Midland and SOQUEM Announce Follow-Up Exploration for Malaco Mountain Mineral Zone
MONTREAL – Midland Exploration Inc., in partnership with SOQUEM Inc., has revealed plans for an extensive induced polarization survey and ground prospecting campaign on the Malaco Mountain project located in the Labrador Trough region of Quebec. The 15-line kilometer geophysical program, scheduled for August 2026, represents a significant step forward in evaluating the copper, gold, and rare earth element mineralization discovered during the 2025 exploration season.
High-Grade Discovery Prompts Advanced Survey
The decision to conduct this follow-up exploration stems from remarkable findings in 2025, where mineralized outcrops yielded exceptional grades. Samples collected during reconnaissance work demonstrated values reaching up to 31.60% copper, 6.92 grams per tonne gold, and 1.77% rare earth elements (specifically lanthanum and cerium). Additional sampling across transects revealed consistent mineralization, with multiple grab samples exceeding 1% copper content and gold values ranging between 61 and 877 parts per billion.
Technical Details of the Planned Exploration Program
The upcoming induced polarization survey will utilize a pole-dipole configuration to cover several critical geological features:
- The mineralized outcrop identified in 2025
- The sedimentary mudstone unit hosting the mineralization
- The fold axis structure that may control mineral distribution
This comprehensive geophysical approach, combined with systematic prospecting, aims to generate precise exploration and drilling targets based on integrated geophysical, geological, and geochemical criteria. The program will focus on the eastern portion of the property where the highest-grade mineralization was previously identified.
Mineralization Characteristics and Geological Context
Mineralization at Malaco Mountain occurs in two distinct forms:
- Stratiform horizons with chalcopyrite, pyrite, malachite, azurite, and digenite disseminated parallel to bedding within mudstone units
- Massive discordant veins associated with fractures and breccia zones that cross-cut the stratigraphy
The mineralized zones are accompanied by silica, albite, and carbonate alteration. Petrophysical testing conducted on both massive sulphide and disseminated chalcopyrite samples revealed strong electrical contrasts, providing the scientific justification for employing induced polarization techniques in the upcoming survey.
Strategic Alliance Driving Exploration Efforts
The Malaco Mountain project falls under the strategic alliance between Midland Exploration and SOQUEM, established in November 2021. This partnership combines the expertise and resources of both companies to explore the Labrador Trough's potential for gold and strategic minerals. The alliance covers an extensive area of interest spanning from Schefferville in the south to approximately 100 kilometers northwest of Kangirsuk, encompassing the Labrador Trough, Rachel-Laporte Zone, and Kuujjuaq Domain geological regions.
The initial agreement called for exploration investments reaching up to $4 million over four years, in addition to separate investments on the Nachicapau project. This collaborative approach allows both companies to leverage their collective experience in exploring this vast and underexplored region of northern Quebec.
Cautionary Notes and Sampling Considerations
Midland Exploration has included important cautionary statements regarding the nature of the sampling results. Grab samples, by their selective nature, may not fully represent the broader mineralized zones. Additionally, mineralization observed at specific deposits and showings mentioned in the announcement does not necessarily indicate similar mineralization will be found across all projects held by Midland in the region.
The upcoming induced polarization survey represents a methodical approach to better understand the extent and continuity of the mineralization discovered in 2025, potentially paving the way for future drilling campaigns and resource evaluation at the Malaco Mountain project.
