News

Cuprum To Be Acquired by QC Copper & Gold to create Eastern Canada’s Leading Copper Developer: XXIX Metal Corp.

Highlights:

• Cuprum and its 100% owned Thierry project to be acquired by QC Copper in an all-share deal.
• Cuprum shareholders to own 32% of QC Copper post transaction.
• The acquisition strengthens QC Copper’s position as a major Canadian copper developer with two large, easily accessible multi-billion-pound copper projects.
• Thierry Copper Project, a 7,907-hectare past producer, offers significant growth potential.
• The combined company will rebrand as XXIX Metal Corp., reflecting copper’s atomic number 29.

Toronto, Ontario – October 1, 2024 – Cuprum Corp. (the “Company” or “Cuprum”) is pleased to announce that QC Copper and Gold Inc. (“QC Copper”) has signed a binding share purchase agreement with the Company’s principal shareholders and its concurrent offer to purchase to all of the other shareholders of ‎Cuprum pursuant to which QC Copper expects to acquire 100% of Cuprum in an all-share deal (the “Transaction”). This acquisition will establish QC Copper as one of Canada’s largest copper resource developers, and Eastern Canada’s largest copper developer, with two multi-billion-pound copper deposits in Quebec and Ontario—Canada’s best mining jurisdictions.  

Cuprum Shareholders to Participate in QC Copper’s Growth Story

Following the completion of the Transaction, Cuprum shareholders will collectively own 32% of QC Copper, which would own two high-quality and strategic, multi-billion pound assets in excellent jurisdictions. This Transaction immediately positions QC Copper as one of Canada’s largest copper resource developers, focused on a dual asset strategy: advancing the Opemiska towards a high-quality Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA)‎, and concurrently, advancing Thierry towards an updated, high-quality mineral resource estimate. 

Strategic Value of Cuprum’s Thierry Copper Project

The Thierry Copper Project ‎(“Thierry”) spans 7,907 hectares and historically produced 5.8 million tonnes grading 1.13% copper, and 0.14% nickel. Both QC Copper’s Opemiska and Cuprum’s Thierry Mine historically shipped its copper concentrates to the Horne Smelter in Rouyn-Noranda. Thierry currently hosts two resource-stage deposits—Thierry Underground, known as K2 and the K1 Open Pit, both with National Instrument 43-101 ‎‎– Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”) compliant resources. Thierry has two additional near surface zones—J & G zones—with historical resources (see the disclosure below on Historical Resources). Thierry can be easily accessed via all-season road and is proximal to other necessary infrastructure including hydroelectric power, rail and airport.

Thierry Resources

Thierry (Underground) Mineral Resource Estimate at $60/t Cut-Off:

Classification	Tonnes	Cu (%)	Ni (%)	Au (g/t)	Pt (g/t)	Pd (g/t)	Ag (g/t)
Measured	3,233,000	1.65	0.19	0.03	0.03	0.09	4.6
Indicated	5,582,000	1.66	0.19	0.05	0.05	0.14	3.8
Measured & Indicated	8,815,000	1.66	0.19	0.05	0.04	0.13	4.0
Inferred	14,922,000	1.64	0.16	0.10	0.07	0.21	6.4

Table 1) 2021 Thierry underground mineral resource estimate.

K1-1 Pit Constrained Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate at $12/t Cut-Off:

$12/tonne cut-off NSR	Tonnes	Cu (%)	Ni (%)	Au (g/t)	Pt (g/t)	Pd (g/t)	Ag (g/t)
Inferred	53,614,000	0.38	0.10	0.03	0.05	0.14	1.8

Table 2) 2021 K1-1 open pit inferred resource estimate.

Historical Mineral Resources for J & G Zones (See disclosure regarding Historical Resources):

Classification	Tons	Cu (%)	Ni (%)
Surface to level 1,000 ft	55,000,000	0.40	0.11

Table 3) Historical Resources at J & G zones (UMEX 1974, 1981).

Disclosure Regarding Historical Resources

As at the date of this news release, a ‎qualified person has not completed sufficient work to classify the ‎‎above historical estimate ‎as current mineral resources or mineral reserves in accordance with NI 43-101 ‎‎and the parties are not treating the historical ‎estimate above as current mineral resources. In order to ‎‎verify the historical estimate, QC Copper needs to retain a qualified person to review the historical data, ‎‎review any work ‎completed on the property since the date of the estimate and complete a new technical ‎‎report.‎ The parties view this historical data as a conceptual indication of the potential size and grade of ‎‎the gold deposits in the area, and this data is relevant to ongoing exploration efforts. ‎

Substantial Increase to QC Copper’s Global Resource Base

The acquisition of Thierry would potentially increase QC Copper’s current copper resource base by 70%. ‎Cuprum reminds ‎its shareholders of Opemiska’s high-grade mineral resource estimate:‎‎

Opemiska Resources:

Pit Constrained	Tonnes	Cu	Cu	Ag	Ag	Au	Au	CuEq	CuEq
0.15% CuEq Cut-Off	(k)	(%)	(M lbs)	(g/t)	(koz)	(g/t)	(koz)	(%)	(M lbs)
Measured	52,704	0.77	892	1.65	2,800	0.3	500	0.94	1,091
Indicated	34,629	0.77	586	1.31	1,458	0.24	261	0.9	690
Measured & Indicated	87,333	0.77	1,478	1.52	4,258	0.27	762	0.93	1,780
Inferred	9,791	0.48	104	2.19	689	0.18	55	0.59	128

Table 4) Pit Constrained Resource at Opemiska

Out of Pit	Tonnes	Cu	Cu	Ag	Ag	Au	Au	CuEq	CuEq
0.8% CuEq Cut-Off	(k)	(%)	(M lbs)	(g/t)	(koz)	(g/t)	(koz)	(%)	(M lbs)
Measured	4,064	1.24	111	3.81	498	0.32	42	1.44	129
Indicated	6,067	1.18	157	3.92	764	0.22	42	1.32	176
Measured & Indicated	10,130	1.2	268	3.87	1,261	0.26	83	1.37	305
Inferred	1,162	0.89	23	5.84	218	0.4	15	1.15	29

Table 5) Out of Pit Resource at Opemiska

Total	Tonnes	Cu	Cu	Ag	Ag	Au	Au	CuEq	CuEq
0.15% & 0.8% CuEq Cut-Off	(k)	(%)	(M lbs)	(g/t)	(koz)	(g/t)	(koz)	(%)	(M lbs)
Measured	56,767	0.8	1,003	1.81	3,297	0.3	542	0.97	1,219
Indicated	40,696	0.83	743	1.7	2,222	0.23	303	0.97	866
Measured & Indicated	97,463	0.81	1,746	1.76	5,519	0.27	845	0.97	2,085
Inferred	10,953	0.53	127	2.58	907	0.2	70	0.65	157

Table 6) Total Resource at Opemiska

1. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
2. The estimate of Mineral Resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues.
3. The Inferred Mineral Resource in this estimate has a lower level of confidence than that applied to an Indicated Mineral Resource and must not be converted to a Mineral Reserve. It is reasonably expected that the majority of the Inferred Mineral Resource could potentially be upgraded to an Indicated Mineral Resource with continued exploration.
4. The Mineral Resources were estimated in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM), CIM Standards on Mineral Resources and Reserves, Definitions (2014) and Best Practices Guidelines (2019) prepared by the CIM Standing Committee on Reserve Definitions and adopted by the CIM Council.
5. Metal prices used were US4.00/lb Cu and US$1,875/oz Au, US$24/oz Ag and 0.76 CDN$/US$ FX. Cu, Au and Ag process recovery and smelter payable were 91%, 72% and 72% respectfully. Open pit mining cost was C$2.50/t, processing C$14/t, G&A C$2.25t. Out of pit mining costs were C$68/t.
6. Pit slopes were 50 degrees in rock and 30 degrees in overburden.
7. Historical mined volumes were depleted from the blocks to report the correct tonnages and metal content of the remaining high-grade vein material.
8. CuEq % = Cu % + (Au g/t x 0.54) + (Ag g/t x0.007.
9. Out-of-pit Mineral Resources were selected which exhibit continuity and reasonable potential for extraction by the long hole underground mining method. Narrow strings of grade blocks and orphaned blocks were depleted.
10. Totals may not sum due to rounding.

Unlocking Value Through Collaboration

The acquisition of Cuprum aligns with QC Copper’s broader strategy to acquire high-potential assets in Canada. Opemiska and Thierry are similar brownfield assets in established mining-friendly jurisdictions. Like Opemiska, Thierry has an abundance of historical and recent data that the QC Copper technical team will leverage to identify high-quality drill targets that could expand the currently known resources at Thierry Underground and K1.

Thierry is a past producer with substantial current and historic resources along with a PEA on the high-grade underground zone know as K2. Our primary focus for Thierry will be on the K1 Zone, a large, well-modeled surface bulk-tonnage area. It remains open along strike, and recent drilling suggests it is both wider and higher grade at depth.

Thierry offers scale, growth, and, like Opemiska, access to unparalleled infrastructure. This Acquisition enhances the company’s profile, diversifies our portfolio and gives our shareholders a multiple asset strategy.

“This transaction is a natural extension of QC Copper’s vision to become a leader in copper development,” said Stephen Stewart, CEO of QC Copper and a principal shareholder of Cuprum. “Cuprum’s Thierry project adds significant upside to our asset base, positioning us to capitalize on the growing global demand for copper in the renewable energy and electrification sectors.”

Terms of the Transaction

Pursuant to the terms of the share purchase agreement with the principal shareholders of Cuprum (‎which collectively own 41.3% of Cuprum)‎ and the offer to purchase that was issued to all of the other shareholders of Cuprum‎, QC Copper will issue 1.1538 common shares of QC Copper (“QC Copper Shares”) for every Cuprum common share, based on QC Copper’s share price of $0.13. QC Copper will issue an aggregate of 82.76 million QC Copper Shares in connection with the Acquisition, securing full ownership of Cuprum’s assets, including the multi-billion-pound Thierry Copper Project.

A New Era:  Rebranding as XXIX Metal Corp.

Following the completion of the Transaction and subject to regulatory and TSX Venture Exchange (“TSXV”) approvals, QC Copper intends to change its name to XXIX Metal Corp. (“XXIX”), with a new TSXV ticker symbol XXIX, signaling a new era. XXIX represents copper’s atomic number, 29, indicating commitment and focus on becoming a dominant player in the copper development space.

With the acquisition of Cuprum, XXIX will be one of Canada’s largest copper resource portfolios, and will establish itself as Eastern Canada’s largest copper developer.

Conditions and Approvals

This Transaction is subject to approval from the TSXV and QC Copper’s disinterested shareholders, with an annual general and special meeting of shareholders of QC Copper expected to be held in December, 2024 (the ‎‎“Meeting”). Full details of the Transaction will be included in the management information circular to be ‎‎mailed to shareholders of QC Copper in connection with the Meeting. Subject to these approvals, closing is expected ‎by the end of December, 2024‎.

Governance and Shareholder Protections

The Transaction will be a Non-Arm’s Length Transaction under TSXV policies, and will be treated as a “related ‎party transaction” for QC Copper under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 – Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special ‎Transactions (“MI 61-101”) as certain directors and officers of QC Copper and of a controlling shareholder of Cuprum are also directors, officers and/or shareholders Cuprum. These directors and officers own, directly or indirectly, ‎‎3,400,000 Cuprum Shares and are expect to receive an aggregate of 3,922,920 QC Copper Shares ‎pursuant to the Transaction.‎

MI 61-101 requires that an issuer obtain approval of a majority of the disinterested shareholders as well ‎as a formal valuation for a transaction that constitutes a related party transaction, absent an exemption ‎from such requirements. Each issuance of QC Copper Shares to a related party will be considered a ‎‎“related party transaction” for QC Copper within the meaning of MI 61-101 but it is expected that each will be exempt ‎from the valuation requirement of MI 61-101 as the QC Copper Shares are not listed on a specified ‎market, and from the minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 in that the fair market ‎value of the consideration of the QC Copper Shares issued to each related party will not exceed 25% of ‎QC Copper’s market capitalization.‎

Cuprum’s Board of Directors formed a Special Committee to evaluate the Transaction, ensuring the ‎‎transaction serves the best interests of all shareholders. Independent financial ‎advisory firm Working Capital Corporation provided a fairness opinion, confirming that the Transaction ‎is fair, ‎from a financial point of view, to the shareholders of Cuprum.‎ The Board has unanimously approved the Transaction.

Qualified ‎Person‎ Statement ‎

The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Charles ‎‎Beaudry, P.Geo and géo., Director and Vice President Exploration for QC Copper & Gold, a Qualified ‎‎Person, as defined in “National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.”‎

About Cuprum Corp.

Cuprum owns 100% of the Thierry Copper project which is the largest primary copper project in Pickle Lake, Ontario. Thierry spans 7,907 hectares across 27 mineral leases, 163 contiguous cell claims and 16 boundary claims. The property hosts two past-producing open pits that transitioned to underground mining—producing 5.8Mt @ 1.13% Cu, 0.14% Ni between 1976 – 1982 by UMEX Inc. Historically, copper concentrate was shipped to the Horne Smelter in Rouyn-Noranda, QC. Significant infrastructure is already in place, with the property being accessible via all-season road, an airport within 5km, a provincial power grid within 8km, and nearby rail.

About QC Copper & Gold Inc.

QC Copper & Gold Inc. is advancing its flagship Opémiska copper mining complex in Quebec, a former high-grade copper producer. QC Copper’s most recent resource estimate outlined a substantial 2.1 billion pounds of copper equivalent in measured and indicated resources, solidifying its position as a key player in the Canadian copper sector.

For further information, please contact us:

Cuprum Corp.

Stephen Stewart, Chairman

416.644.1567‎

sstewart@oregroup.ca ‎

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements or information ‎‎(“forward-‎looking statements)”, including details about the business of the Company. All statements ‎in this news ‎release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments ‎that the Company ‎expects to occur, are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the ‎anticipated benefits of the Transaction to the shareholders of the Company; the timing and anticipated ‎‎receipt of required regulatory (including TSXV) and shareholder approvals for the Transaction; the ‎ability ‎of the parties to satisfy the other conditions to, and to complete, the Transaction; and the ‎anticipated ‎timing of the Meeting and the closing of the Transaction. By their nature, forward-looking statements ‎are ‎subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond the Company’s control, ‎including ‎the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, volatility of commodity ‎prices, currency ‎fluctuations, environmental risks, operational risks, competition from other industry ‎participants, stock market ‎volatility. Although the Company believes that the expectations in its ‎forward-looking statements are ‎reasonable, its forward-looking statements have been based on ‎factors and assumptions concerning future ‎events which may prove to be inaccurate. Those factors ‎and assumptions are based upon currently available ‎information. Such statements are subject to ‎known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that ‎could influence actual results or events ‎and cause actual results or events to differ materially from those ‎stated, anticipated or implied in the ‎forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to ‎place undue reliance on the ‎forward-looking statements, as no assurance can be provided as to future results, ‎levels of activity or ‎achievements. Risks, uncertainties, material assumptions and other factors that could ‎affect actual ‎results are discussed in the Company’s public disclosure documents available at  ‎www.sedarplus.ca. ‎Furthermore, the forward-looking statements contained in this document are made as of the ‎date of ‎this document and, except as required by applicable law, the Company does not undertake any ‎‎obligation to publicly update or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a ‎result of ‎new information, future events or otherwise. The forward-looking statements contained in ‎this document are ‎expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.‎

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.