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THE JOURNAL - AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION BY THE ALASKA MINERS ASSOCIATION
MARCH 2026 | WWW.ALASKAMINERS.ORG
Vizsla Copper Corp. adds to its momentum on Palmer Project in Southeast COURTESY OF VIZSLA COPPER CORP.
through this new relationship, which stands to strengthen Alas- ka’s role in meeting national criti- cal mineral objectives while bring- ing lasting economic benefits to Southeast communities,” Dunleavy said. Vizsla Copper commenced a major winter drilling campaign at the Thira discovery within its Poplar Project in central British Colum- bia. The program consists of up to 8,000 meters of core drilling across approximately 16 holes, with two diamond drill rigs now mobilized on site, Vizsla said in a news release. While the Palmer VMS project remains Vizsla’s primary flagship, these drilling efforts reflect a broader strategy that strengthens its technical depth, capital access and long-term development capacity within Alaska’s mining sector.
communities, and look forward to engaging positively with people and groups in the region.” Parry said Vizsla Copper is plan- ning a large summer drill program at Palmer that will focus on multi- ple sites, including those drilled in 2023 that show impressive critical mineral potential. The Palmer project boasts 12 million metric tons of inferred resource, including 151.5 million pounds of copper, 1.04 billion pounds of zinc, 124.2 million pounds of lead, 25.6 million ounces of silver, 128,100 ounces of gold, and 3.05 million metric tons of barite. Copper, silver, lead, zinc and barite have all been dubbed “critical min- erals” by the U.S. Geological Survey and federal officials. In late February, Vizsla Copper secured a seven-year extension of
its upland mining lease at Palmer Project. The extension, granted by the Alaska Mental Health Trust Land Office, keeps the lease in good standing through August 2033. “Securing this lease extension provides long-term certain- ty for continued exploration at Palmer. The project sits within a state-designated multi-use forest that was specifically created to balance environmental protection with responsible resource devel- opment. We believe the Palmer Project can advance in a way that reflects that original vision,” Parry said. In late January, Vizsla Copper’s efforts. received a show of support from Gov. Mike Dunleavy. “You have my full support in con- tinuing the exploration and devel- opment of the Palmer Project
T he Palmer critical and pre- cious metals project in Southeast Alaska has found new momentum during the fall and winter. Vizsla Copper Corp. announced in December its acquisition of the project from American Pacif- ic Mining Corp. American Pacific became involved in the Palmer project through the buyout of Constantine Metal Resources Ltd. in 2022. As a result of the acquisi- tion, the company gained a rough- ly 45% joint venture interest in Palmer, with Dowa Metals & Mining Alaska Ltd. owning the remain- ing interest in the high-grade
volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) zinc-copper-silver-gold- barite mine project. Last November, Dowa handed over full ownership of Palmer to Amer- ican Pacific and paid the junior exploration company $10 million for an option to acquire up to 50% of the zinc concentrate produced from a future mine at the South- east Alaska project. Without a major backer with the financial and technical where- withal to advance Palmer through permitting and into development, American Pacific put the project up for sale.
With the completion of the con- current financing for gross pro- ceeds of about $44 million, Vizsla Copper says it is well-positioned to rapidly advance Palmer. “Palmer is a rare high-grade copper asset in a strategic loca- tion, with strong expansion and exploration potential, backed by existing resources,” said Vizsla Copper Chairman and CEO Craig Parry. “We reiterate that Palmer is the right asset at the right time, given North America’s hunger for critical minerals. We welcome the opportunity to work constructively in collaboration and consultation with traditional landowners and
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