Fireweed Ignites Yukon's Future with Strategic Critical Minerals Push

VANCOUVER, BC – June 04, 2026 – In a move that underscores the growing geopolitical urgency surrounding critical minerals, Fireweed Metals Corp. has launched an ambitious 2026 field program in Northern Canada. The campaign, involving extensive drilling and crucial infrastructure planning, is not just a corporate milestone; it represents a tangible step in North America's strategy to build resilient domestic supply chains for materials essential to national defense, high technology, and the green energy transition.

The Vancouver-based company announced the commencement of approximately 9,500 meters of drilling across its two flagship assets in the Yukon: the Mactung tungsten project and the Macpass zinc-lead-silver project. This operational push is powerfully reinforced by strategic government backing from both sides of the border, with the United States supporting the development of the world's largest high-grade tungsten deposit and Canada funding the foundational infrastructure needed to unlock this remote mineral district.

The Tungsten Titan: Mactung's Strategic Ascent

The Mactung project is arguably the crown jewel in Fireweed's portfolio, and its development is now directly linked to U.S. national security interests. A portion of the 2026 program at Mactung is supported by the U.S. Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III, a clear signal of the project's strategic value. Tungsten is a metal of immense importance, prized for its extreme hardness and high melting point, making it irreplaceable in defense applications like armor-piercing projectiles and in industrial sectors for high-performance cutting tools.

With China currently dominating the global tungsten supply, developing a large-scale, reliable source in a friendly jurisdiction like Canada has become a paramount objective for Western governments. The work at Mactung, which includes up to 2,000 meters of geotechnical and hydrogeological drilling, is designed to feed directly into an updated Feasibility Study. This study, scheduled for completion in early 2027, is the critical blueprint that will de-risk the project for investors and provide the robust engineering and environmental data required for future permitting and construction.

Fireweed is meticulously building the case for development by refining its geological models, installing groundwater monitoring wells, and conducting extensive geotechnical investigations into soil, rock, and permafrost conditions. This foundational work is essential for designing a modern mine, processing facilities, and the associated infrastructure in the challenging northern environment.

Unlocking a Multi-Metal District at Macpass

While Mactung commands attention for its strategic tungsten, the broader Macpass project is the engine of Fireweed's exploration growth. The 2026 program allocates up to 7,500 meters of drilling here, targeting the expansion of known zinc-lead-silver deposits and hunting for new discoveries.

"We are very excited to have commenced field operations across multiple critical metals projects," stated Ian Gibbs, President and CEO of Fireweed Metals. He noted that drilling will resume where the successful 2025 season left off, with the continuation of a key drill hole, TS25-003. This hole is a bold ~300-meter step-out from a previous high-grade intercept that returned a remarkable 54.28 meters of 33.23% zinc equivalent.

The primary targets, Tom South and Tom East, are part of a Sedimentary Exhalative (Sedex) system, a type of deposit known globally for hosting giant accumulations of zinc and lead. But the value proposition at Macpass extends beyond these base metals. The mineralization is also enriched with gallium and germanium—two technology-critical elements facing their own supply chain pressures. Gallium is vital for producing advanced semiconductors and 5G communication hardware, while germanium is essential for fiber optics and night-vision systems. Their presence as potential by-products significantly enhances the economic and strategic calculus of the project.

To zero in on these high-value targets, Fireweed is deploying advanced exploration technology. Following a successful muon tomography survey in 2024–2025, which can effectively 'X-ray' the subsurface to detect dense sulphide bodies, the company plans to expand its use to generate a comprehensive density map of the Tom East area, improving drill targeting and resource definition.

Paving the Way: Infrastructure as a Catalyst

A world-class deposit is only valuable if you can get to it and get its product to market. This is the fundamental challenge of northern development, and Fireweed is tackling it head-on with government partnership. The company is leading the Planning for North Canol Infrastructure Improvements (PNCII) project, supported by funding from Natural Resources Canada's First and Last Mile Fund.

This initiative is a core pillar of Canada's Critical Minerals Strategy, designed to provide the foundational road and power infrastructure needed to unlock remote, high-potential mineral districts. Fireweed is advancing preliminary engineering designs for upgrading the existing North Canol Road corridor and developing a transmission line to Mactung. This work, which includes extensive LiDAR surveying and baseline environmental studies covering water, wildlife, and heritage resources, is the first step toward creating a shared-use corridor that could support multiple projects and bring long-term economic benefits to the Yukon.

This methodical approach, which includes ongoing engagement with federal, territorial, and Indigenous governments, demonstrates a modern, responsible path to resource development. By addressing infrastructure deficits early, Fireweed is not only lowering future operating costs for its own projects but is also acting as a catalyst for broader regional development.

A Position of Strength

As a Lundin Group company, Fireweed Metals benefits from the technical expertise and financial credibility of one of the world's most successful mining dynasties. This backing, combined with direct financial support from two national governments, places the company in an enviable position. The 2026 field program is a clear execution of a multi-faceted strategy: proving up a globally significant tungsten asset, expanding a high-grade multi-metal district, and systematically building the infrastructure to bring it all to life. These coordinated efforts signal a deliberate and well-supported plan to transform a prospective district into a cornerstone of North America's future resource security.