ASX | TSX: FFM Company Announcement
ASX | TSX: FFM
Company Announcement
25 August 2026
Green Bay Copper-Gold Project, Canada
Preliminary Economic Assessment and Mineral Resource Update
FireFly’s study establishes Green Bay’s potential as one of the best
undeveloped copper projects in the world based on its high-grade
Resource, production profile, growth outlook and superior financial
returns
FireFly is in a strong financial position comprising existing cash and
liquid investments of A$183m1, anticipated equity raise proceeds of
up to A$190m, and abundant scope to support a conventional debt
component
Cautionary Statement
The Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) referred to in this announcement has been undertaken to assess the viability
of the Green Bay Ming Mine Copper-Gold Project (Project). It is a preliminary technical and economic study of the potential
viability of the Project. It is based on low-level technical and economic assessments (with a margin of error of +/- 15-30%)
that are not sufficient to support the estimation of Ore Reserves. Further exploration and evaluation work and appropriate
studies are required before FireFly Metals Limited (FireFly or the Company) will be in a position to estimate any Ore Reserves
or to provide any assurance of an economic development case.
Approximately 79% of the potential life of mine production is from Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources and 21% is
from Inferred Mineral Resources for the 1.8Mtpa base case . Approximately 80% of the potential life of mine production is
from Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources and 20% is from Inferred Mineral Resources for the 4.6Mtpa option. There
is a low level of geological confidence associated with Inferred Mineral Resources and there is no certainty that further
exploration work will result in the determination of Indicated Mineral Resources or that the production target itself will be
realised.
The PEA is based on the material assumptions outlined in this announcement. These include assumptions about the
availability of funding. While the Company considers all of the material assumptions to be based on reasonable grounds,
there is no certainty that they will prove to be correct or that the range of outcomes indicated by the PEA will be achieved.
To achieve the range of outcomes indicated in the PEA, funding for the initial capital costs in the order of A$571 million for
the 1.8Mtpa base case, or A$605 million for the 4.6Mtpa option will likely be required. Investors should note that there is no
certainty that the Company will be able to raise that amount of funding when needed. It is also possible that such funding
may only be available on terms that may be dilutive to or otherwise affect the value of the Company's existing shares. It is
also possible that the Company could pursue other value realisation strategies such as a sale, partial sale or joint venture
of the Project. If it does, this could materially reduce the Company's proportionate ownership of the Project.
Given the uncertainties involved, investors should not make any investment decisions based solely on the results of the PEA.
All values and forecasts in this PEA are approximate and rounded.
1 .Cash and liquid investments (unaudited) at 31 July 2026.
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Economic study demonstrates scale,
grade, long life, growth potential and
robust financial returns
Preliminary Economic Assessment completed for the Green Bay Ming Mine Copper-Gold
Project demonstrates positive economics across 1.8Mtpa base case and 4.6Mtpa alternative
KEY POINTS
• Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA)2 into the restart of production at the Green Bay Ming
Mine Copper-Gold Project demonstrates a robust large-scale, multi-decade operation
• The PEA considered two production sc enarios: a 1.8Mtpa (4,800tpd) base case and a larger
4.6Mtpa (12,500tpd) alternative, with key results as follows:
• 1.8Mtpa (4,800tpd) base case
o After tax Net Present Value (NPV7%) of ~A$2.2B and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 42% over an initial
~32 year mine life
o Annual projected average production of 50kt copper equivalent (CuEq) metal over a 14-year period
at steady state after ramp up to peak at 60kt of CuEq metal per annum
o ~A$290M post-tax annual free cash flow over a 15-year period (LOM ~A$5.4B post-tax)
o C1 Cash Costs3 of US$2.05/lb CuEq in the lower quartile (US$1.17/lb Cu net of by-product credits)
o Rapid payback of just 1.9 years
o Released from further Environment Assessment; All environmental permits received to commence
select early works
o Low Initial capital is estimated at A$513M4 (net of refundable Canadian tax credits of ~A$58M)
• 4.6Mtpa (12,500tpd) alternative
o After tax NPV7% of ~A$3.0B and IRR of 40% over an initial ~22 year mine life
o Annual projected average production of ~90kt CuEq metal over an 11 -year period at steady state
after ramp up including 6 years where annual production averages ~100kt CuEq . Production is
expected to peak at ~106kt of CuEq metal per annum
o ~A$550M post-tax annual free cash flow over the same 11-year period (LOM - ~A$6.5B post-tax)
o C1 Cash Costs of US$1.84/lb CuEq in the lower quartile (US$1.02/lb CuEq net of by-product credits)
o Rapid payback of ~3.7 years
o Expansion capital is estimated at A$476M5 (net of refundable Canadian tax credits of A$53M),
expected to be mostly funded from cash flow from the 1.8Mtpa base case
2 The PEA meets the requirements of a Scoping Study as defined by the 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral
Resources and Ore Reserves (JORC Code (2012 Edition)).
3 C1 cash Costs comprise mining costs, processing costs, mine-level G&A, and off-site charges.
4 Includes potential Canadian refundable Clean Technology Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit (CTM-ITC). The CTM-ITC estimate is based on a preliminary
assessment of expenditure estimated in the PEA and current legislative requirements. The availability, timing and value of an y tax credits or incentives are
subject to final project design, execution and satisfaction of applicable legislative eligibility requirements. There is no assurance that the full benefit of the CTM-
ITC or other incentives will be realised.
5 Refer to note 3.
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• Based on the strong economics defined in the PEA, work has now commenced to rapidly
progress the Feasibility Study, which is expected to be delivered in Q1 2027 and is targeted to
support a Final Investment Decision (FID) and construction in H1 2027
• Regulatory approvals have been received to commence early works prior to FID. This will
fast-track construction timelines with potential for first concentrate production in mid-2029
• The Green Bay Copper -Gold Project is now underpinned by a revised independent Mineral
Resource Estimate (MRE) that stands at 60.2Mt @ 2.4% CuEq in the Measured and Indicated
(M&I) Resource categories and a further 23.5Mt @ 2.5% CuEq of Inferred Mineral Resources
• The high-grade core zone (Core Zone) now stands at 18.1Mt @ 4.3% CuEq in M&I plus a further
7.0Mt @ 4.4% CuEq in Inferred Mineral Resource, and remains open
• Importantly, 77% of the Ming Mine Mineral Resource is in the higher-confidence M&I category
• Growth remains central to the FireFly strategy. Continued expansion of the upper mine level
high-grade Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide ( VMS) and Core Zone has the potential to
significantly extend high-grade production beyond peak years and further enhance project
economics earlier in the mine life. Six drill rigs continue underground focused on immediate
high-grade extensions for further Resource growth
• The mineralisation at Ming remains open at depth with a large conductive geophysical
anomaly beyond the deepest drillhole that returned 49m @ 6.1% CuEq (See ASX announcement
dated 16 October 2025)
• On a district scale, drilling has commenced on several high-priority historical VMS copper
and gold mine targets that sit within only 5km of the Ming Mine. It is anticipated that a maiden
Resource will be established at the first target in the coming quarter . Furthermore, surface
exploration continues regionally with three rigs on numerous surface VMS targets
Equity Raising
• FireFly is undertaking a A$ 180 million (before costs) equity rais ing at an issue price of A$ 1.78
(C$1.76) per share via a single -tranche ASX institutional placement and Canadian bought
deal financing (See ASX Announcement dated 25 August 2026 titled ‘ FireFly Bolsters Funding for Project
Development and Growth’)
• FireFly also intends to undertake a non -underwritten Share Purchase Plan to raise up to an
additional A$10m (before costs) (See ASX Announcement dated 25 August 2026 titled ‘FireFly Bolsters Funding
for Project Development and Growth’)
• The raising, combined with ~A$183 million 6 of existing cash reserves and liquid investments
and initial advice that the debt carrying capacity of the 1. 8Mtpa base case scenario could
support commercial debt in excess of US$350 million (A$500 million), puts FireFly in a strong
financial position, particularly when viewed against the estimated initial project capital cost
of A$513 million7
6 Refer to note 1.
7 Refer to note 4.
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FireFly Managing Director Steve Parsons said: “ The findings of the economic study prove that
Green Bay is one of the best undeveloped copper project s in the world based on a range of key
metrics, ranging from scale and production profile through to financial returns and growth.
“The base case of 50,000t a year generates strong returns and we have a clear pathway to
double that. And that is before allowing for the growth we aim to unlock through our ongoing
drilling programs in the high -grade areas of the mine and the highly prospective regional
exploration program now cranking up.
“The project simply ticks every box and is clearly poised to generate outstanding returns for all
our stakeholders. The highly enviable nature of Green Bay is reflected in the fact that we have
just launched a A$180m share placement across the ASX and TSX exchanges.
“Once in production, Green Bay has the potential to be one of the biggest copper mines in the
world outside those owned by the multi -nationals and diversified mining giants. This means
FireFly offers investors virtually pure copper exposure via an asset with genuine world -scale in
a tier-one location.
“Our scale, our concentrated copper exposure and our outstanding growth outlook is a very rare
combination in global markets. It is unique on the ASX. FireFly offers concentrated exposure to
high-grade copper production in a tier-one location with ongoing growth potential”.
FireFly Metals Ltd (ASX, TSX: FFM) is pleased to announce the results of the Green Bay Ming Mine
Preliminary Economic Assessment / Scoping Study (PEA) and an updated Mineral Resource
Estimate (MRE) for the Green Bay Ming Mine Copper-Gold Project (Project).
The results of the PEA demonstrate that the Project is a large-scale, long-life copper-gold project
that combines high-grade mineralisation, robust economics, and a substantial Resource
endowment to deliver sustained and substantial production over multiple decades.
Two compelling development considerations are presented in the PEA, one contemplating a base
case processing 1.8 million tonnes per annum ( Mtpa) and a larger scale 4.6Mtpa operation case.
Both scenarios returned positive and robust economic results.
The study has only taken into account the Ming Deposit Mineral Resource Estimate and does not
include anything outside of the immediate Ming area such as Little Deer or any of the other regional
targets and historical copper-gold VMS mines that still remain to be drill tested by FireFly such as
Rambler, East mine, Main mine, Tilt Cove or Nugget Pond. These areas will be targeted for additional
growth throughout 2026/27.
The PEA is based on a high quality and robust Mineral Resource Estimate with the 1.8Mtpa case
supported by 79% in the higher confidence Measured and Indicated ( M&I) Mineral R esource
categories over the 32-year life of mine, including 89% over the first 10 years . The 4.6Mtpa case is
underpinned by 80% M&I over the life of mine plan.
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Given the overwhelmingly positive results from the PEA study, the Company will now work towards
completing Feasibility level analysis targeted to be completed in Q1 2027 and followed by a Final
Investment Decision (FID) shortly thereafter.
Discount rate and commodity prices
The Project economics were estimated using conservative commodity price assumptions that are
materially below prevailing spot market prices as at 18 August 2026 (Spot Price)8. The study utilised:
o copper price of US$5.00/lb, 24% below current Spot Price of US$6.60/lb;
o gold price of US$3,500/oz, 19% below the Spot Price of US$4,335/oz; and
o silver price of US$44/oz, 30% below the Spot Price of US$63/oz.
A discount rate of 7% was applied in the NPV analysis, which has a material impact on the valuation
of a long-life, multi-decade project.
Globally recognised technical services consultants generated the capital and operating costs
based on known similar industry benchmarking costs.
Appropriate contingencies have been applied to all capital cost estimates.
Green Bay Mining & Processing Operations
The PEA was prepared with contributions by sector leading independent consultants including
Ausenco, Stantec, Knight Piésold and Entech Mining.
Detailed review of numerous mining methods w as completed as part of the PEA. I ndustry-
standard Long Hole Open Stoping (LHOS) with paste backfill was selected as the preferred mining
method for both the 1.8Mtpa (4,800tpd) base case and the alternate 4.6Mtpa (12,500tpd) option.
Utilising a combination of transverse LHOS and longitudinal LHOS provided the best economic
outcomes by balancing productivity levels and minimising dilution .
Haulage options for the operations differed between the two scenarios presented in the PEA. The
1.8Mtpa (4,800tpd) base case utilised truck haulage over the life of mine. A bypass decline around
the narrower sections of the historic decline has been factored into the cost estimates. This allows
larger 63t trucks to be used. Simulation of truck haulage conducted by external contractors on the
design demonstrated that it is feasible for the mine to produce 1.8Mtpa via trucking.
The 4.6Mtpa (12,500tpd) case require s a haulage shaft to achieve the upscaled productivity. A
7.6m diameter shaft is envisioned that can hoist 12,500tpd. A geotechnical hole completed by the
Company in the proposed shaft position shows exceptional ground conditions. Costing estimates
included in the PEA for the 4.6Mtpa case have been provided by world -leading Canadian shaft
specialists Redpath Mining.
Detailed analysis of mine ventilation has been conducted by specialist consultants BBE Group. Two
exhaust raise bores have been factored into the mine design. Vent simulations show these provide
sufficient volumes of air for the entire Life of Mine (LOM) in both scenarios.
8 Spot prices as at 18 August 2026.
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Development of the mine is significantly fast -tracked with lower upfront capital expenditure,
leveraging more than A$250M of existing site infrastructure, including over 20km of accessible
underground development.
Extensive metallurgical testwork completed at SGS Lakefield in Canada shows the ore -grade
material has favourable physical properties ( strength, grindability, abrasiveness etc.) and is
amenable to high recoveries of copper and precious metals via industry standard processes as
demonstrated by the previous operation.
The proposed processing plant utilises a standard simple flow sheet to extract copper and
precious metals into a concentrate . Comminution is achieved through a standard jaw crusher
followed by a Semi Autogenous Grind ing (SAG) mill and a Ball Mill. Two stage flotation (rougher
and cleaner) provide exceptional recoveries and production of a high -grade concentrate for
shipping (21-28% Cu, 6-12g/t Au). Precious metal recovery is further enhanced by the collection of
a pyrite tail from the cleaner flotation which is leached and a dor é produced on site. Based on a
combination of test work and historical performance, recoveries are anticipated to be >98% for
copper and >80% on precious metals (gold and silver) . There are no deleterious elements in the
concentrate. The concentrate will be shipped from a port located ~6km from the mine.
The mill has been designed by Ausenco in a modular fashion allowing for future growth and
expansion. To expand from 1.8Mtpa to 4.6Mtpa require s a simple twinning of the circuit and
installation of additional crushing capacity at the front-end of the process.
Approximately 55% of the tailings will be used in the paste backfill and stored underground whilst
providing geotechnical stability to allow for total extraction of the mineralisation. The remainder
of the tailings will report to a new Tailings Management Facility ( TMF) that has been designed to
international standards by Knight Piésold. The TMF capacity is sufficient for LOM production for both
scenarios. Further TMF expansion options are available should the LOM continue to grow with future
mine extensions.
Copper Marketing & Concentrate
Ocean Partners UK Ltd. (OP) were engaged to provide specialist marketing advice regarding
maximising value generated by the Green Bay concentrate.
For the 1.8Mtpa (4,800tpd) base case the Project is expected to produce 3,723kt of copper
concentrate (dry) that equates to ~132kt per annum over the LOM. Based on concentrate test work,
the projected average concentrate grades are 24.5% Copper, 6g/t gold and 54g/t silver.
A portion of the gold is captured in the cleaner flotation pyrite tail and leached on-site. Gold grades
are locally higher early in the mine plan and correlate with VMS mill feed.
The concentrate is regarded as a clean, medium-grade copper-gold concentrate.
OP forecast a strong market for the high -quality concentrate produced by Green Bay. With
smelting capacity currently exceeding mine supply, OP see negative treatment and refining
charges (TCRC) continuing to at least 2030 and costs remaining below US$30/dmt until 2036.
OP note that the proximity of Newfoundland and Labrador to Europe an shipping routes and
Canadian smelters make these facilities the logical options for maximising concentrate value.
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However, the Company will continue to engage with Asian trading groups who remain keen to
secure the concentrate.
The Company has not committed to any offtake agreements and is considering potential pre -
payments as a non-dilutive funding opportunity.
Resource Growth
The combined MRE for the Green Bay project has grown to 60.2Mt @ 2.4% CuEq in M&I and 23.5Mt
@ 2.5% CuEq in Inferred. All additions come from the Ming Deposit with no change to the Little Deer
MRE.
The Ming Deposit Mineral Resource has grown to 57.3Mt @ 2.4% CuEq in M&I and 17.3Mt @ 2.8%
CuEq in Inferred. Infill drilling completed at Ming resulted in the M&I increasing by 21% since the
previous updates. Copper equivalent grade also increased by 22% driven primarily by infill drilling
of the high-grade core and high-grade VMS zones.
The high-grade core and VMS now totals 18.1Mt @ 4.3% CuEq in M&I plus 7.0Mt @ 4.4% CuEq in
Inferred. This zone drives the high production years in the mine schedule and remains open with
the deepest hole into the deposit intersecting 49.0m @ 6.1% CuEq.
Ongoing Resource Growth and Regional Discovery Exploration
Growth and exploration remain a pivotal component of the FireFly strategy at Green Bay.
Extensions and discoveries of additional high-grade VMS mineralisation have the potential to have
a material positive impact on the mine plans outlined in the PEA (Figure 1). Six underground drill rigs
will remain underground focusing on step out high -grade VMS growth, infill for high grade M&I
resource conversion as well as down plunge extensions and potential shallow up dip extensions.
The Company anticipates releasing its maiden Ore Reserve estimate with its next Mineral Resource
Estimate update which, along with the DFS, the Company plans to complete in Q1 2027.
In addition, the Company is currently drill testing several high-priority shallow historical VMS
copper and gold mines that sit within 5km of the Ming Mine. It is anticipated that a maiden
Resource will be established on the first target prior to the Q1 DFS.
Furthermore, surface exploration will continue with three rigs on surface exploring the numerous
geochemical and geophysical targets generated since acquisition across the Ming district,
Rambler regional, Tilt Cove regional and Little Deer regional areas.
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Environmental, Community and Early Works
As previously announced, t he Company has satisfied the initial conditions of Environmental
Assessment ( EA) for the 1.8Mtpa base case which is a significant regulatory milestone in the
Canadian permitting framework and should accommodate a faster route to first production .
Regulatory approval has been received to commence select early works prior to FID. This includes
seasonal works, camp construction and other critical surface infrastructure upgrades. All permits
required for full construction are expected towards the end of Q2 2027.
The commencement of early works in addition to utilising current funds to secure select long-lead
time items is expected to fast track the construction timeframe, with first concentrate production
anticipated to be in mid-2029.
The Company has received strong support from the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador and
the Federal Canadian government who have recognised the importance of critical minerals to the
supply chain and broader economy. The conditional release from further Environmental
Assessment was granted in 45 days. To date, the Company has received approximately C$1 million
in grants from the Federal and Provincial governments to accelerate studies and early-stage
exploration. Further funding applications have been submitted to the Canadian Critical Min erals
Infrastructure Fund, now subsumed by the expanded mandate of the federal First and Last Mile
Fund.
The local community is aligned with the Company’s mine start up strategy , as demonstrated by
the overwhelmingly positive response during the consultation process for the E nvironmental
Assessment. There are many advantages to operating in the Baie Verte district, including low-cost
hydro-electric power, port access, sealed roads and a local skilled workforce.
Project Funding
Given the high quality of the Green Bay Copper Gold Project and the strong technical and
economic fundamentals underpinning the 1.8Mtpa base case operation, the Project’s debt carrying
capacity is considered to be high.
FireFly has appointed Burn Voir Corporate Finance Limited (Burnvoir) as its project debt advisor
and they have provided initial advice that , based on the 1.8Mtpa base case, the Project has an
indicative debt carrying capacity in excess of US$350 million (A$500 million).9
With A$183 .4 million10 of existing cash reserves and liquid investments , anticipated proceeds of
A$180 million (before costs) from the equity raising announced by the Company on 25 August
202611 and up to A$10 million from the Share Purchase Plan (before costs), and initial advice that
the debt carrying capacity of the 1.8Mtpa base case scenario could support debt of in excess of
US$350 million (A$ 500 million), the Company believes it has a strong funding position and the
financial capacity to develop the Project.
The Company has commenced a formal financing process with banks, offtake customers, export
credit agencies and other commercial entities regarding project finance . Credit approved
9 Based on a rate of 1 AUD = 0.7 USD.
10 Refer to note 1.
11 Refer ASX announcement on 25 August 2026.