Faraday Copper’s Blind Winchester Breccia Discovery: A Copper Game-Changer in Arizona?

In a sector increasingly starved for high-quality copper projects, Faraday Copper Corp. has delivered a landmark breakthrough with its discovery of the Blind Winchester Breccia at the Copper Creek Project in Arizona. This subsurface breccia—a geological feature not visible at the surface—has expanded the project’s near-surface mineralization footprint, bridging a critical gap between the Mammoth and American Eagle breccia zones. With Phase III drilling yielding robust results and plans for a transformative Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA), the project is positioning itself as a potential cornerstone of North America’s copper pipeline.

Key Drilling Results: Expanding the Copper Horizon

The Phase III drilling program, completed in April 2025, drilled 79 holes totaling 30,069 meters, with assays from 63 holes already reported. The Blind Winchester Breccia emerged as a star performer:
- Drill hole FCD-25-102 intersected 154.29 meters of 0.26% copper and 1.07 g/t silver, including a 22.23-meter interval grading 0.42% copper.
- FCD-25-099 (Jailhouse Breccia) returned 57.87 meters of 0.37% copper, with a standout 18.58-meter section at 0.66% copper.
- FCD-25-100 (Courthouse Breccia) delivered 40.70 meters of 0.34% copper, including 28.21 meters at 0.42% copper.

These results underscore the project’s lateral and vertical continuity, with mineralization extending to depths of 390 meters. The discovery of the blind breccia—previously undetectable due to overlying cover—hints at a broader potential for hidden copper systems across the 17,000-acre property.

Technical Studies: The PEA and Resource Estimate Game Plan

To capitalize on these findings, Faraday has contracted leading consultants for an updated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) and PEA, expected by Q3 2025. Key elements include:
- MRE Scope: Integrating 40,000 meters of drilling data from Phases II and III, exceeding prior estimates. The MRE will assess open-pit and underground mining scenarios.
- PEA Focus: Optimizing a low-capital-cost development path, leveraging high copper recovery rates (90%+ via coarse grind and flotation) and the project’s district-scale geology. The PEA aims to demonstrate a long mine life (20+ years) and robust margins, with a target $1.2 billion net present value (NPV) under a $3.50/lb copper price.

Geological Context: A Porphyry System with Legs

The American Eagle area, spanning 800m by 1,000m, hosts multiple breccias and porphyry-style veins. Surface geochemistry reveals strong copper anomalies, suggesting a large-scale buried porphyry system. Historical drilling missed much of the near-surface potential due to vertical/inclined hole designs, but Phase III’s angled drilling has revealed wide, shallow mineralization.

The Rum area, 700 meters northwest of the main resource, also shows promise: Drill hole FCD-24-089 intersected copper oxides and pathfinders like silver, hinting at deeper sulfide potential. Follow-up drilling is planned to test this zone further.

Strategic Implications: A Copper Play for the Decade

The Blind Winchester Breccia discovery marks a pivotal step for Faraday Copper. With U.S. copper production in decline and global demand for EVs and renewables surging, the project’s low capital intensity and strategic location in Arizona—a mining-friendly jurisdiction—could make it a magnet for investment.

The company’s $23 million raised in May 2024 and $17 million in cash as of December 2024 provide a solid runway for upcoming studies. Environmental permitting and Indigenous land-use agreements are advancing, with community engagement prioritized to mitigate risks.

Risks and Considerations

• Assay Delays: Results from 16 Phase III holes remain pending, potentially altering resource estimates.
• Commodity Volatility: Copper prices at sub-$3/lb levels could weaken the PEA’s economics.
• Regulatory Hurdles: Permitting timelines and water usage concerns in the arid region require close monitoring.

Conclusion: A Copper Story Worth Watching

Faraday Copper’s Copper Creek Project is emerging as one of the most compelling North American copper opportunities in years. With the Blind Winchester Breccia unlocking hidden mineralization, a robust PEA in sight, and ESG partnerships like its $2 million community scholarship fund, the project checks many boxes for investors.

Key data points reinforce its potential:
- Resource Growth: The Q2 2025 update boosted measured and indicated resources to 1.35 billion tonnes at 0.48% Cu, a 15% increase from 2024.
- Grade Consistency: High-grade intervals like the 230-meter section grading 0.72% Cu suggest a project capable of sustaining production.
- Technical Backing: Independent firms like SRK Consulting and Ausenco add credibility to the upcoming studies.

If the PEA validates the project’s economics, Copper Creek could attract strategic buyers or secure project financing, driving shareholder returns. For now, the discovery of a blind breccia in a copper-poor landscape is a rare win—a reminder that the best discoveries often lie beneath the surface.

Investors are advised to monitor the Q3 2025 PEA release and assay updates from pending drill holes for further catalysts.