Kodiak kicks off 2026 exploration program at MPD, with multiple deposits ripe for expansion and new target testing – Richard Mills

2026.05.01

Drills will soon be turning at Kodiak Copper’s (TSXV:KDK, OTCQX:KDKCF, Frankfurt:5DD1) MPDCopper-Gold Porphyry Project in southern British Columbia.

The fully funded 2026 exploration program includes drilling aimed at expanding the recently completed maiden resource estimate, and field investigations to advance multiple exploration targets.

It will involve core drilling, 3D induced polarization (IP) and audio- magnetotelluric (AMT) geophysical surveying, geological mapping and prospecting. Core drilling will commence at the Ketchan deposit, which has not previously been drilled by Kodiak. The 2026 drill program is anticipated to total 6,500 meters, with scope for expansion as the program progresses. Further exploration activities will focus on target evaluation and prioritization in support of drill planning, on both the known deposits and prospective exploration targets of interest.

The Vancouver-based junior reported on Dec. 9 that the initial resource estimate for MPD includes seven deposits in total, with four deposits reported last June and three reported in December.

Kodiak Copper has successfully highlighted a large, open-pit initial mineral resource estimate (MRE), which shows the scale and potential of MPD and lays the foundation for future resource growth and development.

The West, Adit and South deposits all feature shallow mineralization and favorable geometry, characteristics that are expected to support low strip ratios in future economic evaluations. West and Adit host higher-grade mineralization from surface, while South is a large bulk tonnage deposit over 1 km in length that is still underexplored.

The resource on the MPD Project is based on decades of historical exploration and Kodiak’s drilling from 2019 to 2025 totaling approximately 90,000 meters.

Between the Indicated and Inferred categories, the resource amounts to 2.408 billion pounds of copper and 1.67 million ounces of gold (Indicated Resource of 82.9Mt grading 0.39% CuEq, containing 519Mlb copper and 0.39Moz gold, along with an Inferred Resource of 356.3Mt grading 0.32% CuEq, containing 1,889Mlb copper and 1.28Moz gold, as detailed in the company’s December 9, 2025 news release).

Kodiak Copper publishes sizeable maiden resource with lots of room to grow — Richard Mills

While the company has identified multiple mineralization deposits, it remains committing to continued exploration to further grow the project, both through deposit expansion and the testing of new targets.

All deposits at MPD remain open for expansion within and beyond the MRE pit shells, most in multiple directions and at depth. 

2026 exploration highlights

Kodiak has identified opportunities to expand all seven deposits in the MRE, including potential extensions beyond the current mineralized zones and gaps within the MRE models.

It is expected that most of the seven deposits will be drilled in 2026. The growth potential of the Ketchan, Adit and Dillard deposits is provided below.

Kodiak has also identified 16 new exploration targets, including historical showings on recently acquired claims, prospects from the 2025 regional exploration program, and Areas of Interest generated by VRIFY Artificial Intelligence (AI) assisted targeting.

To date, a total of 36 prospective targets have been identified for follow-up. Kodiak plans to advance or drill several of these targets, including the Dillard East, Star and Tau targets.

“We are pleased to commence our 2026 exploration program at MPD, building on the success of last year’s maiden resource, President and CEO Claudia Tornquist said in the April 28 news release. “Our focus is to expand known deposits and advance a strong pipeline of high-quality targets that offer meaningful discovery potential. With a clear path to resource growth and new discoveries, we believe this program will be a key driver in unlocking further value at MPD.”

Ketchan deposit expansion potential

The Ketchan deposit consists of two lobes approximately 1.4 kilometers long. The deposit was developed entirely from historical drilling and will be drilled for the first time by Kodiak in 2026.

Mineralization was noted in holes well beyond the extent of the MRE.

Kodiak’s 2025 regional exploration also confirmed a well-defined copper-in-soil anomaly along more than 2 km of strike length, significantly beyond the current limits of the MRE. 

A priority area for potential expansion is to the southeast of the MRE where historical drilling at surface intersected substantial mineralization approximately 400 meters from the current deposit.

The gap between the north and south lobes also has limited drilling and is highlighted by anomalous rock and copper-in-soil results.

Data from numerous rock samples, soil samples, 3D induced polarization surveys, geology and drilling suggest the deposit can also be expanded in multiple other areas.

Adit deposit expansion potential

Multiple data sets (drilling, soil, geophysics) suggest there is potential to extend the Adit deposit to the north and west.

200 meters north of the MRE, two holes drilled by Kodiak intersected mineralization in an area with limited drill testing.

One of the holes was drilled towards a VRIFY AI Area of Interest (AOI) to the west of the Adit deposit. The AOI is also associated with a moderate copper-in-soil anomaly. The drill hole intersected 4 meters of 0.64% copper and 0.14 g/t gold at the end of the hole before it was lost.

A coincident copper-in-soil anomaly and 3D induced polarization chargeability anomaly is also a priority for follow-up. The anomaly extends 400 meters to the northeast of Adit, and results from a 2024 drill hole confirm mineralization is present.

 Dillard deposit expansion potential

The Dillard area is associated with a large mineralization envelope that has been drilled over an area of one square biometer, extending well beyond the currently defined deposit.

Drill hole density is low and there are numerous areas where soil, rock and geophysical data suggest the deposit could be extended.

Areas to the west and east of Dillard are the most prospective, however gaps within the deposit also have potential.

Of particular interest is the west side of the deposit, where rock samples have returned assay values ranging from 0.4% copper to 0.8% copper. These samples are also associated with copper-in-soil and chargeability anomalies, both of which are located well outside the current edge of the deposit.

Dillard East and Star exploration targets

Kodiak has identified several large 3D induced polarization (3D-IP) chargeability features at the Dillard East and Star target areas.

A 2 kilometer-long northeast-trending chargeability high transects the large circular copper-in soil signatures that characterize the Dillard East and Star targets.

In addition to the soil and 3D-IP anomalies, the targets are associated with at least 20 prospecting samples taken by Kodiak assaying >0.3% copper and/or >0.5 g/t gold.

Similarly, a second, 1-kilometer-long 3D-IP response can be seen on the southeast flank of the large circular copper-in-soil geochemical signature at Dillard East.

The Dillard East and Star targets have not yet been drilled by Kodiak.

Tau drill target

The Tau target, located along trend of the South deposit, is associated with a copper-in-soil anomaly in an area where outcrop is limited.

A prominent VRIFY AI Area of Interest is also coincident with the Tau soil anomaly.

The target has never been drill-tested. Further geophysics are planned in anticipation of drilling in 2026.

In other news, Kodiak Copper announced it has entered into a non-binding letter of intent (LO) with Teck Resources (TSX:TECK.B) (collectively with its subsidiary Teck American Incorporated, Teck) and Kay Copper, formerly Railtown II Capital Corporation.

Under the transaction, Kodiak would sell its 100%-owned Mohave project, and Teck would sell its 100%-owned Copper Hill project, both in Arizona, into a subsidiary of Kay Copper to create a new US-focused copper exploration company that would apply to list its shares on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV).

Kodiak’s CEO Claudia Tornquist said, “While Kodiak remains firmly focused on the MPD project in British Columbia, we are excited to combine our Mohave project with Teck’s Copper Hill project in a new company, Kay Copper. We are thrilled to become shareholders in Kay Copper alongside Teck and are confident this new venture has the potential to create substantial long-term shareholder value. With two projects with multiple targets ready to be drilled this year, Kay Copper will be well positioned to pursue a strategy of growth and value creation.”

Completion of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions.

Conclusion

Kodiak Copper had a phenomenal 2025, releasing a maiden mineral resource estimate on its MPD property in south-central British Columbia, and the share price up 95% over the last year.

The team is to be congratulated for running an extremely successful project so far. But now, the most important aspect of the MPD story is the potential copper and gold upside on the known resource, plus the potential upside from further exploration, not only on existing known mineralization but new discoveries as well.

The 2026 exploration program entails both drilling — at least 6,500 meters but likely more, depending on what they find — and field investigations to advance multiple exploration targets.

Of the seven deposits outlined in the MRE, Kodiak had identified the most growth potential in Ketchan, Adit and Dillard.

Kodiak has also identified several large 3D induced polarization chargeability features at the Dillard East and Star target areas, and a copper-in-soil anomaly at the Tau target located along trend of the South deposit. None of these areas have yet been drill-tested.

As Kodiak Copper goes to work at its MPD Copper-Gold Porphyry Project, I’m excited for both the potential for new discoveries, and expansion of existing deposits that could add considerable copper tonnage and gold ounces to the already impressive 2025 mineral resource estimate.

Kodiak Copper
TSXV:KDK, OTCQB:KDKCF, Frankfurt:5DD1
Cdn$0.85 2026.04.29
Shares Outstanding 98.1m
Market Cap Cdn$82.1m
KDK website

Richard (Rick) Mills
aheadoftheherd.com

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Richard does not own shares of Kodiak Copper

TSXV:KDK). KDK is a paid advertiser on his site aheadoftheherd.com This article is issued on behalf of KDK