Copper Discovery
Nine Mile Metals Completes Drill, Intersecting 234.15 Meters, Discovers New Copper Horizon at Wedge Mine
Nine Mile Metals Ltd. has completed drill hole DDH WD-26-02 at the Wedge Mine in New Brunswick, Canada, intersecting 234.15 meters of visual mineralization — one of the largest intersections reported in the historic Bathurst Mining Camp. The company also announced a new copper-rich Volcanic Massive Sulphide (VMS) horizon discovered at depth, a finding that could redefine the size of the known ore system, according to Street Insider.
VP Exploration Gary Lohman said drilling "continues to intersect massive to semi-massive copper-bearing mineralization" and that "the new horizon at depth confirms the robust nature of the mine." All drill core is now logged, photographed, and staged for lab sampling at the company's warehouse in Bathurst, New Brunswick, according to Ontario Farmer.
What the 234-Meter Drill Hole Actually Found
Hole DDH WD-26-02 was drilled below the limits of the old Cominco workings, which operated at the Wedge Mine from 1962 to 1968. Those historic miners stopped relatively shallow. Nine Mile Metals used modern electromagnetic sensors to target deeper zones that 1960s technology could not reach, according to Seaforth Huron Expositor.
The 234.15-meter intersection includes both massive and semi-massive sulphides — rock types that carry copper and other base metals. A VMS deposit is a type of ore body formed on ancient ocean floors, often hosting high-grade copper, zinc, and lead. The Bathurst Mining Camp is one of the world's most famous VMS districts. The new horizon sits at a depth beyond anything previously drilled at the Wedge Mine, according to Goderich Signal Star.
Assay Results Will Decide If This Find Has Real Value
Visual mineralization means geologists can see copper-bearing minerals in the drill core with the naked eye. But it is not proof of economic grade. Lab fire assay results — expected in roughly 4 to 6 weeks — will determine how much copper is actually present per tonne of rock. Until those numbers arrive, the true value of the 234.15-meter intersection remains unknown, according to Stratford Beacon Herald.
Some geologists warn that wide visual intersections can be misleading. A high ratio of pyrite — sometimes called "fool's gold" — can look impressive in core photos but carries no commercial value. The key question is how much of the 234.15 meters is high-value massive sulphide versus lower-value disseminated material. Nine Mile Metals has not yet released assay data, according to Brantford Expositor.
Why a New Copper Horizon in New Brunswick Matters Now
Copper is on Canada's critical minerals list. It is essential for electric vehicles, power grids, and clean energy infrastructure. A new large-scale copper source in a stable jurisdiction like New Brunswick would attract significant interest from smelters and battery manufacturers. Nine Mile Metals holds 100% ownership of the Wedge Mine project and is eligible for Canada's 30% Critical Mineral Exploration Tax Credit on qualifying expenses, according to Clinton News Record.
The Bathurst region has seen mining decline since the Brunswick No. 12 mine closed in 2013. A confirmed new ore horizon at the Wedge Mine could bring fresh investment and jobs to the area. The discovery is also expected to push neighboring claim holders to spend more on deep exploration across the camp, as the "new horizon" theory suggests other old mines nearby may also have deep extensions, according to Hanna Herald.
What Comes Next for Nine Mile Metals
Gary Lohman, the company's Qualified Person under Canadian securities rules, reviewed and approved all technical disclosures. He holds a B.Sc. and is a registered Professional Geoscientist of Ontario (PGO). His sign-off is required by law before any technical mining data can be made public in Canada, according to Ontario Farmer.
Nine Mile Metals trades on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the ticker NINE, and also on the OTC market as VMSXF and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange as KQ9, according to Street Insider. The company's next major milestone is the release of lab-verified assay results. Those results will either confirm the new copper-rich horizon as a significant economic discovery or require a reassessment of the drill program's success.
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