Ero Copper Corp. (TSX: ERO) (NYSE: ERO) is pleased to announce record 2025 copper production and provide 2026 guidance and an updated three-year production outlook.
HIGHLIGHTS
Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Results
(1) Available liquidity as of December 31, 2025 includes approximately $105 million in cash and cash equivalents and $45 million of undrawn availability under the Company’s senior secured revolving credit facility. These financial metrics are preliminary. Audited financial metrics will be reported on March 5, 2026.
2026 Guidance
Three-Year Production Outlook
“2025 marked a year of meaningful investment and transformative progress throughout the Company. We worked to strengthen our health and safety performance while executing on several key initiatives that are supporting higher sustained mining and processing rates across our operations. These efforts included the transition to mechanized mining at Xavantina, the successful completion of a multi-quarter debottlenecking effort at Caraíba and the continued ramp-up of Tucumã. The success of these programs resulted in significant quarter-on-quarter growth throughout 2025. In parallel, we completed a year-long value-creation initiative that culminated in the commencement of gold concentrate sales at Xavantina, with nearly 15,000 ounces sold in the fourth quarter,” said Makko DeFilippo, President & Chief Executive Officer.
“Looking ahead, we expect to deliver steady growth across our portfolio as we advance longer-term growth initiatives, including the new shaft at the Pilar Mine and the delivery of what will be the first preliminary economic assessment ever published on the Furnas Project. Entering 2026 with a strengthening balance sheet, combined with what we fully expect will be a record year of copper production and record gold sales – including ongoing gold concentrate sales at Xavantina – has positioned Ero’s shareholders to benefit from this historic commodity price environment.”
FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL-YEAR 2025 PRODUCTION RESULTS
| Q4 2025 | Full Year 2025 | |
| Caraíba Operations | ||
| Tonnes Processed | 1,174,732 | 3,656,240 |
| Grade (% Cu) | 1.00 | 1.09 |
| Recovery Rate (%) | 88.7 | 90.0 |
| Copper Production (tonnes) | 10,431 | 36,035 |
| Tucumã Operation | ||
| Tonnes Processed | 517,246 | 1,805,300 |
| Grade (% Cu) | 1.93 | 1.79 |
| Recovery Rate (%) | 90.5 | 88.7 |
| Copper Production (tonnes) | 9,275 | 28,272 |
| Consolidated Copper Production (tonnes) | 19,706 | 64,307 |
| Xavantina Operations | ||
| Tonnes Processed | 53,256 | 172,178 |
| Grade (gpt Au) | 9.98 | 8.24 |
| Recovery Rate (%) | 79.6 | 82.8 |
| Au Production (ounces) | 13,837 | 37,291 |
| Gold Concentrate Sales | ||
| Tonnes Invoiced | 14,614 | 14,614 |
| Grade (gpt Au) | 31.92 | 31.92 |
| Contained Gold (ounces) | 14,999 | 14,999 |
| Total Gold (ounces) | 28,836 | 52,290 |
Record quarterly and full-year consolidated copper production reflect strong operational execution across the portfolio, including the continued ramp-up of the Tucumã Operation and the achievement of record mill throughput at the Caraíba Operations following the successful completion of a plant debottlenecking initiative during the year.
At Tucumã, production increased sequentially each quarter in 2025, with Q4 representing the strongest quarter to date, producing 9,275 tonnes of copper in concentrate, representing a quarter-on-quarter increase of approximately 22%. Higher processed copper grades during the quarter helped to offset the impact of extended downtime in December, which was related to the pull-forward of planned Q1 2026 maintenance for the early replacement of mill liners due to quality issues associated with the original equipment manufacturer. As a result, full-year production at Tucumã totaled 28,272 tonnes of copper in concentrate.
Caraíba also delivered its strongest production quarter of the year, supported by record quarterly mill throughput, which offset the impact of lower-than-planned mined and processed grades related to timing of stope sequencing, higher-than-planned operational dilution in select stopes during the quarter, and unplanned downtime in the crusher circuit that occurred late in the year. As a result, production increased 15% quarter-on-quarter to 10,431 tonnes of copper in concentrate, contributing to full-year production of 36,035 tonnes.
At Xavantina, gold production increased sequentially throughout 2025, highlighted by a significant 53% increase in Q4 compared to Q3, driven by higher throughput and grades. During the year, the operation successfully transitioned to mechanized mining, an important milestone that is expected to support higher development and mining rates going forward. While this transition resulted in a temporary step back in production in 2025 as the operation invested in the long-term productivity and safety of the mine, the impact was effectively mitigated through the successful completion of a year-long value-creation initiative that culminated in the sale of 14,999 ounces of gold in gold concentrates during Q4. As a result, gold from Xavantina, including gold from mining and processing operations as well as from gold concentrate sales, totaled 28,836 ounces in Q4 and 52,290 ounces for the full year.
2026 PRODUCTION GUIDANCE AND THREE-YEAR PRODUCTION OUTLOOK
The Company’s 2026 guidance and three-year production outlook reflect consistent growth relative to 2025. Key drivers in 2026 include higher plant throughput across the operations, supported by the Caraíba mill debottlenecking initiative successfully completed in 2025, and projected increases in throughput at the Tucumã Operation toward steady-state levels. Longer term, copper production growth is expected to be supported by planned increases in tailings filtration capacity at Tucumã and the new shaft at the Caraíba Operations’ Pilar Mine, which is expected to become operational in 2027. As a result, consolidated copper production is expected to increase over the next three years to between 80,000 and 90,000 tonnes by 2028.
At the Xavantina Operations, annual gold production is expected to increase from between 40,000 and 50,000 ounces in 2026 to between 50,000 and 60,000 ounces in 2027 and 2028, driven by higher mine production and increased mill throughput supported by the transition to mechanized mining. In addition, gold sales from the Xavantina Operations are expected to be significantly bolstered with the continued sale of gold concentrates that commenced in Q4 2025, and which are expected to continue through mid-2027.
| 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | |
| Copper (tonnes) | |||
| Caraíba Operations | 35,000 – 40,000 | 40,000 – 45,000 | 45,000 – 50,000 |
| Tucumã Operation | 32,500 – 37,500 | 35,000 – 40,000 | 35,000-40,000 |
| Total Copper | 67,500 – 77,500 | 75,000 – 85,000 | 80,000 – 90,000 |
| Gold (ounces) | |||
| Xavantina Operations | 40,000 – 50,000 | 50,000 – 60,000 | 50,000 – 60,000 |
| Gold in Concentrates(1) | Concentrate sales expected to continue through mid-2027(1) | ||
Note: Guidance is based on estimates and assumptions including, but not limited to, mineral resource and reserve estimates, grade and continuity of interpreted geological formations and metallurgical recovery performance. Please refer to the Company’s SEDAR+ and EDGAR filings, including the most recent Annual Information Form (“AIF”), for a detailed summary of risk factors.
(1) Gold concentrate sales over the projection period related to Xavantina’s stockpiled gold concentrate remain subject to ongoing sampling.
2026 COST GUIDANCE
2026 copper C1 cash cost guidance on a consolidated basis is $2.15 to $2.35 per pound of copper produced. This is based on C1 cash cost guidance ranges of $2.30 to $2.50 per pound for the Caraíba Operations and $1.95 to $2.15 per pound at the Tucumã Operation.
At the Xavantina Operations, the C1 cash cost guidance range for ounces produced from mining and processing operations is $1,000 to $1,250 per ounce, reflecting lower planned mined and processed gold grades. The AISC guidance range for 2026 is $2,000 to $2,500 per ounce of gold produced.
| Copper C1 Cash Cost ($/lb) | |
| Caraíba Operations | $2.30 – $2.50 |
| Tucumã Operation | $1.95 – $2.15 |
| Consolidated Copper Operations | $2.15 – $2.35 |
| Gold C1 Cash Cost ($/oz) | $1,000 – $1,250 |
| Gold All-In Sustaining Cost ($/oz) | $2,000 – $2,500 |
Note: C1 Cash Costs and AISC are non-IFRS measures. Please see the Notes section of this press release for additional information.
2026 CAPITAL EXPENDITURE GUIDANCE
Total capital expenditures in 2026 are expected to range between $275 to $320 million. Capital expenditures at the existing operations are expected in the range of $245 to $280 million and include growth capital of approximately $80 million related to the continued construction of the Pilar Mine’s new shaft and ancillary infrastructure at the Caraíba Operations, as well as investments in additional mine ventilation, development, and equipment to support future growth at the Xavantina Operations. The Company expects to spend an additional $30 to $40 million to continue advancing Furnas exploration, engineering, and permitting workstreams, as well as advancing several exploration opportunities within the Company’s portfolio.
Figures presented below are in USD millions.
| Caraíba Operations | $170 – $185 |
| Tucumã Operation | $35 – $45 |
| Xavantina Operations | $40 – $50 |
| Furnas Copper-Gold Project, Other Exploration & Corporate | $30 – $40 |
| Total | $275 – $320 |
QUALIFIED PERSONS AND THE NI 43-101 TECHNICAL REPORT
Mr. Cid Gonçalves Monteiro Filho, SME RM (04317974), MAIG (No. 8444), FAusIMM (No. 329148) has reviewed, verified and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this press release, including the sampling, analytical and test data underlying the information contained in this press release. Mr. Monteiro is Manager, Resources & Reserves of the Company and is a “qualified person” within the meanings of NI 43-101.
ABOUT ERO
Ero is a Brazil-focused, growth-oriented mining company with a diversified portfolio of copper and gold assets. Headquartered in Vancouver, B.C., the Company operates two copper mines – the Caraíba Operations in Bahia State and the Tucumã Operation in Pará State – as well as the Xavantina Operations, a producing gold mine in Mato Grosso State. In addition to its operating assets, Ero is advancing the Furnas Copper-Gold Project, located in the mineral-rich Carajás Province in Pará State, through a definitive earn-in agreement with Vale Base Metals to acquire a 60% interest in the project.
Ero’s operating philosophy is grounded in a commitment to safety, operational excellence, and the responsible production of minerals essential for a better tomorrow. The Company’s shares are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “ERO.” Additional information, including technical reports on the Company’s operations and projects, is available on the Company’s website (www.ero.com), SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca), and on EDGAR (www.sec.gov).
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