Pacific Ridge Exploration (TSXV:PEX) - 2026 Drilling Campaign Eyes 500 Mt Resource Expansion

Interview with Blaine Monaghan, President & CEO of Pacific Ridge Exploration Ltd.Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/pacific-ridge-exploration-tsxvpex-undervalued-bc-copper-explorer-reports-first-resource-estimate-8193Recording date: 20th April 2026Pacific Ridge Exploration is advancing two copper-gold porphyry projects in British Columbia's southern Toodoggone district during a period of elevated commodity prices. With copper trading around $6 per pound—triple the level when drilling commenced in 2021—the economics of the company's flagship Kliyul project have fundamentally improved.The company has defined a maiden resource of 334 million tons grading 0.33% copper equivalent at Kliyul, representing 5.7 million ounces of gold equivalent. This resource was discovered for approximately $15 million across 20,000 meters of drilling, demonstrating capital efficiency that CEO Blaine Monaghan believes provides significant leverage for future exploration. The deposit is characterized as a gold-rich system with a 2:1 gold-to-copper value ratio, offering exposure to both commodities.Management's explicit strategy is to build a resource large enough to attract merger and acquisition interest from major mining companies. The initial target of 500 million tons appears achievable through systematic step-out drilling at the Kliyul main zone, which remains open in multiple directions on 150-meter drill spacing. Beyond resource expansion, the company has identified three untested porphyry targets along a 6-kilometer mineralized trend—M39 and Klip being the highest priority—that offer discovery potential to enhance both resource size and grade profile.The RDP project presents additional upside through a concealed porphyry center interpreted to lie between two mineralized magnetic lobes. Only 12 modern holes have tested this target, with the 2026 program allocating 1,500 to 2,000 meters specifically to this high-priority zone.Despite resources comparable to peers trading 6-8 times higher, Pacific Ridge maintains a market capitalization of approximately $15 million. Management attributes this valuation discount to recent share dilution and limited news flow during winter months, factors they believe are now largely resolved. The company plans to drill a minimum of 4,000 meters at both projects during the 2026 field season, with results expected from late summer through year-end, providing multiple catalysts for market re-rating.View Pacific Ridge Exploration's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/pacific-ridge-explorationSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com