Nicola Mining Inc. (NASDAQ: NICM) (TSXV: NIM) (FSE: HLIA) has announced the start of its 2026 exploration diamond drilling program at the New Craigmont Copper Project in British Columbia. The program targets the “Jotun” anomaly, identified through prior ZTEM surveying and supported by encouraging 2023 drill results. The company will drill a deep hole designed to test a resistivity anomaly at approximately 775 meters, aiming to evaluate the potential for a porphyry-skarn system and expand understanding of mineralization, geological structures, and alteration across a newly prioritized exploration zone.
The New Craigmont Project is a high-grade copper property covering 10,913 hectares along the southern end of the Guichon Batholith, adjacent to Highland Valley Copper, Canada’s largest copper mine. Nicola Mining owns 100% of the project, which positions the company strategically in one of the world’s most significant copper-producing regions. The 2026 drilling program represents a critical step in advancing the project, with the deep drill hole designed to probe a geophysical anomaly that could indicate a large, buried copper system.
The implications of this drilling program are substantial for the mining industry and investors. If successful, the discovery of a porphyry-skarn system at the Jotun anomaly could significantly enhance the value of the New Craigmont Project, potentially adding a major copper resource in a region already known for large-scale operations. For Nicola Mining, a positive outcome would validate the company’s exploration strategy and could attract partnership or acquisition interest from major mining companies seeking to expand their copper portfolios amid rising global demand for the metal.
Copper is a critical component in electrification and renewable energy technologies, and the push for decarbonization is driving sustained demand. A new discovery near Highland Valley Copper would benefit from existing infrastructure, including roads, power, and skilled labor, reducing development costs and timelines. For industry leaders and investors, the program underscores the importance of advanced geophysical techniques like ZTEM in identifying deep-seated mineralization that may be overlooked by conventional methods.
Nicola Mining also maintains a 100% owned mill and tailings facility near Merritt, British Columbia, capable of processing gold and silver via gravity and flotation. The company has signed Mining and Milling Profit Share Agreements with high-grade gold projects, providing additional revenue streams. The New Craigmont Project remains the company’s primary copper asset, and the 2026 drilling program is a key catalyst for near-term value creation.
For more information, the full press release is available at https://ibn.fm/Iyj8W. Updates on Nicola Mining can be found in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/NICM.
