Key Highlights

  • Pivotal Metals (ASX:PVT) commenced a maiden modern exploration program at the LaForce Cu-Ni Project in Québec.
  • Historical drilling at LaForce intersected broad zones of shallow copper and nickel mineralisation.
  • Multiple undrilled priority targets have been identified across a 3km by 2.5km area.
  • The company is preparing for modern electromagnetic surveys ahead of future drilling campaigns.
  • Pivotal continues advancing exploration and development activities across several Belleterre portfolio projects.

Pivotal Metals (ASX:PVT) updated the market after commencing a maiden modern field exploration program at the LaForce copper-nickel project within its district-scale Belleterre portfolio in Québec, Canada.

The company’s shares closed unchanged at AUD0.014 on 14 May 2026 as investors assessed the significance of the new exploration campaign and the broader copper-nickel discovery potential across the Belleterre region.

Management described the program as an important step in advancing systematic exploration across the portfolio, with LaForce representing part of a larger magmatic sulphide system that also hosts mineralisation at nearby Midrim and Lorraine projects.

The latest work will focus on identifying additional copper-nickel sulphide bodies through modern electromagnetic geophysics and geological targeting methods ahead of planned drilling activities in 2026.

Historical drilling highlights shallow copper-nickel mineralisation

Pivotal highlighted several historical drill intersections from LaForce that confirmed the presence of broad zones of shallow copper and nickel mineralisation.

Among the notable historical results, previous drilling intersected 102.7 metres grading 0.39% copper and 0.76% nickel from 1.3 metres, including 9.5 metres grading 1.0% copper and 1.59% nickel from 8.7 metres.

Another drill interval returned 21.3 metres grading 0.66% copper and 0.90% nickel from 52.9 metres. Historical sampling also identified grades of up to 3.00% copper and 4.48% nickel.

According to the company, the historical drilling was shallow and largely confined to outcrop areas, leaving substantial portions of the broader system untested.

Management also noted that the project has never previously been assessed using modern deep-penetrating surface electromagnetic methods capable of identifying conductive sulphide accumulations at depth or along strike.

Multiple priority targets identified ahead of drilling

Pivotal stated that reinterpretation of historical datasets has already identified multiple undrilled target areas across a 3 kilometre by 2.5 kilometre zone.

The current field validation program is designed to support surface electromagnetic surveys, which the company expects will assist in generating higher-quality drill targets for planned 2026 drilling campaigns.

The company believes the new targets display geochemical and geophysical signatures similar to the known LaForce mineralised occurrence.

For exploration companies targeting magmatic sulphide systems, modern EM surveys can play a significant role in identifying conductive sulphide bodies concealed beneath surface cover or extending beyond historical drilling areas.

Management indicated that results from the current fieldwork may contribute to an expanded regional drilling strategy across multiple Belleterre prospects.

Belleterre portfolio strategy continues to expand

The LaForce program forms part of Pivotal’s broader exploration strategy across the 100%-owned Belleterre portfolio in Québec.

The company currently controls approximately 160 square kilometres of prospective ground within the Belleterre-Angliers Greenstone Belt, a region considered prospective for magmatic copper-nickel-platinum group element sulphide systems as well as high-grade gold mineralisation.

Pivotal said exploration activities are progressing simultaneously across several projects. The company expects first assay results from drilling at Midrim-Alotta later in May, while drilling programs are also scheduled to commence at La Croche and Shanty Lake.

In parallel, the company confirmed that a Mineral Resource Estimate update, metallurgical testwork and scoping study remain underway at the Horden Lake project.

The multi-project approach reflects a broader strategy of building a district-scale pipeline of copper and nickel opportunities within Québec.

Copper and nickel Demand themes remain supportive

Copper and nickel continue attracting investor attention due to their importance within electrification, renewable energy infrastructure and battery Supply chains.

Nickel sulphide projects, in particular, remain strategically important because sulphide deposits are often considered more suitable for battery-related processing routes compared with laterite sources.

Exploration activity targeting copper-nickel sulphide systems has increased across several Mining jurisdictions as companies seek exposure to long-term energy transition demand trends.

At the same time, early-stage exploration companies remain dependent on successful drilling outcomes and ongoing funding access to progress projects toward resource definition.

About the Company

Pivotal Metals (ASX:PVT) is an Australian exploration and development company focused on copper, nickel and critical minerals projects in Canada. The company’s Belleterre portfolio in Québec hosts multiple prospective copper-nickel sulphide targets and development-stage Assets.

Industry trends and market context

Global interest in copper and nickel projects continues to be supported by long-term electrification themes, battery supply chain demand and renewable energy infrastructure Investment. Mining jurisdictions such as Québec have attracted exploration investment due to established infrastructure, supportive mining frameworks and prospective geology.

Modern geophysical techniques, including deep-penetrating EM surveys, have become increasingly important in targeting concealed sulphide systems across mature and underexplored districts. Investors are also placing greater emphasis on scalable sulphide discoveries capable of supporting future resource growth.

However, exploration markets remain cyclical and sensitive to Commodity price Volatility, financing conditions and broader risk sentiment across the resources sector.

Investment risks and challenges

Pivotal Metals remains exposed to the exploration and development risks typically associated with early-stage copper and nickel projects. Historical drilling and geophysical interpretations do not guarantee the discovery of economically viable sulphide accumulations through future drilling campaigns.

The company also faces operational, funding and commodity market risks as it advances multiple exploration programs simultaneously across the Belleterre portfolio. Exploration targets and geological similarities to nearby projects may not necessarily translate into future resource success.

From a bullish perspective, investors may view the combination of historical shallow mineralisation, multiple undrilled targets and modern geophysical exploration methods as supportive indicators for future discovery potential. From a bearish perspective, the projects remain exploration-stage, and substantial drilling and technical work will still be required before economic viability can be determined.