Gladiator Metals Identifies High-Priority Copper Targets Through Gravity Survey at Little Chief

Gladiator Metals discovers multiple untested copper-gold skarn targets at Little Chief through gravity survey, mobilizing two drill rigs.
- Gladiator Metals completed a comprehensive gravity survey at the Little Chief Trend, identifying multiple large-scale, untested gravity anomalies that potentially indicate copper-gold skarn mineralization beneath shallow cover.
- Three priority targets have been defined: the 2km-long Valerie anomaly, the 900m LC Footwall target, and the 400m LC Gravity Offset, all showing coincident gravity and magnetic signatures with surface mineralization.
- The company plans to mobilize two diamond drill rigs in the coming weeks to conduct shallow exploration drilling on these newly identified targets as part of their fully funded 2025 exploration program.
- Historical production from the nearby Little Chief mine totaled over 8.5 million tonnes at 1.5% copper and 0.75g/t gold, demonstrating the proven mineralization potential of the area.
- The gravity survey results support Gladiator's strategy of extensive regional drilling across the 35km-long Whitehorse Copper Belt, targeting maiden NI 43-101 compliant resources by Q2 2026.
Gladiator Metals Corp (TSXV:GLAD) is a Canadian exploration company focused on advancing the Whitehorse Copper Project, an advanced-stage high-grade copper, molybdenum, silver and gold skarn exploration project in the Yukon Territory. The company's flagship asset encompasses a 35km-long copper belt that was a significant producer between 1967 and 1982, with excellent infrastructure access and proximity to Whitehorse City.
Gravity Survey Results Define Multiple Exploration Targets
The recently completed gravimetric geophysical survey at the Little Chief (LC) Trend has yielded compelling results, identifying several high-density anomalies that correlate with known copper-gold skarn mineralization on surface. The survey, conducted by Aurora Geosciences in May 2025, utilized 100m x 20m survey spacings with higher resolution 50m x 20m spacing in areas of early interest.
In the news release, CEO Jason Bontempo expressed enthusiasm about the survey results, stating:
"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, away from areas of outcropping mineralization which were the focus of historical exploration efforts."
Priority Target Areas
- Valerie Target: The most prominent discovery is the Valerie anomaly, described as a 2km long high-density, gravity anomaly correlated with both a high magnetic response from drone-borne aeromagnetics and coincident with mapped copper-gold skarn mineralization on surface. This target benefits from excellent accessibility via the existing Copper Haul Road and lies mostly under thin till cover, making it an attractive near-term drilling target.
- LC Footwall Target: The LC Footwall represents a particularly intriguing opportunity, characterized as a 900m long untested, coincident gravity and magnetic high with copper-gold skarn mineralization observed on surface. Remarkably, this target remains completely untested despite its proximity to historical mining operations, suggesting significant exploration upside in well-established mineralized areas.
- LC Gravity Offset: The third priority target, LC Gravity Offset, is "an untested 400m long high-density, gravity anomaly to the East of the historical Little Chief pit. The presence of mineralized copper-gold skarn drilling results to the north of this anomaly provides additional geological confidence in the target's potential.
Historical Context and Validation
The gravity survey results gain credibility from their correlation with known mineralization at established targets. The observable coincidence between high-density gravity anomalies and confirmed mineralization at the Middle Chief and Big Chief targets provides validation for the survey methodology. Near-surface magnetite-copper-gold skarn mineralization has been defined over more than 600 metres of strike north of historical mining operations, with notable historical drilling results.

Source: Gladiator Completes Gravity Survey and Identifies Multiple Large-Scale, Untested Copper Skarn Targets at Little Chief
Broader Exploration Strategy
The Little Chief drilling program forms part of Gladiator's comprehensive 29,000-meter drill program targeting high-grade copper skarns throughout the Whitehorse Copper Belt before the end of Q4 2025. The program encompasses two primary objectives: advancing Cowley Park to resource definition and expansion, and conducting exploration drilling across multiple prospects including the Chiefs Trend, Best Chance, Arctic Chief, and Cub Trend.
Bontempo further emphasized the strategic importance of the discoveries:
"Two diamond drill rigs will be mobilized in the coming weeks to focus on the discovery of new zones of mineralization at the Little Chief trend as part of Gladiator's fully funded 2025 exploration program. This forms part of Gladiator's overall strategy of extensive regional drilling to explore the full potential of the 35km long, underexplored, Whitehorse Copper Belt whilst at the same time advancing Cowley Park to maiden resource."
The drilling program will be supported by additional geophysical surveys including ongoing Induced Polarization, Electromagnetic, and Gravity surveys designed to refine drill targeting and highlight undiscovered exploration potential across the prospect areas.
Project Infrastructure and Advantages
The Whitehorse Copper Project benefits from exceptional infrastructure advantages. Located within 2km of the South Klondike Highway and Alaska Highway, the project area features an extensive network of historical gravel exploration and haul roads providing excellent access throughout the claim package. Access to existing electric power facilities through the main Yukon power grid further enhances the project's development potential.
The historical significance of the area cannot be understated. Between 1967 and 1982, production from primarily the Little Chief deposit totaled 267.5 million pounds of copper, 225,000 ounces of gold, and 2.838 million ounces of silver from 11.1 million tons of mineralized material milled. This production history demonstrates the proven economic potential of copper skarn mineralization in the district.
Financial Backing and Timeline
Gladiator's exploration activities are supported by key institutional investors including Dynamic, Mackenzie, Macquarie Bank, and Orimco. The company has completed more than 10,000 meters of drilling to date in 2025 at the cornerstone Cowley Park project and currently operates three diamond drill rigs across the property.
Conclusion for Investors
For investors evaluating Gladiator Metals, the gravity survey results represent a significant advancement in the company's systematic exploration of the Whitehorse Copper Belt. The identification of multiple large-scale, untested targets in a proven mineralized district, combined with excellent infrastructure and strong financial backing, positions the company well for potential resource expansion.
The planned drilling of these high-priority targets in the coming weeks should provide near-term catalysts for investors, while the broader 29,000-meter drill program targeting maiden NI 43-101 compliant resources by Q2 2026 offers a clear path toward resource definition. The combination of proven historical production, systematic modern exploration techniques, and strategic target identification suggests Gladiator is well-positioned to unlock additional value within this underexplored copper district.
Analyst's Notes


