- Drilling Plan (2026): Minimum 2,000 meters at RIP starting early May
- Location Advantage: Within ~30–33 km of major copper projects (Huckleberry, Poplar, Ox/Seal/Berg)
- Exploration Scale: Multiple projects (RIP, STARS, Alpine, Kitimat) across a district-scale land package
Copper Quest Exploration Inc. (CSE: CQX | OTCQB: IMIMF | FRA: 3MX) plans to launch an intensive exploration program in 2026 at its Rip Copper-Molybdenum Project, located in the prolific Stikine Region of British Columbia’s North-Central Coast. To begin this process, Copper Quest has engaged APEX Diamond Drilling Ltd. for the upcoming 2,000+ meter drilling campaign. The company expects to begin a multi-month drilling campaign later this spring/summer designed to add significant value to several of its major assets.
Brian Thurston, CEO of Copper Quest, stated, “Copper Quest staff and contractors are excited to be getting an early start to what we anticipate will be a busy field season. We aim to advance several of our key properties, beginning with a drill program at RIP that will fulfill the terms for our acquisition of a 60% interest in this high-potential asset.Copper Quest has assembled a dominant land position in the Bulkley Porphyry Belt, including the STARS, RIP and Stellar properties, providing shareholders with a district-scale copper porphyry exploration and discovery opportunity.”
2026 Exploration Roadmap
Copper Quest’s plan for exploration goes well beyond the RIP project and focuses on developing multiple assets simultaneously during a single field season.
- May-June: Drilling Program at RIP (2,000+ meters)
- May-July: IP Survey at STARS then First Drilling Campaign
- May-June: Refurbish Alpine Gold Mine Road and Underground Assessment
- July-Sept.: Drilling at Alpine to Confirm Historical Resources
- August-Sept.: Conduct IP Survey and Initial Drilling at Kitimat (subject to Permitting)
- Sept.-Oct.: Inaugural Drilling Program at STARS
This timeline clearly illustrates Copper Quest’s intention of transitioning from a junior exploration company focused on early-stage exploration to a mid-tier explorer with multiple development assets and a series of ongoing catalysts throughout the year.
RIP Project: Central Asset
Rip Copper-Molybdenum Project is quickly becoming Copper Quest’s flagship property. It is situated in the Bulkley Valley, which is one of British Columbia’s most promising porphyry belt regions, and in close proximity to operational mines and other advanced-stage projects.
Preliminary drilling and geophysics completed to date have confirmed the existence of a multi-phase porphyry system at Rip. However, much of the target area at Rip has never been drilled or surveyed.
Key Drill Results (2024):
- 126.6 meters @ 0.102% CuEq (Including 24.6 meters @ 0.268% CuEq)
- 114.3 meters @ 0.112% CuEq
- Mineralization observed near-surface and below 400 meters
Results confirm that there exists a large porphyry system at Rip; however, they demonstrate that exploration activity is still very much in the infancy stage.
Untested Upside: Two Porphyry Targets
Two separate porphyry targets were defined using geophysical methods:
- North Target Zone: Partially drilled and demonstrates Cu-Mo mineralization over several intrusive phases
- South Target Zone: Similar in size to the north target zone (approximately 850 meters in diameter); no drilling has occurred here previously
Both zones present characteristics typical of larger porphyry systems, specifically magnetic highs surrounding chargeability “donut” patterns indicative of pyrite haloes typically seen around larger copper deposits.
Only three drill holes have ever tested the north zone (which includes one historical hole). No drill testing has ever taken place in the south zone — representing a significant opportunity for further exploration.
Indications of System Size
Evidence collected from the drilling and surface work conducted to date indicates that Rip contains a robust mineralized system characterized by:
- Multi-phase porphyritic intrusions
- Pyritized sericitized quartz alteration
- Well-developed vein systems (quartz-chalcopyrite-molybdene magnetite-chalcopyrite).
These characteristics are common among many large porphyry systems and especially those developed in known mining camps.
Strategic Location
Copper Quest has acquired control of a substantial land package within the Bulkley Porphyry Belt. Including the RIP, STARS and Stellar Properties. As a result, Copper Quest has developed exposure to multiple discovery opportunities as opposed to simply a single discovery opportunity.
According to CEO Brian Thurston, validated yet untested porphyry targets — especially ones that have road access within a proven mining camp — are becoming increasingly difficult to find. Therefore, the ability of Copper Quest to explore both confirmed and untested targets in such a location represents an important competitive advantage.
Investment Opportunity
Copper Quest is providing investors with a continuing stream of catalysts in 2026:
- Multiple drilling campaigns at various assets
- Potential for expansion at RIP via additional testing of the untested areas of the target
- Continued transition from geophysically derived targets to resource-level confirmation via drilling
For investors, the attraction of investing in Copper Quest rests in:
- Early-stage valuation
- District scale land position
- A steady stream of drill-based catalysts
Conclusion
Copper Quest (CSE: CQX | OTCQB: IMIMF | FRA: 3MX) is commencing a highly active period of exploration with a clear emphasis on demonstrating value at its RIP project while exploring each of its multiple assets.
The existence of two largely untested porphyry systems coupled with demonstrated mineralization and strong geological evidence positioning Copper Quest to provide a number of catalysts in 2026. Ultimately, it is these subsequent drill programs that will determine if RIP can progress from being a validated target into being a viable copper discovery.
This is sponsored content. Investors should conduct their own due diligence and consult a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
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.
