VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Coppernico Metals Inc. (TSX: COPR, OTCQB: CPPMF, FSE: 9I3) (“Coppernico” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that, through its wholly-owned private Peruvian subsidiary Sombrero Minerales SAC, it has expanded its concessions with an application covering 2,400 hectares over a newly identified lithocap-epithermal-porphyry property at the Sombrero Project in Peru.
The concessions were implemented following encouraging results from early-stage geological and geochemical sampling from what the Company refers to as the Rumi Property, located east-southeast of the Tipicancha Property within the overall Sombrero Project area (Figure 1). Mapping and exploratory rock sampling revealed an approximately 2.3 km by 2.5 km continuous trace of advanced clay alteration developed in a Miocene or younger volcanic complex, indicating a potential high-sulfidation epithermal or lithocapic system.
Highlights
- Large scale lithocap: Approximately 4 square kilometers of continuous alteration of kaolinite, alunite and silica with a few occurrences of dickite and disseminated pyrite, mapped using field observations and short-wave infrared (SWIR) spectroscopy inspection.
- Pathfinder Anomaly: Initial reconnaissance samples show elevated levels of arsenic (As), bismuth (Bi) and antimony (Sb), as well as sporadic elevated values of molybdenum (Mo) up to 10 ppm and copper (Cu) up to 101 ppm. High sulfur (S) values, greater than 3%, are consistent with mapped pyrite-rich zones, and acid sulfate alteration is consistent with high-sulfidation systems.
- Multiple systems: It has similar characteristics to the Tipicancha and Chcello features, suggesting that a regionally significant younger magmatic-hydrothermal event superimposed on the Ccascabamba-Niok skarn features.
Ivan Bebek, Chairman and CEO of Coppernico, commented: “As our exploration work continues at various targets in our Sombrero Project, we continue to review opportunities in the region as we look to expand our pipeline of discovery prospects. The Rumi Property is our 17th distinct target within our 56,400-hectare land area, consistent with our goal of making several significant discoveries on the western side of the Andahuaylas-Yauri Belt. Additional permitting updates and channel sampling results are expected in the coming weeks.”
Figure 1. Sombrero Project Area
Exploratory mapping and initial sampling identified a large zone of advanced clay alteration at the Rumi property measuring approximately 2.3 km by 2.5 km. The alteration is characterized by kaolinite, alunite and cavernous or residual silica, with local dickite occurring. Disseminated pyrite and native sulfur are common throughout the area (Fig. 2).
This characteristic mineral assemblage and texture indicate an acid-sulfate environment typical of high-sulfidation and lithocapsic epithermal systems that often develop over porphyritic copper-gold (Cu-Au) centers. Early geochemical results from sixteen samples collected included elevated As, Bi and Sb contents, further supporting this interpretation. The samples also showed sporadic elevated values of Mo up to 10 ppm and Cu up to 101 ppm (Fig. 2).
Figure 2: Target scale geologic map showing kaolinite, alunite, and silica contours and arsenic sample values.
Early structural mapping shows that the changes coincide with the intersections of northeast-trending and east-west-trending corridors. These structures and their intersections may have played an important role in focusing and channeling magmatic fluids. Based on these findings, Coppernico has bid for new concessions of approximately 2,400 hectares. A subsequent mapping and sampling program is planned to better define the scale and context of this new system.
This new discovery expands Coppernico's growing portfolio of younger “lithocap” exploration targets in Peru's Miocene Metallogenic Belt, which now includes the Rumi, Tipicancha, Maha Machay and Chcello targets:
- Typicancha: 1 by 2 km epithermal alteration with copper-bearing zones returning up to 22 m of 0.65% Cu, including 10 m of 1.14% Cu (true width unknown, see Coppernico press release May 21, 2025).
- Macha Machay: A newly mapped 4 km by 1 km alteration zone supported by extensive geochemical anomalies (additional survey results awaited, see Company press release dated 18 August 2025).
- Ccello: Approximately 2 by 1.5 km of silver-kaolinite lithocap with silver mineralization associated with quartz-alunite alteration and massive silica structures (see press release dated September 30, 2019 from Auryn Resources, Coppernico's predecessor).
These Miocene-age targets are superimposed on the western extension of the older Eocene-Oligocene Andahuaylas-Yauri Belt, a recognized Cu-Au porphyry province that hosts the large Ccascabamba and Nioc Company porphyry skar target areas and the Good Lucky property. These overlapping mineralization events likely indicate long-lived and multiphase magmatic and hydrothermal activity, suggesting the presence of deep crustal-scale structures and the possibility of hidden porphyry centers at depth. Regionally, the Miocene belt of Peru hosts numerous productive epithermal-porphyry systems. Prominent examples include Morocco-Toromocho, located approximately 375 km north of Sombrero, and Inmaculada-Pallancata-Selena, almost 150 km to the south.
In connection with these concessions, the Company paid an annual concession fee of US$3 per hectare in the first year. The final award of concessions is expected to be completed in the coming months, subject to normal administrative procedures, including a public notice period, confirmation from INGEMMET and submission of an application to the government registry.
Tim Kingsley, Vice President of Intelligence, commented: “Early field studies at the Rumi prospect have identified a large, continuous alteration system with characteristics typical of high-sulfidation and lithocap environments, supporting the potential for a copper-gold-porphyry system at depth. As we develop partnerships with the community to obtain drilling permits, we continue to refine the position of our lands and prioritize high-impact drill targets at Sombrero.”
Recognition of this new target will strengthen area-scale exploration of the Coppernico deposit for the Sombrero Project. Systematic mapping and sampling continues to refine multiple Cu-Au prospects, with ongoing work aimed at identifying drill-ready targets for the upcoming Phase 2 drilling program.
Technical Disclosure and Qualified Person
The scientific and technical information contained in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Tim Kingsley, MS, CPG, Vice President of Exploration for Coppernico, who is a “Qualified Person” (as defined in NI 43-101).
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Ivan Dak
Chairman and CEO
For more information contact:
Coppernico Metals Inc.
Phone: +1 778 729 0600
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.coppernicometals.com
Twitter: @CoppernicoMetal
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/coppernico-metals/
About Coppernico
Coppernico is a mineral exploration company focused on creating value for shareholders and stakeholders through the rigorous evaluation and exploration of projects to discover the best copper and gold deposits in the Americas. The Company's management and technical teams have a successful track record of raising capital, discovering and monetizing exploration successes. The company's goal is to become a leading copper and gold producer and, through its wholly-owned private Peruvian subsidiary Sombrero Minerales SAC, is currently focused on the Ccascabamba (formerly Sombrero Main) and Nioc targets within the Sombrero project in Peru, its flagship project, while regularly reviewing additional premium projects for acquisition consideration.
The Sombrero Project is a land parcel of approximately 56,400 hectares (564 square kilometers) located on the northwestern edge of the world-famous Andahuaylas-Yauri strike in Peru. It consists of a number of prospective exploration targets characterized by copper-gold-skarn and porphyry systems and epithermal precious metal systems. The company's Technical Report NI 43-101, effective April 17, 2024 and filed on SEDAR+ May 23, 2024, focuses on the Ccascabamba and Nioc target areas of the Sombrero Project.
Coppernico Metals Inc. is currently listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “COPR”, traded on the OTCQB Venture Market under the symbol “CPPMF” and is quoted over-the-counter by certain dealers on the informal market of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol “9I3”. More information about Coppernico can be found on the company's profile on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca).
Warning
No regulatory agency has approved the contents of this document.
This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws (collectively: “forward-looking statementsForward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as “may,” “should,” “anticipate,” “anticipate,” “intend” and similar expressions and include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: the interpretation of geologic mapping and sampling results, the prospective nature of identified targets for future exploration, the potential of interpreted mineralized systems, the progress and approval of permits, the award of concessions and the Company's drilling plans. There can be no assurance that these expectations will prove to be correct, and undue reliance should not be placed on such forward-looking statements included in this press release. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control, which could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those disclosed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers should refer to the risks discussed in the Company's 2024 Annual Information Form and other documents. Disclosure documents filed with the Canadian Securities Administrators are available at: www.sedarplus.ca. These factors are not and should not be considered exhaustive. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this new release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Any forward-looking information and assumptions made with respect thereto speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information after the date of this press release to conform such information to actual results or changes in the Company's expectations, except as otherwise required by applicable law.
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