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Vancouver, BC – TheNewswire - February 23, 2026 – Global Stocks News - Sponsored content disseminated on behalf of Selkirk Copper Mines Inc. On February 19, 2026 Selkirk Copper Mines Inc. (TSXV: SCMI) (FSE: IO20) (OTCQB: SKRKF) announced new assay results from the on-going 50,000 meter drill program at the Minto Mine in Yukon, Canada.

In June 2025, Selkirk First Nation (SFN) purchased the former Minto Mine out of bankruptcy, then partnered with the Frank Giustra-backed Fiore Group to form Selkirk Copper Mines.

SCMI is derisking the Minto Mine through exploration, resource expansion, engineering and mine-planning, with the goal of establishing a 12-15 year mine life prior to production restart.

"These latest drill results continue to grow our confidence in the Minto property, including the Minto North zone, Minto East zone, and Ridgetop zones. Combined with positive results from recent metallurgical test work, we are making progress to have sufficient grade and continuity to support our targeted 12-15 year mine life and restart plan,” stated Colin Joudrie, Selkirk Copper President & CEO.

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“The assay results released on February 19, 2026 expand and extend established mineralized zones,” Joudrie told Guy Bennett, the CEO of Global Stocks News (GSN), “adding to the potential mineable material supporting our targeted 12-15 year mine-life.”

Drill hole 25SCM042 tested an area of inferred resources within the uppermost lenses at Minto East, infilling an approximate 90-metre gap between historical drill holes.

Results confirm the continuity of high-grade mineralization through this gap, returning 3.37% copper, 1.88 g/t gold, and 14.96 g/t silver over 6.5 meters , within a broader zone of 2.50% copper, 1.16 g/t gold and 9.90 g/t silver over 15.2 meters from 101.3 meters equating to a copper equivalent of 3.45%

“Our exploration team has  carefully re-examined the full inherited drill hole database,” Joudrie told GSN. “We’re testing gaps between historical drill holes. The results from hole 25SCM042 strengthen our view that once defined, these mineralized lenses will be amenable to long-hole stoping, a cost-effective underground mining method”.

“In 2007 a gold and silver stream was sold to finance the construction of the Minto Mine,” Joudrie told GSN.

A metal streaming company cuts a cheque to a mining company to fund development costs in exchange for the right to purchase a percentage of future metal production at a predetermined, discounted price. In a rising metal price environment, that discount can become onerous for the miner.

“The bankruptcy process extinguished that long-standing gold and silver stream on the Minto Mine,” explained Joudrie. “This frees up about 35% of the value of the ore in the ground.”

The revenue from the sale of precious metal by-products will now go directly to the operator.  With gold trading at about US$5,000 per ounce and silver trading at US$80 per ounce, the potential positive effect on Selkirk Copper’s bottom line is significant.  

Drilling at the Ridgetop zone continues to expand the extents of near-surface mineralization to the south and southwest. Five holes from Ridgetop drilled in October intersected mineralization significantly above the 2025 MRE open pit cutoff-grade of 0.30% CuEq.

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The current drill program will inform an updated and integrated mine plan, which is the basis for the trade-off study and the Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA).

“A trade-off study compares multiple design, operational and strategic options to determine the best approach for the mine restart,” Joudrie told GSN. “The criteria being analysed includes open and underground mining locales, mining rates, processing equipment, capital costs, and production rates while ensuring we meet our environmental and safety objectives. The trade-off study allows us to make informed decisions during project planning.”

“The objective of the PEA is to evaluate the economic viability of the Minto Mine, before spending money on more detailed drilling and advanced design & engineering studies,” added Joudrie.

In the 10-minute VRIC Media video below, Joudrie explains the value proposition for Selkirk Copper shareholders.

“We've been working with the Selkirk First Nation through a complex bankruptcy proceeding,” stated Joudrie in the video address. “We’ve developed trust and communication over a two-year process. That resulted in Selkirk Copper raising C$45 million in the latter part of 2025.”

On November 3, 2025 Currie Dixon's Yukon Party formed a majority government in the Yukon’s territorial election , marking the party's return to power after nine years in opposition.

Dixon’s party pledged to “Complete the modernization of mining legislation by working with First Nation governments and the responsible mining industry to create a legislative framework for the territory’s largest private sector industry.”

“The goals of the new Yukon government align with our corporate and social goals,” Joudrie told GSN. “SFN’s 22.3% equity position in Selkirk Copper, combined with their working knowledge of the mine, the surrounding territory, and the relationships they have with the Yukon’s Department of Energy, Mines and Resources, make them an invaluable partner.”

“For SFN, this mine restart mission isn’t just about jobs and a net smelter royalty. They are spearheading a transformational shift in the way indigenous groups participate in the mining industry,” added Joudrie.

As of February 12, 39,315 metres of drilling in 144 drill holes have been completed, or 78% of the planned 50,000 metre Phase 1 drill program. The Phase 1 drill program is expected to be completed by mid-March.

Selkirk Copper is targeting the release of the trade-off study and PEA for mid-year 2026.

Technical aspects of this news release have been reviewed, verified and approved by Stacie Jones-Clark, P.Geo., Vice President Exploration of Selkirk Copper Mines Inc., who is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

References : See 2025-08-06 Technical Report "NI 43-101 2025 Mineral Resource Estimate Update for the Minto Property, Yukon, Canada " effective date 2025-04-07 filed by Venerable Ventures Ltd., available on SEDAR+ (sedarplus.ca).

Disclaimer: Selkirk Copper Mines paid GSN $1,750 for the research, creation and dissemination of this content.

Contact: guy.bennett@globalstocksnews.com

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