DPM Metals Reports Up to 15.28 g/t AuEq Over 58 Metres at Chelopech Wedge Zone Deep

Significant Deep Drilling Success at Chelopech

DPM Metals Inc. (ASX:DPM, TSX:DPM) has unveiled a series of compelling high-grade gold-copper-silver intercepts from its Wedge Zone Deep (WZD) prospect, located some 250 metres below the existing Chelopech mine infrastructure in Bulgaria. The standout hole EX_WZD_165_03 returned a remarkable 58 metres grading 15.28 g/t gold equivalent (AuEq), including 14.58 g/t gold, 0.67% copper, and 26.93 g/t silver starting at 449 metres downhole. Other holes such as EX_WZD_165_05A intercepted 81 metres at 8.05 g/t AuEq, confirming the continuity of mineralization over a broad zone.

The WZD prospect now boasts a mineralized footprint extending approximately 170 metres along strike, 130 metres wide, and 300 metres vertically, with mineral grades significantly surpassing the current Chelopech mine reserve average of 2.18 g/t gold. Notably, the zone remains open both along strike and down-dip, suggesting further upside potential as drilling continues.

Implications for Mine Life and Resource Growth

The company plans to complete an initial mineral resource estimate for WZD by year-end 2026, which will be integrated into the annual Chelopech resource update. This development is critical given Chelopech’s status as DPM’s flagship operation and its decade-long production track record. The high-grade intercepts from WZD could materially extend the mine’s life and enhance its production profile, complementing the company’s broader growth strategy.

Supporting this potential, preliminary metallurgical testwork indicates that the mineralization is amenable to flotation processing using the existing Chelopech plant flowsheet, producing both gold-copper and pyrite concentrates. Such compatibility could streamline development and reduce capital intensity for any future underground expansion.

Ongoing Drilling and Technical Studies

DPM has drilled approximately 11,800 metres across 17 holes at WZD, with two more in progress. The drilling program aims to refine the geometry and continuity of the mineralized system, which is hosted in diorite and phreato-magmatic breccias adjacent to the Petrovden Fault. Geological observations reveal a transition from massive sulphides to hydrothermal breccias and sulphide stockworks, consistent with a high-sulphidation gold-copper-silver deposit.

Complementing exploration, the company has initiated geotechnical assessments and decline development studies to inform conceptual mining methods. These technical inputs will be crucial for engineering decisions and investment planning as the project advances.

This drilling campaign and resource development dovetail with DPM’s recent operational momentum, including its strong cash flow generation and production growth from other assets such as the Vareš mine, as detailed in their record Q1 free cash flow report. The company’s ongoing resource updates for Chelopech, including the recent technical report filing, provide a framework for integrating these new discoveries into a refreshed mine plan.