VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 18, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Extensive sediment-hosted copper mineralization within the Seal Basin is now demonstrated to be driven by a deeply rooted, crustal-scale plumbing network beneath Viridian Metals Inc’s (CSE: VRDN) (“Viridian” or the “Company”) Sedna Project in Labrador, Canada.
By integrating newly acquired magnetotelluric (“MT”) data with detailed surface mapping, Viridian has defined the geological architecture underpinning this district-scale mineralizing system, comparable to that of major sediment-hosted copper districts globally. This framework outlines the deep-seated structural foundation of a basin long recognized for copper mineralization, linking fluid sources at depth to favourable horizons at surface and confirming the structural basis of an emerging copper district.
Key Takeaways
- Confirmed Multi-level Plumbing System:
MT data has imaged deeply rooted, north-south oriented breaks interpreted as deep-rooted structural breaks. These structures likely served as primary “highways” for transporting copper-rich fluids from depth, while surface mapping and satellite imagery define laterally extensive east-west structural corridors traceable for over 100 km. - Identification of Basin-Scale Fertile Copper Traps:
Viridian has delineated copper-bearing reduced horizons extending over tens of kilometres at favourable stratigraphic levels. These horizons represent laterally extensive reductant traps capable of trapping copper from fluids. - Discovery of widespread disseminated copper mineralization:
Fine-grained, disseminated chalcopyrite (copper), not visible in hand specimen, explains why this style of mineralization was overlooked by historical exploration and is characteristic of large sediment-hosted copper systems. - District-scale control of the Seal Basin:
Sedna covers >2,600 km² and secures the majority of the basin, placing it among the largest contiguous exploration projects in Canada and enabling systematic basin-wide targeting
“We have moved from a theoretical model to a proven framework,” said Tyrell Sutherland, President and CEO. “By confirming both the deep-rooted plumbing systems and the extensive copper-bearing horizons, we have significantly de-risked the project. We aren’t just looking for a single deposit; we are uncovering an entire copper district.”
The MT survey imaged deeply rooted, lithosphere-penetrating structures extending for tens of kilometres vertically beneath the basin, confirming the presence of crustal-scale fluid pathways and validating a key component of Viridian’s copper exploration thesis. These results culminate a year-long, basin-scale exploration program focused on evaluating the fundamental controls on fluid flow, metal transport, and deposition across the project area.
The lateral extent of fluid pathways within the basin is independently constrained by regional structural mapping and satellite imagery analysis, which identify laterally extensive east–west–oriented structural corridors traceable for more than 100 kilometres at surface across the Sedna Project and broader basin. These shallow structures occur largely at a high angle to the deeply rooted north–south–oriented features imaged by MT, defining a vertically layered and geometrically complex plumbing system that provides multiple opportunities for fluid focusing and fluid–rock interaction.
Figure 1: Geological model of the Sedna Project integrating MT-defined deep crustal structures (black), laterally extensive reduced stratigraphic horizons (red), and copper occurrences (new – red; historic – yellow). The model illustrates the structural architecture linking deep-seated fluid pathways to favourable trap positions within the basin. Location of the cross section in figure 2 denoted by A-A’.
System Validation Through Integrated Basin-Scale Work
Over the past year, Viridian has advanced the Sedna Project through a systematic exploration program integrating regional structural analysis, stratigraphic interpretation, basin-wide lithogeochemistry, remote sensing, and deep-penetrating geophysics. The MT survey represents a critical step in this workflow, confirming that the basin is underlain by deeply rooted plumbing systems capable of sourcing and transporting copper-bearing fluids from basement into receptive basin stratigraphy.
Figure 2: Cross section illustrating interpreted deep crustal plumbing and laterally extensive reduced stratigraphic horizons. Newly identified copper occurrences confirm the fertility of these reduced units. Ongoing work is directed toward delineating their intersections with deep structural corridors, representing high-priority targets within the evolving district-scale mineralizing framework.
Importantly, these fluid pathways intersect continuous, chemically reduced horizons lower in the stratigraphic column, where large sediment-hosted copper systems are prone to develop. The presence of disseminated chalcopyrite within horizons extending beyond structural zones demonstrates that the system is fertile throughout the basin and that mineralization is not restricted to discrete or localized targets.
Project Scale Enables Mineral Systems Exploration
The scale of the Sedna Project, encompassing more than 2,600 km² and securing dominant control over the Seal Basin, allows Viridian to assess the basin as a coherent mineral system. This approach has led to the recognition of both the vertically extensive plumbing architecture required to transport mineralizing fluids through the crust and the presence of laterally extensive chemical traps capable of precipitating copper once those fluids enter the basin.
Together, these results confirm that the fundamental ingredients for a major sediment-hosted copper district are present and spatially associated within the project area.
Next Steps
Viridian has initiated the permitting process to establish access infrastructure within the Sedna Project, including construction of a trail and a central staging area to support follow-up exploration. Initial access is intended to focus on the Kendall target area, where structural mapping has identified a copper-bearing structure traced over approximately 600 metres of strike length.
In parallel, the Company is defining the technical parameters for a basin-scale airborne geophysical survey aimed at tracing reduced stratigraphic horizons across the basin and identifying where they intersect major plumbing structures considered high-priority targets for focused follow-up exploration.
MT Survey and Data Quality
MT data over the Sedna Project were collected and processed by Moombarriga Canada Inc., who were engaged by the Company to acquire, process, and complete two-dimensional and three-dimensional inversions of the dataset.
The survey was completed in fall 2025 using Phoenix instrumentation over a frequency range of 10,000 to 0.001 Hz. A total of 71 MT stations were acquired across the Seal Basin. Data were edited to remove low-quality points and interpolated prior to inversion to ensure consistent frequency coverage.
Three-dimensional inversions were performed using the Viridien (formerly CGG) RLM3D inversion algorithm (Mackie & Madden, 1993) within the Geotools software suite. A two-step inversion approach was applied to refine conductivity contrasts and enhance structural resolution at depth. Multiple model domains were evaluated to test structural continuity and robustness.
The preferred Sedna 3D inversion model achieved a normalized root-mean-square (nRMS) misfit value of approximately 1.6, indicating a strong correlation between observed and modeled responses and supporting the overall quality and reliability of the dataset.
Moombarriga concluded that the preferred inversion results provide reliable resolution of both deep crustal structures and near-surface conductivity variations within areas of survey coverage.
Qualified Person
Tyrell Sutherland, P.Geo, President and CEO of Viridian Metals, who is a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure contained in this news release.
Correction to Equity Incentive Disclosure
The Company reported in its news release dated February 5, 2026 that it would issue Performance Share Units (“PSUs”) and Restricted Share Units (“RSUs”) with a vesting term of 1 year.
The Company wishes to clarify that the PSUs and RSUs were granted with a vesting term of 2 years with 50% of the RSUs and PSUs vesting on each of February 5, 2027 and February 5, 2028.
There are no other changes to the details reported in the original news release.
About Viridian Metals
Viridian Metals is a pioneer and leader in generative metal exploration with a focus on environmental responsibility and ethical practices. Founded with the intention of discovering new critical metals deposits with the potential to transform the metal supply chain. We leverage innovative technologies and methods to enhance efficiency and sustainability in jurisdictions eager to be leaders in supplying the energy transition. Viridian maintains expertise in a range of critical metals with a primary focus on copper, nickel and cobalt in the near term. Our commitment to integrity and transparency fosters strong partnerships with both local and global stakeholders.
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Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Information
This news release contains statements which constitute “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Viridian with respect to future business activities and operating performance.
Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates”, or “believes” or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or statements formed in the future tense or indicating that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” (or other variations of the forgoing) be taken, occur, be achieved, or come to pass. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, information regarding: (i) the potential for positive results from further assays from drilling on the Kraken Project that are not yet received (ii) the business plans and expectations of Viridian; and (ii) expectations for other economic, business, and/or competitive factors in respect of Viridian.
Forward-looking information is based on currently available competitive, financial and economic data and operating plans, strategies or beliefs as of the date of this news release, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Viridian, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors may be based on information currently available to Viridian, including information obtained from third-party industry analysts and other third-party sources, and are based on management’s current expectations or beliefs. Any and all forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.
Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical facts but instead reflect management’s expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Forward-looking information reflects Viridian’s current beliefs and is based on information currently available to it and on assumptions it believes to be not unreasonable in light of all of the circumstances. In some instances, material factors or assumptions are discussed in this news release in connection with statements containing forward-looking information. Such material factors and assumptions include, but are not limited to: the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East and any actions taken by other countries in response thereto, such as sanctions or export controls; and anticipated and unanticipated costs and other factors referenced in the Filing Statement, including, but not limited to, those set forth in the Filing Statement under the caption “Risk Factors”. Although Viridian has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking information contained herein is made as of the date of this news release and, other than as required by law, Viridian disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected.
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