mid‑1990s focused mostly on shallow mineralization, with only a handful of deeper holes testing the lower porphyry target.
Barksdale believes that the current campaign is beginning to outline a broad mineralized footprint that can be expanded laterally in all directions. Importantly, the middle and lower porphyry targets beneath Triple C remain essentially untested, leaving considerable room for the discovery of additional, potentially higher‑grade copper bodies.
Geologically, the mineralization encountered so far is consistent with the upper levels of a porphyry copper system. Copper‑zinc‑silver sulfides occur as disseminations and veins within intensely altered quartz monzonite to monzonite porphyry and associated intrusive breccias. Alteration ranges from sericitic to advanced argillic, with later overprinting by pyrophyllite, barite, and localized silicification. Chalcopyrite, chalcocite, covellite, and tennantite dominate the sulfide assemblage, with sphalerite observed both visually and under ultraviolet light.
Leadership commentary
“The 2026 exploration program is focused on near surface copper and silver targets that can quickly add value to the portfolio,” the company’s CEO, William Wulftange explained in a media release. “The program is testing a very promising copper-silver target within the Chalcocite Zone that currently extends 600 metres east-west and 650 metres north, referred to as the Triple C target. We expect the mineral footprint will continue to expand as new results are received.”
Drilling momentum builds
As of May 1, 2026, Barksdale has completed 13 drill holes totalling 13,475 feet (4,107 metres) as part of its Phase II program, primarily targeting the Chalcocite Zone. To accelerate progress, contractor Alford Drilling has agreed to a non‑stop schedule by adding a third crew during off‑rotation periods, effectively keeping the rigs turning around the clock.
Upcoming holes will test structural extensions of the historic World’s Fair Mine and Josephine vein systems in the northeast portion of the property, where chargeability anomalies coincide with known silver‑lead‑gold mineralization. The company plans to wrap up this phase with tests of fracture‑controlled targets before pausing for the summer monsoon, with drilling expected to resume in September.
With strong initial assays, efficient drilling operations, and multiple high‑priority targets still ahead, Barksdale’s 2026 program at Sunnyside is shaping up as a defining chapter in the project’s modern exploration story.
About Barksdale Resources Corp.
Barksdale Resources Corp. acquires and explores precious and base metal mineral properties in the United States and Mexico. It primarily explores for copper, zinc, lead, silver, and gold deposits.
Barksdale Resources stock (TSXV:BRO) opened trading at $0.27 and jumped over 60 per cent to reach $0.33 by midday. Since this time last year, its stock has climbed more than 270 per cent.
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