IDEX Metals Commences 2025 Exploration Program at the Freeze Copper-Gold Project, Washington County, Idaho
(TheNewswire)
Vancouver, B.C. – July 9,2025 – TheNewswire- IDEX Metals Corp. ("IDEX" or the"Company") IIDEX is pleased to announce the commencement
of its 2025 field exploration program at the Company’s 100% owned
Freeze Project, a copper-gold porphyry system located in the emerging
Idaho Copper Belt. The fully funded program will consist of a
multiphase approach with soil and rock sampling, property wide
mapping, geophysics and diamond drilling. Exploration will focus on
confirming areas of known mineralization at the Kismet Tourmaline
Breccia Pipe and discovering new zones of mineralization across the
amalgamated 31,645 acre property.
Key Highlights
Multiphase Exploration Program:The Company’s fully funded 2025 program isunderway at the 31,645-acre Freeze Project including geological mapping, sampling,geophysics, and diamond drilling across the largely underexploredcopper-gold porphyry prospect.
Extensive Surface Work to Define NewTargets: With the collection of up to5,000 soil and rock samples, along withgeological mapping, it is expected to expand coverage of knownanomalies, investigate new targets, and refine the district-scaleexploration model.
Advanced Geophysical Surveys:A Magnetotelluric (MT) and experimentalNatural Source Induced Polarization(NSIP survey was completedover much of the property to map deep porphyry-related structures atdepth, with optional a ZTEM survey under evaluation pending initialresults.
Drilling to Target Priority Zones:Up to 2,500 metres of diamond drilling willfollow up on high-grade historical intercepts at the Kismet Target andtest coincident geochemical-geophysical anomalies at the Cuddy Mine(CM) Target, with IDL permits in place and USFS permittingprogressing.
“The 2025 program at Freeze marks a significant stepforward for IDEX,” stated Clayton Fisher, CEO of IDEX.“Exploration is designed to aggressively advance our technicalunderstanding of this emerging copper-gold system, guided bycompelling historical data, newly defined anomalies, and a robustgeologic model. With multiple porphyry targets, strong geophysical andgeochemical anomalies, and permitting in place, we are positioned tosystematically evaluate the mineral potential of this underexploreddistrict.”
Freeze Project Overview
The Freeze Project totals 31,645 acres through acombination of United States Forest Service (USFS) claims and arecently secured Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) mineral lease (seeJune 24th,
2025, news release). IDEX has a significantland position in the Idaho Copper Belt, a newly emerging porphyrydistrict that has attracted majors including Barrick, Rio Tinto, Teck,and BHP.
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Figure 1. Geological and structuralmodel of the Freeze Project showing plan view (top) and interpreted cross-section (bottom)
IDEX’s Freeze Project exhibits geologicalcharacteristics analogous to Hercules Metals’ Leviathan discoveryand Scout Discoveries’ Cuddy Mountain project, such as phyllicalteration halos and widespread copper-in-soil anomalies. Despite thescale and potential of the landholding, only ~13% of the property hasbeen explored using modern techniques.
As part of its initial
exploration focus, IDEX has prioritized two high-potential zones
within the broader Freeze land package: the Kismet and Cuddy Mine (CM)
targets. Kismet represents a high-priority
porphyry-related target characterized as a copper-bearing Tourmaline
Breccia Pipe (TBP). It is defined by a 500 x 500 m Cu-in-soils anomaly
and supported by historic drillhole results up to 40.15 m @ 0.83% Cu (see June 10th,
2025, news release). Surface mineralizationincludes chalcopyrite, azurite, malachite, and tourmaline inconjunction with alteration that are characteristic of TBP systems,which are commonly associated with porphyry copper deposits.
The Cuddy Mine (CM) target features a 1,500 x 2,000 mCu-in-soil anomaly supported by rock samples grading up to 3.5% Cu & 33 g/t Au, and a coincident IP chargeability high flanked by resistivezones (see June 10th,
2025, news release). These features areindicative of a potential buried porphyry or high-sulfidationepithermal system. Drill targets at CM have been prioritized based onthe overlap between known geochemical and geophysicalanomalies.
Phase 1 Exploration Timeline
The first phase of
exploration has now commenced at the Freeze Property. Exploration will
focus on a phased approach with concurrent mapping and sampling,
staged geophysical surveys, and diamond drilling. Exploration
activities are expected to continue until mid-September 2025. Sampling
and mapping will continue until the end of August, while the initial
Magnetotelluric (MT) and experimental Natural Source Induced
Polarization (NSIP) geophysical surveys have already been completed.
Drilling is expected to begin in mid-July and continue until
mid-September. These timelines are subject to change based on ongoing
results and field conditions.
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Figure 2. Expected timelines ofmapping and sampling, geophysics and drilling at the Freezeproject.
Sampling and Mapping Program
IDEX has launched a systematic and comprehensivesampling and mapping campaign at Freeze including the collection of upto 5,000 soil and rock samples. Work will focus on the expansion ofhigh-priority areas such as the Kismet and CM zones, and discovery ofnew zones based on geophysical interpretation and currentboots-on-the-ground mapping and sampling work.
To date, over 700 soil samples have been collected,focussing on infilling the immediate area between the Kismet TBP, andthe CM Target. Furthermore, expanded soil grids are being targeted inthe erosional window surrounding the Kismet Target. This work buildson previous campaigns that yielded rock samples grading up to 3.5% Cu and 33 g/t Au, with 18 out of 121 samples returning over 1 g/t Au inpyrite-rich, vuggy quartz veins (see June 10th,
2025, news release).
The Company will also
undertake detailed geological mapping across ~27,000 acres of
previously unmapped terrain. Mapping will focus on identifying new
exposures of Triassic lithologies in erosional
windows across the property. Initial work will prioritize the Hornet
and Olive Creek areas, which provide key transects across major
lithological units. If new mineralized exposures are identified, the
erosional windows will then be mapped and sampled in detail, with a
focus on identifying structural controls on mineralization and
alteration. These features may indicate the
presence of a large magmatic-hydrothermal system, which are known to
host multi-kilometre copper-gold deposits. Mapping will be integrated
with geophysical and historical geochemical datasets to refine
exploration models and guide future targeting.
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Figure 3: Soil sample survey atFreeze.
MT
& NSIP Geophysics
To enhance subsurface
targeting and refine the structural and lithological framework at
depth, IDEX completed a sparse, broadband MT survey over the core
project area at Freeze. The survey was conducted by Moombarriga
Geoscience (M-Geo US Inc.). MT geophysics measures natural variations
in the Earth's electromagnetic fields to map resistivity contrasts in
the subsurface, making it a powerful tool for imaging conductive and
resistive bodies associated with mineralized porphyry systems.
Data from 27 five-component MT sounding stations were
acquired, centered over the Kismet and CM target areas. The MT survey
provides deep imaging capability, detecting resistivity contrasts to
depths exceeding two kilometres, which will refine drill targeting and
help resolve deeper conductive zones linked to porphyry intrusions and
alteration halos. Preliminary models are
expected in July, followed by a full 3D inversion in August. The
program also benefited from cost efficiencies due to concurrent
regional work and the use of nearby existing MT stations.
Additionally, IDEX has included the use of experimental
NSIP data, which could offer an additional chargeability layer to
highlight disseminated sulfide zones and map deep resistivity features
associated with porphyry systems.
An airborne ZTEM survey may be conducted as a
follow-up, depending on results of the MT survey and findings from a
planned drill program expected to commence in mid-July of 2025. ZTEM
would complement the MT dataset to generate a more comprehensive joint
inversion and 3D model of the district.
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Figure 4. Magnetotelluric (MT)geophysical station sites at Freeze
Drilling Program: Kismet & CuddyMine Targets
Kismet Target
The Kismet Target is centered on a copper-bearingTourmaline Breccia Pipe where historical drilling intersected strongnear-surface mineralization, including 40.15 m @ 0.83% Cu, including 15 m @ 1.26%Cu (see June 10th,
2025, news release). Recent surface samplingby IDEX has outlined a 500 x 500 metre copper-in-soil anomaly atKismet, with values up to 0.3%Cu supporting the presence of near-surfacemineralization (see June 10th,
2025, news release).
Alteration zonation at Kismet includes an upper
oxidized zone, a phyllic assemblage with tourmaline-quartz-sericite
and clay alteration, and a deeper potassic zone featuring biotite and
porphyry clasts observed in historic core. Drill
logs from shallow (≤130 m) historic holes indicate a transition from
oxide to phyllic alteration, ending just above the potassic zone,
suggesting the deeper, higher-grade porphyry core was not
tested.
The Kismet Target is located within IDEX’s
28,432-acre Hornet Block, which is fully permitted for drilling under
its IDL mineral lease (see June 24th,
2025, news release).
Drilling objectives at Kismet will be to confirmhistoric high-grade drill intercepts, and to test for deeper porphyrymineralization. Regional structural interpretation indicates thatporphyry systems in the district are tilted northwest, meaningmineralized centers plunge to the southeast. Planned 2025 drillingwill target these down-plunge extensions of tilted mineralization totap into a potentially intact porphyry core at depth.
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Figure 5. Schematic of idealizedKismet Tourmaline Breccia Pipe (TBP) and the proposed diamond drillhole design to target potential porphyry mineralization atdepth.
Cuddy Mine (CM) Target
The CM target hosts a
broad 1,500 x 2,000 m copper-in-soil anomaly, supported by rock
samples grading up to 3.5% Cu
and 33 g/t Au (see June 10th,
2025, news release). In 2024, IDEX completedan induced polarization (IP) geophysical survey which identified acoincident central chargeability anomaly flanked by resistive zones,features that are consistent with a buried porphyry orhigh-sulfidation epithermal system.
The CM target is located
on the 3,213 acre USFS portion of the Freeze property. Permitting in
this area is progressing, with approval from the USFS expected by late
summer 2025. Drill targets have been prioritized based on the overlap
of coincident geochemical and geophysical anomalies, with the recent
MT & NSIP geophysical surveys and ongoing field exploration
expected to further refine and optimize drill collar locations ahead
of program initiation.
Upcoming Catalysts
With multiple technical programs underway, IDEX is well
positioned to deliver a transformative year of exploration across its
flagship Freeze Project. A fully permitted IDL lease gives IDEX the
flexibility to keep drills turning while USFS approvals for the CM
block are finalized. Investors can therefore expect a steady stream of
technical updates throughout the summer and into the fall as the
Company works toward unlocking the district-scale copper-gold
potential of Freeze.
Engagement of Plutus Invest and
Consulting GmbH
In addition, the Company would like to announce that it
has entered into a marketing services and consulting agreement with
Plutus Invest & Consulting GmbH (“Plutus”), a company located
in Bremen, Germany, providing online marketing services for mineral
resources companies.
Plutus is wholly-owned by Marco Messina. Pursuant to
the agreement, Plutus will provide the Company with marketing and
communications services for a term commencing on July 7, 2025 and
ending on July 6, 2026. The services provided by Plutus will be
consulting services relating to connections with European service
providers, advertising on digital platforms, marketing, European
regulatory compliance, PR strategies and building investor awareness
of the Company through Plutus's network in the European markets. The
Company has agreed to pay Plutus a one-time cash fee of CAD$120,000.
Plutus is an arm's length party to the Company. To the best of the
Company’s knowledge, neither Plutus nor any non-arm’s length
parties to Plutus own any securities of the Company and do not have
any right to acquire any securities of the Company as at the date
hereof.
Qualified Person Statement
David Hladky, P.Geol. (registered in Alberta) and VP
Exploration of IDEX Metals Corp., a Qualified Person (“QP”) as
defined in National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral
Projects, is responsible for the accuracy of,
and has reviewed and approved the use of the scientific, technical and
historical information pertaining to the Freeze, Mineral Mountain and
Amie Projects (the “Projects”) in this news release.
This news release contains information that relates to
rock sampling completed on portions of the Freeze Project. Rock
sampling is selective by nature and may not be representative of the
mineralization actually located at the Freeze Project. Additionally,
this news release refers to other projects that are adjacent, nearby
or potentially analogous to the Freeze Project from a geological
perspective. Mineralization hosted on adjacent, nearby or
geologically similar projects, is not necessarily indicative of
mineralization hosted at the Freeze Project.
About IDEX Metals Corp.
IDEX Metals Corp. is a mineral exploration company
focused on advancing a portfolio of base and precious metal projects
in Idaho, USA. IDEX is primarily focused on the exploration and
development of the Freeze Copper-Gold porphyry prospect located in the
newly discovered Idaho Copper Belt, Washington County, Idaho. With a
strategic land position in a top-tier mining jurisdiction and
surrounded by major industry players, IDEX is committed to redefining
district-scale exploration in Idaho.
For more information, please visit https://idexmetals.com/.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Clayton Fisher, CEO & Director
For further information regardingIDEX contact:
Sharyn Alexander
Vice President Corporate Development
info@idexmetals.com
1 (604) 260-0356
Cautionary Note RegardingForward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this newsrelease that are not historical facts may be forward-lookingstatements. These forward-looking statements involve risks,uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results todiffer materially from those expressed or implied by suchforward-looking statements. In addition, the forward-lookingstatements require management to make assumptions and are subject toinherent risks and uncertainties. There is significant risk that theforward-looking statements will not prove to be accurate, that themanagement’s assumptions may not be correct and that actual resultsmay differ materially from such forward-looking statements.Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on theforward-looking statements. Generally forward-looking statements canbe identified by the use of terminology such as “anticipate”,“will”, “expect”, “may”, “continue”, “could”,“estimate”, “forecast”, “plan”, “potential” andsimilar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on anumber of assumptions which may prove to be incorrect which, withoutlimiting the generality of the following, include: risks inherent inexploration activities; the impact of exploration competition;unexpected geological or hydrological conditions; changes ingovernment regulations and policies, including trade laws andpolicies; failure to obtain necessary permits and approvals fromgovernment authorities; volatility and sensitivity to market prices;volatility and sensitivity to capital market fluctuations; the abilityto raise funds through private or public equity financings;environmental and safety risks including increased regulatory burdens;weather and other natural phenomena; and other exploration,development, operating, financial market and regulatory risks. Theforward-looking statements contained in this press release are made asof the date hereof or the dates specifically referenced in this pressrelease, where applicable. Except as required by applicable securitieslaws and regulation, IDEX disclaims any intention or obligation toupdate or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result ofnew information, future events or otherwise, except as required byapplicable securities laws. All forward-looking statements containedin this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionarystatement.
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