The western Arizona property known as Yuma King has entered a new phase of work as Corcel Exploration initiates surface drilling after securing permits and completing geophysical surveys. Positioned within the historic Ellsworth Mining District, the project sits on a 3,200-hectare land package made up of 515 unpatented mining claims. Corcel’s approach layers a large body of historical information—drill logs, surface sampling, and mapping—with contemporary methods such as induced polarization (IP) and detailed geochemical sampling. The goal is to validate prior results, expand known mineralized zones, and test new targets generated from integrated data interpretation.
The company’s move into active exploration follows regulatory and logistical steps, including BLM bond approval that enables drilling and site activities. Corcel has launched a Phase 1 drill program of approximately 1,500 metres, supported by a regional IP survey and extensive surface sampling campaigns—2,263 soil samples and 303 rock samples. These efforts have outlined a 1.2-kilometre Cu-Au-Mo anomaly and returned sample highs such as 17.15 g/t gold and 11.6% copper. Historically, the site produced roughly 8,600 tons of ore at about 2.3% copper, and earlier studies suggested an inferred oxide copper resource in the range of 358,000 to 537,000 tons grading 3.03% copper.
Project scale and geological setting
Yuma King occupies a district-scale footprint that gives Corcel room for systematic target development. The property includes the past-producing Yuma Mine, which operated intermittently in the mid-20th century and left behind accessible evidence of copper-gold skarn and replacement-style mineralization. Drilling conducted historically intersected noteworthy intervals—for example, 45.4 metres grading 0.78% copper, 0.53 g/t gold and 6.3 g/t silver—indicating continuity of mineralization and open directions for expansion. The broader geological picture also highlights charge for a deeper copper-molybdenum-gold porphyry system, supported by anomalous molybdenum in drill core and soil geochemistry.
Exploration results and targets
Recent surface and subsurface work has refined target priorities across the concession. Drillhole YK-02B1 historically intersected 120.4 metres with 753 ppm copper and 184 ppm molybdenum, suggesting a broader mineralizing system at depth. Corcel’s geochemical grid and rock sampling have defined coherent zones of Cu-Au-Mo mineralization, while high-grade outcrops point to near-surface continuity of skarn bodies. The current drill program aims to both confirm those historical intersections and test new anomalies indicated by the IP survey. Interpreting geophysical chargeability and resistivity alongside rock and soil geochemistry will be central to vectoring toward the strongest targets.
Near-term objectives
In the immediate term, Corcel’s priorities include validating past data, extending known mineralized intervals and testing the deepest targets where a buried porphyry may reside. The Phase 1 campaign is designed to provide early confirmation or re-direction, delivering data that will inform follow-up drilling. Logistics favor the project: it benefits from good access to roads and rail and is relatively close to one of only three operating copper smelters in the United States, factors that would be advantageous for future development scenarios.
Team, capital and strategic backing
Management combines exploration expertise and capital markets experience to drive the program. Corcel is supported by Inventa Capital and led by CEO Jon Ward, who brings investor relations and mining-sector communications experience. The finance team is headed by CFO Grant Tanaka, appointed in 2026, a veteran of major mining companies such as Teck Resources, New Gold and Copper Mountain Mining. Director Thy Truong joined the board in 2026 as a Chartered Professional Accountant, adding governance and reporting oversight. Exploration leadership includes VP Lee Beasley, a geologist with over 20 years across porphyry and skarn systems, while directors and advisors like Dr. Jesus Velador and Dr. Roy Greig contribute regional and porphyry expertise.
Strategic implications
Corcel’s program at Yuma King blends historical wealth of information with targeted modern techniques to test both near-surface skarn mineralization and potential deeper porphyry systems. The combination of an established mineralized footprint, recent high-grade surface samples, and new geophysical anomalies offers a compelling exploration narrative. The current work aims to de-risk the property, provide clarity on continuity and scale, and build a dataset that positions Corcel to advance the project methodically if results support expansion.
