NorthIsle Copper and Gold (TSXV:NCX) has provided an extensive update on its ongoing 2025 field program at the North Island Project, marking what the company describes as its largest-ever field effort. The multi-faceted campaign which is focused on drilling, exploration, environmental data collection, and geotechnical site investigations is designed to support a pre-feasibility study (PFS) targeted for completion by the end of 2026.

The company reported that its drilling target for 2025 has been increased to 27,000 metres, representing a 20,000-metre expansion from initial plans. The program aims to both advance the North Island Project toward feasibility and refine exploration targets across the broader 35-kilometre porphyry belt near Port Hardy, British Columbia.

Expanded Drilling and Exploration Activities

As of September 30, 2025, NorthIsle had completed 11,915 metres of drilling across 35 holes. The program has focused on several key targets, including West Goodspeed, Red Dog, Northwest Expo, and Cougar. At West Goodspeed, 21 holes have been drilled, with early results released in July and September indicating thick mineralized intervals that confirm and expand upon previous work conducted in 2023 and 2024. Notable holes GS25-17, GS25-18, and GS25-23 intersected significant mineralization, supporting continued exploration toward the Red Dog area. The company noted that structural interpretations and thickening mineralized zones suggest potential northwest-trending extensions, with further interpretation pending assay results from the remaining holes.

At the Cougar target, situated roughly one kilometre east of the Northwest Expo open-pit design footprint, three holes were completed to test a magnetic anomaly associated with hydrothermal alteration and mineralization. Visual core analysis revealed copper sulfides and alteration assemblages consistent with those at Northwest Expo. Assay results are pending.

Drilling at Northwest Expo included a step-out hole testing a magnetic anomaly 250 metres east of the main mineralized system, as well as infill drilling to convert Inferred resources to Indicated status for the PFS. In total, nine infill holes were initiated—four at Red Dog and five at Northwest Expo—forming part of a broader resource conversion strategy.

At Goodspeed, one exploration hole tested a magnetic anomaly near outcropping copper mineralization but did not intersect significant intervals.

Regional Exploration and Geological Modeling

The regional exploration component of the 2025 program has included a district-wide stream sediment survey, which collected 79 heavy mineral concentrate samples, 74 silt samples, and 9 moss mat samples. Early Phase I results have been integrated into generative models, confirming strong geochemical signals near known deposits while identifying new prospective zones to the east. A Phase II program is scheduled to begin soon to trace the sources of the strongest anomalies.

NorthIsle has also advanced its district-scale 3D geological modeling initiative in partnership with Mira Geoscience Ltd. The team has completed an initial model of Jurassic plutons associated with porphyry centres across the North Island belt. The next phase will integrate structural interpretations, regional mapping, and magnetic data to refine the understanding of intrusive relationships and target potential new mineralized zones. Parallel to exploration work, NorthIsle is advancing its multi-year environmental baseline and geotechnical site investigations. The studies are being led by Falkirk Environmental Consultants, SLR Consulting Limited, and Lorax Environmental Services.

The environmental baseline work encompasses aquatics, terrestrial ecosystems, hydrogeology, and geochemistry. These studies document existing environmental conditions—such as air, water, soil, and biotic factors—forming the foundation for assessing future project impacts. The company began collecting environmental, socio-economic, and archaeological data in 2021. Geotechnical investigations are also underway in areas designated for key infrastructure. Activities include field mapping, surface geophysics, test pits, diamond and sonic drilling, with completion of the field phase anticipated by the end of 2025.

Project Milestones and Forward Plan

NorthIsle outlined several project milestones already achieved and others expected over the next 12 months. Completed milestones include:

• Updated Preliminary Economic Assessment on the North Island Project

• Commencement of the 2025 Exploration Program

• Initial results from West Goodspeed drilling

• Completion of a C$39.5 million financing

• Launch of the Phase V exploration campaign

• BC Hydro Conceptual Review of Interconnection

• Appointment of a Chief Operating Officer

• Expansion of environmental baseline studies

Upcoming milestones for the remainder of 2025 include:

• Final results from Phase IV drilling at West Goodspeed and Northwest Expo

• Start of PFS-level metallurgical testing

• Completion of a belt-wide development plan

• Initiation of the BC Hydro System Impact Study

• Field completion of geotechnical site work

• Awarding of major engineering contracts for the pre-feasibility study

Further into 2026, NorthIsle expects to complete metallurgical testing and an integrated resource update in the second quarter, with the full pre-feasibility study targeted for completion by year-end.

NorthIsle also stated that it continues to engage with First Nations, as well as provincial and federal authorities, throughout the project’s development. The company also plans to expand its technical and operational teams in line with the project’s growth trajectory.

President and CEO Sam Lee commented that following the August financing, the company has accelerated its work on site upgrades and field programs to “unlock the potential of our 35 km porphyry district as quickly as possible.”

Upcoming Investor Events

As part of ongoing investor outreach, NorthIsle will participate in multiple industry conferences, including:

• October 6–10, 2025: Gentile European Mining Tour (London, Paris, Zurich, Geneva, Frankfurt)

• November 19–21, 2025: Swiss Mining Institute, Zurich

• January 25–26, 2026: Vancouver Resource Investment Conference, Vancouver

• January 26–29, 2026: AME Roundup, Vancouver

• January 27–30, 2026: TD Securities Mining Conference, Toronto

NorthIsle Copper and Gold (TSXV:NCX) has announced significant progress in its exploration at West Goodspeed, British Columbia. The company reported intercepting porphyry-related copper mineralization over an 800-meter strike length. This development comes after completing over 3,077 meters of drilling at the site.

Robin Tolbert, Vice President Exploration of Northisle commented in a press release: “Initial returns from West Goodspeed are promising, with our team’s 2024 exploration strategy demonstrating a high rate of success of intercepting mineralization. These results are preliminary, but we are encouraged by the drilling to date and look forward to receiving assays over the coming weeks.”

The assays from the first completed hole of 2024 (GS24-06) revealed copper and gold mineralization over approximately 200 meters, starting just nine meters below the surface. These findings, detailed in Table 1 of their report, highlight the presence of chalcopyrite observed in all 2024 drill holes. While these initial results are promising, NorthIsle cautions that they are preliminary and not indicative of a deposit with economically viable extraction prospects.

The calculations for copper and gold equivalents used by NorthIsle are based on prices of US$3.50 per pound for copper and US$1,800 per ounce for gold, with the assumptions of 100% recovery rates. The company’s 2024 Resource Estimate for Northwest Expo also used these prices.

Seven drill holes, totaling more than 3,077 meters, have been completed at West Goodspeed in 2024, with further drilling planned. The goal is to target higher-grade potassic zones often found in similar porphyry systems. All holes have shown visually observed copper mineralization within quartz-sericite-pyrite and chlorite-magnetite altered volcaniclastics, as well as feldspar porphyry and quartz diorite intrusive rocks. This type of mineralization is consistent with the potassic zone of a porphyry system.

The mineralization has been estimated to extend over a strike length of 800 meters, a dip length of 300 meters, and a true width of 50 to 150 meters, with the volume remaining open along strike and up and down dip. These positive initial results have led to additional drilling to better understand the extent and structural controls of the mineralization.

In addition to drilling at West Goodspeed, NorthIsle plans to stage additional drilling at the Northwest Expo target starting in the second half of July. The company is utilizing reactivated forest service roads for drilling, which first encountered significant mineralization in 2023. Subsequent drill holes have confirmed porphyry-style copper mineralization.

NorthIsle has also engaged Precision Geosurveys Inc. to conduct a high-resolution airborne gradient magnetic survey to assist in drill planning. This survey covers the area from Northwest Expo to southeast of the Goodspeed target.

NorthIsle has laid out a detailed exploration and development plan for 2024, with various milestones already completed. These include geophysics results, metallurgical testing, and the commencement of the 2024 drilling program. The company anticipates further exploration results in the third quarter of 2024 and a mineral resource estimate update. A Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for the North Island Project is expected in the fourth quarter of 2024.

Highlights from the results are as follows:

• Northisle has now completed 7 new diamond drill holes totaling over 3,077m in its 2024 Phase 1 West Goodspeed drill program which commenced in May 2024
• GS24-06 intercepted copper and gold mineralization over more than 200m depth from 9m below surface
  • Significant intercepts include 68m grading 0.56% Cu Eq. and 59.8m grading 0.37% Cu Eq.
• Mineralization is found within intense stockwork veining indicative of multiple phases of hydrothermal activity commonly found in the proximity of mineralized porphyry systems
• Porphyry-related alteration with chalcopyrite has been visibly observed in all 2024 holes, with systematic spot pXRF scanning confirming the presence of copper mineralization
• The target remains open along strike as well as up and down dip

The above references an opinion and is for information purposes only. It is not intended to be investment advice. Seek a licensed professional for investment advice. The author is not an insider or shareholder of any of the companies mentioned above.