Breakthrough Carbon Sequestration Project Targets Rich Ultramafic Zone in British Columbia

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Granite Creek Copper Ltd. (GCX:TSX.V; GCXXF:OTCQB) has announced funding approval from Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) for its participation in a groundbreaking technology development project targeting carbon sequestration. The initiative, entitled "Development of Extraction and Carbonation Technology for Ultramafic Rocks," has secured up to US$2.28 million under NRCan's Energy Innovation Program, designed to support carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) research.

The project, led by Kemetco Research Inc., aims to develop technology that enhances metal extraction while facilitating carbon sequestration by utilizing the natural carbonation capacity of magnesium silicate minerals found in ultramafic rocks. Granite Creek will provide material from its 100%-owned Star Ni-Cu-PGE project in central British Columbia, an area known for its rich ultramafic geology conducive to both resource extraction and carbon sequestration.

Granite Creek's President and CEO, Tim Johnson, highlighted the importance of this partnership, stating in the announcement, "We are pleased to receive support from NRCan and look forward to working closely with Kemetco to advance the technology and the development of the Star project." The funding will also cover Granite Creek's site work expenses and analytical costs.

The Star project spans 2,500 hectares and is located 190 kilometers northeast of Smithers, British Columbia, near infrastructure from the former Kemess Mine. The project's geological potential extends beyond nickel and copper, offering prospects for cobalt, platinum group metals (PGMs), gold, and opportunities for carbon sequestration and geological hydrogen production.

Copper Sector Strengthens as Demand Surges and Sustainability Initiatives Advance

According to a February 4 analysis from John Newell, the junior mining sector — particularly for copper — showed signs of a potential breakout after years of weak investor sentiment and low liquidity. Newell pointed out that the TSX Venture Exchange had been highly sensitive to commodity cycles, with recent technical indicators suggesting that early-stage explorers were poised for renewed growth. "A move above long-term resistance levels indicates improving investor sentiment," Newell noted, suggesting that financing for junior miners could improve as copper prices remained strong.

On February 15, Shad Marquitz's recap from the World Outlook Financial Conference highlighted bullish technical patterns for copper futures in 2025. Marquitz observed that copper had formed a "W-shaped double-bottom" pattern, suggesting a positive trajectory if pricing surpassed key resistance levels. He also noted that copper had maintained a bullish posture, closing at its highest weekly level in several months at US$4.66, reflecting optimism in the sector as demand continues to grow.

A February 19 report from EY emphasized that copper companies were ramping up production and focusing on sustainability initiatives amid tightening supply pressures. With global electrification goals projected to require 115% more copper over the next 30 years, exploration budgets hit a decade high in 2024. Latin America led global investment, particularly Chile, which accounted for 20% of the global budget despite a slight year-over-year decline. The report highlighted that "exploration and expansion efforts are crucial to address long-term supply challenges due to declining ore grades and longer development timelines."

In addition to supply concerns, EY noted copper's increasing strategic importance in artificial intelligence-driven data centers, defense systems, and the broader energy transition. The report added that sustainability remained central to corporate strategies, with companies advancing decarbonization targets and improving water stewardship practices.

A February 20 article from Stockhead highlighted that exploration activity remained concentrated on older, proven copper deposits, with grassroots exploration budgets plunging by 9% to US$786 million — just a quarter of global copper exploration efforts. Despite high exploration budgets, the sector continued to face challenges due to a lack of major new discoveries since 2019. The report also pointed out regulatory developments in Argentina aimed at boosting copper output, including the easing of environmental restrictions and incentives such as tax credits under the Regime for Large Investments (RIGI) program.

The analysis from Stockhead also noted geopolitical factors influencing the copper market. New regulatory changes in the US and Canada aimed to reshape copper trade dynamics, including potential tariffs on copper imports from China, Mexico, and Canada. These shifts could impact global trade flows, supply chains, and copper pricing.

Granite Creek Copper's Strategic Advancements: Unlocking Resource Potential and Enhancing Project Value

Granite Creek Copper's latest investor presentation outlines several upcoming catalysts that could further enhance the company's value proposition. The most significant near-term developments include the progression of the Star project's pilot-scale testing phase and further drilling activities aimed at unlocking new resource potential in British Columbia's Minto District.

The company also plans to review and update the Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) of its Carmacks copper-gold-silver project based on recent metallurgical advancements. Notably, recent testing demonstrated an increase in copper recovery from oxide ore, improving from 39.8% to 88%. These improvements could substantially enhance the project's net present value (NPV), with a potential additional US$180 million in value according to sensitivity analyses.

Granite Creek's broader strategy focuses on expanding its resource base across high-potential exploration targets, optimizing mine sequencing for improved ore recovery, and electrifying its mining fleet to reduce operational costs and environmental impact. Additionally, the company's exploration team has identified new high-grade targets at the Carmacks North area, located within 15 kilometers of the proposed mill site.

With a strong financial position, robust infrastructure access, and increasing demand for copper driven by the global shift toward electrification, Granite Creek Copper appears poised to capitalize on both environmental and economic opportunities through its innovative approach to mining and carbon sequestration.

Ownership and Share Structure

According to Refinitiv, insiders own 6.29% of Granite Creek Copper, including the CEO Johnson with 2.56%. The next top two, both directors, are Robert Sennott with 2.01% and Michael Rowley with 1.37%.

The company does not have any institutional investors. Retail investors own the remaining 93.71%.

Granite Creek has 198.27 million shares outstanding and 185.79 million free-float traded shares. The company's market cap is CA$3.97 million, and it trades in a 52-week range of CA$0.02 to CA$0.06 per share.