Nicola Mining Inc. (NASDAQ: NICM) (TSXV: NIM) (FSE: HLIA) announced the start of its 2026 exploration diamond drilling program at the New Craigmont Copper Project in British Columbia. The program targets the “Jotun” anomaly, identified through prior ZTEM surveying and supported by encouraging 2023 drill results. The company aims to evaluate the potential for a porphyry-skarn system and expand understanding of mineralization, geological structures, and alteration across a newly prioritized exploration zone.
According to the company, the program will include a deep drill hole designed to test a resistivity anomaly at approximately 775 meters. This approach seeks to build on previous findings and potentially unlock significant copper resources in a region already known for major mining operations. The New Craigmont Project covers 10,913 hectares along the southern end of the Guichon Batholith and is adjacent to Highland Valley Copper, Canada’s largest copper mine.
Nicola Mining is a junior mining company that maintains a 100% owned mill and tailings facility near Merritt, British Columbia. It has signed Mining and Milling Profit Share Agreements with high-grade gold projects. The company’s fully permitted mill can process both gold and silver mill feed via gravity and flotation processes. In addition to the New Craigmont Project, Nicola owns 100% of the Treasure Mountain Property, which includes 30 mineral claims and a mineral lease spanning over 2,200 hectares.
The commencement of drilling at the Jotun anomaly marks a significant step for Nicola Mining as it seeks to define the extent of copper mineralization at the project. The company’s focus on deep drilling reflects a strategic effort to test geological models that could lead to the discovery of a major porphyry-skarn system. Previous exploration has indicated the presence of copper mineralization, and the 2023 drill results provided additional confidence to proceed with this year’s program.
The New Craigmont Project’s location near Highland Valley Copper underscores its potential. Highland Valley Copper is one of the largest copper mines in Canada, and the geological setting suggests that similar mineralization could exist within Nicola’s claims. The project’s large land package and the identification of the Jotun anomaly through advanced geophysical surveys position the company to make meaningful discoveries.
Nicola Mining’s progress at New Craigmont is being closely watched by investors and industry observers, as copper demand continues to rise driven by electrification and renewable energy technologies. The company’s ability to advance the project through systematic exploration and drilling could enhance its value proposition in the junior mining sector.
For more information about Nicola Mining, visit the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/NICM. The full press release is available at https://ibn.fm/Iyj8W.
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