White Cliff Minerals (ASX:WCN) advances Rae Copper Project with commencement of diamond drilling in Canada

White Cliff Minerals Limited (ASX: WCN; OTCQB: WCMLF) has officially commenced diamond drilling at its 100% owned Rae Copper Project, located in Nunavut, Canada.

This launch follows a successful spring campaign that delivered assay results  that included 175m @ 2.5% Cu & 8.66g/t Ag, 90m @ 4% Cu & 7.5g/t Ag, 58m @ 3.08% Cu & 13.3g/t Ag and 105m @ 2.25% Cu. Diamond drilling at represents a major step forward in further exploring the copper potential of the region.

In this Q&A, Troy Whittaker, Managing Director of White Cliff Minerals, outlines the significance of the current drilling program, the rationale behind target selection, and how the Company’s strategy aligns with Canada’s national push toward critical mineral development.

What is the significance of commencing diamond drilling at the Rae Copper Project?

The launch of diamond drilling at Rae is a pivotal milestone in our fieldwork program.

Diamond drilling allows us to focus on the Hulk sedimentary copper target, a major geophysical anomaly that has never been previously drill tested alongside Stark, a deeper target however the potential source of copper that percolates throughout the region.

The area exhibits the structural and geological markers commonly associated with sediment–hosted copper systems, including proximity to the Herb Dixon Fault (Stark target), which is interpreted as a key fluid conduit.

Our preparation earlier in the year, which included reverse circulation pre-collar drilling, has enabled our team to immediately advance the diamond rig by around 100 metres on its first shift.

This efficient transition reflects both strong planning and execution and underscores the strategic intent behind our exploration campaign.

“We are very pleased to have commenced diamond drilling at the Rae Copper Project, which represents an exciting step forward in our exploration efforts in Nunavut.”

Can you explain why the Hulk target is of particular interest for this drilling campaign?

The Hulk target stands out due to its position within a large, previously untested sub–basin that displays all the essential characteristics for hosting sediment–hosted copper mineralisation.

We have designed a regional program to test various geological features within this target area.

The first three targets are:

Hole HLK25001 is located on the eastern margin of the sub-basin, about 3.5 kilometres northwest of a historic intercept that returned 29 metres at 0.57% copper from 197 metres.

HLK25002 will test the western margin of the same sub-basin within the hanging wall of the Herb Dixon Fault, while HLK25003 will be drilled in the footwall of this fault approximately two kilometres northwest of HLK25002.

“By targeting these positions, we aim to gather valuable geological and structural information that will help us assess the potential scale of the mineralisation.”

This stepwise testing is aimed at capturing a comprehensive understanding of the system’s geometry and copper potential.

How do the recent assay results from Danvers support White Cliff’s exploration strategy?

The Danvers prospect has delivered several outstanding assay results that align directly with our broader exploration objectives at Rae. Standout intercepts include 175 metres at 2.5% copper with 8.66 grams per tonne silver, 90 metres at 4% copper with 7.5 grams per tonne silver, 58 metres at 3.08% copper with 13.3 grams per tonne silver, and 105 metres at 2.25% copper.

Building on these results, we are mobilising the RC rig back to Danvers to step out along strike and test for further continuity.

In parallel, a drone based magnetotellurics (Drone MT) survey is under way across the Danvers mineral lease to help us better understand the geophysical signature of the mineralised system and identify new high-grade targets for follow up drilling.

“The recent assay results from the Danvers prospect have been very encouraging and serve as a strong validation of our exploration strategy.”

What role does Canada’s critical minerals strategy play in White Cliff’s plans?

Canada’s national policy direction on critical minerals provides a highly supportive backdrop for our exploration work.

The government has committed to expanding infrastructure, including ports, rail, and processing capacity alongside the rollout of the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund, which will provide up to $1.5 billion in funding over the next seven years.

This initiative is part of a broader defence and industrial strategy to raise GDP investment and secure supply chains for essential materials like copper.

For White Cliff, the alignment between our project objectives and national priorities adds another layer of strategic value, especially as we advance exploration in a remote but highly prospective copper province.

What are the next steps for White Cliff Minerals at the Rae Copper Project?

Our focus now is on executing the multi rig drilling program safely and efficiently.

With diamond drilling progressing at Hulk and the RC rig preparing to recommence operations at Danvers, we are actively working across the first of our priority targets.

The Drone MT survey will support future targeting by refining our understanding of subsurface conductivity anomalies associated with copper mineralisation.

We are also in a strong financial position following the successful $14.4 million capital raise, which allows us to accelerate exploration activities without delay.

Our field camp is fully operational, staffed with technical experts and local supervisory teams, and supported by aerial geophysical contractors to ensure comprehensive and high quality data collection throughout the season.

“We are well funded following the successful completion of a $14.4 million capital raising, which ensures we have the financial strength to accelerate exploration without delay.”

Focused and funded for discovery

White Cliff Minerals continues to advance its Canadian copper exploration strategy with momentum and discipline.

The Rae Copper Project has already delivered encouraging results, and with multiple rigs operating and strong institutional funding in place, the Company is well positioned to generate further value in the near term.

With exploration aligned to national critical mineral priorities, White Cliff is actively building a presence in one of the world’s most prospective emerging copper jurisdictions.

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