Zeus North America Mining Corp. made significant headway with its exploration efforts on the Cuddy Mountain project located in Idaho. The company recently announced results from surface rock sampling, which yielded promising results, indicating high ore content of copper and silver.
On March 17, 2025, Zeus North America revealed details about the surface rock sampling from its Cuddy Mountain exploration program, conducted as part of its continuous assessment of the site. This region is approximately three kilometers north of the Hercules Metals Corp.'s recently identified high-grade copper-molybdenum-silver porphyry discovery, named 'Hercules'. That discovery garnered attention back in October 2023, and the proximity of Cuddy Mountain to Hercules has led to heightened interest from both investors and the mining community.
The results from the surface rock samples were promising. Out of 339 samples collected, 35 contained copper at concentrations of 0.1% or more, with 16 samples demonstrating even higher concentrations, including one sample with up to 3.8% copper. This substantial content can attract more attention from mining geologists and be pivotal for future planning.
Similarly, silver levels were noteworthy, with 29 samples registering 10 grams of silver per ton or more. Among these, nine samples exceeded 129 grams per ton, peaking at 307 grams per ton. Such high values suggest the potential for economically viable mining operations.
Molybdenum is another key component of the finds, with 26 samples indicating grades of 10 grams per ton or more. This includes five samples with over 40 grams per ton, and one sample reaching up to 182 grams per ton. The report also recognized the presence of 0.37 grams of gold per ton, highlighting the site’s overall mineral wealth.
Dean Besserer, President and CEO of Zeus, expressed optimism about these preliminary findings. He stated, "These anomalous surface rock samples are another piece of the puzzle helping us prepare for a comprehensive, high-priority drill campaign." He emphasized the significance of the anomalies found near the mapped volcanic rock formation, Seven Devils, which underpins the Leviathan discovery. Besserer underlined, "We are excited to share the remaining results from our fieldwork and are gearing up for a scheduled drilling program soon," as the market for copper, silver, and gold reaches records as of 2025.
The surface sampling also aligns with historical activities conducted at Cuddy Mountain. Historical records indicate previous exploration efforts from 1977 consisting of shallow drilling, where the Mun 8 borehole intersected 90 feet of ore with 2.02 ounces per ton of silver. Additional historical activities at the Edna May Mine revealed mineralized veins containing significant amounts of lead, zinc, and silver.
More recently, underground drilling efforts performed near the Rockslide area discovered zones of interest marked by malachite-stained outcrops and promising sample results. One notable sample contained 760 parts per million lead, 0.67% zinc, and 36 grams of silver per ton, adding credibility to the site’s potential.
The Cuddy Mountain concession consists of 101 mining claims spanning approximately 2,020 acres, with significant mineralization potential. Given its location next to the Leviathan, which has received financial backing from Barrick and Rio Tinto involving significant equity investments, Cuddy Mountain's exploration may attract attention for future funding and development.
While the enthusiasm surrounding these new sampling results is notable, it is also imperative to approach with caution, as historical results from similar regions don't guarantee current or future mineralization. The management of Zeus is clear about not over-promising on exploration outcomes, emphasizing, "previous results or discoveries on adjacent concessions near Zeus do not necessarily indicate the presence of mineralization on our concessions."
Currently, various environmental factors and geological uncertainties could affect the actual drilling outcomes. Factors such as currency fluctuations and market conditions play substantial roles in the overall success of mining operations.
The scientific and technical information related to this press release has been approved and reviewed by Dean Besserer, who is recognized as a qualified person under the NI 43-101 standard. This endorsement adds additional credibility to the company’s claims, which could be pivotal as it moves toward potentially significant drilling operations.
With enthusiasm building, Zeus North America Mining Corp. is now strategically positioned to initiate the next phase of its operations, reinforcing opportunities within the exploration sector of Idaho.
