Explorer Advances Key Copper-Gold Target in the Andes

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Coppernico Metals Inc. (COPR:TSX; CPPMF:OTCQB; 9l3:FSE) has announced amendments to its existing option agreement with Aceros Arequipa S.A., covering three key concessions at its Sombrero Project in Peru. 

The updated terms extend the exploration phase of the agreement through December 13, 2029, and allow the company to proceed with conducting exploration and advancing the filing of its drill permit application at the Fierrazo target, a key copper-gold skarn prospect located in the Ccascabamba target area.

The company has also assumed responsibility for rehabilitating both historic and future environmental disturbances at Fierrazo. A reclamation plan is being developed in coordination with Peruvian environmental authorities.

About the Fierrazo target

Fierrazo was previously drilled in 2013 by Aceros, Peru's largest steel producer, with eight diamond drill holes totaling 988 meters. Those holes were primarily targeting iron skarn mineralization, but subsequent resampling in 2019 by Auryn Resources (Coppernico's predecessor) revealed significant copper and gold values. Notable historical intercepts include 116 meters of 0.42% copper and 0.24 grams per tonne (g/t) gold, 90.4 meters of 0.48% copper and 0.05 g/t gold, and 51 meters of 0.43% copper and 0.16 g/t gold.

The amended agreement reflects the collaborative relationship with Aceros and strengthens Coppernico's ability to pursue drilling permits for the Fierrazo target. According to Chair and CEO Ivan Bebek, "This Amendment is an important step toward securing drill permits for our Fierrazo target, which we are advancing." He emphasized ongoing community engagement and a focus on environmental responsibility as central to the Sombrero Project's development.

Fierrazo is a key target in one of several targets within the broader Sombrero Project, which spans approximately 53,800 hectares in southern Peru. The area is believed to be an extension of the Andahuaylas-Yauri copper-gold belt and includes skarn, porphyry, and epithermal mineralization styles. Other nearby targets include Nioc, where channel sampling has confirmed additional mineralized magnetite skarn systems.

Copper Prices Climb on Policy Expectations, Sector Demand, and Infrastructure Trends

Copper prices reached a 15-month high in mid-September, with futures on the London Metal Exchange rising to US$10,173 per ton and COMEX prices increasing to US$4.726 per pound. According to a September 15 report by Mining.com, the rally was attributed to expectations of an interest rate cut in the United States following weaker-than-expected economic indicators, as well as sustained demand from China. The publication noted that copper prices had advanced for six consecutive trading sessions and cited a reported 10% rise in apparent consumption in China during the first half of the year.

On the same day, MarketMinute examined the potential market implications of a theoretical 50% tariff on copper imports into a major economy. The outlet explained that while the aim of such a policy would be to stimulate domestic copper mining, it could also lead to a contraction in global copper production. The report pointed out that over 70% of global silver production originates as a byproduct of other metal mining operations, primarily copper. As a result, a reduction in copper output could affect silver supply chains, particularly in industrial applications where silver is a critical input.

A follow-up report from Fastmarkets on September 16 emphasized the impact of artificial intelligence and data center growth on copper demand in the United States. The article described how increased power requirements, liquid cooling infrastructure, and expanded electrical systems in AI-driven data centers have accelerated copper consumption. Citing the Copper Development Association, Fastmarkets stated that copper use in data centers may eventually rival or surpass that of electric vehicles, depending on future market trends.

Fastmarkets also provided long-term forecasts indicating that copper consumption in the energy transition sector (including electric vehicles, wind, and solar technologies) is projected to grow at a combined compound annual growth rate of 8.9% over the next decade. In North America, this trend is being accompanied by a shift in procurement practices, with manufacturers prioritizing copper products that incorporate higher levels of recycled content. The report highlighted copper's infinite recyclability as a factor enhancing its long-term value in sustainability-focused supply chains.

On September 24, Stockhead reported how copper prices surged to a one-year high following a force majeure declaration at the Grasberg mine in Indonesia, one of the world's largest sources of the metal. The incident, caused by a deadly mudslide, has raised concerns about near-term supply disruptions, driving a rally in copper markets. The price increase was reflected in broader investor interest across the sector, with copper emerging as a key contributor to gains on the ASX. The event underscores copper's sensitivity to global supply shocks and reinforces its strategic importance across industrial applications, particularly at a time when demand remains elevated.

Unlocking Fierrazo: Permit Momentum and District Potential

The amendment to the Aceros Option Agreement positions Coppernico to move forward with surface exploration and drilling at the Fierrazo target. The company plans to submit its Environmental Impact Assessment – Semi-detailed (EIA-Sd) permit application, a critical step toward initiating drilling operations.

Fierrazo is one of multiple copper-gold skarn targets within the Sombrero district. According to the company's September 2025 investor presentation, historical drilling and recent geophysical surveys support a 10-kilometer corridor of mineralization linking Fierrazo and the nearby Nioc target. The current exploration model suggests mineralization at Fierrazo is both laterally and vertically extensive, with historical core samples showing zones of copper enrichment from surface down to greater depths.

Beyond Fierrazo, Coppernico continues to expand its land position and refine its target pipeline across the Sombrero Project. The company secured CA$19 million in financing last year, including a 9.9% strategic investment by Teck Resources.

The company intends to advance ongoing permit expansion efforts, the continuation of community partnerships, and target generation for the next phase of its staged drill program focused on high-priority anomalies across the property.

Coppernico's integrated approach combining historical data, geochemistry and geophysics with strong community engagement suggests the company is well-positioned to continue advancing the Sombrero Project. Additional updates on further permitting, surface exploration, and potential enhancement to the project pipeline are anticipated in the coming months.

Ownership and Share Structure

Coppernico Metals is owned by strategic investors including Teck Resources Ltd. (TECK:TSX; TECK:NYSE) with 9.9% and Newmont Mining (NEM:NYSE, NGT:TSX, NEM:ASX) with 5.6%. 

Overall, the ownership of Coppernico is 18.37% by institutions, 15.54% strategic entities, 5.13% management and insiders, and the rest, 60.96%, is retail.

Coppernico has 177.3 million outstanding shares and 145.47 million free float trading shares. Its market cap is CA$34.57 million. Its 52-week range is CA$0.12–CA$0.54 per share.