Camino and Nittetsu Commence Proprietary Leaching Studies for Growth Opportunities at the Puquios Copper Project in Chile

Rhea-AI Summary

Camino Minerals (OTC:CAMZF) and Nittetsu have begun proprietary leaching studies at Nittetsu's Tokyo metallurgical and chemical facility to assess scalability at the Puquios Copper Project in Chile.

Key facts: all permits required to start construction are in place, mine construction is anticipated in H1 2026, and the project has ~8,170 metres of drilling in the primary mineralized zone. Two exploration adits were developed and deeper samples were sent to Nittetsu's R&D for leach testing; initial results show competitive recoveries for multiple copper mineralization types. Camino and Nittetsu are evaluating scale-up options and exploring new leaching technologies to expand production at Puquios.

Positive

• All permits in place to commence construction
• Mine construction anticipated H1 2026
• 8,170 metres of drilling completed in primary mineralized zone
• Two exploration adits developed to access deeper copper mineralization
• Samples delivered to Nittetsu R&D with initial competitive recoveries

Negative

• None.

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / October 30, 2025 / :Camino Minerals Corporation (TSXV:COR)(OTCID:CAMZF) ("Camino" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that its joint venture with Nittetsu Mining Co., Ltd. ("Nittetsu") will initiate leaching studies at Nittetsu's metallurgical and chemical facility in Tokyo. These studies aim to assess the scalability of the Puquios Copper Project ("Puquios"or the "Project").

The Puquios mine is planned as a conventional sulphide leaching operation utilizing solvent extraction and electro winning ("SXEW") technology. All permits required for commencement of construction are in place, with mine construction anticipated in the first half of 2026. To support development, Camino and Nittetsu are actively pursuing a debt facility with a Japanese lender that is expected to offer highly competitive terms in the current mining finance environment.

The first stage of the Puquios copper mine development is now on a path towards production. The Company is evaluating scale-up opportunities targeting the hypogene copper mineralization located beneath the supergene, soluble copper zones. The Project has approximately 8,170 metres of drilling completed in the primary mineralized zone. Two exploration adits have been developed to reach the copper mineralization at depth and samples of the deeper mineralization have been extracted and delivered to Nittetsu's research and development facility in Tokyo for testing. Nittetsu has been advancing proprietary copper extraction technologies and initial results demonstrate competitive recoveries for different types of copper mineralization. The deeper copper mineralization at Puquios will be leached at the facility, for further consideration for the next phase of the Project's scale-up.

Looking ahead, the Company intends to further assess and integrate new leaching technologies to determine the most effective scale-up strategy for expanding copper production at Puquios.

Figure 1. Nittetsu Mining Research & Development Center in Tokyo.

"Camino has been working with Nittetsu for several years and is benefiting from their know-how in exploration geology and operations. Now we are extending our cooperation to their research and development business unit in Tokyo", commented Jay Chmelauskas, CEO of Camino. "After we build the first conventional copper production phase at Puquios, we would like to grow production in Chile, and we are starting that work now."

Shinichiro Mita, General Manager of Nittetsu Mining Co., Ltd. said, "I have recently visited the Puquios copper project with our technical and management teams in preparation to begin construction of the mine. We all believe that the project can grow from the first phase of development, and we are pleased to advance our research to develop economic copper leaching technologies for Puquios."

About Camino
Camino is a discovery and development stage copper exploration company. On October 7, 2024, Camino signed a Definitive Agreement to purchase the construction-ready Puquios copper mine in Chile. Camino is focused on developing copper producing assets such as Puquios, and advancing its IOCG Los Chapitos copper project located in Peru through to resource delineation and development, and to add new discoveries. Camino has also permitted the Maria Cecilia copper porphyry project for exploration discovery drilling to add to its NI43-101 resources. In addition, Camino has increased its land position at its copper and silver Plata Dorada project. Camino seeks to acquire a portfolio of advanced copper assets that have the potential to deliver copper into an electrifying copper intensive global economy. For more information, please refer to Camino's website at www.caminocorp.com.

Jose A. Bassan, MSc. Geologist, an independent geologist FAusIMM (CP) 227922, a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and approved the technical contents of this document. Mr. Bassan has reviewed and verified relevant data supporting the technical disclosure, including sampling and analytical test data.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD	For further information, please contact:
/S/ "Jay Chmelauskas"	Camino Investor Relations
President and CEO	info@caminocorp.com
	Tel: (604) 493-2058

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements: Certain disclosures in this release constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are included to provide information about management's current expectations and plans that allows investors and others to have a better understanding of the Company's business plans and financial performance and condition. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking information is typically (though not always) identified by words such as "plan", "expect", "estimate", "intend", "anticipate", "believe", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. In making the forward-looking disclosures in this release, the Company has applied certain factors and assumptions that are based on the Company's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Forward-looking information in the release includes, without limitation, statements regarding the anticipated commencement of leaching studies at Nittetsu's facility in Tokyo, the scalability and development potential of the Puquios Copper Project, the timing and nature of mine construction, the expected use of SXEW technology, the pursuit and competitiveness of a potential debt financing facility, and the evaluation and integration of emerging copper extraction technologies. Although the Company considers the assumptions underlying such forward-looking information to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect, and the forward-looking information in this release is subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking information. Such risk factors include, among others, changes in copper prices and global demand, exploration and development risks, metallurgical and processing uncertainties, regulatory changes, financing risks, geopolitical developments, and the ability of Camino and its joint venture partner to execute on their development plans. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

SOURCE: Camino Minerals Corp

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

FAQ

What leaching studies did Camino and Nittetsu start for Puquios (CAMZF) on October 30, 2025?

They began proprietary copper leaching studies at Nittetsu's metallurgical and chemical facility in Tokyo to assess scalability for Puquios.

When is construction expected to start at the Puquios copper mine (CAMZF)?

All permits are in place and mine construction is anticipated in the first half of 2026.

How much drilling has been completed at Puquios as reported on October 30, 2025 (CAMZF)?

Approximately 8,170 metres of drilling have been completed in the primary mineralized zone.

What testing did Camino send to Nittetsu's Tokyo R&D for Puquios (CAMZF)?

Samples of deeper hypogene copper mineralization were extracted from adits and delivered to Nittetsu's R&D for leaching and recovery testing.

Does the Puquios project have permits and a development timeline (CAMZF)?

Yes; required permits to commence construction are in place and the first phase is planned to proceed toward production with construction expected H1 2026.

Will new leaching technologies be used to expand production at Puquios (CAMZF)?

Camino and Nittetsu intend to assess and integrate new leaching technologies to determine the most effective scale-up strategy.