Fairbanks, Alaska – June 10, 2026 – Trilogy Metals Inc. has officially commenced its ambitious 2026 summer field program at the Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects (UKMP) located within Alaska’s resource-rich Ambler Mining District. This season marks a significant inflection point for the company and its joint venture partner, South32, as they accelerate efforts to advance the critical Arctic polymetallic deposit towards a construction decision, while simultaneously laying the groundwork for future development at the Bornite copper-cobalt deposit.

Field crews have mobilized to the Alaskan site, signaling the start of a fully funded operational period. The primary objective is to gather essential technical, environmental, and exploration data that will be instrumental in the permitting and engineering phases of the Arctic Project. This concentrated effort underscores the strategic importance of the UKMP, a portfolio encompassing approximately 190,929 hectares in a region increasingly vital for the global supply of critical minerals.

A Pivotal Season for the Arctic Project

The 2026 program is meticulously designed to address key requirements for the Arctic copper-zinc-lead-gold-silver project. A core component of this season’s activities involves an extensive drilling campaign, slated to include around 40 drill-holes totaling at least 5,400 meters. This drilling is not merely for resource definition; it is strategically focused on gathering geotechnical and environmental data crucial for crucial mine infrastructure, specifically targeting areas designated for waste rock and tailings storage facilities. Such detailed engineering and environmental data are indispensable for robust mine design, risk assessment, and ultimately, for satisfying regulatory requirements during the permitting process.

Beyond the immediate engineering requirements, the program also incorporates deeper exploration of potential targets situated within 3 to 4 kilometers of the main Arctic deposit. This exploration push is particularly exciting, as it will investigate electromagnetic anomalies that may indicate additional volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) mineralization. The Ambler Mining District is renowned for its VMS potential, and discovering extensions or new satellite deposits could significantly enhance the long-term value and operational flexibility of the Arctic project.

Drilling operations at the Arctic Project are scheduled to commence promptly on June 15, 2026, benefiting from what the company described as favorable snow conditions. This early start, combined with an expected continuation of the campaign through September, provides a substantial window for data acquisition. The dual focus on mine design requirements and future exploration along the Arctic mineral horizon demonstrates a comprehensive approach, aiming to both de-risk the immediate project development and unlock future growth opportunities within the district.

Strategic Advancement of the Bornite Deposit

While the Arctic Project takes center stage for the 2026 drilling campaign, significant preparatory work is also underway at the Bornite camp. Located approximately 25 kilometers south-west of the Arctic deposit, the Bornite copper-cobalt deposit represents another cornerstone of the UKMP. The current activities at Bornite are focused on camp upgrades, designed to facilitate expanded exploration and development activities from 2027 onwards. This forward-looking approach highlights the joint venture’s commitment to a district-scale development strategy.

The Bornite deposit holds substantial promise, with projections indicating a potential yield of 1.9 billion pounds of copper over a 17-year period. Furthermore, the development of Bornite has the potential to extend overall district mining activities to more than 30 years, creating a long-term production hub in a region known for its high-grade mineralization. The strategic investment in Bornite’s infrastructure now indicates a clear runway for its future role in the UKMP portfolio, aligning with the growing global demand for copper and cobalt, both critical metals for the energy transition and high-tech industries.

The Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects: A Regional Overview

The Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects collectively represent one of the most significant undeveloped mineral districts in North America. The portfolio’s vast extent, covering nearly 200,000 hectares, hosts not only the flagship Arctic polymetallic deposit (rich in copper, zinc, lead, gold, and silver) and the Bornite copper-cobalt deposit, but also includes a broad exploration pipeline. The region boasts approximately 30 known VMS sites and related anomalies distributed across a 100-kilometer belt, underscoring the immense potential for further discoveries within this prolific geological setting.

The strategic importance of the Ambler Mining District to the United States’ critical minerals strategy cannot be overstated. With increasing geopolitical focus on securing domestic supplies of essential metals, projects like UKMP are vital. The polymetallic nature of Arctic diversifies the revenue streams and offers exposure to several base and precious metals, while Bornite specifically addresses the escalating demand for copper and cobalt – key components in electric vehicles, renewable energy infrastructure, and advanced electronics.

Ambler Metals Joint Venture: Leadership and Direction

All activities at the UKMP are managed by Ambler Metals, a 50-50 joint venture operating company formed by Trilogy Metals and South32. This partnership combines Trilogy’s extensive regional expertise and project stewardship with South32’s deep operational experience and global financial strength, creating a powerful synergy for advancing large-scale mining projects. The joint venture structure allows for shared risk and pooled resources, a common strategy for navigating the significant capital expenditure and complex permitting processes associated with developing new mines in challenging environments like Alaska.

In a significant leadership development, Trilogy Metals announced the appointment of Ron Rimelman as President of Ambler Metals. Mr. Rimelman will be instrumental in leading the joint venture’s management team throughout the critical Arctic Project permitting process. His leadership during this phase will be crucial, given the complexities of environmental assessments and regulatory approvals in Alaska.

Trilogy President and CEO Tony Giardini emphasized the significance of the current program. “Following two seasons of reduced activity, this robust, fully funded field programme marks a significant inflection point for our joint venture,” stated Giardini. He further highlighted the positive momentum generated by recent developments: “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.” The mention of the Arctic project being on the FAST-41 permitting dashboard is particularly noteworthy, as this federal initiative is designed to streamline and accelerate the permitting process for major infrastructure projects, potentially expediting the timeline for Arctic’s development.

Market Relevance and Broader Industrial Implications

The successful development of the Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects carries substantial market relevance and broader industrial implications. The global push for decarbonization and electrification is creating unprecedented demand for metals such such as copper, essential for electrical wiring and renewable energy systems, and cobalt, a key ingredient in high-performance batteries. The polymetallic nature of the Arctic deposit, contributing zinc, lead, gold, and silver alongside copper, further diversifies its appeal and strengthens its economic viability in fluctuating commodity markets.

Developing new, high-quality sources of these critical minerals in geopolitically stable jurisdictions like the United States is paramount for supply chain resilience. The Ambler Mining District, with its confirmed endowment of these strategic metals, stands to play a crucial role in reducing reliance on foreign sources and bolstering domestic mineral security. However, operating in the Alaskan Arctic presents unique challenges, including logistics, environmental sensitivities, and the need for close collaboration with local communities, all of which the Ambler Metals joint venture is actively navigating.

Looking Ahead: A District-Scale Endeavor

The 2026 field program at UKMP is a foundational step in a much larger, long-term vision. The data collected from the intensive drilling and technical studies will directly inform the path towards a construction decision for the Arctic Project – a critical milestone that could see one of the highest-grade undeveloped copper deposits in the world brought into production. Simultaneously, the preparations at Bornite signal a commitment to sequential development and sustained long-term production, reinforcing the vision of the UKMP as a multi-decade mining district.

With an aggressive exploration push planned for subsequent years across the vast 100-kilometer mineral belt, the potential for discovering additional resources and extending the operational life far beyond current projections remains high. The strategic leadership of Ron Rimelman at Ambler Metals and the continued strong backing from Trilogy Metals and South32 position the UKMP to be a significant contributor to the global supply of essential metals for decades to come, solidifying Alaska's position as a premier mining destination.