Copper Explorer Uncovers High-Grade Target Near Major BC Mines

1) James Guttman wrote this article for Streetwise Reports LLC and provides services to Streetwise Reports as an employee.

2)  This article does not constitute investment advice and is not a solicitation for any investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her personal financial adviser and perform their own comprehensive investment research. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports' terms of use and full legal disclaimer. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company. 

For additional disclosures, please click here.

Pacific Empire Minerals Corp. (PEMC:TSX.V; PEMSF:OTCMKTS), a copper-gold exploration company based in British Columbia, has announced new re-assay results from historical drillhole 2008-01 at its Trident property. The drillhole, located at the Campbell Trench approximately 1.2 kilometers northwest of the A Zone, returned 1.57 meters grading 0.93% copper and 1.06 grams per tonne gold. This interval is part of a broader mineralized zone that includes multiple samples with copper concentrations exceeding 0.40%.

The Trident project, covering 6,618 hectares, lies between NorthWest Copper Corp.'s Kwanika Deposit and Centerra Gold's Mt. Milligan Mine. Historical drilling in the A Zone intersected mineralized porphyry dikes, and the re-assay results suggest continuity of mineralization beyond the previously tested areas. Drill core samples were analyzed by ALS Canada Ltd., an independent ISO/IEC 17025–accredited laboratory. Sample preparation followed standard protocols, and no quality control issues were reported.

To support planning for its upcoming 2025 drill program, Pacific Empire has engaged Eagle Mapping to conduct a high-resolution LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) survey over the Trident property. This remote sensing technology will help finalize drill pad locations by providing precise elevation and topographic data, even through dense forest cover.

In addition to technical preparations, Pacific Empire has retained Hillside Consulting and Media Inc. to manage a four-week digital outreach and investor relations campaign. The engagement began on August 13 and includes a payment of CA$100,000 plus applicable tax. The initiative is intended to support communication efforts around the company's exploration plans.

Copper Sector Developments: Trade Policy and Supply Risks

According to CNBC on July 31, the final implementation of a 50% tariff by the United States on certain copper products targeted semi-finished goods such as rods, wires, and pipes. However, it excluded copper cathode, ores, concentrates, and scrap. This exemption led to a sharp drop in COMEX copper prices, which fell by as much as 19% during intraday trading. Despite the market reaction, analysts indicated that the tariff may still influence pricing across downstream manufacturing sectors that rely on copper-intensive components.

Jenni Reid of CNBC noted that the underlying fundamentals of the copper market remained unchanged. On the same day, Duncan Wanblad, CEO of Anglo American, stated, "The fundamentals of copper are really underpinned by the fact that demand is looking to be very strong still in terms of the world's need for an energy transition," referencing its applications in electric vehicles and artificial intelligence-related infrastructure.

Jeff Clark of The Gold Advisor maintained a Hold rating on the stock.

Mining.com reported on August 7 that copper prices rebounded in early August due to strong Chinese trade data and renewed supply concerns in Chile. China recorded a 7.2% year-over-year increase in exports for July, exceeding expectations and boosting demand for industrial metals. Zhou Xiao'ou of Zijin Tianfeng Futures told Bloomberg that China's copper imports reached 480,000 metric tons in June, the highest monthly figure for 2025.

The same article noted that Codelco suspended operations at its El Teniente mine on July 31, 2025, following a fatal tunnel collapse. The shutdown is expected to impact production by approximately 30,000 metric tons per month. Michael Cuoco, head of metals at StoneX Financial, commented, "As long as it's ongoing, I find it extremely unlikely that the mine will be able to reopen," in reference to regulatory investigations underway.

On August 11, Investing.com reported that UBS maintained a bullish forecast for copper, projecting prices to stay above US$10,500 per metric ton by mid-2026. UBS cited a continuing structural supply deficit and strong end-use demand. The report also noted that the U.S. tariff exemptions may minimize disruptions to raw material supply chains, while volatility in pricing could present strategic entry points for market participants.

Analysts Highlight Value and Upside Potential

On May 15, Bob Moriarty of 321gold offered a strong endorsement of Pacific Empire Minerals Corp., citing its low valuation and strategic positioning in British Columbia. In a conversation with Rick Mills, publisher of Ahead of the Herd, Moriarty stated, "This is not a bad stock, it's a good stock." He acknowledged investor frustration over delays in drill permitting but argued that the company's projects and location remain compelling. Moriarty emphasized the potential value recovery, noting, "The stock was 4 cents six weeks ago, it was 3 cents a month ago . . .  so it's worth a hell of a lot more than a penny and a half."

He encouraged management to improve market perception through a share consolidation, explaining that a rollback would make the stock more attractive without affecting the company's underlying value. He concluded, "PEMC should be bought for no other reason than it's cheap," and pointed to the company's strong project portfolio and favorable location surrounded by major mines in central British Columbia.

In an August 14 update, Jeff Clark of Paydirt reviewed two company updates from Pacific Empire Minerals: a CA$300,000 private placement and the release of re-assay results from historical drillhole 2008-01 at the Trident property. Clark acknowledged that the funding amount was modest given the company's needs but viewed the assay results as encouraging. He highlighted the interval of 1.57 meters grading 0.93% copper and 1.06 grams per tonne gold, describing the grades as "good," even though the interval was relatively narrow. Clark also noted the company's commissioning of a LiDAR survey in preparation for its 2025 drill program and confirmed his continued support by stating, "There's still enough potential for this program to generate a significant discovery that I'm willing to stick with Pacific Empire Minerals at least through the initial drill results." He maintained a Hold rating on the stock.

Target Zones and Exploration Framework

The 2025 diamond drill program at Trident is expected to cover 2,500 meters and will be guided by an integrated dataset of geological, geochemical, and geophysical information. The primary focus is on a structural intersection described in investor materials as a "Triple Point Junction," formed by the convergence of regional faults, including northeast-trending transcurrent structures. These deep-seated faults are considered favorable conduits for mineralizing fluids in porphyry systems.

Geochemical analysis across the Trident property has identified strong copper, gold, and zinc anomalies. Soil sampling has yielded copper values up to 5,213 parts per million and gold values up to 591 parts per billion. The zinc data form a broader halo surrounding the copper-gold core, which aligns with the zoned metal distribution commonly observed in alkalic porphyry systems. The highest copper concentrations appear in soils located north of the A Zone and have not yet been tested by drilling.

Recent reinterpretation of historical core samples has highlighted the significance of hornblende-feldspar monzonite porphyry intrusions, which are directly associated with the highest copper-gold grades. This supports a revised model of the Trident system, with potential high-grade zones near surface that were previously overlooked.

The LiDAR survey will complement existing geophysical data, including resistivity and magnetotelluric (MT) surveys that indicate a vertically extensive hydrothermal system beneath the primary target. A central resistivity high, interpreted as a silicified or potassic-altered core, is flanked by conductivity highs that may correspond to mineralized breccia pipes.

Elsewhere in its portfolio, Pacific Empire also holds the Pinnacle project, a 15,929-hectare property located 60 kilometers west of Mt. Milligan. The company plans to evaluate future drilling opportunities at Pinnacle following recent logging activities and improved road access. Ground-based magnetotelluric surveys and additional geochemical work are scheduled for 2026. 

Ownership and Share Structure

About 3.06% of Pacific Empire Minerals Corp. is owned by management and insiders. Private companies hold approximately 0.06%, while the rest is retail.

Top shareholders include Brad Peters with 2.22%, according to Refinitiv

Its market cap is about CA$4.06 million. It trades in a 52-week range of CA$0.0100 - CA$0.0351, according to MarketWatch.