Copper Fox Metals Inc. provided an update of recent activities and plans on its 100% owned Van Dyke in-situ copper recovery project located in the Globe-Miami Mining District, Gila County, Arizona. The 2020 Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Van Dyke project prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101, indicated an after-tax Net Present Value of USD 644.7 million and an Internal Rate of Return of 43.4%, based on a 17 year mine life using a USD 3.15/lb copper price. The PEA recommended advancing the project to the Preliminary Feasibility Stage . Based on this recommendation the Company has proceeded with Phase I of a Hydrogeologic Monitoring and Testing Program along with other activities highlighted below: The downhole camera survey indicated four of the six sites surveyed are candidates for additional rehabilitation work. In drill hole Oxy-47A, (one of the four sites) the survey located a blockage (a pipe or stuck pump) and attempts will be made to remove this blockage to continue rehabilitation of this drill hole. Planned work to be completed on the selected drill holes includes removal of sediment where necessary followed by surge, bail, and pump tests. Completion of the rehabilitation work will determine if the drill holes can be used for water sampling and hydrogeological monitoring stations. Cascade Drilling and Technical Services have been contracted to complete the next phase of the work program and is expected to commence within the next two months subject to crew availability with an estimated cost of USD 60,000. Understanding the solution chemistry of an ISCR project provides an indication of the changes in mineralogy of the host rock resulting from the leaching process and provides more certainty on predicted future copper recovery. Reject samples from existing drill holes will be selected for Bottle Role Tests to determine the copper solubility percentage, acid consumption and increase or decrease in anion/cation components of the leaching solution over time. Whole rock and trace element geochemistry and detailed mineralogical analyses will be completed on the samples selected for the testwork and the leach residue of each sample. These studies are expected to provide data to predict the solubility of the copper minerals within the Van Dyke deposit and surface potential issues (if any) resulting from the leaching process. Unconfined Compressive Strength Testing The development of the Van Dyke project contemplates underground access by way of a decline to a depth of approximately 250 meters below surface and advancing an underground ramp for installation of the injection and recovery wells in the Gila Conglomerate above the "leach cap" overlying the Van Dyke deposit. This approach avoids the known aquifers in the Miami area, minimizes surface environmental impacts and provides a significant level of safety due to restricted access to the underground workings. UCS testing of samples of the Gila Conglomerate in the vicinity of the proposed decline and ramp are planned; the results of which would be incorporated into future updates to the underground access planning. The data from this study would inform u of the level of ground support required (if any) for the underground workings. Keystone Stairs Desert Fox Van Dyke Co, working in conjunction with the Town of Miami has contributed the surface rights to a small parcel of land on which a portion of the original Keystone Stairs are located. The contribution of this parcel of land allows the Town of Miami working in conjunction with HOME, (Hearts of Miami Engaged), to complete restoration of a valuable historical site that played a significant role in the history of copper mining in the Globe- Miami Mining District.
Elmer B. Stewart, MSc. P. Geol., President, and CEO of Copper Fox, is the Company's non-independent, nominated Qualified Person pursuant to National Instrument 43-101, Standards for Disclosure for Mineral Projects, and has reviewed and approves the scientific and technical information disclosed in this news release.