Junior Cascadia Minerals has struck a strategic alliance, earn-in agreement and equity deal with Agnico Eagle Mines, unlocking funding and technical support to advance gold/copper exploration in Canada’s Yukon.

The multiyear alliance will focus on the underexplored Stikine Terrane, a geologically prospective belt extending from British Columbia’s Golden Triangle into Yukon, targeting porphyry-style gold/copper mineralisation.

Under the agreement, Agnico Eagle will fund a minimum of C$500 000 a year in generative exploration, with up to C$5-million earmarked for the 2026 field season across alliance properties and the Catch project.

A key component of the transaction is an earn-in agreement over Cascadia’s Catch property, where Agnico Eagle can earn up to an 80% interest by spending $30-million over six years. Initial terms allow the major to secure a 51% stake through C$10-million in exploration over three years, before increasing its interest through further investment.

In parallel, Agnico Eagle will acquire an approximately 19.9% stake in Cascadia through an equity investment, forming part of a broader C$8.9-million capital raise that will also fund exploration at the company’s flagship Carmacks project.

Cascadia CEO Graham Downs said the transaction positions the company to accelerate exploration while limiting shareholder dilution.

“The strategic alliance will allow us to capitalise on our first-mover position in Yukon’s Stikine Terrane while advancing our flagship Carmacks property,” he said.

Cascadia will act as operator of the alliance and has contributed a portfolio of properties, including Macks, Milner, Byng and Mars, alongside newly staked claims covering more than 800 km² of prospective ground. Projects identified through early-stage work may be advanced into joint ventures under additional earn-in agreements.

The company noted that Agnico Eagle’s backing provides both funding and technical expertise, supporting a pipeline of exploration targets across a region that remains comparatively underexplored despite its geological potential.

With a fully funded 15 000 m drill programme planned at Carmacks in 2026 and increased activity across the Stikine Terrane, Cascadia is positioning itself for a significant step-up in exploration as it seeks new copper/gold discoveries in Yukon.