GSP Resource Corp. Seeks Five-Year Exploration Permit for Mer Property Near Highland Valley Copper Mine

GSP Resource Corp. is preparing to submit a comprehensive five-year area-based permit application to the British Columbia Ministry of Mining and Critical Metals for its Mer Property, located in the Kamloops Mining Division near the Highland Valley Copper Mine. The 185-hectare property, situated approximately 1.5 kilometers northwest of GSP's Alwin Mine Project, is surrounded by Teck Resource's mining claims, creating a strategic position within an established mining district.

Historical exploration conducted between 1965 and 1971 by Cleveland Ming & Smelting Co. Ltd. revealed significant copper mineralization potential that has remained largely untapped for decades. Previous drilling efforts demonstrated promising copper grades, with historical percussion drill holes reporting intercepts ranging from 9 meters averaging 0.47% copper to 30 meters averaging 0.53% copper. A single diamond drill hole also intersected a mineralization zone averaging 0.29% copper over 24 meters, indicating consistent mineralization patterns across different drilling methods.

The proposed permit application outlines an initial year-one diamond drilling program, with provisions for potential surface disturbance to support expanded drilling in subsequent years. The property benefits from existing logging road access and prior surface exploration, including excavator trenching that exposed copper mineralization, reducing initial development costs and timelines. The Mer Property's geological setting within the Chataway and Guichon granodiorite phases of the Guichon Batholith, combined with its proximity to active mining operations, positions it as a high-priority exploration target for copper resources.

No significant exploration has been conducted on the property since the early 1970s, suggesting substantial potential for new discoveries using modern exploration techniques and geological understanding. Kristopher J. Raffle, a qualified person from APEX Geoscience Ltd., has reviewed and approved the technical information, emphasizing the project's exploratory potential while maintaining scientific rigor. The timing of this permit application coincides with growing global demand for copper as a critical metal for renewable energy infrastructure and electrification initiatives worldwide.

The proximity to Teck Resource's established mining claims and the Highland Valley Copper Mine operations provides valuable geological context and infrastructure advantages. Historical data from the 1960s and 1970s exploration campaigns provides a solid foundation for targeted modern exploration programs. The five-year permit framework allows for systematic evaluation of the property's mineral potential while adhering to environmental regulations and community engagement requirements. This exploration initiative represents an important step in assessing British Columbia's continued potential as a significant copper-producing region amid increasing global demand for critical metals.