How Loyal Metals Is Reviving a High-Grade Copper-Gold Giant with AI Power

Highway Reward Acquisition and Historic Data Validation

Loyal Metals Ltd (ASX – LLM) has taken a significant step forward by securing a binding option agreement to acquire the Highway Reward Copper-Gold Mine in Queensland, Australia. This asset is renowned as one of the world’s highest-grade copper mines, with past production figures of 3.65 million tonnes at 5.7% copper and 260,000 tonnes at 4.5 grams per tonne gold. Notably, mining operations ceased in 2005, and since then, no exploration has been conducted on the granted mining leases despite a dramatic surge in copper and gold prices.

In a major validation milestone, Loyal Metals has verified the integrity of approximately 122,000 metres of historic drilling data at Highway Reward. This verification confirms the world-class scale and grade of the deposit and highlights significant unmined copper-gold mineralisation adjacent to previous workings. The historic data reveal high-grade intercepts, such as 2 metres at 105.4 g/t gold and 33 metres at 5.0% copper, underscoring the substantial exploration upside.

Harnessing AI and Advanced Data Analytics

To accelerate exploration efforts, Loyal Metals has partnered with VRIFY, deploying its AI-powered DORA platform. This technology leverages machine learning and vision-transformer models to rapidly generate prospectivity models and identify high-value drill targets in hours, a process that traditionally takes months. Complementing this, Loyal Metals engaged Terra Search, led by Dr. Simon Beams, to digitise and consolidate historical exploration and mining data, combining decades of regional expertise with cutting-edge AI analysis.

The company has also released an interactive 3D model of the Highway Reward Mine, providing investors and stakeholders with an immersive view of the mine’s geology and unmined potential. This integration of historic data with modern technology positions Loyal Metals to efficiently target and unlock new mineralisation zones.

Progress on North American Lithium Projects

Beyond copper-gold, Loyal Metals is advancing its lithium portfolio across North America. The Trieste Lithium Project in Quebec has seen extensive drilling confirming thick, high-grade spodumene mineralisation, with intercepts such as 40 metres at 1.2% lithium oxide. Innovative geophysical surveys using Mobile Magnetotellurics have revealed significant extensions of known lithium pegmatites, enhancing drill targeting for upcoming campaigns.

At the Hidden Lake Lithium Project in Northwest Territories, Canada, the company has confirmed seven mineralised spodumene dykes over a 3.25-kilometre strike length, with ongoing metallurgical testwork indicating potential for high-grade concentrate production. Meanwhile, the Scotty Lithium Project in Nevada has been partially demerged, with Desert Minerals Limited now holding a majority interest, allowing Loyal Metals to focus on its core assets while retaining a significant stake.

Financial Position and Outlook

Financially, Loyal Metals completed a strongly supported $2 million placement at $0.18 per share during the quarter, bolstering its cash reserves. As of 30 September 2025, the company holds $4.66 million in available funding, including cash and expected tax credits. Exploration expenditure for the quarter was $0.515 million, primarily directed towards lithium projects in Canada.

The company’s strategic focus on high-grade copper-gold and lithium assets in Tier 1 jurisdictions, combined with the integration of advanced AI technologies and robust financial backing, sets the stage for a potentially transformative exploration campaign in the coming quarters.