Marimaca Copper Commences PEA to Expand Production via Pampa Medina Project Integration

• Marimaca Copper has commenced an Integration Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for its Pampa Medina Project Area.
• The study will examine the feasibility of mining and leaching at Pampa Medina before piping pregnant leach solution to a central SX-EW facility at the Marimaca Oxide Deposit (MOD).
• Pampa Medina includes the recently acquired Pampa Medina Main and Madrugador copper deposits with historical non-NI 43-101 compliant resource estimates.
• Marimaca believes developing Pampa Medina synergistically with the MOD infrastructure can capture significant capital cost benefits.
• The company sees potential to add material mineral inventory at Pampa Medina through ongoing exploration.

Marimaca Copper (TSX:MARI), a copper exploration and development company focused on projects in Chile's Antofagasta Region, has announced the commencement of an Integration Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for its Pampa Medina Project Area. The study, conducted by Stantec with the Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) completed by Caracle Creek Chile SpA, will evaluate the potential for integrating Pampa Medina with Marimaca's flagship Marimaca Oxide Deposit (MOD) project.

Marimaca Copper is advancing its 100%-owned Marimaca Copper Project in Chile, which hosts the MOD, an IOCG-type copper deposit currently in the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) stage led by Ausenco Chile Ltd. The company also has an extensive land package in the region, including the >15,000ha Sierra de Medina property and the Pampa Medina project located 25km from the MOD.

Pampa Medina Overview

The Pampa Medina Project Area includes the recently acquired Pampa Medina Main and Madrugador copper deposits. These deposits have historical non-NI 43-101 compliant mineral resource estimates:

• Pampa Medina Main (Geoinvest, 2020): Indicated: 12.3Mt at 0.857% CuT, 0.730% CuS, Inferred: 28.1Mt at 0.659% CuT, 0.558% CuS
• Madrugador (Apoquindo Minerals, 2009): Measured & Indicated: 12.2Mt at 0.68% CuT, 0.467% CuS, Inferred: 1.4Mt at 0.58% CuT, 0.334% CuS

The mineralization at Pampa Medina consists of shallow, relatively high-grade copper oxides and leachable sulphides with high acid solubility. Marimaca is currently preparing an updated MRE and has commenced metallurgical test work.

Integration PEA Details

The PEA will examine the feasibility of open pit mining, crushing, and leaching material onsite at Pampa Medina before piping pregnant leach solution (PLS) to a centralized SX-EW facility proposed for the MOD development. Raffinate solution would be returned via pipeline.

Marimaca President & CEO Hayden Locke commented in the news release:

"We believe Pampa Medina offers us a fantastic opportunity to increase the future scale of production from the capacity being considered in the MOD DFS. Developing these assets synergistically, utilizing the planned infrastructure of the MOD, can capture significant capital cost benefits."

The MOD DFS is being prepared with potential future expansion in mind, which will impact key infrastructure including water supply and storage, power, site layout, acid management and storage, and civil and earthworks.

Unlocking Regional Potential

In addition to the known deposits, Marimaca sees the development of leaching infrastructure in the Pampa Medina area as a way to unlock significant lower-grade oxide opportunities in the region, including the recently drilled Pias Target. Locke added:

"We also see the development of leaching infrastructure in the Pampa Medina Area as allowing us to unlock the significant lower grade oxide opportunities that exist in the area including our recently drilled Pias Target."

Marimaca's exploration team, led by VP Exploration Sergio Rivera, continues to explore around Pampa Medina with broad step-out drilling from the existing known mineralization. The company remains excited about the potential to add material mineral inventory over time.

For Investors

The commencement of the Integration PEA for the Pampa Medina Project Area marks an important step for Marimaca Copper as it seeks to expand future production potential beyond its flagship MOD project. By leveraging planned infrastructure and capturing synergies, the company aims to unlock value from the Pampa Medina Main, Madrugador, and surrounding oxide targets.

With ongoing exploration work and the potential to add mineral resources, Marimaca Copper presents an attractive opportunity for investors looking to gain exposure to a growing copper developer in a premier mining jurisdiction. As the company progresses its MOD DFS and the Pampa Medina PEA, investors should watch for further updates on the projects' advancement and the company's continued growth strategy.