Staggering Discovery of Gold and Copper Deposits in Canada Leaves Mining Sector Astonished
Breakthrough Copper-Gold Discovery in Northern British Columbia
A significant copper-gold deposit has been discovered in northern British Columbia by Amarc Resources at its JOY project. The discovery, named AuRORA, is a game-changer for the mining industry in Canada and has the potential to strengthen the country's position as a key supplier of critical minerals.
The AuRORA site, located on the northern flank of the Toodoggone volcanic arc, has been historically bypassed due to difficult access, glacial cover, and short field seasons. However, recent climate shifts have opened up new seasonal drilling windows, allowing companies to deploy helicopter-portable rigs instead of relying on more expensive and time-consuming winter road construction.
The shallow discovery was made at Hole JP24057 and intersected 131 feet averaging 1.24 grams per tonne of gold and 0.38 percent copper, starting just 59 feet below the surface. This is a rare find in an established mining region like the Golden Triangle, which has historically been underexplored in some areas due to difficult terrain and conditions.
The initial seven drill holes, spaced 330 feet apart, now outline a 600-yard-wide corridor, with consistent grades tracing from surface to at least 800 feet. A deeper intercept from the same hole showed even richer results, with 1.97 grams of gold and 0.49 percent copper at 190 feet depth.
Core samples from AuRORA show quartz-magnetite veinlets rich in chalcopyrite, with accessory bornite and silver flecks contributing additional revenue potential. A leachable oxide cap is under evaluation for early-stage heap leach production.
The discovery aligns with Canadian and British Columbia government priorities on advancing critical mineral projects for the green and digital economy. Copper and gold are essential for technologies such as electric vehicles and renewable energy infrastructure, giving this project positive policy and funding support prospects.
Amarc Resources has secured early environmental agreements and equipment training programs for local residents, signifying a commitment to sustainable and inclusive development. The Northwest Transmission Line now passes within 50 miles of the JOY site, and paved highway access brings logistical hubs within a day's reach.
The partnership between Amarc Resources and Freeport-McMoRan is significant as it de-risks Amarc's capital requirements. Freeport-McMoRan holds an option to earn 70% of the JOY project by investing $110 million in four stages. Three rigs are expected to double the current drilled strike length by October 2025.
Soil sampling across a nine-mile corridor continues to reveal copper and gold anomalies under glacial till. At least seven more chargeability highs have been identified across the JOY property. The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects a doubling of copper demand by 2040 due to electrification, renewable energy, and data center expansion.
The discovery at AuRORA could catalyse renewed large-scale copper-gold exploration and mining in northern British Columbia, attracting adjacent exploration from neighbouring companies like TDG Gold. This development could strengthen Canada’s position as a key supplier of critical minerals with broad implications for the mining sector and clean technology supply chains.
The discovery at the AuRORA site, despite its historically challenging weather and terrain, has been facilitated by recent climate shifts, creating new drilling opportunities for companies. Gold and copper, found in abundance at AuRORA, are vital resources for technologies like electric vehicles and renewable energy infrastructure.
