Freeport Commences Discussions with Kumul Minerals Holdings Limited to advance the Yandera Copper Project, One of the World’s Largest Undeveloped Copper Projects
Freeport Commences Discussions with Kumul Minerals Holdings Limited to
advance the Yandera Copper Project, One of the World’s Largest Undeveloped
Copper Projects
• Freeport has also commenced discussions, including the signing of NDAs and/or MoUs, with
several potential strategic partners to advance its 100%-Owned Yandera Copper Project.
• Copper prices have hit record levels in recent weeks as demand for copper undergoes an
unprecedented structural supply deficit driven by the global energy transition.
• Proximity to Asia, the world’s largest copper refiner and consumer, positions the Yandera
Copper Project as an attractive potential long-term source of copper supply.
Vancouver, British Columbia, January 27, 2026 - Freeport Resources Inc. (the “ Company” or “Freeport
Resources”) (TSXV: FRI) (OTCQB: FEERF ) (FE: 4XH) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a
Memorandum of Understanding (“ MoU”) with Kumul Minerals Holdings Limited (“Kumul Minerals”),
Papua New Guinea’s state -owned mining investment company (the “ Parties”), to cooperate on the
advancement and strategic development of the Yandera Copper Project located in Papua New Guinea
(“PNG”).
The M oU establishes a framework for collaboration and information sharing as the P arties evaluate
potential pathways to advance Yandera, including coordinated engagement with government
stakeholders and a review of strategic options that could support long -term project development. The
MoU is non-binding and does not create any obligation for either party to complete a transaction or enter
into a definitive agreement.
Freeport Resources retains full ownership and control of the Yandera Copper Project and continues to
actively evaluate a range of financing and strategic alternatives to unlock value for shareholders. The
Company believes that early, constructive engagement with Kumul Minerals reflects the State’s interest
in the orderly and transparent development of nationally significant mineral assets and enhances the
project’s strategic positioning.
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“Kumul Minerals plays an important role in representing the State’s commercial interests in Papua New
Guinea’s mining sector and brings valuable institutional insight, ” said Nathan Chutas, Senior VP
Operations, Director and QP. “This MoU supports our efforts to advance Yandera while preserving full
flexibility to pursue the most compelling outcomes for the project and its stakeholders.” The MoU has an
initial term of 90 days, during which the parties may explore potential structures for future cooperation.
Any binding arrangements would be subject to further negotiation and the execution of definitive
agreements.
Strategic Partners
The Company is also pleased to announce that it has commenced discussions with several potential
strategic partners to advance the Yandera Copper Project to Definitive Feasibility Study. Discussions with
potential strategic partners have included the signing of NDAs and, in certain instances, signing of non-
binding, non -exclusive Memorandums of Understanding agreeing to cooperate in the further
advancement, development and strategic planning for the Yandera Copper Project.
Freeport Resources has initiated this strategic outreach process with the objective of advancing the Project
and maximizing its value. T he Company believes the Project is significantly undervalued based on
historical expenditures, current copper prices and the potential for resource expansion.
Gord Friesen, CEO, noted: “Freeport Resources has experienced a material increase in inbound interest
relating to its wholly -owned Yandera Copper Project which the Company believes is driven by evolving
macro conditions including record setting copper and gold prices coupled with Yandera Copper’s strategic
location in the Asia-Pacific region. Yandera is one of the world’s largest undeveloped copper projects and
ranks as the largest advanced, undeveloped copper project in Asia, the world’s leading copper refiner and
consumer. Over USD $200 million has been expended on the project since 2005, culminating in a
comprehensive 2017 Pre -Feasibility Study delineating one of the world’s largest undeveloped copper
resources.* With the copper price hitting new highs on unprecedented demand, timing for discussions is
ideal and we are excited to have commenced discourse with potential strategic partners to advance the
project through to a Definitive Feasibility Study and development of the mine. We look forward to updating
shareholders as discussions progress.”
Yandera’s scale and proximity to key Asian markets creates opportunities to secure strategic partnerships
and long-term offtake agreements with potential Strategic Investors to support project financing efforts.
The Company has entered into discussions with institutional and potential strategic partners seeking
exposure to large-scale, long-life copper resources through structured upstream arrangements spanning
joint ventures, equity ownership, project financing and offtake arrangements.
Mr. Nathan Chutas, Senior VP Operations, Director and QP of Freeport Resources, stated: “ While our
discussions to date with interested parties have been positive, there is no guarantee of a transaction being
successfully concluded and any binding commitments will require the negotiation and execution of
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definitive documentation. We will endeavor to keep investors informed in a timely manner of any material
developments. Advancing this project will require full support from all levels of government including the
Government of Papua New Guinea, the Province of Madang, the district of Usino-Bundi and, last but not
least, the community and stakeholders of Yandera. Freeport will continue to work and communicate with
community leaders and representatives at all levels of government as talks progress to advance this
important project.”
Readers are cautioned that the discussions with potential strategic partners are at a preliminary stage and
conclusion of any transaction remains subject to the successful completion of due diligence, negotiation
of definitive documentation and receipt of any required regulatory approvals.
Freeport Resources would also like to congratulate Hon. Solen Loifa from OUR Party on his appointment
as the new Mining Minister of Papua New Guinea . The Company welcomes his appointment and looks
forward to working with the new Minister on the advancement of Yandera.
About Kumul Minerals Holdings Limited
Kumul Minerals Holdings Limited is Papua New Guinea’s state -owned mineral investment company,
responsible for managing the State’s equity interests in major resource projects and acting as the
government’s commercial interface with industry participants. Kumul Minerals focuses on portfolio
stewardship, governance, and long- term value creation through partnerships with domestic and
international developers. Its early engagement with the Yandera project reflects a mandate to support
transparent, commercially sound development aligned with national economic objectives , the interests
of stakeholders and the community of Yandera.
About the Yandera Copper Project
Over US$200 million in exploration and development expenditures have been completed to date on
Freeport Resources’ wholly owned Yandera Copper Project including a 2017 Pre -Feasibility Study,
prepared by Worley Parsons. * Using current prices, the estimated historical Measured and Indicated
Resource is 727 million tonnes grading 0.45% copper equivalent . The Yandera Copper Project is
strategically located within the Bismarck Intrusive Complex of PNG, within the Papuan Fold Belt which is
host to premier ore bodies such as Grasberg, Ok Tedi, Porgera, Hidden Valley, Wafi-Golpu and Frieda River.
It is hosted within a 245-square kilometre tenement package, in Madang Province.
* Independent Technical Report on the Yandera Project – Pre-Feasibility Study, prepared for Era Resources
Inc. and dated effective November 27, 2017. The study was prepared prior to the Company acquiring an
interest in the Yandera Project and is derived from historical estimates which the Company is not treating
as current. This information is intended to provide readers with context on historical analysis conducted
on the Yandera Project, however the Company cautions that a qualified person has not done sufficient
work to classify any historical estimates in respect of the Yandera Project as current and any analysis
conducted by previous owners of the Project may rely upon assumptions which are no longer reasonable
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or accurate in the context of the current market. The Company would need to conduct an exploration
program, including twinning of historical drill holes in order to verify any historical estimates as current
mineral resources. The Company is not aware of any more recent mineral resource estimate for the
Yandera Copper Project.
Qualified Person
Dr. Nathan Chutas, PhD, CPG, Senior Vice -President of Operations for Freeport Resources, is a qualified
person for the purposes of National Instrument 43 -101. Dr. Chutas has reviewed and approved the
technical content in this announcement.
About Freeport Resources Inc.
Freeport Resources is a Canadian mineral exploration company with a primary focus on advancing the
development of its 100%-owned Yandera copper-gold-molybdenum project, located in Madang Province,
Papua New Guinea. The Yandera project is one of the largest undeveloped copper -gold deposits in the
world covering approximately 245.5 square kilometers.
Please visit www.freeportresources.com or contact the email address below for more information.
On behalf of the Board,
Freeport Resources Inc.
Gord Friesen, Chief Executive Officer
T. (236) 334-1660
www.freeportresources.com
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture
Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
This news release may contain certain “Forward- Looking Statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When or if used in this news release, the words “anticipate”,
“believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “target”, “plan”, “forecast”, “may”, “schedule”, “intends” and similar words or expressions
identify forward-looking statements or information. Such statements represent the Company’s current views with respect to future
events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company,
are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertai nties.
Examples of such statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the development of the Yandera Copper
Project and the use of proceeds from the Offering. The material factors and assumptions used to develop the forward - looking
information contained in this news release include, but are not limited to, key personnel and qualified employees continuing their
involvement with the Company; the Company’s ability to secure additional financing on reasonable terms; the competitive
conditions of the sector in which the Company operates; and laws and any amendments thereto applicable to the Company.
Many uncertainties and factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance or achievements to be materially
different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward- looking
statements, in cluding, without limitation, risks relating to the future business plans of the Company; risks related to the
exploration and development of the Yandera Copper Project; risks that the Company will not be able to retain its key personne l;
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and risks that the Company will not be able to secure financing on reasonable terms or at all. The Company does not intend, a nd
does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or
changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable
laws, rules and regulations.