Casa Grande, AZ and Toronto, ON, July 16, 2024 – Arizona Sonoran Copper Company Inc. (TSX:ASCU) (“ASCU” or the “Company”), releases its updated Mineral Resource Estimate (“MRE”) for the Cactus brownfield copper project, located 45 miles south of Phoenix, Arizona (see FIGURES 1-3). The updated and expanded MRE is inclusive of a seven-month drilling program targeting the MainSpring property, which was completed in April 2024. The Cactus Project is wholly owned and located on private land in Arizona with direct road and rail access, infrastructure onsite, is at an advanced permitting stage, and has permitted access to onsite water wells. Highlights and key changes from the updated MRE are listed below.

Highlights:

• Updated total Cactus Project Mineral Resource Estimate (“MRE”) including Primary Mineral Resources:
  • Measured and Indicated (“M&I”) 632.6 million short tons @ 0.58% Total Copper (“CuT”) for 7.3 billion pounds (“lbs”) of copper
  • Inferred 474.0 million short tons @ 0.41% CuT for 3.8 billion lbs of copper
• Key Changes:
  • Confirms Parks/Salyer and MainSpring as one deposit, renamed to “Parks/Salyer”
    • Parks/Salyer mineral resource contains 339.0 million short tons @ 0.71% CuT for 4.8 billion lbs of copper in the M&I category and 299.3 million short tons @ 0.43% CuT for 2.6 billion lbs of copper in the Inferred category
  • Parks/Salyer amenable as an open pit within the pending Preliminary Economic Assessment
    • New Parks/Salyer mineral resource dimensions are 6,400 feet (“ft”)(1,950 meters (“m”) by 3,000 ft (915 m) to a maximum depth of 2,350 ft (716 m) below surface
  • 1,904% increase to the Measured Category with inclusion of initial Measured mineral resources at Parks/Salyer, 26% increase to the total M&I and a 60% increase in total Inferred resource, with no change to cut-off grade criteria or underlying price and cost assumptions
    • 42% increase of M&I mineral resources at Parks/Salyer attributed to success of measured infill drilling program, reporting of open pit resources, and reporting based on total copper pounds
    • Parks/Salyer infill drilling (56,907 ft | 17,345 m) converted 55.9 M short tons @ 1.03% CuT for 1.2 billion lbs of copper reported to the measured category
    • 60% increase to the Inferred mineral resources attributed to expansion of Parks/Salyer mineral resource onto the MainSpring property and reporting based on total copper pounds
    • 7-month drilling program at MainSpring (49,193 ft | 14,994 m) delivered 244.9 M short tons @ 0.39% CuT for 1.9 Billion lbs of copper reported to the Inferred mineral resource

Table 1 below reports the July 11, 2024, Cactus Project MRE, containing the combined Parks/Salyer, Cactus West, Cactus East, and Stockpile mineral resource areas. Each mineral resource area is broken out individually in Table 4. Mineral resources defined within this July 11, 2024, the Cactus Project MRE will be used to form the basis of the ASCU Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”), on track for release in early Q3 2024.

TABLE 1: Cactus Project MRE, Contained Copper Separated into Total Copper and Soluble Copper

Material Type	Tons kt	Grade CuT %	Grade Cu Tsol %	Contained Total Cu (k lbs)	Contained Cu Tsol (k lbs)
Measured
Total Leachable	55,200	0.94	0.79	1,032,200	873,800
Total Primary	12,300	0.51	0.05	124,400	13,400
Total Measured	67,500	0.86	0.66	1,156,500	887,200
Indicated
Total Leachable	414,800	0.60	0.53	4,965,000	4,365,700
Total Primary	150,400	0.39	0.04	1,173,300	126,000
Total Indicated	565,200	0.54	0.40	6,138,200	4,491,700
M&I
Total Leachable	470,000	0.64	0.56	5.997,200	5,239,500
Total Primary	162,700	0.40	0.04	1,297,600	139,400
Total M&I	632,600	0.58	0.43	7,294,800	5,378,900
Inferred
Total Leachable	299,600	0.43	0.38	2,572,400	2,262,800
Total Primary	174,500	0.36	0.04	1,267,500	124,700
Total Inferred	474,000	0.41	0.25	3,839,900	2,387,500

NOTES:
1. Total soluble copper grades (Cu TSol) are reported using sequential assaying to calculate the soluble copper grade. Tons are reported as short tons.
2. Stockpile resource estimates have an effective date of 1st March, 2022, Cactus mineral resource estimates have an effective date of 29th April, 2022, Parks/Salyer-MainSpring mineral resource estimates have an effective date of 11th July, 2024. All mineral resources use a copper price of US$3.75/lb.
3. Technical and economic parameters defining mineral resource pit shells: mining cost US$2.43/t; G&A US$0.55/t, 10% dilution, and 44°-46° pit slope angle.
4. Technical and economic parameters defining underground mineral resource: mining cost US$27.62/t, G&A US$0.55/t, and 5% dilution. Underground mineral resources are only reported for material located outside of the open pit mineral resource shells. Designation as open pit or underground mineral resources are not confirmatory of the mining method that may be employed at the mine design stage.
5. Technical and economic parameters defining processing: Oxide heap leach (HL) processing cost of US$2.24/t assuming 86.3% recoveries, enriched HL processing cost of US$2.13/t assuming 90.5% recoveries, sulphide mill processing cost of US$8.50/t assuming 92% recoveries. HL selling cost of US$0.27/lb; Mill selling cost of US$0.62/lb.
6. Royalties of 3.18% and 2.5% apply to the ASCU properties and state land respectively. No royalties apply to the MainSpring property.
7. Variable cut-off grades were reported depending on material type, potential mining method, potential processing method, and applicable royalties. For ASCU properties – Oxide open pit or underground material = 0.099% or 0.549% TSol respectively; enriched open pit or underground material = 0.092% or 0.522% TSol respectively; primary open pit or underground material = 0.226% or 0.691% CuT respectively.For state land property – Oxide open pit or underground material = 0.098 % or 0.545% TSol respectively; enriched open pit or underground material = 0.092% or 0.518% TSol respectively; primary openpit or underground material = 0.225% or 0.686% CuT respectively.For MainSpring properties – Oxide openpit or underground material = 0.096% or 0.532% TSol respectively; enriched open pit or underground material = 0.089% or 0.505% TSol respectively; primary open pit or underground material = 0.219% or 0.669% CuT respectively. Stockpile cutoff = 0.095% TSol.
8. Mineral resources, which are not mineral reserves, do not have demonstrated economic viability. The estimate of mineral resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, sociopolitical, marketing, or other relevant factors.
9. The quantity and grade of reported inferred mineral resources in this estimation are uncertain in nature and there is insufficient exploration to define these inferred mineral resources as an indicated or measured mineral resource; it is uncertain if further exploration will result in upgrading them to an indicated or measured classification.
10. Totals may not add up due to rounding.

George Ogilvie, Arizona Sonoran Copper Company President and CEO commented, “The new Parks/Salyer deposit, inclusive of MainSpring could be transformational for the Company as we foresee the opportunity to right size a larger operation and rescope Parks/Salyer to an open pit mine. The pending result would lead to reduced mining execution risks and lowered operating costs which could manifest themselves in improved Project economics.  The key difference in the larger mineral resource used for the pending PEA, relates to the MainSpring property acquisition and subsequent inferred drilling program identifying the continuation of near surface mineralization south of Parks/Salyer.”

Doug Bowden, Arizona Sonoran Copper Company VP Exploration stated, “Our Cactus Project is a successful copper porphyry growth story resulting from an aggressive exploration program. Our mineral resource journey began with our initial PEA in 2021, and continuously expanded outward from the Cactus Pit area to include Parks/Salyer and most recently MainSpring within the 5.5 km mine trend. The Parks/Salyer discovery includes significant quantities of high-grade (+1.00% CuT) copper, similar to the grades in Cactus East (as shown in FIGURES  2 and 3). Through systematic step out and infill drilling following our first mineral resource in 2021 to today’s update, our Cactus Project MRE indicates an increase to the M&I by an impressive 353%, from 1.61 Billion lbs to 7.29 Billion lbs of copper, while the inferred mineral resources increased 94%, from 1.98 Billion lbs to 3.84 Billion lbs. Lastly, these mineral resource areas have responded favorably and impressively to infill drilling with a consistently high conversion rate into higher resource classifications and will look forward to future infill programs as we move through the technical studies.”

Cactus Mineral Resources Estimate

The Parks/Salyer mineral resources as shown in FIGURE 3, inclusive of MainSpring, indicate 339.0 M short tons @ 0.71% CuT in the M&I category and 299.2 M short tons @ 0.43% CuT in the Inferred Category. Notably, Parks/Salyer is mostly contained within an optimized resource open pit shell indicating the rescoped potential of open pit mining of the deposit with the inclusion of shallower mineralization located on the MainSpring property. Parks/Salyer mineral resources were calculated with a cutoff date of March 31, 2024. There are no material changes to the Cactus East, West and Stockpile deposits as reported within the FEB 21, 2024 PFS.

For the purposes of the MRE, Cactus East reports as open pit mineral resources in compliance with Reasonable Prospects for Eventual Economic Extraction (“RPEEE”). For the purposes of the pending PEA, Cactus East is expected to be exploited as an underground operation.

Table 2 below reports a direct like–for-like comparison of the updated July 11, 2024, MRE, to the MRE comprising the Prefeasibility Study (“PFS”) MRE and illustrates a significant change to the Measured (+1,900%) and Inferred (+60%) categories, as it relates to successful expansion and infill programs at Parks/Salyer, including the MainSpring Property. The Table below calculates a combination of the Soluble Copper grades and Total Copper grades based on the leachable (oxides and enriched) zones, and the primary sulphides, respectively, going forward, mineral resources will calculate both the contained Total Copper and Soluble Copper inventory. Table 2 uses the same notes and assumptions as Table 1.

Table 2: The Cactus Project Mineral Resource Estimate, as of July 11, 2024, as Compared to August 31, 2023

	PREVIOUS MINERAL RESOURCE (As of August 31, 2023)			UPDATED MINERAL RESOURCE (As of July 11, 2024)			VARIANCE
Material Type	Tons kt	Grade Cu%¹	Contained Cu k lbs	Tons kt	Grade Cu%¹	Contained Cu k lbs	Cu Content %
Leachable	9,100	0.23¹	41,900	55,200	0.79¹	873,800	1,985%
Primary	1,300	0.32	8,000	12,300	0.51	124,400	1,455%
Total Measured	10,400	0.24	49,800	67,500	0.74	998,200	1,904%
Leachable	348,500	0.63¹	4,387,200	414,800	0.53¹	4,365,700	0%
Primary	86,800	0.43	737,000	150,400	0.39	1,173,300	59%
Total Indicated	435,300	0.59	5,124,200	565,200	0.49	5,539,000	8%
Leachable	357,600	0.62¹	4,429,000	470,000	0.56¹	5,239,500	18%
Primary	88,000	0.42	745,000	162,700	0.40	1,297,600	74%
Total M&I	445,700	0.58	5,174,000	632,600	0.52	6,537,100	26%
Leachable	107,700	0.61¹	1,307,900	299,600	0.38¹	2,262,800	73%
Primary	126,200	0.36	900,000	174,500	0.36	1,267,500	41%
Total Inferred	233,800	0.47	2,207,900	474,000	0.37	3,530,300	60%

NOTES: refer to TABLE 1
1 Grade shown is Soluble Copper (Cu TSol)

Drilling programs
The updated Cactus Project MRE is supported by a systematic drilling program targeting MainSpring, the near surface southern extension of the Parks/Salyer deposit, and infill to measured drilling at Parks/Salyer, within the 5.5 kilometre (“km”) (~3.5 mile (“mi”)) mine trend. Mineral resources were classified using data of 125 ft (38 m) drill spacing for Measured, 250 ft (76 m) drill spacing for Indicated and 500 ft (~152 m) drill spacing for Inferred. The in-ground mineral resources were calculated using 435 total drillholes including 161 new holes drilled into the Cactus West and East deposits since 2019 and 159 new holes drilled into the Parks/Salyer deposits since 2020. The Stockpile mineral resource was calculated using 514 new holes drilled into the stockpile on a regular grid since 2021. The isolated MainSpring mineral resource estimate containing 244.9 M short tons @ 0.39% CuT, is shown in TABLE 3 below, while each deposit is broken out separately within TABLE 4.

TABLE 3: MainSpring Property Resource contained within New Parks/Salyer Mineral Resource

Material Type	Tons kt	Grade CuT %	Grade Cu Tsol %	Contained Total Cu (k lbs)	Contained Cu Tsol (k lbs)
Inferred
Total Leachable	200,100	0.39	0.34	1,562,700	1,370,300
Total Primary	44,800	0.38	0.04	344,000	33,100
Total Inferred	244,900	0.39	0.29	1,906,700	1,403,500

NOTES: refer to TABLE 1

TABLE 4: Cactus Project Mineral Resources by Resource Area

Material Type		Tons kt	Grade CuT %	Grade Cu Tsol %	Contained Total Cu (k lbs)	Contained Cu Tsol (k lbs)
Measured
Leachable	Parks Salyer O/P	45,000	1.09	0.92	981,200	828,700
	Parks Salyer U/G	5	1.30	0.92	100	100
	Cactus O/P	10,200	0.25	0.22	50,800	45,000
	Cactus U/G	n/a
	Stockpile	n/a
Total Leachable		55,200	0.93	0.79	1,032,100	873,800
Primary	Parks Salyer O/P	10,900	0.53	0.06	115,500	12,200
	Parks Salyer U/G	40	0.77	0.07	700	100
	Cactus O/P	1,300	0.32	0.04	8,200	1,100
	Cactus U/G	n/a
	Stockpile	n/a
Total Primary		12,300	0.51	0.05	124,400	13,400
Total Measured		67,500	0.86	0.66	1,156,500	887,200
Indicated
Leachable	Parks Salyer O/P	201,300	0.75	0.66	3,027,000	2,671,100
	Parks Salyer U/G	1,100	0.96	0.85	21,400	18,900
	Cactus O/P	131,000	0.55	0.49	1,446,100	1,277,000
	Cactus U/G	10,200	1.04	0.89	213,100	181,100
	Stockpile	71,100	0.18	0.15	257,400	217,600
Total Leachable		414,800	0.60	0.53	4,965,000	4,365,700
Primary	Parks Salyer O/P	80,400	0.42	0.04	680,600	69,200
	Parks Salyer U/G	100	0.77	0.12	1,200	200
	Cactus O/P	68,300	0.34	0.03	465,800	45,100
	Cactus U/G	1,600	0.81	0.36	25,700	11,500
	Stockpile	n/a
Total Primary		150,400	0.39	0.04	1,173,300	126,000
Total Indicated		565,200	0.54	0.40	6,138,200	4,491,700
Measured & Indicated
Leachable	Parks Salyer O/P	246,300	0.81	0.71	4,008,200	3,499,800
	Parks Salyer U/G	1,100	0.98	0.86	21,500	19,000
	Cactus O/P	141,200	0.53	0.47	1,496,900	1,322,000
	Cactus U/G	10,200	1.04	0.89	213,100	181,100
	Stockpile	71,100	0.18	0.15	257,400	217,600
Total Leachable		470,000	0.64	0.56	5,997,200	5,239,500
Primary	Parks Salyer O/P	91,300	0.44	0.04	796,100	81,400
	Parks Salyer U/G	100	0.95	0.15	1,900	300
	Cactus O/P	69,600	0.34	0.03	474,000	46,200
	Cactus U/G	1,600	0.80	0.36	25,700	11,500
	Stockpile	n/a
Total Primary		162,700	0.40	0.04	1,297,600	139,400
Total M&I		632,600	0.58	0.43	7,294,800	5,378,900
Inferred
Leachable	Parks Salyer O/P	234,500	0.42	0.38	1,990,200	1,767,500
	Parks Salyer U/G	9,600	0.84	0.76	161,200	146,300
	Cactus O/P	50,400	0.34	0.28	344,600	286,900
	Cactus U/G	3,900	0.94	0.77	72,800	59,100
	Stockpile	1,200	0.15	0.13	3,600	3,000
Total Leachable		299,600	0.43	0.38	2,572,400	2,262,800
Primary	Parks Salyer O/P	54,100	0.39	0.04	427,300	41,000
	Parks Salyer U/G	1,000	0.82	0.26	16,700	5,300
	Cactus O/P	117,800	0.34	0.03	798,700	68,300
	Cactus U/G	1,500	0.82	0.33	24,900	10,200
	Stockpile	n/a
Total Primary		174,500	0.36	0.04	1,267,600	124,800
Total Inferred		474,000	0.41	0.25	3,839,900	2,387,500

NOTES: refer to TABLE 1

Cactus Project Mineral Resource Modelling

The geological modelling, statistical analysis, and resource estimation in respect of the Cactus Project MRE were prepared by the ASCU resource team and by Allan Schappert – CPG #11758, who is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101– Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”).

The Cactus Project MRE updates are based upon updated drilling data and interpretations. The Cactus Mineral Resource model was developed in Vulcan. Drilling data is supported by industry standard quality assurance and quality control programs, with quality control sampling comprising preparation blanks, certified reference materials, and field and pulp duplicate analyses. Review of the QA/QC data indicates it is of a quality suitable for use in resource estimation.

The mineralized domains are consistent with domaining for porphyry copper systems. Mineralized domains represent combinations of rock type and copper mineral zonation associated with secondary copper enrichment weathering processes. The main mineral zones are leached, oxide, enriched, and primary. Mineral zones are determined by logging and the assay attributes of sequential copper analyses.

Physical density measurements have been undertaken across the deposits, both historically by ASARCO, and more recently by ASCU. Density measurements on inground deposits use the wet / dry weight method and comprise 3,372 samples for Cactus and 143 samples for Parks/Salyer. Due to the unconsolidated nature of the stockpile material, physical bulk density measurements were attained by weight and volume calculations. Four test holes were excavated from which the material removed was dried and weight and the volume of each hole calculated.

Copper grades were estimated using Ordinary Kriging, using 20 ft (6.1 m) composites and top cutting determined by log normal probability plots on a per domain basis. Grade estimates were validated using visual and statistical methods including statistical distribution comparisons, visual comparison against the drilling data on sections, swath plots comparing block grades trends against de-clustered composites, and by smoothing checks using change of support. The effective date of the Cactus Project MRE is July 11, 2024. The Cactus Project MRE will form the basis of a PEA technical report prepared in accordance with NI 43-101, and prepared by M3 Engineering, which will be filed on SEDAR+ under the Company’s issuer profile within 45 days of this news release and will also be available at such time on the Company’s website. The PFS will be superseded in all respects once the Company has publicly disclosed the PEA.

Quality Assurance / Quality Control

Drilling completed on the project between 2020 and 2024 was supervised by on-site ASCU personnel who prepared core samples for assay and implemented a full QA/QC program using blanks, standards, and duplicates to monitor analytical accuracy and precision. The samples were sealed on site and shipped to Skyline Laboratories in Tucson AZ for analysis. Skyline’s quality control system complies with global certifications for Quality ISO9001:2008.

Scientific and technical information contained in this news release have been reviewed and verified by Allan Schappert – CPG #11758, who is a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101.

Links from the Press Release

Figures: https://arizonasonoran.com/projects/cactus-mine-project/press-release-images/
February 21, 2024: https://arizonasonoran.com/news-releases/arizona-sonoran-announces-a-positive-pre-feasibility-study-for-the-cactus-mine-project-with-a-us-509m-post-tax-npv-and-55-kstpa/

Neither the TSX nor the regulating authority has approved or disproved the information contained in this news release.

About Arizona Sonoran Copper Company (www.arizonasonoran.com | www.cactusmine.com)
ASCU’s objective is to become a mid-tier copper producer with low operating costs and to develop the Cactus Project that could generate robust returns for investors and provide a long term sustainable and responsible operation for the community and all stakeholders. The Company’s principal asset is a 100% interest in the brownfield Cactus Project (former ASARCO, Sacaton mine) which is situated on private land in an infrastructure-rich area of Arizona. The Company is led by an executive management team and Board which have a long-standing track record of successful project delivery in North America complemented by global capital markets expertise.

For more information:

Alison Dwoskin, Director, Investor Relations
647-233-4348
adwoskin@arizonasonoran.com

George Ogilvie, President, CEO and Director
416-723-0458
gogilvie@arizonasonoran.com

Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains certain information that may constitute “forward-looking information” under applicable Canadian securities legislation. All information, other than historical fact, are forward-looking information. Generally, statements containing forward-looking information or statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “plans”, “expect”, “is expected”, “in order to”, “is focused on” (a future event), “estimates”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “believes” or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, or the negative connotation thereof. Forward looking information includes, but is not limited to, the Company’s future operations, future exploration and development activities or other development plans, the potential of the Cactus Project (including the Parks/Salyer deposit), timing of economic studies and mineral resource estimates including the filing of the technical report in respect of the Cactus Project MRE, the results (if any) of further exploration work to define and or upgrade mineral resources and reserves at the Company’s properties; the anticipated exploration, drilling, development, construction and other activities of ASCU and the result of such activities; the mineral resources and mineral reserves estimates of the Cactus Project including the Cactus Project MRE (and the assumptions underlying such estimates); the ability of exploration work (including drilling) to accurately predict mineralization; the ability of management to understand the geology and potential of the Cactus Project; the completion and timing for the filing of the technical report in respect of the Cactus Project MRE; the timing and ability of the Company to produce a preliminary economic assessment (if at all); the scope of any future technical reports and studies conducted by ASCU; the ability to realize upon mineralization in a manner that is economic; the impact of bringing the Parks/Salyer deposit including the MainSpring property into the mine plan; , and corporate and technical objectives. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of ASCU to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties that could affect the outcome include, among others: future prices and the supply of metals; risks relating to fluctuations in the Canadian dollar and other currencies relative to the US dollar; the results of drilling; the ability to access capital on terms acceptable to the Company necessary to incur the expenditures required to retain and advance the properties; changes in exploration, development or mining plans due to exploration results and changing budget priorities of the Company or its joint venture partners; environmental liabilities (known and unknown); general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; results of exploration programs or further exploration work; the ability to continue exploration and development of the ASCU properties; changes in any of the assumptions underlying the Cactus Project MRE; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; political instability, terrorism, insurrection or war; or delays in obtaining governmental approvals, projected cash operating costs, failure to obtain any required consents, permits or approvals; and the additional risks described in ASCU’s most recently filed Annual Information Form, annual and interim management’s discussion and analysis, copies of which are available on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) under ASCU’s issuer profile.

Although ASCU has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company considers its assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available but cautions the reader that their assumptions regarding future events, many of which may be beyond the control of the Company, may ultimately prove to be incorrect since they are subject to risks and uncertainties that affects the Company and its operations. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information and are urged to carefully consider the foregoing factors as well as other uncertainties and risks outlined in the Company’s public disclosure record. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and ASCU disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

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As demand for copper increases, it becomes crucial to ensure our access to copper is sustainable. Innovations in mining technologies, such as those pioneered by Nuton, are at the forefront of this endeavor, striving to meet the growing demand for copper while minimizing its ecological footprint.

To discover more about Nuton’s transformative technologies and their impact on the industry, delve deeper into the Nuton process and explore the possibilities for a sustainable future.

Casa Grande, AZ and Toronto, ON, June 10, 2024 – Arizona Sonoran Copper Company Inc. (TSX:ASCU | OTCQX:ASCUF) (“ASCU” or the “Company”) reports drilling results targeting below the leachable oxides and enriched sulphides, into the untested extents of primary copper mineralization around the Cactus West Pit, on the Cactus Project, in Arizona. Drilling confirms a thick zone of primary sulphide mineralization beneath the Cactus West open pit mine plan and at least 750 ft (229 m) south, 500 ft (152 m) southwest and up to an additional 700 ft (213 m) below the Cactus West mineral resource shell (see FIGURES 1-8). The program is part of the 2024 Nuton Work Program sponsored by Nuton LLC, a Rio Tinto venture, as announced January 30, 2024.

A total of 5 drill holes are reported herein for a total of 8,366 ft (2,550 m). The Nuton-sponsored drill program aims to further delineate the primary mineralization beneath the existing oxides and enriched sulphides at the Cactus West open pit, as outlined in the current mine plan. Additionally, the program seeks to extend exploration efforts to the south and southwest regions. The program follows up on geotechnical hole ECW-150 (see PR January 10, 2024), which also encountered a significant primary sulphide interval, extending mineralization by 674 ft (205 m) below the mineral resource shell, within a total interval of 1,416 ft (432 m) @ 0.45% CuT.

Drilling Highlights

• ECW-246*: 1,463 ft (446 m) @ 0.31% CuT of continuous mineralization
  • 1,370 ft (418 m) @ 0.31% CuT, 0.004% Mo (primary)
• ECW-243: 987 ft (301 m) @ 0.34% CuT of continuous mineralization
  • 191 ft (58 m) @ 0.35% CuT, 0.30% Cu TSol, 0.014% Mo (enriched)
  • 796 ft (243 m) @ 0.33% CuT, 0.011% Mo (primary)
• ECW-245: 1,033 ft (315 m) @ 0.28% CuT of continuous mineralization
  • 190 ft (58 m) @ 0.56% CuT, 0.010% Mo (primary)
• ECW-241: 852 ft (260 m) @ 0.38% CuT of continuous mineralization
  • 316 ft (96 m) @ 0.34% CuT, 0.27% Cu TSol, 0.005% Mo (enriched) from 132 m depth
  • 536 ft (163 m) @ 0.39% CuT, 0.019% Mo (primary) 

NOTE: True widths are not known; * Hole terminated in primary mineralization and angled at –47.5° dip, all other holes drilled vertical and terminated in the basement fault

George Ogilvie, Arizona Sonoran President and CEO commented, “While our engineering and geology teams remain focused on the integration of our MainSpring property into our February 2024 Pre-Feasibility Study, our geo teams continue their exemplary low discovery cost programs. To date, the discovery cost on our Cactus porphyry is under $0.01/lb, and therefore telling us to continue drilling until that cost begins to increase.”

He continued, “The Cactus 2024 drilling programs focused on MainSpring infill drilling and expansion drilling at Cactus West. MainSpring presents engineering with the opportunity to improve economics at Parks/Salyer. At Cactus West, the team is targeting below the previously known mineral extents within the primary sulphides for future opportunities and optionality. Cactus infill drilling is returning wide intervals of primary copper mineralization both below the open pit mine plan, and also outside of the current mineral resource shell. While these Cactus West results will not be included in the pending Preliminary Economic Assessment, we see an expanding primary sulphide zone as future optionality on what is already one of the largest development stage Copper assets in the United States today.”

Drilling Recap

The Cactus West infill and exploration drill program as announced in the January 30, 2024 work plan press release and as part of the 2024 Nuton Work Program, supports the expansion of primary sulphide mineralization, particularly near ECW-150 and is ongoing with two drills. The current drilling will not be reflected in the pending Preliminary Economic Assessment. 

Previously, most drilling at Cactus West crossed through the oxide and enriched zones prior to terminating in the upper portions of the primary sulphide mineralization. This developed the oxide and enriched copper resources to support a conventional heap leach project. The current drill program at Cactus West targets the untested extents of primary mineralization by drilling completely through the enriched and primary mineralization zones to the basement fault and stopping in the rock units that compose the basement complex. This drilling is confirming a thick zone of primary mineralization beneath the thinner enrichment zone, typically followed by a barren granitic unit at depth above the basement fault. Though the drill program is in the early stages, it has confirmed that a thick zone of primary mineralization extends beneath the Cactus West pit as well as at least 750 feet south and 500 feet southwest of the pit. Results to date show primary sulphide copper grade increasing from east to west across the southern side of the pit. Grades are interpreted to increase further on the southwest corner of the pit as the drilling aligns with the historical mine trend, consistent with results previously reported from ECW-150. The program will continue to test the extents of primary mineralization to the south and southwest, as it also works to in-fill the areas under and immediately adjacent to the Cactus West pit.

The oxide and enriched proven and probable reserve at Cactus West totals 75.5 Mtons @ 0.26% Cu TSol for 463 Mlbs of copper. Within the Pre-Feasibility Study, Cactus West contributes approximately 12 Mtons annually within the first 7 years of production as an open pit layback. Meanwhile, the Cactus West and East  primary sulphide mineral resource estimate consists of 72.9 Mtons @ 0.34% CuT M&I for 463M lbs of copper and 120.4 Mtons @ 0.34% CuT for 837 Mlbs of copper inferred, inclusive of Cactus East (see PR dated February 21, 2024for notes and disclaimers related to the reserves and resources). The Cactus Project overall, inclusive of Parks/Salyer, contains 446 Mtons @ 0.58% CuT for 5.2 Blbs measured and indicated and 224 Mtons @ 0.472% CuT for 2.2 Blbs inferred.

Table 2: Drilling Details

Note: Drill locations are based on drill plans and hand-held GPS locators and may be adjusted slightly when properly surveyed.

Quality Assurance / Quality Control 

Drilling completed on the project between 2020 and 2023 was supervised by on-site ASCU personnel who prepared core samples for assay and implemented a full QA/QC program using blanks, standards, and duplicates to monitor analytical accuracy and precision. The samples were sealed on site and shipped to Skyline Laboratories in Tucson AZ for analysis. Skyline’s sample prep, analytical methodologies, and quality control system complies with global certifications for Quality ISO9001:2008. 

Technical aspects of this news release have been reviewed and verified by Allan Schappert – CPG #11758, who is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101– Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

Links from the Press Release

Figures 1-8: https://arizonasonoran.com/projects/cactus-mine-project/press-release-images/ 
February 21, 2024: https://arizonasonoran.com/news-releases/arizona-sonoran-announces-a-positive-pre-feasibility-study-for-the-cactus-mine-project-with-a-us-509m-post-tax-npv-and-55-kstpa/ 
January 30, 2024: https://arizonasonoran.com/news-releases/arizona-sonoran-announces-2024-work-plan/ 
January 10, 2024: https://arizonasonoran.com/news-releases/arizona-sonoran-extends-mineralization-674-ft-205-m-below-cactus-west-mineral-resource-shell-drills-731-ft-223-m-of-0.92-cut-of/

Neither the TSX nor the regulating authority has approved or disproved the information contained in this press release.

About Arizona Sonoran Copper Company (www.arizonasonoran.com | www.cactusmine.com)

ASCU’s objective is to become a mid-tier copper producer with low operating costs and to develop the Cactus and Parks/Salyer Projects that could generate robust returns for investors and provide a long term sustainable and responsible operation for the community and all stakeholders. The Company’s principal asset is a 100% interest in the Cactus Project (former ASARCO, Sacaton mine) which is situated on private land in an infrastructure-rich area of Arizona. Contiguous to the Cactus Project is the Company’s 100%-owned Parks/Salyer deposit that could allow for a phased expansion of the Cactus Mine once it becomes a producing asset. The Company is led by an executive management team and Board which have a long-standing track record of successful project delivery in North America complemented by global capital markets expertise.

For more information

Alison Dwoskin, Director, Investor Relations 
647-233-4348
adwoskin@arizonasonoran.com

George Ogilvie, President, CEO and Director 
416-723-0458
gogilvie@arizonasonoran.com

Forward-Looking Statements

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of ASCU to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could affect the outcome include, among others: future prices and the supply of metals; the results of drilling; inability to raise the money necessary to incur the expenditures required to retain and advance the properties; environmental liabilities (known and unknown); general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; results of exploration programs; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; political instability, terrorism, insurrection or war; or delays in obtaining governmental approvals, projected cash operating costs, failure to obtain regulatory or shareholder approvals. 

Although ASCU has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and ASCU disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. 

“News stories of hurricanes and wildfires, droughts and floods are everywhere. It’s easy to feel paralyzed or give up.” Despite the headlines, Cecilia Perla is optimistic. “We need to pay attention to the problem, but also direct our efforts into action rather than despair.”

She’s spent over a decade reshaping copper analysis and decarbonization, and contributing her expertise to governments, universities and NGOs worldwide. And as the United Nations recognizes World Environment Day this June, there’s no better time than now to be enthusiastic about the future of ecosystem restoration.

U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Applied to Copper Mining

Perla, the Sustainability VP for Nuton Technologies, sees good things ahead. “We need to double down on humanity’s capacity to change, our creativity and what Hannah Ritchie calls ‘pragmatic optimism’,” she says referring to sustainability data scientist, researcher and author of the 2024 book, Not the End of the World: How Can We Be the First Generation to Build a Sustainable Planet. Recognized by Bill Gates as “eye-opening and essential,” Ritchie’s book points to progress made in lowering carbon emissions, deforestation and air quality. “She’s a glass-half-full type of person, just like me.”

Though for Nuton this is a year-round effort, the U.N.’s World Environment Day in June provides an opportunity to showcase how the mining industry — historically associated with environmental degradation — can become a key innovator for ecosystem restoration.

Nuton’s heap leaching technology, in particular, is a source of great hope in the efforts to find new ways to produce copper with a lower environmental footprint. Nuton embraces a ground-up-to-global mindset for copper extraction driven by a company ethos of sustainability and alignment with the United Nations’ sustainable development goals.

 “We must have a vision of what the post-mining land use for the site is and how we get there,” says Perla referring to Nuton’s ambition to accelerate opportunities for land restoration, one of the five pillars of Positive Impact Strategy. “In the big scheme of things, mining is a temporary land use. We should keep an open mind about what it can become once mining concludes.”

Along with land, Nuton’s Positive Impact Strategy encompasses four additional pillars—water, energy, materials, and society. “This year, we are seeing Nuton germinate, having announced the first industrial-scale deployment of our technology at the Johnson Camp Mine, owned and operated by our partner Excelsior Mining,” Perla says. “We will have more exciting news to share as we mature as a venture and show our partners and the market the full value of Nuton technologies.”

The Future of Sustainable Copper Mining Is Gaining Traction

Nuton is right in line with #GenerationRestoration, this year’s motto for World Environment Day. According to Perla, “Nuton is built on this spirit. Here’s a new technology unlocking opportunities to meet copper demand with a much lighter footprint and less stress on our planet than conventional copper processing technologies.”

As for the future of sustainable copper mining? It´s on its way. Here’s how Nuton’s heap leaching technology already alleviates environmental impact and increases profits.

Lighter Environmental Impact to Meet Copper Demand

It’s simple, according to Perla. “Nuton exists because we need to produce more copper, but we need to do it more sustainably. We focus not only in the what, but also on the how copper is produced.”

“The vast majority of copper comes from primary sulfides, which traditionally go through a process of concentration, smelting and refining,” she says. “Nuton technologies provide an alternative to leaching copper sulfide ores with the help of our carefully cultivated bacteria and unique catalysts and reagents.”

Stronger Economic Impact for Sustainable Copper Mining

Nuton’s ambition to produce copper with a lower carbon footprint, while conserving water, energy, and costs, aligns with the goals of World Environment Day.

World Environment Day 2024 is just one day this summer. But thanks to Perla and the Nuton team, ecosystem restoration and conservation is an everyday ambition.

Excelsior Mining Corp. (TSX: MIN) (OTCQB: EXMGF) (FSE: 3XS) (“Excelsior” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that it has received the US$5 million infrastructure access payment from Nuton LLC (“Nuton”), a Rio Tinto venture. This payment was provided as a result of Nuton electing to proceed to Stage 2 of the existing Option Agreement (the “Agreement”) (see Excelsior press release dated May 15, 2024). The purpose of the Agreement is for Nuton to evaluate the use of its Nuton™ copper heap leaching technologies at Excelsior’s Johnson Camp mine in Cochise County, Arizona. Under the Agreement, Excelsior remains the operator and Nuton funds Excelsior’s costs associated with a two-stage work program at Johnson Camp.

As Nuton has elected to proceed to Stage 2, it made the US$5 million payment to Excelsior for the use of existing infrastructure at the Johnson Camp mine for the Stage 2 work program. Nuton will also be responsible for funding all of Excelsior’s costs associated with Stage 2. The full Stage 2 work program is anticipated to take up to five years, and, if successful, will demonstrate key elements of the Nuton technologies at industrial scale. It will proceed based on milestones related to engineering and mobilization, infrastructure and construction, mining, leaching, copper production and post-leach rinsing. Mining is expected to commence in year one with first copper produced from technology in 2025.

The completion of all milestones would result in full scale commercial production of Nuton copper over several years at Johnson Camp. Revenue from operations will first be used to pay back Stage 2 costs to Nuton and will then be credited to Excelsior’s account after fulfillment of Excelsior’s applicable royalty and stream obligations.

Rio Tinto has developed the Nuton^TM technologies, an extensive portfolio of advanced copper heap leaching technologies targeted at primary sulfide minerals (including lower grade mineral deposits), which could not otherwise be processed economically using traditional leaching or sulfide processing technologies. These technologies offer the potential to produce additional copper from new and ongoing operations in a cost-effective manner that has significant environmental benefits when compared with traditional primary sulfide processing technologies.

Webinar

Stephen Twyerould President & CEO, and Robert Winton SVP & General Manager, will be presenting a live-video webinar with Q&A on 29, May 2024 at 4:00pm (EDT) to go over the recently announced Nuton Stage 2 Option Agreement. The event will be hosted by Amvest Capital. Those wishing to participate in the video-webinar can do so by Registering Here.

About Nuton

Nuton is an innovative venture that aims to help grow Rio Tinto’s copper business. At the core of Nuton is a portfolio of proprietary copper leaching related technologies and capability – a product of almost 30 years of research and development. Nuton offers the potential to economically unlock copper from primary sulfide resources through leaching, achieving market-leading recovery rates and contributing to an increase in copper production at new and ongoing operations. One of the key differentiators of Nuton is the ambition to produce the world’s lowest footprint copper while having at least one Positive Impact at each of our deployment sites, across our five pillars: water, energy, land, materials and society.

About Excelsior Mining

Excelsior “The Copper Solution Company” is a mineral exploration and production company that owns and operates the Gunnison Copper Project in Cochise County, Arizona. The project is a low cost, environmentally friendly in-situ recovery copper extraction project that is permitted to 125 million pounds per year of copper cathode production. Excelsior also owns the past producing Johnson Camp Mine and a portfolio of exploration projects, including the Peabody Sill and the Strong and Harris deposits.

For more information on Excelsior, please visit our website at www.excelsiormining.com.

For further information regarding this press release, please contact:

Excelsior Mining Corp.
Concord Place, Suite 300, 2999 North 44^th Street, Phoenix, AZ, 85018.
Shawn Westcott
T: 604.365.6681
E: info@excelsiormining.com 
www.excelsiormining.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains “forward-looking information” concerning anticipated developments and events that may occur in the future. Forward looking information contained in this news release includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to: (i) the potential of well stimulation to improve performance of the Company’s mineral projects; (ii) the intention to deploy the Nuton® technology at the Johnson Camp mine and future production therefrom; (iii) the details and expected results of the stage two work program; and (iv) future production and production capacity from the Company’s mineral projects.

In certain cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might”, “occur” or “be achieved” suggesting future outcomes, or other expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, intentions or statements about future events or performance. Forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on certain factors and assumptions regarding, among other things, the amended permit will not be appealed, work plans will be approved in a timely manner, the availability of financing to continue as a going concern and implement the Company’s operational plans, the estimation of mineral resources and mineral reserves, the realization of resource and reserve estimates, expectations and anticipated impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, copper and other metal prices, the timing and amount of future development expenditures, the estimation of initial and sustaining capital requirements, the estimation of labour and operating costs (including the price of acid), the availability of labour, material and acid supply, receipt of and compliance with necessary regulatory approvals and permits, the estimation of insurance coverage, and assumptions with respect to currency fluctuations, environmental risks, title disputes or claims, and other similar matters. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect.

Forward looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include risks related to the Company not obtaining adequate financing to continue operations, the breach of debt convenants, risks inherent in the construction and operation of mineral deposits, including risks relating to changes in project parameters as plans continue to be redefined including the possibility that mining operations may not be sustained at the Gunnison Copper Project, risks related to the delay in approval of work plans, variations in mineral resources and reserves, grade or recovery rates, risks relating to the ability to access infrastructure, risks relating to changes in copper and other commodity prices and the worldwide demand for and supply of copper and related products, risks related to increased competition in the market for copper and related products, risks related to current global financial conditions, risks related to current global financial conditions and the impact of  any resurgence of COVID-19 on the Company’s business, uncertainties inherent in the estimation of mineral resources, access and supply risks, risks related to the ability to access acid supply on commercially reasonable terms, reliance on key personnel, operational risks inherent in the conduct of mining activities, including the risk of accidents, labour disputes, increases in capital and operating costs and the risk of delays or increased costs that might be encountered during the construction or mining process, regulatory risks including the risk that permits may not be obtained in a timely fashion or at all, financing, capitalization and liquidity risks, risks related to disputes concerning property titles and interests, environmental risks and the additional risks identified in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s reports and filings with applicable Canadian securities regulators.

Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information is made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information.

Excelsior Mining Corp. (TSX: MIN) (FSE: 3XS) (OTCQB: EXMGF) (“Excelsior” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that Nuton LLC (“Nuton”), a Rio Tinto venture has elected to proceed to Stage 2 of the existing Option Agreement (the “Agreement”) (see Excelsior press release dated July 31, 2023). The purpose of the Agreement is for Nuton to evaluate the use of its Nuton™ copper heap leaching technologies at Excelsior’s Johnson Camp mine in Cochise County, Arizona. Under the Agreement, Excelsior remains the operator and Nuton funds Excelsior’s costs associated with a two-stage work program at Johnson Camp.

As Nuton has elected to proceed to Stage 2, it will make a US$5 million payment to Excelsior for the use of existing infrastructure at the Johnson Camp mine for the Stage 2 work program.  Nuton will also be responsible for funding all of Excelsior’s costs associated with Stage 2. The full Stage 2 work program is anticipated to take up to five years, and, if successful, will demonstrate key elements of the Nuton technologies at industrial scale. It will proceed based on milestones related to engineering and mobilization, infrastructure and construction, mining, leaching, copper production and post-leach rinsing. Mining is expected to commence in year one with first Nuton copper produced in 2025.

The completion of all milestones would result in full scale commercial production of Nuton copper over several years at Johnson Camp. Revenue from operations will first be used to pay back Stage 2 costs to Nuton and will then be credited to Excelsior’s account after fulfillment of Excelsior’s applicable royalty and stream obligations.

Rio Tinto has developed the Nuton^TM technologies, an extensive portfolio of advanced copper heap leaching technologies targeted at primary sulfide minerals (including lower grade mineral deposits), which could not otherwise be processed economically using traditional leaching or sulfide processing technologies. These technologies offer the potential to produce additional copper from new and ongoing operations in a cost-effective manner that has significant environmental benefits when compared with traditional primary sulfide processing technologies.

After the completion of Stage 2, Nuton will have the right to form a joint venture on Johnson Camp per mutually agreeable terms whereby Nuton will hold an initial 49% and Excelsior an initial 51% interest. The purpose of the joint venture is to continue the development of the Johnson Camp mine using Nuton technologies.  Should Nuton not exercise its joint venture rights, Nuton and Excelsior will discuss in good faith Excelsior’s continued use of the Nuton technologies at the Johnson Camp mine subject to certain licensing terms and conditions. The infrastructure arrangement at Johnson Camp under this Agreement is non-exclusive. During Stage 2, Excelsior may continue to use the Johnson Camp infrastructure for processing Gunnison solutions and other copper sources not related to the Stage 2 work program so long as capacity requirements for the Stage 2 work program are met.

About Nuton

Nuton is an innovative venture that aims to help grow Rio Tinto’s copper business. At the core of Nuton is a portfolio of proprietary copper leaching related technologies and capability – a product of almost 30 years of research and development. Nuton offers the potential to economically unlock copper from primary sulfide resources through leaching, achieving market-leading recovery rates and contributing to an increase in copper production at new and ongoing operations. One of the key differentiators of Nuton is the ambition to produce the world’s lowest footprint copper while having at least one Positive Impact at each of our deployment sites, across our five pillars: water, energy, land, materials and society.

About Excelsior Mining

Excelsior “The Copper Solution Company” is a mineral exploration and production company that owns and operates the Gunnison Copper Project in Cochise County, Arizona. The project is a low cost, environmentally friendly in-situ recovery copper extraction project that is permitted to 125 million pounds per year of copper cathode production. Excelsior also owns the past producing Johnson Camp Mine and a portfolio of exploration projects, including the Peabody Sill and the Strong and Harris deposits.

For more information on Excelsior, please visit our website at www.excelsiormining.com.

For further information regarding this press release, please contact:

Excelsior Mining Corp.
Concord Place, Suite 300, 2999 North 44^th Street, Phoenix, AZ, 85018.
Shawn Westcott
T: 604.365.6681
E: info@excelsiormining.com 
www.excelsiormining.com 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains “forward-looking information” concerning anticipated developments and events that may occur in the future. Forward looking information contained in this news release includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to: (i) the potential of well stimulation to improve performance of the Company’s mineral projects; (ii) the intention to deploy the Nuton® technology at the Johnson Camp mine and future production therefrom; (iii) the details and expected results of the stage two work program; and (iv) future production and production capacity from the Company’s mineral projects.

In certain cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might”, “occur” or “be achieved” suggesting future outcomes, or other expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, intentions or statements about future events or performance. Forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on certain factors and assumptions regarding, among other things, the amended permit will not be appealed, work plans will be approved in a timely manner, the availability of financing to continue as a going concern and implement the Company’s operational plans, the estimation of mineral resources and mineral reserves, the realization of resource and reserve estimates, expectations and anticipated impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, copper and other metal prices, the timing and amount of future development expenditures, the estimation of initial and sustaining capital requirements, the estimation of labour and operating costs (including the price of acid), the availability of labour, material and acid supply, receipt of and compliance with necessary regulatory approvals and permits, the estimation of insurance coverage, and assumptions with respect to currency fluctuations, environmental risks, title disputes or claims, and other similar matters. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect.

Forward looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include risks related to the Company not obtaining adequate financing to continue operations, the breach of debt convenants, risks inherent in the construction and operation of mineral deposits, including risks relating to changes in project parameters as plans continue to be redefined including the possibility that mining operations may not be sustained at the Gunnison Copper Project, risks related to the delay in approval of work plans, variations in mineral resources and reserves, grade or recovery rates, risks relating to the ability to access infrastructure, risks relating to changes in copper and other commodity prices and the worldwide demand for and supply of copper and related products, risks related to increased competition in the market for copper and related products, risks related to current global financial conditions, risks related to current global financial conditions and the impact of  any resurgence of COVID-19 on the Company’s business, uncertainties inherent in the estimation of mineral resources, access and supply risks, risks related to the ability to access acid supply on commercially reasonable terms, reliance on key personnel, operational risks inherent in the conduct of mining activities, including the risk of accidents, labour disputes, increases in capital and operating costs and the risk of delays or increased costs that might be encountered during the construction or mining process, regulatory risks including the risk that permits may not be obtained in a timely fashion or at all, financing, capitalization and liquidity risks, risks related to disputes concerning property titles and interests, environmental risks and the additional risks identified in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s reports and filings with applicable Canadian securities regulators.

Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information is made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information.

Thirty minutes north of Melbourne, the second largest city in the Land Down Under, sits the Bundoora Technical Development Centre, the center of innovation for Nuton’s groundbreaking technology.

Surrounded by a lush gathering of trees and close enough to the Australian coast to feel a slight ocean breeze, the Technical Development Centre, known simply as Bundoora by Nuton and Rio Tinto teammates, is located in a beautiful spot.

“People drive through the gate in the morning, and they can’t help but be relaxed and inspired,” says Jared Osborne, General Manager of Technical Development at Rio Tinto. “Kangaroos are hopping around, the occasional big rabbit, some foxes. It’s really quite something.”

Jared says he feels even more energized when he sees the world of immense growth and possibility happening inside Bundoora.

Teams of dedicated scientists, like Jared, have already come so far and achieved so much in nearly 30 years of research and innovation at Bundoora. Back in the early 1990s, Rio Tinto executives at our Kennecott operations in Utah were looking for a solution that could minimize the amount of wasted ore bodies that were unsuitable for traditional processing. The waste was burdensome, economically unviable, and importantly—with notable implications on the environment.

In 1996, a small group of scientists working at Bundoora took a huge leap forward, finding a copper leaching technology that could extract premium quality copper with less water usage and a much smaller carbon footprint. That solution is at the heart of our new Rio Tinto venture, Nuton.

Over the years, technology and innovation milestones have stacked up at Bundoora. From those first tests in 1996 to small and large column tests in 2006 to a pilot plant in 2012, Bundoora teammates have seen the Nuton technology evolve and ramp up significantly.

Next is to deploy this technology on a large scale, where it can truly create a positive impact on the world. It’ll be an exciting challenge, made possible by the team at Bundoora comprised of some of the brightest minds in the field.

With a diverse team of experts from all over the world, celebrating each other’s culture and championing inclusion are major aspects of the magic at Bundoora. It’s common for teammates to bring in traditional food from their homeland to share with everyone at lunch and for all to truly get to know each other on a personal level.

Those kinds of things are organic and frequent at Bundoora.

“We’ve recruited the best in the world for over 30 years and we’ve ended up with a magnificent mix of people,” says Jared. “It really does feel like a family.”