Copper Quest Exploration Inc. Expands Operations With 2026 Exploration Programs And Additional Claims Acquisition

Copper Quest Exploration Inc. announced that it plans to advance several of its properties in 2026 starting with drilling on the Rip Copper-Molybdenum Project in early May. Copper Quest has signed a Drilling Services Agreement with APEX Diamond Drilling Ltd. out of Smithers, BC, and has commenced preparations for drilling a minimum of 2,000 meters. Copper Quest planned 2026 Exploration: Early-May to mid-June ?

minimum 2,000 meters drilling at Rip Copper-Molybdenum Project. Mid-May to early-July - induced polarization survey on the STARS Copper-Molybdenum Property to be followed by the Company?s inaugural drilling campaign. Late-May to late-June - refurbishment of the access road for the past-producing Alpine Gold mine followed by reopening of the underground workings and assessment of the stockpile of run-of-mine material at site.

Mid-July to early-September ? drilling on the Alpine Property to confirm and expand upon historical resource estimates. Early-August to early-September - induced polarization survey on the Kitimat Copper-Gold Project to be followed by the Company?s inaugural drilling campaign.

Permitting is expected to be completed by late summer based on the BC Government?s new guidelines. September to October - STARS Copper-Molybdenum Property inaugural drilling campaign. APEX Diamond Drilling Ltd. out of Smithers, BC, has been contracted for this second phase drill program comprising a minimum of 2,000 metres.

The project will be run out of Houston, BC, located approximately 60 km north of the Rip property. The drilling will target both the northern and untested southern anomalies defined by Copper Quest?s geophysical surveys, airborne magnetics and 3D IP, detailed by the Company in its July 31, 2024, press release. Copper Quest Option Agreement and Claims Acquisition: In December 2023, the Company announced its option agreement with ArcWest Exploration Inc. to acquire up to an 80% interest in the Rip Cu-Mo Project.

Copper Quest can earn the first 60% tier of its interest in the project by completing staged exploration work totalling CAD 2.0 million and direct payment of CAD 100,000 and annual share payments over four years until the end of 2027. In 2024 ArcWest and Copper Quest added five additional claims to the option agreement, acquired by staking, more than doubling the initial 2,308.81 ha road accessible property to its current 4,770.65 ha.