Copper Quest Exploration Inc. (CSE: CQX) (CSE: CQX) has entered into an option agreement to acquire 100% of the past-producing Alpine Gold Mine in the mining-friendly West Kootenay region of British Columbia. With a 2018 NI 43-101 inferred resource of 268,000 tonnes at 16.52 g/t Au (142,000 oz Au), a substantial surface stockpile, and multiple untested gold-bearing vein systems, Alpine presents meaningful near-term and long-term upside.
The structure of the acquisition — including share issuance, reimbursement costs, and a manageable NSR — aligns well with shareholder interests. If Copper Quest executes successfully, Alpine could emerge as one of Western Canada’s next high-grade underground revival stories.
Copper Quest Project Highlights
Copper Quest (CSE: CQX) is positioning itself as an emerging exploration company focused on high‑grade opportunities within Tier‑1 Canadian jurisdictions. With the Alpine acquisition, the company now anchors itself to a project supported by 268,000 tonnes @ 16.52 g/t Au (142,000 oz Au) under the 2018 NI 43‑101 resource. The site includes ~1,650 metres of clean, dry underground workings, a 24,000‑tonne high‑grade surface stockpile, and a vein system where only ~300 metres of a ~2 km strike length have been historically drilled or developed. These fundamentals give Copper Quest immediate exploration runway and the potential for rapid resource expansion.
As the company integrates Alpine as its flagship, the combination of high‑grade geology, existing infrastructure, and extensive undrilled vein targets positions CQX to fast‑track value creation relative to early‑stage explorers.
WHY THIS MATTERS
The Gold Market Backdrop (2025)
Gold continues to trade near record territory in 2025. Spot prices recently hovered around US$4,060 per ounce, maintaining a gain of more than 50% year-over-year, fueled by persistent inflation pressure, central bank accumulation, and heightened geopolitical risk. Analysts now note that with spot gold recently reaching US$4,141/oz (Nov 25, 2025), projections have shifted: institutions expect gold to remain above US$4,000/oz through late 2025–2026, supported by persistent inflation, strong central‑bank buying, and ongoing geopolitical tensions. In this environment, high-grade underground projects like Alpine can see significantly enhanced economics, improved financing conditions, and stronger investor interest.
The Alpine Gold Mine stands out for three reasons:
1. High-grade gold: Historical and modern work demonstrate consistently strong grades across several veins.
2. Existing underground development: Over 1,650 metres of underground workings — reducing future capital needs.
3. Exploration upside: Multiple vein systems — including Black Prince, Cold Blow, Gold Crown, and King Solomon — have seen limited drilling but display strong gold potential.
2018 NI 43-101 RESOURCE ESTIMATE
Alpine hosts an inferred resource of:
- 268,000 tonnes @ 16.52 g/t gold
- Contained ounces: ~142,000 oz Au
This places Alpine firmly in the high-grade underground category, where grade often compensates for smaller tonnage.
WHAT COPPER QUEST IS BUYING
Under the option agreement, CQX can acquire 100% interest in the Alpine property. The deal terms include:
- 14,177,517 CQX shares issued at $0.175/share
- $225,000 reimbursed to the vendor for past exploration expenses
- 2% NSR, with 1% buyback for $1M
- 24-month escrow on vendor-held shares
- 45 days of due diligence
This structure is typical for Canadian underground gold revival deals and heavily aligns seller incentives with shareholder outcomes.
A PAST-PRODUCING GOLD MINE WITH MODERN POTENTIAL
The Alpine area has seen sporadic mining and development for decades, leaving valuable geological data and underground access behind.
Notable assets include:
- Multiple known high‑grade veins
- Road-accessible infrastructure
If the surface stockpile grades match historical numbers, it could represent meaningful near-term cash flow.
STRONG REGIONAL GEOLOGY
The West Kootenay region of BC is known for:
- Long mining history
- Strong permitting environment
- Excellent infrastructure (roads, power, labour)
This reduces timeline risk — a major advantage over remote exploration projects.
MULTIPLE TARGETS BEYOND THE MAIN VEIN SYSTEM
The Alpine Mine is just the starting point.
Copper Quest will gain access to several lightly explored gold-bearing veins:
- Black Prince
- Cold Blow
- Gold Crown
- King Solomon
Historic sampling and limited drilling confirm that these veins carry high‑grade gold similar to Alpine — but they have not been tested at scale.
Drilling & Historical Grade Data
While no new drilling has been completed by Copper Quest yet, the 2018 NI 43‑101 resource is based on historical underground drilling, chip sampling, and limited surface drilling concentrated along approximately 300 metres of the main Alpine vein system. The historical work outlined:
- High‑grade underground samples consistently exceeding 10 g/t Au, with select vein areas returning significantly higher values.
- Only ~15% of the known vein strike length has been drill‑tested or developed underground.
- Multiple parallel veins remain untested, meaning the current 142,000 oz inferred resource represents only a fraction of the total geological potential.
These facts indicate that Alpine’s current resource is constrained by limited historic drilling rather than geology — positioning future drilling as a major catalyst for resource growth. This presents a pipeline of discovery potential.
WHY THIS COULD BE A 10X-TYPE SETUP
✔ High-grade resource
Grades above 10 g/t Au command premium valuations — Alpine’s 16.5 g/t is well above average.
✔ Near-term production optionality
The existing stockpile + underground workings significantly reduce the time and capital needed to begin generating value.
✔ Multi-zone expansion potential
Each secondary vein represents a potential doubling or tripling of the resource if drilled properly.
✔ Jurisdictional safety
British Columbia is one of the world’s best places to develop a mine.
✔ Tight deal structure
The vendor’s restricted shares show confidence — and limit selling pressure.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
The main catalysts for shareholders and new investors:
- Completion of the 45-day due diligence period
- Sampling/assay results from the surface stockpile
- Initial drill program targeting resource expansion
- Updated NI 43-101 resource estimate
- Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA)
Any confirmation of high-grade continuity could rerate CQX rapidly.
INVESTOR OUTLOOK
If Copper Quest successfully closes the acquisition and executes efficiently, the Alpine Gold Mine could evolve from a forgotten past producer into a modern high-grade revival. The combination of grade, infrastructure, and exploration runway is rare — especially in a premier jurisdiction.
For investors seeking asymmetric upside in the junior gold sector, CQX’s Alpine acquisition is worth keeping on the radar.
Marc has been involved in the Stock Market Media Industry for the last +5 years. After obtaining a college degree in engineering in France, he moved to Canada, where he created Money,eh?, a personal finance website.
