VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Yukon Metals Corp. (CSE: YMC, FSE: E770, OTCQB: YMMCF) (“Yukon Metals” or the “Company”) is pleased to report that a recently completed induced polarization (“IP”) geophysical survey at its 100%-owned Birch Project (“Birch” or the “Project”) has identified a new target zone approximately 2 kilometres south of known skarn mineralization.
Highlights
- Multiple chargeability anomalies identified south of the Birch skarn expand the exploration footprint into a broader intrusive system.
- The anomalies coincide with a mapped intrusive body and magnetic high and elevated molybdenum-in-soil geochemistry.
- Select grab samples in the same area returned grades up to 16 grams per tonne (“g/t”) gold, 1,825 g/t silver, and 0.43% copper (News Release Dec 8, 20251).
- One of the new IP targets was tested by diamond drilling during the 2026 program, with assays pending.
“The IP survey identified a large chargeability anomaly approximately two kilometres south of the skarn zone we had identified and drilled in 2025, and it is present on every principal line we have surveyed,” says Jim Coates, CEO of Yukon Metals. “The anomaly sits directly beneath the area where geochemistry, geology and magnetics had already directed our attention, and it was tested by drilling hole 12 this season. The IP data alongside completed surface geochemistry, geology and magnetic response provide multiple independent methods that help guide our efforts towards a potential system. We look forward to reporting additional data as we continue to evaluate and explore the Birch district.”
Southern Birch Target and IP Survey Results
Exploration at Birch initially focused on the near-surface skarn mineralization, which provided clear and accessible drill targets. As work progressed, geological mapping, geochemistry and geophysics have increasingly pointed to a broader intrusive-related mineralizing system extending beyond the known skarn.
Skarn mineralization commonly develops where hydrothermal fluids associated with intrusive systems react with favourable host rocks, particularly carbonate-rich units such as limestone and marble. As a result, skarn occurrences can provide an important vector toward the intrusive source of a mineralizing system, including porphyry-style or other intrusion-related systems. At Birch, the relationship between the known skarn mineralization and the broader intrusive footprint is therefore an important part of the evolving exploration model.
Approximately 2 kilometres south of the drilled skarn area, previous exploration identified a coincident combination of elevated molybdenum-in-soil geochemistry, anomalous gold-silver-copper surface samples, mapped intrusive rock and a magnetic high corresponding with a low potassium/thorium ratio zone in the radiometric data. Select rock samples collected in 2025 (News Release Dec 8, 2025) returned values of up to 16 g/t gold, 1,825 g/t silver and 0.43% copper from this broader southern target area.
The 2026 IP survey was designed to add subsurface information to this developing exploration model and to test for chargeable features beneath the intrusive target. A total of 12.7 line-kilometres of 2D IP surveying was completed at Birch across four principal north-south survey lines and an east-west tie line. The principal lines were spaced approximately 300 metres apart.
Induced polarization and electrical resistivity are measured together in the same survey by passing an electrical current through the ground and recording how the rock responds. Resistivity reflects how readily current flows through the rock, and can distinguish between rock types, alteration and structures; chargeability – the IP response – measures how briefly the ground holds an electrical charge after the current is switched off, a property that is generally elevated where disseminated sulphide minerals are present.
Granodiorite intrusions and marble/limestone act like electrical insulators that resist current flow and show up as high-resistivity bodies, while schist is lower resistivity. The sulfide-bearing zones, such as skarn with pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite, and porphyry potassic zones hold an electrical charge that creates chargeability anomalies. Because sulphides are commonly associated with the metals of interest in porphyry and skarn systems, chargeability anomalies are used to identify prospective zones for drilling.
Figure 1: 3D oblique view of IP survey looking southwest, showing the northern IP anomaly as warm colors closest to the reader.
Figure 2: Birch Project compilation map showing the known skarn mineralization and the southern Birch target, with drilling, surface sampling, molybdenum-in-soil geochemistry, geology, and 2026 IP survey coverage.
The 2D inversion sections identified chargeability responses across the survey grid. At the north end of the grid a chargeability anomaly is observed across multiple survey lines (Figure 2); this target was tested by one drill hole during the 2026 program, with results pending. In the southern portion of the grid, a separate chargeability anomaly is present to varying degrees on all four principal survey lines at approximately 400 metres below surface. An increased chargeability response is also observed on the east-west tie line, although at lower amplitude than on the principal lines.
Figure 3: Birch Project 2D chargeability inversion sections for IP Lines 1–4. Arrows highlight the northern chargeability anomaly across the four principal survey lines; a separate chargeability response is also observed in the southern portion of the grid.
The IP interpretation also notes that strong chargeability responses occur locally along the edge of resistive features. Aurora Geosciences Ltd. (“Aurora Geosciences”), which completed the Company’s Birch IP survey, noted that this relationship may warrant further investigation in a skarn-style geological setting where mineralization is commonly developed at the contact between intrusive rocks and reactive host rocks (Figure 3).
Together, the surface geochemistry, geology, magnetic response and new IP data provide multiple independent datasets for evaluating the broader mineralizing system south of the known skarn. One of the identified IP targets was tested during the 2026 drill program, with results pending (Figure 1).
Figure 4: Birch Project 2D chargeability and resistivity inversion sections for IP Line 1, illustrating the spatial relationship between the southern chargeability response and adjacent resistive features.
IP Survey Methodology
The Birch IP survey was completed by Aurora Geosciences in June 2026. The survey comprised 12.7 line-kilometres using an in-line proximal pole-dipole configuration. Four north-south principal lines were completed at approximately 300-metre spacing, together with an east-west tie line. Nominal dipole spacing was 100 metres, with nominal current injection spacing of 50 metres.
The survey utilized IRIS V-Fullwaver receivers and a GDD TX IV 5.0 kW IP transmitter. Data was collected in the time domain using a 0.125 Hz reversing-polarity waveform and 20 chargeability windows following a 40-millisecond delay.
The survey configuration was designed to provide investigation depths of up to approximately 1,200 metres on the principal lines and 750 metres on the tie line, although effective investigation depth varies depending on subsurface electrical properties and data quality. Data quality at Birch was generally good. Of approximately 3,300 measurements, about 3% of resistivity readings and 7% of chargeability readings were removed during quality-control processing due to poor decay curves, elevated error values or unreasonable results. Line 3 contained a higher proportion of rejected chargeability measurements than the other lines and has been interpreted with consideration of observations from neighbouring lines and the tie line.
Next Steps
Yukon Metals is continuing to integrate the Birch IP results with geological mapping, soil and rock geochemistry, magnetic data and drilling. Follow-up mapping and prospecting in August 2026 refined the southern intrusive contact and identified molybdenite and local copper-bearing mineralization within the granodiorite, with alteration and veining increasing slightly along its northern contact. Garnet-pyroxene skarn boulders were also identified near the intrusive contact, supporting continued evaluation of the area for skarn-style mineralization. Pending assay and hyperspectral results from this work will be incorporated with the geophysical data to refine priority areas for further mapping, sampling, IP and future drill targeting.
About the Birch Project
Birch is a 7,000-hectare copper-gold exploration property located in western Yukon, approximately 65 kilometres northeast of Burwash Landing. The 100%-owned, helicopter-accessed property represents an emerging copper-gold exploration opportunity within Yukon Metals’ broader Yukon portfolio, with multiple target areas identified across the Project. Exploration to date has outlined skarn-style copper-gold mineralization, while geological, geochemical, and geophysical work suggests the potential for additional epithermal and porphyry-style mineralized systems.
Building on the 2025 program, which included 1,685 metres of HQ diamond drilling in 6 holes and established a broad copper-gold skarn footprint at Birch, Yukon Metals’ 2026 exploration program included approximately 2,600 metres of additional diamond drilling, 12.7 line-kilometres of IP surveying, and follow-up geological mapping and rock sampling across priority target areas.
About Yukon Metals Corp.
The Yukon Metals portfolio was built on more than 30 years of prospecting by the Berdahl family, the prospecting team behind Snowline Gold Corp.’s portfolio. The portfolio consists primarily of copper-gold projects, with substantial exposure to tungsten. Additional portfolio assets include gold, silver and lead-zinc polymetallic properties.
The Company is well financed and led by an experienced Board of Directors and management team across technical and financial disciplines. Yukon Metals is focused on fostering sustainable growth and prosperity within Yukon’s local communities, while simultaneously enhancing stakeholder value. The Company’s strategy centers around inclusivity and shared prosperity, offering both community members and investors the chance to contribute to, and benefit from, its ventures.
The Yukon
The Yukon Territory is an underexplored and minerally endowed district with a mining history dating back to the Klondike Gold Rush of 1898. With a progressive permitting regime, geopolitical stability and supportive government, it is well positioned to foster the next generation of mines. The Yukon is host to a highly experienced and conscientious local workforce, fostered by a long culture of exploration coupled with deep respect for the land. Recent major discoveries with local roots such as Snowline Gold Corp.’s Rogue Project – Valley Discovery, demonstrate the Yukon’s potential to generate fresh district-scale mining opportunities.
Qualified Person
The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Helena Kuikka, P.Geo., VP Exploration for Yukon Metals and a Qualified Person (as defined by National Instrument 43-101).
“ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF YUKON METALS CORP.
“Jim Coates”
Jim Coates, CEO
Email: [email protected]
For additional information, please contact:
Lindsay Wilson
VP, Investor Relations & Communications
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1 (778) 996-2192
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This news release contains certain forward-looking information, including information regarding the interpretation and geological significance of IP data, surface geochemistry, geology, magnetic responses and survey results at the Birch Project, the potential relationship between skarn occurrences and intrusive sources of a mineralizing system, the integration of data with geological, geochemical and drilling results, the potential to refine future exploration targets at Birch, and the Company’s future exploration plans and intentions. Wherever possible, words such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “can”, “expect”, “plan”, “intend”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “predict” or “potential”, or the negative or other variations of these words, or similar words or phrases, have been used to identify the forward-looking information. These statements reflect management’s current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management as at the date hereof.
Forward-looking information involves significant risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those discussed or implied in the forward-looking information. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to Birch and other properties not being prospective copper-rich, gold-rich or silver-rich geological systems; rock samples analysed not being representative of overall mineralization; the Company’s ability to report additional data as it continues to evaluate and explore the Birch district; timing and receipt of outstanding assay and hyperspectral results from the Company’s 2026 exploration program; the required assumptions of completed surface geochemistry, geology and magnetic response surveys; the ability of chargeability anomalies to identify prospective drill zones and suggest additional epithermal and porphyry-style mineralized systems; the Yukon not having the potential to generate fresh district-scale mining opportunities; and other risks and uncertainties. See the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s listing statement dated May 30, 2024, available under the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca for additional risk factors. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking information. Although the forward-looking information contained in this news release is based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure readers that actual results will be consistent with the forward-looking information. The forward-looking information is made as of the date of this news release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise the information to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.
_______________________
1 Grab samples are selective by nature and are not necessarily representative of the mineralization hosted on the property. Comprehensive grab samples can be found in the Company’s news release dated December 8, 2025.
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/597a2632-36b7-4bb8-9a33-518908b28d99
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e826267c-4927-432c-8348-8f915b27778c
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ec59bb88-31c1-4857-b58d-a4347faa5fb5
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/da683111-1b28-4327-bbb5-fc28370f2a74
