IFC Supports McEwen Copper Through Key Collaboration Towards Sustainable Financing for Los Azules
McEwen Copper Inc., a subsidiary of McEwen Inc. (NYSE: MUX), has signed a key collaboration agreement with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) for the Los Azules copper project in Argentina. The agreement aims to align the project with IFC's environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards to facilitate potential future debt and equity financing.
Los Azules, one of the world's largest undeveloped copper deposits, has secured Environmental Impact Declaration approval and expects its feasibility study completion by October 2025. The project has applied for Argentina's Large Investment Incentive Regime (RIGI) and is preparing for construction phase pending engineering completion and financing.
The collaboration focuses on integrating IFC's Performance Standards on Environmental and Social Sustainability, aiming to de-risk the project and attract international investors while promoting transparency, reduced carbon emissions, and community benefits in Argentina's mining sector.
McEwen Copper Inc., una controllata di McEwen Inc. (NYSE: MUX), ha firmato un importante accordo di collaborazione con la Foreign Private Part (IFC) per il progetto di rame Los Azules in Argentina. L'accordo mira ad allineare il progetto agli standard ESG dell'IFC per facilitare eventuali futuri finanziamenti in debito e/o capitale.
Los Azules, uno dei maggiori giacimenti di rame non sviluppati al mondo, ha ottenuto l'approvazione della Dichiarazione di Impatto Ambientale e prevede di completare lo studio di fattibilità entro ottobre 2025. Il progetto ha presentato domanda per il regime di Incentivi agli Investimenti di Grandi Dimensioni (RIGI) in Argentina ed è in preparazione per la fase di costruzione in attesa del completamento ingegneristico e del finanziamento.
La collaborazione si concentra sull'integrazione degli Standard di Prestazione dell'IFC in materia ambientale e sociale, con l'obiettivo di ridurre i rischi del progetto e attirare investitori internazionali, promuovendo trasparenza, riduzione delle emissioni di carbonio e benefici per le comunità nel settore minerario argentino.
McEwen Copper Inc., una filial de McEwen Inc. (NYSE: MUX), ha firmado un acuerdo de colaboración clave con la International Finance Corporation (IFC) para el proyecto de cobre Los Azules en Argentina. El acuerdo tiene como objetivo alinear el proyecto con los estándares ESG de la IFC para facilitar posibles financiamientos de deuda y/o capital en el futuro.
Los Azules, uno de los mayores yacimientos de cobre no desarrollados del mundo, ha obtenido la aprobación de la Declaración de Impacto Ambiental y espera completar su estudio de factibilidad para octubre de 2025. El proyecto ha solicitado el Régimen de Incentivos a Grandes Inversiones (RIGI) de Argentina y se prepara para la fase de construcción, pendiente del desarrollo de la ingeniería y del financiamiento.
La colaboración se centra en integrar los Estándares de Desempeño de la IFC sobre Sostenibilidad Ambiental y Social, con el objetivo de des-riesgar el proyecto y atraer inversores internacionales, al tiempo que promueve la transparencia, la reducción de emisiones de carbono y beneficios para las comunidades en el sector minero argentino.
McEwen Copper Inc.는 McEwen Inc. (NYSE: MUX)의 자회사로, 아르헨티나의 Los Azules 구리 프로젝트를 위해 국제금융공사(IFC)와 핵심 협력 협정을 체결했습니다. 이 협정은 IFC의 ESG 기준에 프로젝트를 맞춰 향후 부채 및 자본 조달 가능성을 용이하게 하는 것을 목표로 합니다.
세계에서 가장 큰 개발되지 않은 구리 매장지 중 하나인 Los Azules는 환경영향평가 선언 승인서를 얻었으며 2025년 10월까지 타당성 연구를 완료할 것으로 기대됩니다. 이 프로젝트는 아르헨티나의 대규모 투자 인센티브 제도(RIGI)에 신청했고, 엔지니어링 완료 및 재정 조달 대기 속에서 건설 단계에 대비하고 있습니다.
협력은 IFC의 환경 및 사회 지속가능성 성과표준을 통합하는 데 중점을 두고 있어 프로젝트의 위험을 줄이고 국제 투자자를 끌어들이며, 투명성, 탄소 배출 감소, 지역사회 이익 증대를 통해 아르헨티나 광업 부문의 지속가능한 발전을 촉진하고자 합니다.
McEwen Copper Inc., filiale de McEwen Inc. (NYSE: MUX), a signé un accord de collaboration clé avec la International Finance Corporation (IFC) pour le projet cuivre Los Azules en Argentine. L'accord vise à aligner le projet sur les normes ESG de l'IFC afin de faciliter d’éventuels financements futurs par dette et/ou par actions.
Los Azules, l’un des plus grands gisements de cuivre non exploités au monde, a obtenu l’approbation de la Déclaration d’Impact Environnemental et prévoit de terminer l’étude de faisabilité d’ici octobre 2025. Le projet a déposé une demande pour le Régime d’Incitations à l’Investissement de grande taille (RIGI) en Argentine et se prépare à la phase de construction en attendant l’achèvement des ingénieries et le financement.
La collaboration se concentre sur l’intégration des Normes de Performance de l’IFC en matière de durabilité environnementale et sociale, afin de réduire les risques du projet et d’attirer des investisseurs internationaux, tout en promouvant la transparence, la réduction des émissions de carbone et les bénéfices communautaires dans le secteur minier argentin.
McEwen Copper Inc. ist eine Tochtergesellschaft von McEwen Inc. (NYSE: MUX) und hat eine Schlüsselkooperation mit der International Finance Corporation (IFC) für das Kupferprojekt Los Azules in Argentinien unterzeichnet. Ziel der Vereinbarung ist es, das Projekt an die ESG-Standards der IFC anzupassen, um potenzielle künftige Finanzierungen durch Debt- oder Equity-Finanzierung zu erleichtern.
Los Azules gehört zu den weltweit größten unentwickelten Kupferlagerstätten, hat die Genehmigung für die Umweltverträglichkeitsprüfung erhalten und erwartet die Fertigstellung der Machbarkeitsstudie bis Oktober 2025. Das Projekt hat sich für das Large Investment Incentive Regime (RIGI) Argentiniens beworben und bereitet sich auf die Bauphase vor, vorbehaltlich der technischen Fertigstellung und der Finanzierung.
Die Zusammenarbeit konzentriert sich darauf, die IFC-Performance-Standards für Umwelt- und Sozialverträglichkeit zu integrieren, um das Risiko des Projekts zu verringern, internationale Investoren anzuziehen und Transparenz, geringere Kohlenstoffemissionen sowie Gemeindevorteile im argentinischen Bergbaubereich zu fördern.
McEwen Copper Inc.، وهي شركة فرعية لشركة McEwen Inc. (NYSE: MUX)، وقعت اتفاقية تعاون رئيسية مع المؤسسة المالية الدولية (IFC) لمشروع Los Azules لاستخراج النحاس في الأرجنتين. تهدف الاتفاقية إلى مواءمة المشروع مع معايير الحوكمة البيئية والاجتماعية والحوكمة (ESG) الخاصة بـ IFC لتسهيل التمويل المحتمل بالدين و/أو حقوق الملكية في المستقبل.
Los Azules، أحد أكبر رواسب النحاس غير المطورة في العالم، حصل على موافقة إعلان الأثر البيئي ويتوقع الانتهاء من دراسة الجدوى بحلول أكتوبر 2025. قدم المشروع طلبًا لبرنامج الحوافز الاستثمارية الكبيرة (RIGI) في الأرجنتين ويستعد لمرحلة البناء في انتظار الاكتمال الهندسي والتمويل.
تركّز الشراكة على دمج معايير أداء IFC في الاستدامة البيئية والاجتماعية، بهدف تقليل مخاطر المشروع وجذب المستثمرين الدوليين مع تعزيز الشفافية وتقليل انبعاثات الكربون وتحقيق فوائد للمجتمعات في قطاع التعدين الأرجنتيني.
McEwen Copper Inc.，是 McEwen Inc. (NYSE: MUX) 的子公司，已与< b>国际金融公司 (IFC)就阿根廷洛斯阿苏莱斯铜矿项目签署了关键合作协议。该协议旨在使项目符合 IFC 的环境、社会与治理（ESG）标准，以便未来可能的债务和/或股权融资。
洛斯阿苏莱斯是全球最大的未开发铜矿之一，已获得环境影响声明批准，预计在 2025 年 10 月 前完成可行性研究。该项目已申请阿根廷的大型投资激励制度（RIGI），并在等待工程完善和融资的前提下为建设阶段做准备。
此次合作重点是将 IFC 的环境与社会可持续性绩效标准整合到项目中，旨在降低项目风险、吸引国际投资者，同时在阿根廷矿业部门促进透明度、减少碳排放并为社区带来利益。
- Partnership with World Bank Group's IFC enhances project credibility and financing potential
- Environmental Impact Declaration (EIA) approval already secured
- Project qualifies as one of world's largest undeveloped copper deposits
- Potential access to Argentina's Large Investment Incentive Regime (RIGI)
- Strategic alignment with IFC's ESG standards could attract international investors
- Project still requires completion of feasibility study
- Significant financing still needed for construction phase
- Complex regulatory and environmental compliance requirements ahead
Insights
IFC-McEwen collaboration enhances Los Azules copper project's bankability and sustainability credentials, positioning it for potential World Bank financing.
This collaboration agreement between McEwen Copper and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) represents a significant step forward in the financing journey for the Los Azules copper project. By aligning with IFC's Performance Standards on Environmental and Social Sustainability, McEwen is effectively de-risking the project for international investors and potentially unlocking access to World Bank financing resources.
Los Azules stands among the largest undeveloped copper deposits globally, and this partnership comes at a critical juncture with the feasibility study nearing completion in October 2025 and Environmental Impact Declaration approval already secured. The company's application for Argentina's Large Investment Incentive Regime (RIGI) further strengthens its development framework.
The strategic value of this agreement extends beyond simple ESG compliance. The IFC collaboration functions as a powerful market signal that elevates the project's international credibility. IFC's potential dual role as both lead lender and equity partner would provide the significant capital needed for development while serving as a powerful vote of confidence that could attract additional investors.
For McEwen, securing IFC backing addresses one of the most challenging aspects of developing large-scale mining projects – establishing a clear pathway to the substantial capital requirements needed for construction while meeting increasingly stringent international environmental and social standards. This represents a critical milestone in converting Los Azules from a resource in the ground to a producing asset.
SAN JUAN, Argentina and TORONTO, Sept. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, and McEwen Copper Inc., a subsidiary of McEwen Inc. (NYSE: MUX) (TSX: MUX), have signed a collaboration agreement to support aligning the Los Azules copper project with IFC’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards for potential future debt and equity financing, an important milestone in McEwen Copper’s broader financing strategy for the project.
Situated in Argentina's San Juan province, Los Azules is one of the world's largest undeveloped copper deposits. The project has secured Environmental Impact Declaration (EIA) approval, and its feasibility study is slated for completion by October 2025. McEwen Copper has also applied for Argentina's Large Investment Incentive Regime (RIGI). Upon completion of final engineering and securing financing, Los Azules is positioned to begin construction, underscoring the company's dedication to sustainable mining practices that drive economic growth, job creation, and social development in San Juan and beyond.
The agreement emphasizes integrating IFC’s Performance Standards on Environmental and Social Sustainability into Los Azules' development. This initiative is intended to de-risk the project, align it with the criteria required for international investors, and support Argentina's mining sector by promoting greater transparency, reduced carbon emissions, and community benefits.
"We are pleased to be collaborating with McEwen Copper on the Los Azules project, to help it align with IFC Performance Standards and lay the ground for international project financing,” stated Manuela Adl, IFC’s Senior Country Manager for Argentina. “Through this project, IFC also seeks to encourage greater investment in Argentina’s mining sector and support its sustainable development. The World Bank Group is supporting Argentina to unlock its mining and metals industry potential in a sustainable way, maximize positive impacts for the country, create jobs, and support local economic development, including FX revenues."
"This IFC collaboration is a game-changer for Los Azules—it will help us align with top-tier sustainability standards while paving the way for IFC as a potential lead lender and equity partner, driving value for shareholders and Argentina alike," commented Rob McEwen, Chairman and Chief Owner of McEwen Inc.
"We're excited to collaborate with IFC experts to embed IFC’s Performance Standards into our design and operations. This proactive ESG integration, paired with a solid financing framework, bolsters Los Azules' path to success and elevates its appeal to global investors," added Michael Meding, VP & General Manager of McEwen Copper.
About IFC
IFC—a member of the World Bank Group—is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. Operating in over 100 countries, IFC leverages capital, expertise, and influence to foster markets and opportunities in developing nations. In fiscal year 2025, IFC committed a record
IFC Contact in Buenos Aires, Argentina
James Gatica Matheson +54 911 5710 2095 jgaticamatheson@ifc.org
About McEwen Inc.
McEwen Inc. is a gold and silver producer with operations in the Americas: Nevada (USA), Canada, Mexico, and Argentina. In addition, the company holds
The company’s shares are publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the symbol "MUX".
About McEwen Copper
McEwen Copper Inc. owns
Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including estimates, forecasts, and expectations about future events. These are based on reasonable assumptions but subject to uncertainties like market fluctuations, mining risks, political/economic factors in foreign operations, permitting delays, capital market conditions, environmental hazards, mineral calculations, and foreign exchange volatility. Actual results may differ materially. See McEwen Inc.'s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and other SEC filings under "Risk Factors" for details. The company undertakes no obligation to update these statements except as required by law. All forward-looking information is qualified by this cautionary statement.
The NYSE and TSX have not reviewed and do not accept responsibility for this release's adequacy or accuracy, prepared by McEwen Inc. management.
McEwen Inc. Investor Contact
Mihaela Iancu (866)-441-0690 toll free line, ext. 320, info@mcewenmining.com
FAQ
What is the significance of McEwen Copper's (NYSE: MUX) collaboration with IFC?
When will McEwen Copper's Los Azules project feasibility study be completed?
What approvals has McEwen Copper's Los Azules project received so far?
Where is McEwen Copper's Los Azules project located and what is its significance?
What are the next steps for McEwen Copper's Los Azules project?
