07:40 AM EST, 02/04/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Arizona Sonoran Copper ( ASCUF ) , a U.S. copper developer, on Tuesday said its 2024 preliminary economic assessment (PEA) highlighted a compelling 31-year open pit, heap leach and solvent extraction and electrowinning operation in Arizona.

Upcoming studies are in progress and a planned follow-on definitive feasibility study will focus on optimizing asset-level operations to enhance value while driving key project-level milestones.

For the 2025 pre-feasibility study (PFS), a minimum of 130,000 ft infill to indicated drilling at Parks/Salyer and Cactus West is needed. Amendments to the Aquifer Protection Permit, Industrial Air Permit and Mined Land Reclamation Permit are expected to begin in the second half of 2025.

"Looking to 2025, we are well funded through corporate and institutional support, to build on the 2024 PEA while optimizing the company at the asset level," said ASCU Chief Executive George Ogilvie.

Shares of the company closed up $0.08 or 4.8%, to $1.74 on Monday on the Toronto Stock Exchange.