
Ero Copper Corp. (TSX: ERO) (NYSE: ERO) is pleased to announce the completion of its Phase 1 drill program at the Furnas Copper-Gold Project, located in the Carajás Mineral Province in Pará State, Brazil.
Initial results from the completed 28,000-meter Phase 1 program are highlighted by significant down-dip intercepts, including:
To date, assay results have been received for approximately 10,000 meters of the 28,000-meter drill program. The results continue to both demonstrate continuity and extend the known limits of mineralization within the high-grade mineralized zones (greater than 1% CuEq1) that are the focus of future underground mining operations. Step-out drilling during the Phase 1 program has extended mineralization to a maximum depth of 730 meters down-dip from surface, and mineralization remains open. The National Instrument 43-101 mineral resource estimate for the Project is based on an average historical depth of drilling of 300 meters (vertical), with a maximum localized down-dip depth from surface of 580 meters. Please refer to the Company’s press release dated October 2, 2024 for additional information on the Project’s current mineral resource estimate.
The Phase 1 drill program was primarily focused on confirming continuity of high-grade mineralization through infill drilling, as well as increasing confidence at the down-dip limits of the current mineral resource. The remaining portion of the program, approximately 25% of total meters, was dedicated to step-out drilling to extend the known limits of mineralization. Only one of 66 holes drilled by the Company during the Phase 1 campaign did not intercept mineralization. Complete results from the program will be released following receipt of all pending assay results.
“The results from our Phase 1 drill program at Furnas are highly encouraging and reinforce the potential for Furnas to be a significant large-scale, high-grade underground mining operation,” said Makko DeFilippo, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Extending high-grade mineralization to a down-dip depth of approximately 730 meters, while demonstrating strong high-grade continuity, is an important step in allowing us to evaluate the potential scale of a future mining operation alongside our partners at Vale Base Metals.
“We look forward to receiving the remaining assay results from the Phase 1 program and advancing the Phase 2 drill campaign to further inform the emerging potential of the Furnas Project.”
There are currently eight drill rigs operating on the Project, where the Phase 2 drill program is underway. This program is expected to comprise a minimum of 17,000 meters of drilling and includes a greater focus on step-out drilling aimed at further extending known mineralization.
The complete results from the Phase 1 drill program will serve as the foundation for an updated NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate as well as a preliminary economic assessment of the Project. The PEA, which was initiated earlier this year, remains on track for completion during the first half of 2026.
ABOUT THE FURNAS COPPER-GOLD PROJECT
Furnas is an iron oxide copper-gold deposit located approximately 50 kilometers southeast of Vale Base Metal’s Salobo operations and approximately 190 kilometers northeast of Ero’s Tucumã Operations. Covering an area of approximately 2,400 hectares, the Project sits within fifteen kilometers of extensive regional infrastructure, including paved roads, an industrial-scale cement plant, a power substation and Vale S.A.’s railroad loadout facility.
In July 2024, the Company signed a definitive earn-in agreement with Salobo Metais S.A, a subsidiary of VBM, to earn a 60% interest in the Project upon completion of several exploration, engineering and development milestones over a five-year period. In exchange for its 60% interest, Ero will solely fund a phased work program during the earn-in period and grant VBM up to an 11.0% “free carry” on future Project construction capital expenditures. For additional details on the key terms and execution of the Agreement, please refer to the Company’s press releases dated October 30, 2023 and July 22, 2024.
Prior to the commencement of the Phase 1 drill program, the Company published an initial NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate on the Project, based on approximately 90,000 meters of historical drilling. This estimate underscored the significant potential of the Project. Using a 1.00% copper equivalent cut-off grade, the mineral resource estimate, effective June 30, 2024, totaled:
For additional information on the Project’s mineral resource estimate, please see the Company’s press release dated October 2, 2024 as well as the corresponding technical report titled “Furnas Copper Project – Para State, Brazil – NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate Technical Report”, dated November 18, 2024 with an effective date of June 30, 2024.
Figure 1: Furnas Plan View Map, including drill collar locations. Rock types include:
Abbreviation | Rock Type | |
HCS | Calcic-sodic hydrothermal rock | |
GRA | Granite | |
DIO | Diorite | |
RCL HD | Chlorite-rich hydrothermal rock | |
GMF HD | Grunerite-garnet-magnetite hydrothermal rock | |
GMF HD-2 | Grunerite-garnet-magnetite hydrothermal rock | |
XTA | Aluminous schist | |
RSL host | Quartz-rich rock | |
GMF RSL | Magnetite-rich hydrothermally altered rock / Quartz-rich rock | |
|
Figure 2: Cross section within the high-grade SE Zone of Furnas. Rock types include:
Abbreviation | Rock Type | |
RCL HD | Chlorite-rich hydrothermal rock | |
GMF HD | Grunerite-garnet-magnetite hydrothermal rock | |
RSL host | Quartz-rich rock | |
XTA | Aluminous schist | |
|
Figure 3: Cross section within the high-grade SE Zone of Furnas. Rock types include:
Abbreviation | Rock Type | |
RCL HD | Chlorite-rich hydrothermal rock | |
GMF HD | Grunerite-garnet-magnetite hydrothermal rock | |
RSL host | Quartz-rich rock | |
XTA | Aluminous schist | |
|
Figure 4: Cross section within the high-grade SE Zone of Furnas. Rock types include:
Abbreviation | Rock Type | |
RCL HD | Chlorite-rich hydrothermal rock | |
GMF HD | Grunerite-garnet-magnetite hydrothermal rock | |
RSL host | Quartz-rich rock | |
XTA | Aluminous schist | |
DRILL RESULTS – SOUTHEAST ZONE
Hole ID | From (m) | To (m) | Length (m) | Cu (%) | Au (g/t) | CuEq (%) | ||||||
FURN-DD-00266 | 463 | 523 | 60 | 0.97 | 0.71 | 1.31 | ||||||
incl | 463 | 505 | 42 | 1.11 | 0.81 | 1.50 | ||||||
incl | 495 | 505 | 10 | 1.54 | 1.35 | 2.18 | ||||||
FURN-DD-00267 | 141 | 214 | 73 | 0.93 | 0.42 | 1.13 | ||||||
incl | 170 | 191 | 21 | 1.45 | 0.73 | 1.80 | ||||||
FURN-DD-00268 | 383 | 454 | 71 | 0.79 | 0.47 | 1.01 | ||||||
incl | 410 | 437 | 27 | 1.22 | 0.73 | 1.57 | ||||||
incl | 410 | 418 | 8 | 1.73 | 0.52 | 1.98 | ||||||
FURN-DD-00269 | 204 | 231 | 27 | 3.60 | 0.24 | 3.71 | ||||||
incl | 213 | 228 | 15 | 5.98 | 0.20 | 6.08 | ||||||
FURN-DD-00270 | No Significant Intercept1 | |||||||||||
FURN-DD-00271 | 501 | 576 | 75 | 1.02 | 0.59 | 1.30 | ||||||
incl | 523 | 553 | 30 | 1.71 | 1.05 | 2.21 | ||||||
incl | 538 | 553 | 15 | 2.30 | 1.60 | 3.06 | ||||||
FURN-DD-00272 | 396 | 463 | 67 | 0.67 | 0.47 | 0.89 | ||||||
incl | 397 | 411 | 14 | 0.89 | 0.64 | 1.20 | ||||||
FURN-DD-00273 | 214 | 244 | 30 | 0.97 | 0.37 | 1.15 | ||||||
incl | 232 | 245 | 13 | 1.23 | 0.12 | 1.29 | ||||||
FURN-DD-00274 | 475 | 546 | 71 | 0.96 | 0.37 | 1.14 | ||||||
incl | 522 | 546 | 24 | 1.44 | 0.47 | 1.66 | ||||||
FURN-DD-00275 | 209 | 246 | 37 | 0.97 | 0.47 | 1.19 | ||||||
incl | 209 | 228 | 19 | 1.13 | 0.56 | 1.40 | ||||||
FURN-DD-00276 | 176 | 199 | 23 | 1.27 | 0.63 | 1.57 | ||||||
incl | 178 | 192 | 14 | 1.55 | 0.87 | 1.97 | ||||||
FURN-DD-00277 | 268 | 285 | 17 | 0.72 | 0.29 | 0.86 | ||||||
incl | 272 | 281 | 9 | 0.85 | 0.38 | 1.03 | ||||||
FURN-DD-00278 | 296 | 328 | 32 | 0.62 | 0.29 | 0.76 | ||||||
incl | 306 | 322 | 16 | 0.85 | 0.34 | 1.01 | ||||||
FURN-DD-00279 | 252 | 280 | 28 | 1.06 | 0.36 | 1.23 | ||||||
incl | 266 | 278 | 12 | 1.36 | 0.14 | 1.43 | ||||||
FURN-DD-00282 | 335 | 370 | 35 | 0.75 | 0.56 | 1.02 | ||||||
incl | 335 | 347 | 12 | 0.89 | 0.77 | 1.26 | ||||||
FURN-DD-00284 | 332 | 437 | 105 | 1.17 | 0.77 | 1.54 | ||||||
incl | 366 | 429 | 63 | 1.30 | 1.13 | 1.84 | ||||||
FURN-DD-00285 | 421 | 500 | 79 | 0.93 | 0.51 | 1.17 | ||||||
incl | 425 | 450 | 25 | 1.32 | 0.52 | 1.57 | ||||||
incl | 472 | 500 | 28 | 1.09 | 0.81 | 1.48 | ||||||
FURN-DD-00286 | 543 | 618 | 75 | 0.78 | 0.43 | 0.99 | ||||||
incl | 543 | 575 | 32 | 1.05 | 0.63 | 1.35 | ||||||
FURN-DD-00287 | 259 | 304 | 45 | 0.75 | 0.57 | 1.02 | ||||||
incl | 281 | 302 | 21 | 1.02 | 0.93 | 1.46 | ||||||
FURN-DD-00288 | 207 | 293 | 86 | 0.71 | 0.24 | 0.82 | ||||||
incl | 274 | 293 | 19 | 1.37 | 0.33 | 1.53 | ||||||
FURN-DD-00289 | 295 | 401 | 106 | 0.65 | 0.32 | 0.80 | ||||||
incl | 304 | 351 | 47 | 0.83 | 0.31 | 0.98 | ||||||
FURN-DD-00290 | 192 | 251 | 59 | 0.65 | 0.25 | 0.77 | ||||||
incl | 217 | 250 | 33 | 0.81 | 0.31 | 0.96 | ||||||
FURN-DD-00293 | 280 | 371 | 91 | 1.08 | 0.25 | 1.20 | ||||||
incl | 331 | 371 | 40 | 1.77 | 0.37 | 1.95 | ||||||
1This drill hole intercepted a non-mineralized dike west of the main southeast zone.
DRILL HOLE INFORMATION
Hole ID | Easting | Northing | Elevation | Azimuth | Dip | Length (m) | ||||||
FURN-DD-00266 | 611,998 | 9,346,599 | 364 | 200 | 60 | 600.1 | ||||||
FURN-DD-00267 | 612,078 | 9,346,117 | 405 | 200 | 60 | 255.1 | ||||||
FURN-DD-00268 | 611,905 | 9,346,552 | 356 | 200 | 60 | 495.9 | ||||||
FURN-DD-00269 | 612,340 | 9,345,954 | 364 | 200 | 60 | 263.7 | ||||||
FURN-DD-00270 | 611,172 | 9,346,715 | 408 | 200 | 60 | 331.3 | ||||||
FURN-DD-00271 | 612,199 | 9,346,554 | 339 | 200 | 60 | 590.0 | ||||||
FURN-DD-00272 | 612,303 | 9,346,305 | 304 | 200 | 60 | 507.4 | ||||||
FURN-DD-00273 | 612,511 | 9,345,840 | 361 | 200 | 60 | 266.7 | ||||||
FURN-DD-00274 | 612,109 | 9,346,587 | 358 | 200 | 60 | 576.9 | ||||||
FURN-DD-00275 | 612,247 | 9,346,043 | 402 | 200 | 55 | 300.5 | ||||||
FURN-DD-00276 | 612,400 | 9,345,886 | 372 | 200 | 60 | 272.0 | ||||||
FURN-DD-00277 | 612,362 | 9,346,012 | 351 | 200 | 60 | 318.0 | ||||||
FURN-DD-00278 | 612,275 | 9,346,096 | 383 | 200 | 60 | 362.3 | ||||||
FURN-DD-00279 | 612,309 | 9,346,018 | 374 | 200 | 60 | 343.0 | ||||||
FURN-DD-00282 | 612,388 | 9,346,092 | 344 | 200 | 60 | 459.0 | ||||||
FURN-DD-00284 | 612,083 | 9,346,445 | 358 | 200 | 55 | 493.7 | ||||||
FURN-DD-00285 | 612,117 | 9,346,522 | 354 | 200 | 60 | 530.1 | ||||||
FURN-DD-00286 | 612,175 | 9,346,641 | 336 | 200 | 60 | 663.1 | ||||||
FURN-DD-00287 | 612,230 | 9,346,136 | 366 | 200 | 60 | 382.4 | ||||||
FURN-DD-00288 | 607,661 | 9,348,020 | 270 | 200 | 60 | 500.6 | ||||||
FURN-DD-00289 | 607,713 | 9,348,103 | 253 | 200 | 60 | 407.6 | ||||||
FURN-DD-00290 | 607,581 | 9,348,040 | 252 | 200 | 60 | 456.9 | ||||||
FURN-DD-00293 | 612,137 | 9,346,294 | 359 | 200 | 60 | 465.8 |
NOTE ON NI 43-101 COMPLIANT TECHNICAL REPORT
The conversion of drill results presented in this press release into NI 43-101 compliant mineral resources or mineral reserves requires additional work and analysis that remains ongoing. Additional drilling and technical work are required to determine whether the results related to down-dip intercepts will be included in future NI 43-101 compliant mineral resource or reserve estimates.
QUALIFIED PERSON
Mr. Cid Gonçalves Monteiro Filho, SME RM (04317974), MAIG (No. 8444), FAusIMM (No. 329148) of Ero Copper, a Qualified Person as defined in NI 43-101, has reviewed this press release on behalf of the Company and has approved the scientific and technical information contained in this press release.
QUALITY ASSURANCE & QUALITY CONTROL
Current QA/QC Program
At the Project, the Company is currently drilling with third-party contracted core drill rigs, operated by Major Drilling Group International Inc. and Drillgeo Geologia e Sondagem Ltda. — independent contractors engaged from October 2024 to July 2025. Drill core is logged, photographed and split in half using a diamond core saw at the Company’s core logging and storage facilities. Half of the drill core is retained on site and the other half-core is used for analysis, with samples collected at a minimum of 1.5 meters and a maximum of 2.5 meters with an average length of 2.0 meters. Sampling commences at least 3.0 meters before the start of the mineralized zone and continues at least 3.0 meters beyond the limit of the mineralized zone. Sample collection is performed at the Company’s logging facilities with all sample preparation performed at ALS Brasil Ltda.’s laboratory, located in Parauapebas (PA), Brazil, who is independent of the Company. Samples are analyzed by the certified laboratory of ALS Peru S.A., who is independent of the Company. Copper content is determined by four- acid digestion followed by ICP-MS analysis, while gold content is analyzed using fire assay with ICP-AES. When copper grades exceed 1%, Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy is used to determine it. All sample results from the Phase 1 drill program have been monitored through a quality assurance and quality control (“QA/QC”) program that includes adherence to the internal operational procedures and the insertion of certified standards, blanks and duplicates at a rate of three standards, one coarse blank, one fine blank, one field duplicate, one coarse duplicate, and one pulp duplicate for every 50 total samples, yielding a blended QC rate of approximately 16%.
QA/QC Validation
The QA/QC validation process undertaken for the Phase 1 drill program of the Project is consistent with the process set out in the NI 43-101 technical report with respect to Furnas , titled “Furnas Copper Project – Para State, Brazil – NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate Technical Report”, dated November 18, 2024 with an effective date of June 30, 2024 and Ero’s internal guidelines and best practices.
NOTES ON MINERAL RESOURCES
The Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Definition Standards (2014) were used for reporting mineral resources, which are effective as at June 30, 2024 and presented on a 100% ownership basis. All figures have been rounded to the relative accuracy of the estimates. Summed amounts may not add due to rounding. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have a demonstrated economic viability.
Mineral resource estimates are prepared by or under the supervision of and verified by Mr. Cid Gonçalves Monteiro Filho, SME RM (04317974), MAIG (No. 8444), FAusIMM (No. 329148). Mr. Monteiro is Manager, Resources & Reserves of the Company and is a “qualified person” within the meanings of NI 43-101.
Mineral resources have been estimated using a copper price of US$9,259/tonne, a gold price of US$1,900/oz, a USD:BRL foreign exchange rate of 5.10, and copper and gold metallurgical recovery rates of 85.00% and 61.50%, respectively. The estimation was constrained using Datamine’s Mineable Shape Optimizer (“MSO”) at a 0.55% break-even copper cut-off grade. Mineral resources were estimated using ordinary kriging within a 25-meter by 25-meter by 4- meter block size (X, Y, Z), with a minimum sub-block size of 6.25 meters by 6.25 meters by 2.0 meters.
ABOUT ERO COPPER CORP
Ero Copper is a high-margin, high-growth copper producer with operations in Brazil and corporate headquarters in Vancouver, B.C. The Company’s primary asset is a 99.6% interest in the Brazilian copper mining company, Mineração Caraíba S.A. (“MCSA”), 100% owner of the Company’s Caraíba Operations, which are located in the Curaçá Valley, Bahia State, Brazil, and the Tucumã Operation, an open pit copper mine located in Pará State, Brazil. The Company also owns 97.6% of NX Gold S.A. (“NX Gold”) which owns the Xavantina Operations, an operating gold mine located in Mato Grosso State, Brazil. In July 2024, the Company signed a definitive earn-in agreement with Vale Base Metals for a 60% interest in the Furnas Copper-Gold Project, located in the Carajás Mineral Province in Pará State, Brazil. For more information on the earn-in agreement, please see the Company’s press releases dated October 30, 2023 and July 22, 2024. Additional information on the Company and its operations, including technical reports on the Caraíba Operations, Xavantina Operations, Tucumã Operation and the Furnas Copper-Gold Project, can be found on the Company’s website (www.erocopper.com), on SEDAR+ (http://www.sedarplus.ca/landingpage/) and on EDGAR (www.sec.gov).
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