Trilogy Metals has launched its 2026 summer field programme at the Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects (UKMP) in the Ambler Mining District, Alaska, US.
The company said field crews have mobilised to site, initiating a fully funded season focused on advancing the Arctic copper-zinc-lead-gold-silver project towards a potential construction decision.
The UKMP portfolio, covering approximately 190,929 hectares, includes both the Arctic polymetallic deposit and the Bornite copper-cobalt deposit.
Activities are managed by Ambler Metals, a 50-50 joint venture (JV) operating company comprising Trilogy Metals and South32.
The field operations will concentrate on technical, environmental and exploration milestones required for the Arctic Project.
The 2026 programme is set to include around 40 drill-holes totalling at least 5,400m.
Drilling will focus on areas designated for waste rock and tailings storage, supported by deeper exploration of potential targets within 3–4km of the main Arctic deposit.
These include electromagnetic anomalies that may indicate further volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) mineralisation.
Drilling is scheduled to start at the Arctic Project on 15 June 2026, aided by favourable snow conditions, and is expected to continue through to September.
The campaign is designed to address both mine design requirements and future exploration along the Arctic mineral horizon.
Preparations are also under way at the Bornite camp, where upgrades aim to facilitate expanded exploration and development from 2027.
The Bornite copper-cobalt deposit, located roughly 25km south-west of Arctic, is projected to yield 1.9 billion pounds of copper over a 17-year period and may extend district mining activities to more than 30 years.
Around 30 known VMS sites and related anomalies across the 100km belt will be reviewed.
Trilogy president and CEO Tony Giardini said: “Following two seasons of reduced activity, this robust, fully funded field programme marks a significant inflection point for our joint venture.
“Coming on the heels of our permit submissions and the inclusion of the high-grade Arctic copper-zinc-lead-gold-silver project on the FAST-41 permitting dashboard, this programme builds on positive momentum as we generate the engineering, environmental and technical data we need to progress toward a construction decision and prepare the broader district for an aggressive exploration push in the years ahead.”
Trilogy Metals also announced that Ron Rimelman has been named president of Ambler Metals and will lead the JV management team throughout the Arctic Project permitting process.
