🇨🇦 Yukon Metals options copper-gold project from renowned Yukon prospector Ryan Burke, solidifying position in emergent Birch district
Vancouver, British Columbia – April 27, 2026 – Yukon Metals Corp. (CSE: YMC, FSE: E770, OTCQB: YMMCF) (“Yukon Metals” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce it has entered into an option agreement (the “Agreement”) with Yukon geologist and prospector Ryan Burke (“Burke”) to acquire a 100% interest in the Sumo Copper-Gold property (the “Sumo Property” or the “Property”), located approximately 10 kilometres (“km”) east of the Company’s Birch Project in southwestern Yukon. The Property comprises 75 quartz claims totalling approximately 1,875 hectares, expanding the Company’s land position within a district-scale copper-gold belt prospective for porphyry- and skarn-style mineralization.
Highlights
- Option to acquire the Sumo Property, located approximately 10 kilometres east of the Company’s Birch Project in southwestern Yukon.
- 75 quartz claims (~1,875 hectares) covering multiple kilometre-scale copper-gold-molybdenum targets.
- Significant sampling has defined multi-element copper-gold-molybdenum anomalies across the Property, including a new 1.1 km by 600 m copper-gold skarn target located approximately 1.2 km from previous drill sites, all of which remain untested by drilling.
- Historical diamond drilling by Sumac Mines Ltd. (a subsidiary of Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd.) confirmed copper-gold mineralization; core remains available onsite for future verification by the Company.
- The Company is currently compiling historical exploration data and evaluating priority targets for follow-up geological mapping, geophysical surveys, and drill targeting.
“The addition of the Sumo Property further strengthens our exploration portfolio in the district,” said Jim Coates, CEO of Yukon Metals. “Ryan Burke has done a significant amount of work prospecting this ground, and we are pleased to build on that foundation. With both the Sumo and Birch copper-gold exploration properties situated on the same geological trend and separated by only 10 kilometres, the similarities between the two present a compelling opportunity to advance an integrated exploration program. This acquisition meaningfully adds to Yukon Metals’ copper-gold exploration thesis.”
The Sumo Property was identified through regional prospecting by Burke, a renowned Yukon-focused prospector also responsible for generating the Catch prospect in southwestern Yukon, subsequently optioned by Agnico Eagle Mines Limited from Cascadia Minerals Ltd.—highlighting interest by major mining companies in district-scale exploration opportunities within southwestern Yukon.
The option reflects the Company’s strategy of expanding its land position within a prospective copper-gold belt and advancing targets favourable for porphyry- and skarn-style mineralization. Planned exploration will include geological mapping, geochemical sampling, and geophysical surveys to refine priority targets across the Property.
About the Sumo Property
The Sumo Property is strategically located in southwestern Yukon approximately 10 km east of the Company’s Birch Project, with direct access to regional infrastructure including a road within 15 km and the 37 MW Aishihik Hydroelectric Generating Station approximately 80 km away along the same road corridor.
The Sumo Property hosts multiple copper-gold-molybdenum soil and rock geochemical anomalies across several kilometer-scale target areas, positioning it as a highly prospective exploration opportunity for porphyry- and skarn-style mineral systems.
Historical exploration on the Property includes helicopter-borne electromagnetic and magnetic surveying completed in 2011 and approximately 28 line-km of induced polarization geophysics in 2012, completed by previous operators. Follow-up exploration completed between 2013 and 2015 by Sumac Mines Ltd., a subsidiary of Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd., included geological mapping, geochemical sampling, and 19 diamond drill holes totaling approximately 7,300 metres targeting copper-gold-silver mineralization associated with structures and skarn horizons along the margin of the Ruby Range batholith. Drill core from this work remains stored on site and may support future verification programs. Results from these programs are referenced in historical technical reporting, but have not been independently verified by the Company.
Exploration completed by Burke in 2024 included a 397-sample soil grid covering approximately 3 × 2 km that defined coherent multi-element copper-gold-molybdenum anomalies, including peak values of 587 ppm copper, 409 ppb gold, and 4.1 ppm molybdenum. These anomalies define priority targets that remain largely untested by drilling. Surface sampling completed by Burke in 2025 identified a new copper-gold skarn target located approximately 1.2 km from previous drill sites and measuring approximately 1.1 km by 600 m in extent. Sampling across multiple target areas on the Property has also returned elevated copper, gold, silver, and molybdenum values.
Option terms
The Company has entered into the Agreement granting it the sole and exclusive option to acquire a 100% ownership interest in the Sumo Property (the “Option”). To maintain the Option, the Company must make aggregate payments and issue common shares of the Company (the “Shares”), per the following schedule:
| Completion Date | Cash | Shares | Work Expenditures |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 24, 2026 | $22,500 | 150,000 | — |
| April 13, 2027 | $22,500 | 150,000 | $150,000 |
| April 13, 2028 | $50,000 | 200,000 | $200,000 |
| April 13, 2029 | $50,000 | 250,000 | $350,000 |
| April 13, 2030 | $100,000 | 250,000 | $900,000 |
| April 13, 2031 | $150,000 | 500,000 | $2,000,000 |
| Total | $395,000 | 1,500,000 | $3,600,000 |
Upon exercise of the Option:
- NSR: Burke retains a 2.5% net smelter returns royalty; 1% of which can be repurchased by the Company at any time for payment of 750 oz of gold or the cash equivalent thereof.
- Advance royalty: 3 oz of gold or the cash equivalent thereof per year commencing on March 1, 2032, to a maximum of 45 oz of gold or the cash equivalent thereof, which advanced royalty will be credited against future royalty payments upon commercial production at the Sumo Property.
- Milestone payment: If a resource or reserve exceeding 1,000,000 oz of gold equivalent is defined in a National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”) technical report, Burke will receive $1.00 per oz of gold defined; payable in cash or Shares (10-day VWAP), provided Burke’s shareholding in the Company does not exceed 19.9% of the Company’s total issued Share capital.
All Shares issued pursuant to the Agreement will be subject to a four-month and a day hold period in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws.
Qualified Person
The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Helena Kuikka, P.Geo., VP Exploration for Yukon Metals and a Qualified Person as defined in NI 43-101.
About Yukon Metals Corp.
Yukon Metals is well financed and represents a property portfolio built on over 30 years of prospecting by the Berdahl family, the prospecting team behind Snowline Gold Corp.’s portfolio of primary gold assets. The Yukon Metals portfolio consists primarily of copper-gold and silver-lead-zinc assets, with a substantial tungsten, gold and silver component. The Company is led by an experienced Board of Directors and Management Team across technical and finance disciplines.
Yukon Metals is focused on fostering sustainable growth and prosperity within Yukon’s local communities, while simultaneously enhancing stakeholder value. The Company’s strategy centers around inclusivity and shared prosperity, offering both community members and investors the chance to contribute to, and benefit from, its ventures.
The Yukon
The Yukon Territory is an underexplored and minerally endowed district with a mining history dating back to the Klondike Gold Rush of 1898. With a progressive permitting regime, geopolitical stability and supportive government, it is well positioned to foster the next generation of mines. The Yukon is host to a highly experienced and conscientious local workforce, fostered by a long culture of exploration coupled with deep respect for the land. Recent major discoveries with local roots such as Snowline Gold Corp.’s Rogue Project – Valley Discovery, demonstrate the Yukon’s potential to generate fresh district-scale mining opportunities.
On behalf of the board of Yukon Metals Corp.
Jim Coates
CEO
Email: [email protected]
For additional information please contact:
Lindsay Wilson
VP Investor Relations & Communications
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1 (778) 996-2192
Originally published on April 27, 2026 by GlobeNewswire on behalf of Yukon Metals Corp..
