TNR Gold NSR Royalty Update - McEwen Copper's Los Azules Joins Argentina's Large Investment Incentive Regime (RIGI)

Rhea-AI Summary

TNR Gold (TSXV: TNR) announced that McEwen Copper's Los Azules copper, gold, and silver project in San Juan, Argentina has been approved for participation in Argentina's Large Investment Incentive Regime (RIGI). TNR holds a 0.4% net smelter returns royalty on the project.

The RIGI approval encompasses a US $2.672 billion investment and provides key benefits including 30-year legal, fiscal, and customs stability. The project is expected to generate over US $30 billion in export revenues and will be Argentina's first to produce high-purity copper cathodes.

Key developments include:

• Environmental Impact Declaration approval in December 2024
• Feasibility study completion expected by October 2025
• 25% corporate tax rate (reduced from 35%)
• 50% reduction in dividend withholding tax

Positive

• Project approval for RIGI status provides 30-year legal, fiscal, and customs stability
• Expected to generate over US $30 billion in export revenues
• Significant tax benefits including reduced corporate tax rate (25% vs 35%)
• Environmental Impact Declaration (EIA) already approved
• Project ready to begin construction pending financing

Negative

• Construction still subject to securing financing
• Substantial capital investment of US $2.672 billion required

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 2, 2025) - TNR Gold Corp. (TSXV: TNR) ("TNR", "TNR Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that McEwen Mining Inc. ("McEwen Mining") has provided an update on the Los Azules copper, gold and silver project in San Juan, Argentina. TNR holds a 0.4% net smelter returns royalty ("NSR Royalty") (of which 0.04% of the 0.4% NSR Royalty is held on behalf of a shareholder) on the Los Azules Copper Project. The Los Azules project is held by McEwen Copper Inc. ("McEwen Copper"), a subsidiary of McEwen Mining.

A news release, issued by McEwen Mining on September 26, 2025, stated:

"McEwen Copper Inc. ("McEwen Copper") is pleased to announce, as communicated by Minister of Economy Luis Caputo in his X account, the approval of Los Azules to participate in Argentina's Large Investment Incentive Regime (RIGI), a key policy instrument to promote strategic initiatives that drive the country's productive development.

The Project's inclusion in the RIGI encompasses an investment of US $2.672 billion, consolidating under a single plan the exploration, construction, and operational stages of the copper mining development project located in Calingasta, San Juan Province.

This milestone represents a decisive endorsement from Argentina for a project set to become the first in the nation's mining history to produce high-purity copper cathodes, ready for direct industrial use. The approval not only endorses the technical and financial robustness of Los Azules but also its sustainable approach, designed from the outset to minimize environmental and water impacts, operate entirely on renewable energy and contribute to local economic development in a structural and long-term manner.

Los Azules is projected to generate more than US $30 billion in export revenues (based on the Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) base case published in June 2023) and deliver a substantial net inflow of foreign currency to Argentina, while creating significant positive impacts in employment, local development, and tax revenues at both the provincial and national levels.

'This approval reinforces McEwen Copper's long-term commitment to Argentina and the Province of San Juan, advancing a model of modern, responsible, and sustainable mining. The integration of Los Azules into the RIGI under a single strategic investment plan enhances operational predictability and establishes a clear framework for engagement with the State and future partners,' said Michael Meding, Vice President of McEwen Copper and General Manager of the Los Azules Project.

'The RIGI sends a powerful message to international investors: Argentina is open to supporting long-term projects in energy and critical metals. This framework strengthens confidence in the country and creates the right environment to secure the financing required for mining ventures. For Los Azules, it marks a decisive step that allows us to advance the development and unlock the potential of a copper deposit of global significance,' said Rob McEwen, Chairman and Chief Owner of McEwen Inc.

Key benefits of RIGI include legal, fiscal, and customs stability for 30 years, such as:

• Legal certainty, including dispute resolution mechanisms and safeguards against regulatory changes.

• Tax incentives including the application of the 25% lowest tax bracket for companies (down from the general 35%), a 50% reduction in the dividend withholding tax, accelerated depreciation for new capital investments, early VAT recovery, and long-term tax stability.

• Streamlined customs and foreign exchange procedures, including the import of capital goods and debt repayment facilitation.

Next Steps: Toward Feasibility and Construction

The Environmental Impact Declaration (EIA) for construction and operation was approved in December 2024, the feasibility study is on track for completion by the end of October 2025, and the official inclusion of Los Azules in the RIGI has been confirmed. The Project is now positioned to begin construction, subject to detailed engineering and securing financing. In parallel, McEwen Copper plans to continue to aggressively explore around Los Azules to potentially extend the size and life of the resource. This progress reinforces McEwen Copper's standing as a leader in sustainable mining and a strategic driver of economic and social development in San Juan and across Argentina.

ABOUT MCEWEN INC.

McEwen Inc. is a gold and silver producer with operations in Nevada (USA), Canada, Mexico, and Argentina. The Company owns 46.4% of McEwen Copper, which develops the large, advanced-stage Los Azules copper project. Los Azules aims to become Argentina's first regenerative copper mine.

Focused on enhancing productivity and extending the life of its assets, the Company's goal is to increase its share price and provide a yield to investors. Rob McEwen, Chairman and Chief Owner, has a personal investment in the companies of US$205 million.

ABOUT MCEWEN COPPER

McEwen Copper Inc. holds a 100% interest in the Los Azules copper project in San Juan, Argentina and the Elder Creek copper/gold project in Nevada, USA.

Los Azules is the 9^th largest undeveloped copper deposit in the world. It is designed to be distinctly different from conventional copper mines by consuming significantly less water, emitting much lower carbon emissions, and progressing towards carbon neutrality by 2038. Additionally, it will be powered by 100% renewable electricity once operational. The PEA published in June 2023 for the Project estimates a $2.7 billion after-tax NPV8% at $3.75/lb Cu, a 27-year mine life, a copper resource of 10.9 billion pounds at grade 0.40% Cu (Indicated category) and an additional 26.7 billion pounds at grade 0.31% Cu (Inferred category)."

For further details, visit the McEwen Mining website.

Qualified Persons

The McEwen Mining preliminary economic assessment (PEA) is contained in a technical report titled, "Canadian National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report Preliminary Economic Assessment, Los Azules copper Project" and dated May 31, 2023. The authors of the technical report are: James L. Sorensen, FAusIMM - Samuel Engineering, Allan L. Schappert, CPG, SME-RM - Stantec Inc., Steven Alan Pozder, PE, MBA - Samuel Engineering, Satjeet Pandher, PE - Stantec Inc., Richard F. Reinke, P. Geo. - Stantec Inc., James L. Sorensen, FAusIMM - Samuel Engineering, Allan L. Schappert, CPG, SME-RM - Stantec Inc., Steven Alan Pozder, PE, MBA - Samuel Engineering, Satjeet Pandher, PE - Stantec Inc., Richard F. Reinke, P. Geo. - Stantec Inc., consultants of McEwen Mining.

Technical aspects of the McEwen Mining news release containing the PEA were reviewed and verified by James L. Sorensen - FAusIMM Reg. No. 221286 with Samuel Engineering, who is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101- Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and a consultant of McEwen Mining.

The McEwen Mining press release appears to be reviewed and verified by a Qualified Person (as that term is defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects) and the procedures, methodology and key assumptions disclosed therein are those adopted and consistently applied in the mining industry, but no Qualified Person engaged by TNR has done sufficient work to analyze, interpret, classify or verify McEwen Mining's information to determine the current mineral resource or other information referred to in its press releases. Accordingly, the reader is cautioned in placing any reliance on the disclosures therein.

Kirill Klip stated, "We are pleased that McEwen Copper has reached this major milestone after it secured an environmental permit for the construction and operation of the Los Azules copper project. Our Company has repaid our investment loan in full, and we believe that the recent market prices of our shares do not properly reflect the underlying value of TNR's assets. Our transformation from a project generation junior mining company into a cashflow-generating royalty company may bring the necessary catalyst for improved market valuation of our assets. The admission to the Regime of Incentives for Investment (RIGI) could move the Los Azules copper project development closer to a construction decision."

Significant developments on the advancement of the Los Azules project towards the feasibility stage have led to increased Rio Tinto and Stellantis holdings in McEwen Copper, strategic partners of this large copper, gold and silver project. In 2023, Stellantis invested an aggregate ARS $72 billion. An additional US $100 million in total was invested by Rio Tinto's Venture Nuton in McEwen Copper. TNR Gold's vision is aligned with the leaders of innovation among automakers like Stellantis, whose aim is to decarbonize mobility, and mining industry leaders such as Rob McEwen, whose vision is 'to build a mine for the future, based on regenerative principles that can achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2038'.

Together with Nuton, McEwen Copper is exploring new technologies that save energy, water, time and capital, advancing Los Azules towards the goal of leading environmental performance. The involvement of Rio Tinto, with its innovative technology, may also accelerate realizing the potential of the Los Azules project.

The green energy rEVolution relies on the supply of critical metals like copper. Delivering 'green copper' to Argentina and the world will contribute to the clean energy transition and electrification of transportation and energy industries.

The new president of Argentina has introduced important government policies aimed at supporting business and unlocking the country's economic potential. Mining in Argentina is being recognized by the government as an integral part of its economic development plan, providing jobs and enriching local communities.

The Los Azules Project preliminary economic assessment (PEA) results highlight the potential to create a robust leach project while reducing the environmental footprint, and greater environmental and social stewardship sets the project apart from other potential mine developments.

It's also encouraging to see an updated independent mineral resource estimate that has increased the resource estimate significantly. Infill drilling during the 2023-24 season upgraded the resource categories, validated the geological model and confirmed the high-grade zone. Resource drilling for the Los Azules feasibility study is now complete, and the study appears to be on track for delivery in 2025.

Los Azules was ranked in the top ten largest undeveloped copper deposits in the world by Mining Intelligence (2022). TNR Gold does not have to contribute any capital for the development of the Los Azules Project. The essence of our business model is to have industry leaders like McEwen Mining as operators on the projects that will potentially generate royalty cashflows to contribute significant value for our shareholders."

ABOUT TNR GOLD CORP.

TNR Gold Corp. is working to become the green energy metals royalty and gold company.

Our business model provides a unique entry point in the creation of supply chains for critical materials like energy metals that are powering the energy rEVolution, and the gold industry that is providing a hedge for this stage of the economic cycle.

Our portfolio provides a unique combination of assets with exposure to multiple aspects of the mining cycle: the power of blue-sky discovery and important partnerships with industry leaders as operators on the projects that will potentially generate royalty cashflows to contribute significant value for our shareholders.

Over the past twenty-nine years, TNR, through its lead generator business model, has been successful in generating high-quality global exploration projects. With the Company's expertise, resources and industry network, the potential of the Mariana Lithium Project and Los Azules Copper Project in Argentina, among many others, have been recognized.

TNR holds a 1.5% NSR royalty on the Mariana Lithium Project in Argentina, of which 0.15% of such NSR royalty is held on behalf of a shareholder of the Company. Ganfeng Lithium's subsidiary, Litio Minera Argentina ("LMA"), has the right to repurchase 1.0% of the NSR royalty on the Mariana Project, of which 0.9% is the Company's NSR royalty interest. The Company would receive CAN$900,000, and its shareholder would receive CAN$100,000 on the repurchase by LMA, resulting in TNR holding a 0.45% NSR royalty and its shareholder holding a 0.05% NSR royalty.

The Mariana Lithium Project is 100% owned by Ganfeng Lithium. The Mariana Lithium Project has been approved by the Argentina provincial government of Salta for an environmental impact report. Ganfeng officially inaugurated Mariana Lithium's start of production at a 20,000 tons-per-annum lithium chloride plant on February 12, 2025.

TNR Gold also holds a 0.4% NSR royalty on the Los Azules Copper Project, of which 0.04% of the 0.4% NSR royalty is held on behalf of a shareholder of the Company. The Los Azules Copper Project is being developed by McEwen Mining.

TNR also holds a 7% NPR on the Batidero I and II properties of the Josemaria Project that is being developed by the joint-venture between Lundin Mining and BHP.

TNR provides significant exposure to gold through its 90% holding in the Shotgun Gold porphyry project in Alaska. The project is located in Southwestern Alaska near the Donlin Gold project, which is being developed by Novagold Resources. The Company's strategy with the Shotgun Gold Project is to attract a joint venture partnership with a major gold mining company. The Company is actively introducing the project to interested parties.

At its core, TNR provides a wide scope of exposure to gold, copper, silver and lithium through its holdings in Alaska (the Shotgun Gold porphyry project) and royalty holdings in Argentina (the Mariana Lithium project, the Los Azules Copper Project and the Batidero I & II properties of the Josemaria Project), and is committed to the continued generation of in-demand projects, while diversifying its markets and building shareholder value.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Kirill Klip
Executive Chairman

www.tnrgoldcorp.com

For further information concerning this news release, please contact Kirill Klip +1 604-229-8129

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 Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Except for statements of historical fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "will", "could" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "could" occur, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Specifically, forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements made in relation to: TNR's corporate objectives and future potential transactions being considered by the Special Committee and the Board, and the benefit that TNR's shareholders may derive from same; TNR's future receipt of cash flows from its royalty holdings and the subsequent contribution of significant value to its shareholders; the possible growth of TNR's value; future revenue and increased valuations of TNR's royalty holdings caused by potential strategic alliances with major mining companies and investment institutions; the use of potential future cash flows to fund a normal course issuer bid; the potential spin-out of the Shotgun Gold Project; future investment of substantial capital in the development of the Shotgun Gold Project by a potential partner of TNR; the future potential of the the Kuskokwim Gold Belt in southwestern Alaska; the possible benefits that may accrue to the Los Azules copper project if McEwen Copper's application for admission to the Regime of Incentives for Investment is successful; the potential acceleration of the Los Azules project's potential due to Rio Tinto's involvement in the project; and the potential benefits caused by delivering 'green copper' to Argentina and the world. Such forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions and subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those discussed in the sections entitled "Risks" and "Forward-Looking Statements" in the Company's interim and annual Management's Discussion and Analysis which are available under the Company's SEDAR+ profile on www.sedarplus.ca. While management believes that the assumptions made and reflected in this news release are reasonable, should one or more of the risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking information. In particular, there can be no assurance that: TNR will enter into one or more strategic transactions, partnership or a spin-out, or be able to complete any further royalty acquisitions or sales of royalty interests, or portions thereof; debt or equity financings will be available to TNR; or that TNR will be able to achieve any of its corporate objectives. TNR relies on the confirmation of its ownership for mining claims from the appropriate government agencies when paying rental payments for such mining claims requested by these agencies. There could be a risk in the future of the changing internal policies of such government agencies or risk related to the third parties, in future, challenging the ownership of such mining claims. Given these uncertainties, readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements included herein are not guarantees of future performance, and such forward-looking statements should not be unduly relied on.

In formulating the forward-looking statements contained herein, management has assumed that business and economic conditions affecting TNR, and its royalty partners, McEwen Mining Inc., Ganfeng Lithium and Lundin Mining will continue substantially in the ordinary course, including without limitation with respect to general industry conditions, general levels of economic activity and regulations. These assumptions, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect.

Forward-looking information herein and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking information are based on estimates and opinions of management on the dates they are made and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking information should circumstances or management's estimates or opinions change.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/268787

FAQ

What is TNR Gold's royalty percentage in the Los Azules copper project?

TNR Gold holds a 0.4% net smelter returns royalty on the Los Azules Copper Project, with 0.04% of this royalty held on behalf of a shareholder.

What are the key benefits of Los Azules joining Argentina's RIGI program?

Key benefits include 30-year legal, fiscal, and customs stability, reduced corporate tax rate (25% vs 35%), 50% reduction in dividend withholding tax, accelerated depreciation, and streamlined customs procedures.

How much revenue is the Los Azules copper project expected to generate?

The project is projected to generate more than US $30 billion in export revenues, based on the Preliminary Economic Assessment published in June 2023.

What is the total investment required for the Los Azules copper project?

The project requires a total investment of US $2.672 billion, covering exploration, construction, and operational stages.

When will the Los Azules copper project feasibility study be completed?

The feasibility study is expected to be completed by the end of October 2025.