Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 9, 2025) - AsiaBaseMetals Inc. (TSXV: ABZ) ("AsiaBaseMetals" or the "Company") is pleased to report the acquisition, through staking, of a 100% interest in the Jervis Property (the "Property" or "Jervis Project"), in the highly prospective Gambier Group. The Jervis Project exhibits strong potential for a Britannia Mine-style volcanogenic massive sulphide ("VMS") deposit. Britannia produced roughly 47.8 million tonnes of ore averaging 1.1% copper ("Cu"), 0.65% zinc ("Zn"), 6.8 grams per tonne ("g/t ") silver ("Ag"), and 0.6 g/t gold ("Au") (Minfile, 2008), making it the largest VMS deposit mined in British Columbia and the second largest discovered after Windy Craggy).
JERVIS PROJECT - Location, Showings & Geology
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The Jervis Project, comprising 1,000 hectares of contiguous mineral claims, is strategically situated along the VMS-prospective trend of the Gambier Group in British Columbia, Canada. This trend also hosts the Britannia Mine, located approximately 55 km to the southeast, and the Rox Project (5,131 hectares), approximately 20 km to the northwest and staked by Kenorland Minerals Ltd. This favourable geological setting underscores the Jervis Project's strong potential for VMS mineralization. However, the Company cautions that mineralization hosted on adjacent and/or nearby properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization that may be hosted on the Jervis Project.
The Jervis Property ranges in elevation from sea level at Jervis Inlet to nearly 1,260 metres at its eastern extent. Local weather conditions generally permit exploration activities for more than ten months of the year. The Jervis Project is located approximately 80 km northwest of Vancouver, BC, and 11 km north of Egmont village on the Sunshine Coast. Like the nearby Rox Project, the Jervis Property lies within the traditional territory of the Shíshálh First Nation and is subject to the Mineral Claims Consultation Framework which has commenced.
JERVIS PROJECT - Exploration History
The Jervis Project has a long exploration history, with open cuts and adits dating back to the 1920s. Approximately 1,371 metres of drilling (* Kidlark & Yacoub, 1989 - see below) were completed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, but these efforts focused on targeted limited surface showings without applying a VMS exploration model. Subsequent programs-including rock and soil sampling, as well as magnetic ("MAG") and very low frequency electromagnetic ("VLF") surveys in 1989 and 1993-highlighted the potential for Britannia-style mineralization. However, these programs did not prioritize stratigraphic analysis, which is essential for effective VMS targeting.
* Kidlark, G.R. & Yacoub, F.F. (1989) Report on the Jervis Inlet Property; BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Assessment Report 18346. |
Subsequent programs-including rock and soil sampling and MAG and VLF surveys in 1989 and 1993-recognized the potential for Britannia-style mineralization. However, they did not prioritize stratigraphic analysis, which is critical for VMS exploration.
Although earlier exploration programs had notable limitations, they provided valid, pertinent and useful information documenting widespread copper-zinc ("Cu-Zn") mineralization, locally accompanied by Au and Ag, which may indicate footwall or peripheral mineralization within a VMS system.
A review of publicly available past exploration data on the Jervis Project, referred to above, identified several noteworthy results, including a 9.1 m section of drill core assaying 0.2% Cu, a 1 m chip sample across a sediment-volcanic contact returning 24.9% Zn and 0.15% Cu, and an 80 cm chip sample with 9.98 ounces per tonne ("oz/t") Ag, 1.92% Cu, and 0.16% Zn. (** Kikauka, 1993 - see below). The 1993 soil sampling program outlined a strong, coherent Cu-Zn anomaly extending approximately 2 km in a broad northwest-trending band. Soil samples containing over 800 parts per million ("ppm") Cu and/or 1,000 ppm Zn are common within this zone. Au, Ag, arsenic ("As"), and lead ("Pb") soil anomalies are more scattered but generally coincide with the broader Cu-Zn anomaly.
** Kikauka, A. (1993) Geological, Geochemical, Geophysical Report on the Treat 1 and 3 Mineral Claims, Jervis Inlet; BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Assessment Report 23238. |
The historical information referenced in this release is based on data from past exploration programs conducted by previous holders of the Jervis Project, primarily from the 1960s to 1993 and which are publicly disclosed, as referred to above. This information is considered relevant as it indicates the presence of mineralization, but its reliability is unknown as the Company has not independently verified the results. To the extent known, the key assumptions, parameters, and methods used to prepare the historical exploration results are not fully documented or available to the Company. Further exploration work, including drilling, is required to upgrade or verify the historical results.
A property visit to the Jervis Project by Helgi. Sigurgeirson, P. Geo. in 2019 confirmed that the volcanics on the Jervis Property are bimodal, consistent with a Britannia-style VMS system. The rhyolites were classified as type II, further supporting a VMS interpretation. Notably, the rhyolites appear to be spatially associated with the soil anomaly.
The Jervis Project is considered highly prospective for VMS-style mineralization comparable to the Britannia Mine. The Company is designing its exploration program accordingly, to evaluate this potential (see the "Jervis Project - Exploration Plan" section below).
JERVIS PROJECT - Exploration Plan
The Jervis Property has not been subject to systematic VMS exploration, in the Company's opinion. Prior drilling did not effectively evaluate the key historic showings or the soil anomaly north of Lone Jack Creek, and was conducted without the benefit of a clear understanding of the volcanic stratigraphy. Moving forward, the Property will be explored using modern methods specifically designed to target VMS mineralization.
Raj Chowdhry, CEO, stated: "The Jervis Project area of British Columbia has seen minimal exploration despite its highly prospective geology. The Company's acquisition of the Jervis Project positions it as one of the few active explorers in the region, alongside Kenorland Minerals Ltd. (TSX.V: KLD), a successful project generator that staked the Rox Project (5,131 hectares) in 2022 - a property similar to, and along trend with both, the Jervis Property, and the Britannia deposit which was mined for over 70 years. Britannia Mine was once the largest producer of copper in the countries forming the British Commonwealth.
In my judgement, the exploration programs previously conducted and publicly disclosed on this property likely represent an investment of approximately $750,000 to $1,000,000 in today's dollars. When combined with the promising results (ranging as noted above under the heading JERVIS PROJECT - Exploration History, from low insignificant results up to highs of 1.92% Cu, 9.98 oz/t Ag, and 24.9% Zn) from historical sampling, this acquisition offers the Company substantial value and further strengthens our ability to enhance shareholder value.
As outlined in my May 2025 message (previously posted on the Company's website), I anticipate continued strength in mining markets, building toward a sustained bullish cycle. This favorable environment positions AsiaBaseMetals to pursue new opportunities aggressively. By prudently waiting for the junior mining sector to recover and minimizing shareholder dilution through controlled expenditures, including exploration, the Company's directors, management, and advisory board (the "Team") have now launched a focused acquisition strategy to capitalize on current market conditions. With the successful acquisition of the highly prospective Jervis Project completed, we are now actively evaluating additional advanced projects for acquisition in safe jurisdictions, with a strong preference for the Americas (currently reviewing projects in Canada, the United States, Mexico, and Chile), with a focus on the copper and gold sectors."
Qualified Persons
Helgi Sigurgeirson, P.Geo., a consultant to the Company, a "Qualified Person" as defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and approved the technical content in this news release.
This news release may contain information about adjacent properties in which the Company does not have an interest. The qualified person has not verified this information, and it is not necessarily indicative of the mineralization of the Jervis Project.
ABOUT ASIABASEMETALS INC.
AsiaBaseMetals Inc. is a growth-oriented company focused on the exploration and development of base and precious metals. The Company is actively pursuing exceptional early-stage and advanced projects in the copper and gold sectors while prudently advancing its existing assets, including the Jervis Project (100% owned) and the Gnome Project (100% owned), in line with prevailing market conditions. Led by an award-winning Team, AsiaBaseMetals' growth strategy is matched by the scale of the opportunities before it.
Gnome Project, a zinc/cobalt exploration property (comprising contiguous mineral claims totaling 1,996 hectares), is situated in a highly prospective region, 35 kilometers southeast along trend from the Cirque Deposit, a joint venture between Teck Resources Limited ("Teck") and Korea Zinc ("Korea Zinc") (50% each), and 15 kilometers southeast of ZincX Resources' Cardiac Creek Deposit.
The Cirque Deposit, Cardiac Creek Deposit, Pie, Cirque East, Yuen properties, the Cirque Property, and the Gnome Project all lie within the same geological belt northeast of Williston Lake, in northeastern British Columbia, Canada. This belt follows a north-northwest to south-southwest trend in the southern part of the Kechika Trough, which is part of the regionally extensive Paleozoic Selwyn Basin. The Selwyn Basin is recognized as one of the world's most prolific sedimentary basins for sedimentary exhalative (SEDEX) zinc-lead-silver and stratiform barite deposits, which were extensively explored during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
For more information please visit www.asiabasemetals.com
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This news release includes certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (together, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding: the Company's belief that the Jervis Protect is highly prospective for exploration; the anticipated timing for development of the Jervis Project; the Company's plans with respect to further exploration of the Jervis Project using modern methods with a focused VMS-targeted approach; the Company's belief that the acquisition of the Jervis Project enhances shareholder value; and the Company's beliefs with respect to the current and future state of the mining industry are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Often, but not always, forward looking information can be identified by words such as "pro forma", "plans", "expects", "will", "may", "should", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "potential" or variations of such words including negative variations thereof, and phrases that refer to certain actions, events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and are based upon a number of estimates and assumptions of management in light of management's experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, as of the date of this news release including, without limitation, that: the Jervis Project is highly prospective for exploration; the Company's VMS-targeted approach to exploration of the Jervis Project will be appropriate for the mineralization of the Property; and assumptions regarding political and regulatory stability and stability in financial and capital markets.
Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's plans or expectations include risks relating to: the Company's VMS-targeted approach to exploration of the Jervis Project will not be appropriate for the mineralization of the Property; the current and future state of the mining industry will not be as strong as believed or may regress; regulatory changes, fundraising risks, and risk associated with mineral exploration, including the risk that actual results of exploration will be different from those expected by management.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future event or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Neither does the Company nor any of its representatives make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy, sufficiency, or completeness of the information in this document. Neither the Company nor any of its representatives shall have any liability whatsoever, under contract, tort, trust or otherwise, to you or any person resulting from the use of the information in this document by you or any of your representatives or for omissions from the information in this document. The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation.
Contact Information
AsiaBaseMetals Inc.
Raj Chowdhry, Chief Executive Officer and President
Tel: (604) 765-2030
Email: contact@asiabasemetals.com
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SOURCE: AsiaBaseMetals Inc.