Capstone Copper Provides an Update on its Global Exploration Program
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June 13, 2022
Capstone Copper Provides an Update on its Global Exploration
Program
Vancouver, British Columbia – Capstone Copper Corp. (“Capstone” or the “Company”) (TSX:CS) today
announced brownfield drill results from the 2021-2022 exploration program at the Cozamin mine in Mexico,
and at the Santo Domingo Project in Chile as well as greenfield results at the Planalto Project in Bra zil, and
provided an update of activities at Copper Cities in Arizona, USA.
This press release should be read in conjunction with the June 2022 exploration update presentation available
at Capstone Copper - Exploration Excellence. To view an interactive presentation including a 3D model of
Cozamin, please visit https://vrify.com/decks/11666?auth=6c97245b-87d3-4cb0-8354-c5483be80d0e
Brad Mercer, SVP, Exploration and Strategic Projects said, “We have an exploration team with a proven track
record of excellence and this update highlights the exciting path forward for continued value to be generated
through the drill bit. Capstone Copper has significant brownfield exploration potential that points to mine life
extensions and expansion opportunities , as well as greenfield potential in Brazil within a great mining
jurisdiction. Our exploration portfolio has never been as robust as it is today which will keep us on a
sustainable growth path well into the future”.
Cozamin – Underground Resource Expansion Update
Capstone’s 2021-2022 exploration program has focused on the Mala Noche Vein (“MNV”) West copper target,
which is located down -dip of historical workings. Drilling in 2021 was performed from surface, with
underground drilling added following completion of t he West cross-cut in the first quarter of 2022. Since the
program started in 2021, approximately 40,000 meters (“m”) of drilling have been completed from 47 holes
from surface with an additional 9,000m from 12 holes planned for the remainder of 2022. A pro posed lower
elevation mine cross -cut will allow expedited infill drilling in 2023 to support an updated resource estimate
during the second quarter of 2023. The area can be accessed by refurbishing and deepening existing historic
ramps at MNV or laterally from existing Mala Noche Foot Wall Zone haulage ramps and levels.
The 2022 Cozamin exploration program will also include surface drill testing of other targets along strike from
San Roberto and San Rafael mine areas at MNV Far West and MNV Far East respectively and at the Vanadio
target located north of the San Rafael mine area. All three targets (see Figure 2 for the location of each target)
have limited to no previous drilling by Capstone. Both MNV Far East and Vanadio will be drilled below historical
workings that mined silver-rich portions of the epithermal system. At MNV Far West, drilling will be located in
a covered plateau where the MNV system is inferred to have been down-dropped and not exposed at surface.
A summary of select intervals is shown in Figure 1 and summarized in Table 1.
NEWS RELEASE
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Figure 1 – MNV West Copper Target Area Open in Multiple Directions
Table 1 – Cozamin Select Drill Holes
Map ID DDH ID Vein ID In
Resource From (m) To (m) Width (m) True Width
(m) Cu % Zn % Pb % Ag g/t
1 CG-21-S538 MNV West no 992.1 993.7 1.6 1.5 0.11 0.04 0.03 11
2 CG-21-S533 MNV West no 1072.3 1074.2 1.9 1.7 2.52 1.01 0.08 69
3 CG-21-S553 MNV West no no significant intercepts
4 CG-20-U514 MNV West no 359.5 360.7 1.2 1.0 2.77 0.20 0.11 120
5 CG-21-S550 MNV West no 1035.2 1036.7 1.5 1.4 0.35 0.02 0.01 11
6 CG-21-S541 MNV West no no significant intercepts
7 CG-20-U515 MNV West no 361.8 364.2 2.4 2.1 0.71 0.11 0.08 54
8 CG-21-S535 MNV West no 1017.0 1020.0 3.0 2.9 0.54 0.05 0.01 24
9 CG-20-U516 MNV West no 383.8 392.6 8.8 5.1 1.12 0.05 0.01 23
and 396.5 400.6 4.1 2.4 0.87 0.07 0.01 82
10 CG-21-S567 MNV West no 1006.3 1009.6 3.3 3.0 1.22 0.17 0.03 44
11 CG-21-S530 MNV West no 1057.1 1057.7 0.6 0.5 2.20 0.15 0.00 26
12 CG-21-S557 MNV West no 1003.6 1006.6 3.0 2.9 0.55 0.14 0.03 41
13 .CG-21-S561 MNV West no 1023.9 1029.8 5.9 5.6 1.51 0.05 0.01 25
14 CG-21-S551 MNV West no 1111.4 1115.4 4.0 3.7 0.18 0.01 0.00 3
15 CG-21-S536 MNV West no 989.8 996.4 6.6 6.2 0.95 0.05 0.00 27
including 993.8 995.8 2.0 1.9 1.90 0.12 0.01 52
and 1006.7 1008.2 1.5 1.4 1.68 0.15 0.00 21
16 CG-21-S531 MNV West no 1009.8 1012.7 2.9 2.6 2.00 0.14 0.02 134
17 CG-22-U517 MNV West no 501.4 503.4 2.0 1.8 2.24 0.11 0.02 56
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18 CG-22-U523 MNV West no assays pending
19 CG-21-S543 MNV West no 1073.6 1077.7 4.1 3.9 0.71 0.04 0.01 30
20 CG-22-U524 MNV West no in progress
21 CG-21-S540 MNV West no 951.7 955.8 4.1 4.0 0.34 0.27 0.00 8
including 951.7 952.9 1.2 1.1 0.71 0.02 0.00 17
and 1005.5 1006.2 0.7 0.6 3.89 0.07 0.01 39
22 CG-22-U520 MNV West no 470.8 474.0 3.2 3.1 0.21 0.03 0.01 13
23 CG-21-S532 MNV West no 1003.1 1012.6 9.5 8.5 1.54 0.08 0.02 51
including 1005.1 1009.3 4.2 3.8 2.83 0.11 0.02 75
24 CG-21-S555 MNV West no 1023.2 1024.6 1.4 1.3 6.39 0.39 0.06 112
and 1035.5 1036.5 1.0 0.9 2.55 0.10 0.02 39
and 1043.8 1048.1 4.3 3.8 0.38 0.24 0.02 15
25 CG-22-U522 MNV West no assays pending
26 CG-21-S559 MNV West no 1081.4 1085.6 4.2 3.7 1.22 0.05 0.00 21
including 1083.4 1084.0 0.6 0.5 6.08 0.20 0.01 94
27 CG-22-S571 MNV West no 1168.6 1171.7 3.1 2.8 0.83 0.20 0.09 61
including 1168.6 1169.7 1.1 1.0 1.87 0.40 0.21 140
28 CG-22-U519 MNV West no 486.1 492.3 6.2 5.6 2.09 0.10 0.01 33
including 486.1 489.2 3.1 2.8 3.09 0.10 0.01 41
29 CG-22-S573 MNV West no in progress
30 CG-22-U518 MNV West no 537.7 543.7 6.0 4.9 1.23 0.06 0.07 27
including 539.4 542.0 2.6 2.1 2.22 0.09 0.01 45
and 546.4 550.5 4.1 3.3 2.02 0.16 0.02 35
including 546.4 547.9 1.5 1.2 4.84 0.32 0.02 77
31 CG-21-S554 MNV West no no significant intercepts
32 CG-21-S565 MNV West no 1068.0 1074.9 6.9 4.9 1.23 0.10 0.01 42
including 1070.9 1073.5 2.6 1.8 2.77 0.21 0.02 89
and 1111.5 1114.2 2.7 1.9 1.24 3.19 0.01 24
including 1112.0 1113.4 1.4 1.0 2.19 6.06 0.01 42
33 CG-22-S569 MNV West no 1111.6 1114.1 2.5 1.9 0.52 0.04 0.02 13
and 1124.3 1126.6 2.3 1.8 0.51 0.06 0.01 11
34 CG-22-U521 MNV West no 559.8 570.0 10.2 9.0 0.56 0.02 0.01 23
including 562.2 566.3 4.1 3.6 1.00 0.04 0.01 44
35 CG-22-S572 MNV West no assays pending
36 CG-22-S570 MNV West no 1029.1 1030.6 1.5 1.3 0.36 0.05 0.03 19
and 1099.5 1100 0.5 0.4 1.19 5.14 0.02 43
37 CG-21-S560 MNV West no no significant intercepts
38 CG-21-S556 MNV West no 1251.2 1262.8 11.6 6.8 2.00 4.59 0.01 55
including 1253.1 1258.4 5.3 3.1 2.81 7.55 0.02 90
39 CG-21-S554 MNV West no no significant intercepts
Figure 2 – Cozamin 2022 Brownfield Surface Drilling Targets
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Santo Domingo Exploration Program
Capstone’s 2021-2022 Santo Domingo exploration program is the first to be undertaken at the project since
2012. To date, eight holes have identified over 1.5 kilometers (“km”) of mineralization at approximately 500m
depth containing lower-grade copper and high -grade cobalt associated with magnetic iron. The Company
believes that further drilling could potentially expand the resource and join the mineralized sequence across
the planned Santo Domingo and Iris Norte pits.
Santo Domingo’s oxide mineralization (Figure 3), which is located above the sulphide ore body and is part of
the Santo Domingo and Iris Norte’s pre -stripping material, could potentially be processed at the Mantoverde
mine’s SX-EW plant, located approximately 35 km southwest of the project. Preliminary metallurgical test
results suggest the viability to process oxides in Mantoverde’s existing facilities and if ongoing tests continue
to return positive results, a drill program would follow shortly with the aim to complete Santo Domingo’s first
oxide mineral resource in the second half of 2023 , to be followed by an updated Santo Domingo Feasibility
Study.
Figure 3 – Copper Mineralization in Oxide Zones at Santo Domingo and Iris Norte
Additional near-mine brownfields targets have been identified outside the Santo Domingo and Iris Norte
current pit designs.
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Table 2 – Santo Domingo Assay Intervals:
DH ID From (m) To (m) Width (m) Cu % Au g/t Fe % Co ppm
4a3-21-489DD 368.0 424.0 56.0 0.17 - 10.2 52 492.0 704.0 212.0 0.10 - 26.3 341
including 658.0 682.0 24.0 0.42 0.026 33.2 497
4a3-21-490DD 438.0 474.0 36.0 0.24 0.023 17.6 86 480.0 504.0 24.0 - - 29.9 168 524.0 690.0 166.0 - - 30.2 344
4a3-21-491DD 548.2 802.1 253.9 - - 21.6 272
including 628.0 686.0 58.0 - - 30.3 530
4a3-21-492DD 350.0 364.0 14.0 0.15 0.015 10.2 91 446.0 622.0 176.0 - - 25.2 321
including 466.0 496.0 30.0 - - 37.6 590
4a3-21-493 68.0 106.0 38.0 0.15 - - - 148.0 162.0 14.0 0.14 - - - 220.0 226.0 6.0 0.18 - - -
4a3-21-494 90.0 98.0 8.0 0.24 0.039 - -
4a3-21-495 74.0 88.0 14.0 0.26 0.078 17.3 63 98.0 154.0 56.0 0.17 0.017 17.3 221
including 108.0 130.0 22.0 0.29 0.036 25.3 398
4a3-21-496DD 10.0 28.0 18.0 0.32 0.048 10.7 38 368.0 392.0 24.0 0.15 0.005 12.6 16 510.0 578.0 68.0 - 0.010 21.7 53 578.0 816.0 238.0 - 0.010 27.6 318
including 584.0 616.0 32.0 - 0.010 27.8 735
including 638.0 650.0 12.0 - - 35.8 580
including 682.0 700.0 18.0 - - 36.9 543
including 798.0 816.0 18.0 0.16 - 22.4 180
4a3-21-497 no significant mineralization
4a3-21-498 28.0 74.0 46.0 0.15 - - -
4a3-21-499 36.0 80.0 44.0 0.16 - - -
including 68.0 78.0 10.0 0.35 - - -
4a3-21-500DD 1.2 16.0 14.8 0.25 - - - 126.0 134.0 8.0 0.17 0.024 - 88 180.0 192.0 12.0 0.39 0.050 19.9 204 296.47 322.0 25.5 0.40 0.057 26.3 334
4a3-21-501 no significant mineralization
4a3-21-502DD 278 328 50.0 0.23 0.031 14.5 156
including 306 324 18.0 0.37 0.045 12.3 180 376 384 8.0 0.25 0.024 25.5 186 420.5 433.85 13.4 - - 24.2 347
4a3-21-503DD 22 36 14.0 0.16 - - - 261 278 17.0 0.28 - - - 428 456 28.0 0.91 - - -
including 437.5 446 8.5 2.62 0.013 - - 490 502 12.0 0.24 - - -
4a3-21-504DD 58 68 10.0 0.13 0.017 17.4 137 124 138 14.0 - - 25.8 371 188 264 76.0 - - 20.3 - 292 344 52.0 0.23 0.023 14.0 -
including 300 308 8.0 0.42 0.036 - -
including 330 344 14.0 0.35 0.034 18.7 - 514 632.1 118.1 - 0.013 27.9 313
including 566.4 602 35.6 - 0.029 35.9 540
4a3-21-505DD 424.6 442 17.4 - - 20.5 164
4a3-21-506 132 146 14.0 0.97 - - -
4a3-21-507 128 134 6.0 0.30 0.047 25.7 461
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GREENFIELD EXPLORATION
Planalto Project (Carajás, Brazil)
Capstone optioned the Planalto project, in Northern Brazil’s State of Pará, from Lara Exploration Ltd. (“Lara”)
and the Company has invested over $4.6 million in the property thus far. Capstone can earn a 70% interest in
Planalto by investing up to $5 million, making an additional payment of $400,000 , completing a Feasibility
Study and subsequently arranging for project financing for Lara. Planalto is located in the Carajás mineral
province, one of Brazil’s most prolific mining belts which produces high-grade iron ore , copper, nickel,
manganese and gold. To date, 41 holes have been drilled, with a best drill hole intercept of 341m from 13m
at 0.60% copper, including 108m at 1.05% copper. PEA-level metallurgical tests indicate +90% copper
recovery to a +25% copper concentrate using conventional flotation . In 2021, Lara and Capstone secured
options on the Tariana and Zaspir licenses, located on adjoining lands to the north to test open mineralization.
At the Cupuze iro target, five holes with long intervals of over 0.2% copper and significant intervals of over
0.4% copper have been completed.
Copper Cities (Arizona, USA)
As announced on January 20, 2022 , Capstone entered into an 18 -month access agreement to conduct drill
and metallurgical test work at BHP Copper Inc’s Copper Cities project, located approximately 10 km east of
the Pinto Valley Mine. The two-phase 2021-2022 exploration program has been completed. Phase I ,
comprising approximately 5,500m in 19 twin holes was completed in early April ; Phase II, comprising
approximately 3,514m in eight geology model confirmation holes, was completed in early May. Assaying and
Metallurgical studies are underway pointing to a mineral resource estimate tentatively slated for late Q3 2022.
To date, the Company has spent approximately $4.3 million of the $6.7 million programmed.
FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES
Mantos Blancos District and Near Mine Exploration – Oxides & Sulphides
The Mantos Blancos mine’s geology is well understood and Capstone’s team has a long history of mineral
resource discovery and conversion into mineral reserves. Near-mine opportunities exist to add additional
oxides and sulphides mineral resources, as well as to upgrade existing high-grade inferred resources through
additional drilling below the current pit limit.
In addition, many mineralized outcrops have been identified at the Rosario prospect, approximately 15 km
south of Mantos Blancos. Exploration targets have been identified through the intersection of faults, geological
mapping, geophysics and geochemistry, but limited drilling has been performed to date with the most recent
activity in 2017 returning the presence of sub-economic oxide mineralization.
Mantoverde District and Near Mine Exploration – Oxides & Sulphides
Mantoverde has a history of mineral reserves and resources growth through successful exploration . The
current mineral resource is open at depth in multiple locations along the main Mantoverde , Santa Clara and
Montecristo faults. Future drilling programs will focus on deeper high -grade zones and on sulphide areas in
the northern portion of the deposit near the Celso and Manto Russo pits, which are less explored.
Mantoverde also has significant potential to develop a larger mining district and several near-mine resource
expansion opportunities exist within the mine’s 23 km land package along the Atacama Fault System. District
targets identified to date include the Las Animas, Paloma, Las Juntas, San Manuel and Santa Clara targets ,
north of the current pit design.
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METHODOLOGY
Cozamin drill core samples are analyzed at ALS in North Vancouver, Canada after preparation at its facilities
in Zacatecas, Mexico. The entire sample is crushed to a minimum of 70% passing 2 millimetres. A 250g
subsample of the crushed material is then pulverized to 85% passing 75 microns. Copper, zinc, lead and silver
are determined by ICP analysis after 4 acid digestion of a 0.25g or 0.4g subsample of pulverized material.
QAQC in each batch of 20 samples include a blank, a cert ified reference material and a duplicate (one of a
field, coarse reject or pulp reject).
Santo Domingo drill core and reverse circulation chip samples are analyzed at ALS in Lima, Peru after
preparation at its facilities in Copiapó and La Serena, Chile . The entire sample is crushed to a minimum of
70% passing 2 millimetres. A 1000g subsample of the crushed material is then pulverized to 85% passing 75
microns. Copper, cobalt and sulphur are determined by ICP analysis after 4 acid digestion of a 0.25g or 0.4g
subsample of pulverized material and gold is determined by fire assay fusion and an ICP-AAS finish on a 30-
gram charge. Iron is determined by ICP-AES after sodium peroxide fusion. QAQC with each batch of 40
samples includes a blank, two to three certified reference materials and a duplicate (one each of a field, coarse
reject and pulp reject).
Planalto drill core samples are analyzed at ALS in Lima, Peru after preparation at its facilities in Parauapebas,
Brazil. The entire sample is crushed to a minimum of 70% passing 2 millimetres. A 250g subsample of the
crushed material is then pulverized to 85% passing 75 microns. Copper is determined by ICP analysis after 4
acid digestion of a 0.25g or 0.4g subsample of pulverized material and gold is determined by fire assay fusion
and an ICP -AES finish on a 30 -gram charge. Blank, duplicate core or certified gold and copper reference
materials were inserted at approximately every 10th sample.
ABOUT CAPSTONE COPPER
Capstone Copper Corp. is an Americas -focused copper mining company headquartered in Vancouver,
Canada. We own and operate the Pinto Valley copper mine located in Arizona, USA, the Cozamin copper -
silver mine located in Zacatecas, Mexico, the Mantos Blancos copper-silver mine located in the Antofagasta
region, Chile, and 70% of the Mantoverde copper-gold mine, located in the Atacama region, Chile. In addition,
we own the fully permitted Santo Domingo copper -gold project, located approximately 30 km northeast of
Mantoverde in the Atacama region, Chile, as well as a portfolio of exploration properties in the Americas.
Capstone Copper’s strategy is to unlock transformational copper production growth while executing on cost
and operational improvements through i nnovation, optimization and safe and responsible production
throughout our portfolio of assets. We focus on profitability and disciplined capital allocation to surface
stakeholder value. We are committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of our pe ople and local
communities, while delivering compelling returns to investors by sustainably producing copper to meet the
world’s growing needs.
Further information is available at www.capstonecopper.com
CONTACT INFORMATION
Jerrold Annett, SVP, Strategy and Capital Markets
647-273-7351
Kettina Cordero, Director Investor Relations & Communications
604-262-9794
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COMPLIANCE WITH NI 43-101
The disclosure of Scientific and Technical Information in this document was reviewed and app roved by Brad Mercer, P. Geo.,
Senior Vice President Exploration and Strategic Projects (technical information related to mineral exploration activities and to
Mineral Resources at Cozamin), Clay Craig, P.Eng, Manager, Mining & Evaluations (technical infor mation related to Mineral
Reserves and Mineral Resources at Pinto Valley and Cozamin), Carlos Guzmán, RM CMC, FAusIMM, Principal, Project Director,
NCL, Gustavo Tapia, RM CMC, Metallurgical and Process Consultant, GT Metallurgy, and Ronald Turner, MAusIMM CP(Geo),
Golder Associates (technical information related to Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources at Mantos Blancos and
Mantoverde), and Cashel Meagher, P.Geo., President and COO (technical information related to project updates at Santo
Domingo) all Qualified Persons under NI 43-101.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This document may contain “forward-looking information” within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation and “forward -
looking statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively,
“forward-looking statements”). These forward -looking statements are made as of the date of this document and the Company
does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to u pdate these forward -looking statements, except as required under
applicable securities legislation.
Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect our expectations or beliefs regarding future
events and the impacts of the ongoing and evolving COVID -19 pandemic. Forward -looking statements include, but are not
limited to, statements with respect to the estimation of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, the Company’s strategy, plans
and expected project exploration and de velopment, including exploration drilling plans and results from the Company’s drilling
and explorations programs to potentially stend mine lives , new signigivant near-mine areas for explorations, ability to leverage
existing infrastructure and plants, results supporting strategic plans; future conversion of mineral resources to mineral reserves;
potential to add mineral resources at the Company’s projects; and potential of Company’s interest in the Planalto Project. , the
timing and cost of the Mantoverde Development Project,the timing and results of the PV4 study, the timing and success of the
Cobalt Study for Santo Domingo, the timing and results of the integrated plan for Mantoverde - Santo Domingo, the realization
of Mineral Reserve estimates, the timing and amount of estimated future production, the costs of production and capital
expenditures and reclamation, the budgets for exploration at Cozamin, Santo Domingo, Pinto Valley, Mantos Blancos,
Mantoverde and other exploratio n projects, the timing and success of the Copper Cities project, the success of our mining
operations, the continuing success of mineral exploration, the estimations for potential quantities and grade of inferred resources
and exploration targets, our ability to fund future exploration activities, our ability to finance the Santo Domingo project and other
current or future projects and expansions, environmental risks, unanticipated reclamation expenses and title disputes . The
potential effects of the COVID -19 pandemic on our business and operations are unknown at this time, including Capstone
Copper’s ability to manage challenges and restrictions arising from COVID -19 in the communities in which Capstone Copper
operates and our ability to continue to safely operate and to safely return our business to normal operations. The impact of
COVID-19 to Capstone Copper is dependent on a number of factors outside of our control and knowledge, including the
effectiveness of the measures taken by public health and governmental authorities to combat the spread of the disease, global
economic uncertainties and outlook due to the disease, supply chain delays resulting in lack of availability of supplies, goo ds
and equipment, and evolving restrictions relating to mining activities and to travel in certain jurisdictions in which we operate.
In certain cases, forward -looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “anticipates”, “approximately”,
“believes”, “budget”, “estimates”, expects”, “forecasts”, “guidance”, intends”, “plans”, “scheduled”, “target”, or variations of such
words and phrases, or statements that certain actions, events or results “be achieved”, “could”, “may”, “might”, “occur”, “should”,
“will be taken” or “would” or the negative of these term s or comparable terminology. In this document certain forward -looking
statements are identified by words including “anticipated”, “expected”, “guidance” and “plan”. By their very nature, forward -
looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertain ties and other factors that may cause our actual results,
performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or
implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, amongst othe rs, risks related to inherent hazards associated
with mining operations and closure of mining projects, future prices of copper and other metals, compliance with financial
covenants, surety bonding, our ability to raise capital, Capstone Copper’s ability t o acquire properties for growth, counterparty
risks associated with sales of our metals, use of financial derivative instruments and associated counterparty risks, foreign
currency exchange rate fluctuations, market access restrictions or tariffs, changes in general economic conditions, availability
and quality of water, accuracy of Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimates, operating in foreign jurisdictions with risk of