Hudbay Legacy to Copper Future: Gladiator Metals' (TSXV:GLAD) Bold Plan for 100M Tonnes in Yukon

Interview with Jason Bontempo, Director & CEO of Gladiator Metals

Recording date: 28th May 2025

Gladiator Metals (TSXV:GLAD) is positioning itself as a compelling copper exploration story in Canada's Yukon Territory, with CEO Jason Bontempo targeting significant value creation from the historically productive Whitehorse Copper Project. The company controls a 35-kilometer copper belt located adjacent to Whitehorse city, combining proven geological potential with exceptional infrastructure access that distinguishes it from typical remote mining ventures.

The project carries substantial historical precedent, building on Hudbay Mining's successful operations from 1967 to 1982, which extracted 10.5 million tons at 1.5% copper and nearly one gram per ton of gold before closure due to copper price decline. Bontempo acquired the entire copper belt through his relationship with drilling contractors Jim and Rob Coyne of Kluane Drilling, providing Gladiator with unprecedented access to what he describes as the first dedicated technical team and funding the project has received in 40 years.

Chief Geologist Marcus Harden's due diligence revealed significant near-surface copper potential, with Bontempo noting "After due diligence, Marcus came back and said, hey I think I see around 15 to 20 million tons at 1.5% copper from the surface." The flagship Cowley Park prospect serves as the primary focus, with recent drilling intercepting impressive high-grade cores ranging from 15 to 30 meters running 2-8% copper.

Gladiator maintains a strong financial foundation with C$15 million in cash treasury supporting a comprehensive 30,000-meter drilling program, while trading at a C$40 million market capitalization. The company has established community partnerships, signing a capacity funding agreement with the Kwanlin Dün (KDFN) First Nations in October 2024, with comprehensive partnership agreements expected by year-end.

Bontempo targets over 100 million tons at above 1% copper across the belt, with plans to deliver a maiden resource estimate in Q1 2026. The company's strategic position near Whitehorse provides year-round operational capability and cost efficiencies, with drilling costs averaging C$200 per diamond meter—significantly below industry benchmarks for remote locations.

View Gladiator Metals' company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/gladiator-metals

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