Nevada Copper Announces Resumption of Ore Processing Operations at Pumpkin Hollow

Dike 3 Crossing Completed; First Stope Back Filled and Paste Plant Commissioned; Regional Drilling Commences

YERINGTON, Nev., Oct. 03, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nevada Copper Corp. (TSX: NCU) (OTC: NEVDF) (FSE: ZYTA) (“Nevada Copper” or the “Company”) is excited to announce that it has restarted processing operations at its Pumpkin Hollow underground mine (the “Underground Mine”) with the first ore being fed to the mill.

Randy Buffington, President and CEO of Nevada Copper, stated, “It is with great pride that I announce that we have achieved the critical milestone in restarting process operations. The restart of the mill has been orchestrated through careful planning and establishing the infrastructure needed to ensure sustained process plant operations, including the building of significant surface stockpiles and progression on critical capital projects. We are now well positioned to move towards steady state operations of 5,000 tons per day. My sincerest thanks to the entire Nevada Copper team and our business partners for their tireless efforts in achieving this important milestone for the future of Pumpkin Hollow.”

Successful mill restart: Processing operations recommenced at an initial feed rate to the mills of 3,000 tons per day (tpd) to allow for the process team to optimize reagent addition and establish and reinforce operating procedures and ensure consistent operations. The mill is being recommissioned on lower grade ore stockpiles and will transition to a combination of mined stope ore and stockpiled ore. By mid-October, throughput is planned to be increased steadily towards a goal of achieving steady state operations of 4,500-5,000 tpd by the end of 2023. Once steady-state operations are achieved, the Company may consider relatively simple optimization opportunities in 2024 to increase mill throughput potential beyond 5,000 tpd.

Dike 3 crossing completed: The third dike crossing was completed in September, clearing the way for planned 2024 stope development. Continued development beyond the dike is to ultimately provide a full ventilation circuit for the Lower East North stoping areas, but it also provides additional headings for the development contractor to open targeted 2024 stopes. Rock conditions beyond the dike continue to be as predicted by the geotechnical model.