NorthWest Copper Corp. (“NorthWest” or the “Company”) (TSX-V: NWST) is pleased to report successful results from its 2025 metallurgical program at its Kwanika project, adding to the positive results from the 2025 drilling. The program tested higher-grade1 zones and demonstrated material improvements in recoveries of 34% for gold and 37% for silver. These results will be reflected in an updated mineral resource at Kwanika in the first quarter followed by a new Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”) targeted for mid 2026.
The positive results confirm that a refined flow sheet, including leaching, can deliver substantially improved precious metal recoveries compared to recoveries of higher-grade material used in the 2023 PEA2. Gold recoveries ranging from ~94.6% to 96.3% and silver recoveries of ~96.3% can be achieved, while maintaining strong copper recovery ranging from ~88.9% to 90.2%.
Compared to higher-grade zones tested in the 2023 PEA3, flotation recoveries are similar for copper, 7% higher for gold, and 14% higher for silver. However, when combined with flotation tails leaching, overall recoveries increase materially by 34% for gold and 37 % for silver. These results highlight the potential to meaningfully enhance overall project performance.
Paul Olmsted, CEO of NorthWest commented: “We are extremely pleased with the results from the metallurgical test work, which demonstrate the opportunity to materially improve recoveries at Kwanika. In early 2025, we refined our strategy at Kwanika to prioritize higher-grade zones within the existing mineral resource and executed exploration and metallurgical programs to test potential benefits. Drill results from the 2025 program have consistently demonstrated higher grades over significant widths. When combined with these recovery results, the work exceeded our expectations and aligns with our objective of supporting a more economically compelling open pit and underground development plan than that presented in the 2023 PEA. We look forward to reflecting the successful outcomes in an updated PEA, targeted for mid 2026.”
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