Copper Explorer Uncovers Massive Yukon Targets

Source: Streetwise Reports 07/08/2025

Gladiator Metals Corp. (GLAD:TSX; GDTRF:OTC) has identified multiple large-scale copper-gold anomalies in Yukon’s historic Whitehorse Copper Belt. Read more to see why these untested targets could mark a major breakthrough in a tightening global copper market.

Gladiator Metals Corp. (GLAD:TSX; GDTRF:OTC) has announced results from a recent gravity survey at the Little Chief Trend, part of its Whitehorse Copper Project in Yukon, Canada. The survey, conducted by Aurora Geosciences and interpreted by Southern Geosciences Ltd., identified several large-scale, high-density gravity anomalies that may indicate the presence of untested copper-gold skarn mineralization.

The gravity anomalies include three priority targets: Valerie, LC Footwall, and LC Gravity Offset. The Valerie target is a 2-kilometer-long anomaly aligned with mapped copper-gold skarn mineralization and a high magnetic response, suggesting a potentially mineralized subsurface structure. LC Footwall is a 900-meter-long anomaly with coincident magnetic highs and visible surface mineralization, located near the historic Little Chief pit. LC Gravity Offset, a 400-meter anomaly east of the pit, is untested but lies adjacent to previously drilled mineralized zones.

These targets lie within proximity to the historic Little Chief Mine, which extracted over 8.5 million tonnes of material grading 1.5% copper and 0.75 grams per tonne gold between 1967 and 1982, according to the Yukon Geological Survey (Watson, 1984). The new anomalies were revealed through detailed gravity surveys using Scintrex gravimeters and Leica RTK GPS receivers, designed to detect subsurface variations in rock density. This is key in locating dense skarn-type copper mineralization.

Historical drilling in the surrounding area supports the potential significance of these anomalies. Notable past intercepts include 49.83 meters at 3.06% copper and 54.10 meters at 2.05% copper from drill holes north of Little Chief. Two diamond drill rigs are scheduled to mobilize in the coming weeks to begin initial exploration of the newly identified zones alongside ongoing resource drilling at the Cowley Park prospect.

Gladiator CEO Jason Bontempo stated in the news release, “We are excited by the untested copper-gold skarn exploration potential indicated by the recently completed gravity survey at Little Chief. This supports Gladiator’s belief that the Whitehorse Copper Belt is a target-rich environment that is significantly underexplored.”

Copper Sector Faces Mounting Pressure as Demand Outpaces Supply

According to a June 26 report by Ryan Charles, the global copper industry has entered a sustained supply-demand imbalance that is projected to deepen through 2050. The International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasted that copper demand could grow from 27 million tonnes in 2024 to 37 million tonnes by 2050, while global mine output is expected to peak in the late 2020s before declining. The IEA projected a 30% supply deficit by 2035 under its Stated Policies Scenario, a gap that could widen to 35% or more under more aggressive climate targets.

These supply constraints have been compounded by structural headwinds. Charles reported that copper ore grades have declined approximately 40% since 1991, while mine development timelines now average 17 years. Additionally, only 14 new copper deposits were discovered over the past decade, compared to 225 between 1990 and 2013. He wrote, “Perhaps most concerning is the dramatic slowdown in new copper discoveries.”

Demand, meanwhile, is surging across multiple sectors. The IEA cited electric vehicles, renewable energy infrastructure, data centers, and AI-driven technologies as key growth drivers. In particular, electricity networks are expected to require 6.2 million tonnes of copper by 2035, up from 4.1 million tonnes in 2023.

According to a June 27 article from Mining.com, the copper price hovered near historic highs in 2025, with London Metal Exchange (LME) cash prices breaking US$10,000 per tonne and Comex futures nearing US$5 per pound. The outlet noted that backwardation in futures markets and a widening arbitrage between U.S. and LME pricing signaled acute short-term supply tightness.

Benchmark Mineral Intelligence analysts stated, “Tariff-induced anxieties have pushed the U.S. to import large volumes of copper both due to front-loading supply but also due to the related LME/CME arbitrage it has created.”

Investment in copper supply has accelerated in response. Mining reported that BHP expected copper demand to rise 70% by 2050, driven by electrification and urbanization. BloombergNEF projected that US$2.1 trillion would be required across energy-transition metals by mid-century, with US$250 billion needed for copper supply alone.

Smaller, higher-grade assets may play a key role in addressing near-term shortages. CuFe’s executive director, Mark Hancock, said, “Every day, there’s a new article coming out talking about shortness of supply into the copper market. So that’s very much an opportunity that we see.”

Additional signs of supply strain were reported on June 29 by Rich Mills on Stockhead. The write-up noted how Trading Economics highlighted record backwardation in the copper futures market, with spot copper trading at a US$345 premium to three-month contracts on June 23, the highest level since 2021. LME inventories fell by 80% during the first half of the year, according to the report. AIinvest.com noted that Chinese smelters were facing margin compression, as spot treatment charges fell to US$20 per tonne, a 67% year-over-year decline.

Meanwhile, global demand continued to surge. AIinvest reported that copper consumption grew 8.2% year-over-year in Q1 2025, led by renewable energy and electric vehicle production. According to data from the International Copper Study Group cited by the outlet, refined copper production reached 27.634 million tonnes in 2024, while usage was 27.332 million tonnes, resulting in a surplus of just 301,000 tonnes. UBS projected that this surplus would shift to a deficit exceeding 200,000 tonnes in 2025.

The IEA estimated that only 17% of 2024 copper demand was met by secondary (recycled) supply, underscoring the continued need for new primary sources. Even under optimistic scenarios, recycled copper was expected to supply just 35% of demand by 2050.

Expert Sees Continued Upside in Gladiator Metals Following Strong Drill Results

In a June 17 analysis, Jeff Clark of TheGoldAdvisor.com underscored the continued growth potential at Gladiator Metals following recent drilling at Cowley Park. He described the latest intercept, 58.7 meters at 1.94% copper, including 11.1 meters at 6.00% copper and 8.0 meters at 3.80% copper, as “yet another strong intercept from Cowley Park.” Clark calculated the result as “a very healthy 114%-meters copper,” noting it further supported the strength of the company’s drill program.

Clark highlighted additional results from the final batch of Phase 1 and early Phase 2 drilling, pointing to consistent mineralization across multiple holes. He noted that “mineralization remains open along strike and at depth,” with two rigs dedicated to Cowley Park and a third testing regional targets across the Whitehorse Copper Belt. He called the project “clearly both strengthening and growing” and said the 29,000-meter drill campaign had the potential to deliver “lots of results and potential catalysts between now and then.”

The report also included remarks from Gladiator CEO Jason Bontempo, who stated that “ongoing resource definition drilling on the defined high-grade mineralized skarn at Cowley Park continues to deliver consistent high copper grades from near surface and confirms the exciting potential of the Cowley Park prospect.”

Clark concluded that the stock remained within his buy range, writing, “If you don’t yet own shares, today offers a good entry point for a first tranche.” He disclosed a personal holding in the company and said he was monitoring for a pullback to increase his position.

Pathways to Discovery and Growth

Gladiator’s exploration strategy centers on a 29,000-meter drill campaign across the Whitehorse Copper Belt in 2025, with a focus on resource delineation at Cowley Park and new discoveries at multiple regional targets. The company is aiming to define a maiden NI 43-101 compliant copper resource by the second quarter of 2026.

The gravity anomalies at Little Chief represent just one facet of a broader portfolio that includes multiple resource-ready zones such as Middle Chief, Arctic Chief, and the Cub Trend. Cowley Park remains the cornerstone asset, with over 10,000 meters drilled this year and several high-grade copper-molybdenum intercepts. Gladiator’s investor presentation highlights results such as 98 meters at 1.49% copper (including 14 meters at 7.67% copper) and 62.5 meters at 1.17% copper, confirming the presence of shallow, high-grade mineralization over more than 700 meters of strike length.

The company is also leveraging regional infrastructure advantages, including road access, hydroelectric power, and a nearby skilled labor pool. With exploration taking place on the traditional lands of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council, Gladiator has formalized a Capacity Funding Agreement to support community engagement and relationship building. [OWNERSHIP_CHART-10587]

While Gladiator continues drilling at Cowley Park under its Class 1 permit, a Class 3 permit expected later in the year would allow for greater flexibility and higher drill density. This could accelerate the timeline for converting exploration targets into defined resources, particularly as the company advances its scout drilling programs at the Arctic Chief, Cub, and Chiefs Trends.

As the global copper supply faces increasing pressure from falling ore grades and rising demand, Gladiator Metals is positioning its high-grade Yukon assets within a broader strategic context of supply gap mitigation and resource development.

Ownership and Share Structure

According to Refinitiv, 10.54% of Gladiator Metals’ stock is held by management and insiders. Howard Coyne owns the most with 6.37%. Jason Bontempo has 1.53%. Shawn Khunkhun has 1.34%.

Institutions hold 6.08%.

The rest is held by retail investors.

According to MarketWatch, as of June 18, Gladiator Metals had a market cap of CA$61.99 million, with 77.49 million common shares outstanding. It trades in the 52-week range between CA$0.3350 and CA$0.8500.

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1. As of the date of this article, officers and/or employees of Streetwise Reports LLC (including members of their household) own securities of Gladiator Metals
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( Companies Mentioned: GLAD:TSX;GDTRF:OTC, )

Source: https://www.streetwisereports.com/article/2025/07/08/copper-explorer-uncovers-massive-yukon-targets.html