Nevada Copper Provides Update on Operational Advances

Rhea-AI Summary

Nevada Copper Corp. (OTC: NEVDF) recently provided key updates on its operations at the Pumpkin Hollow Project. The company reported a 20% increase in lateral development rates at its Underground Mine, totaling approximately 760 feet over the past month. The high-grade Sugar Cube zone is set for drilling in December, with mining expected to start in Q1 2022. The processing plant is functioning well, and surface ventilation fans are on schedule for installation. Additionally, the company plans to enhance its open pit studies with new funding.

Positive

• 20% increase in lateral development rates at the Underground Mine.
• Drilling of high-grade Sugar Cube zone scheduled for December, with expected mining in Q1 2022.
• Processing plant operating at design specifications, anticipating increased production rates.
• Surface ventilation fans on schedule for timely installation.

Negative

• None.

YERINGTON, Nev., Nov. 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nevada Copper Corp. (TSX: NCU) (OTC: NEVDF) (FSE: ZYTA) (“Nevada Copper” or the “Company”) today provided an update on its operations, including advances at the Company’s underground mine at its Pumpkin Hollow Project (the “Underground Mine”) and an update on its 2022 development plan.

Underground Mine Operations Highlights

• Lateral Development Rates Continue to Rise. The Company has advanced approximately 760 lateral equivalent feet in the past 30 days, a 20% increase in average daily footage from the previous 30 days. Lateral development continues on multiple headings, providing access to ore mining zones in the East South orebody and advancing development towards the East North orebody.  
• Sugar Cube to be Blasted Shortly. The high-grade Sugar Cube zone is planned to be drilled in December and mining is expected to commence in early Q1 2022. This will be the first stope mined in the East North orebody, which is expected to have higher quality ground conditions and significantly larger stope sizes.
• Processing Plant Operating Well. The mill continues to run at design specifications with the grinding, flotation, thickening, and concentrate filtration circuits performing well mechanically. The Company anticipates increased production and recovery rates with the addition of the Sugar Cube zone to the processing plant’s ore feed in Q1 2022.
  
• Surface Ventilation Fans on Schedule. The surface ventilation fans are on schedule to arrive on site in approximately 3 weeks with installation and commissioning expected to be completed on time in line with the demands of the mine plan.
  

2022 Development Plan Update

• Open Pit Drilling and Progressing. With additional funding received from the Company’s recent public equity offering, the Company intends to undertake an infill drilling campaign and to update its open pit studies to reflect opportunities for increased scale, larger resource and other optimization workstreams. Further updates on the Company’s 2022 development plan will be released shortly.
  

“I am pleased with the operational advances we have achieved this month, as we build on the progress from Q3,” stated Randy Buffington, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our development rates continue to increase on a weekly basis and will soon provide access to the larger high-grade stopes, which is expected to result in increased ore feed delivered to our fully operational processing plant for a step further in our ramp-up progression.”

Qualified Persons
The technical information and data in this news release was reviewed by Greg French, C.P.G., VP Head of Exploration of Nevada Copper, and Neil Schunke, P.Eng., a consultant to Nevada Copper, who are non-independent Qualified Persons within the meaning of NI 43-101.

About Nevada Copper
Nevada Copper (TSX: NCU) is a copper producer and owner of the Pumpkin Hollow copper project. Located in Nevada, USA, Pumpkin Hollow has substantial reserves and resources including copper, gold and silver. Its two fully permitted projects include the high-grade Underground Mine and processing facility, which is now in the production stage, and a large-scale open pit project, which is advancing towards feasibility status.

NEVADA COPPER CORP.
www.nevadacopper.com

Randy Buffington, President and CEO

For further information contact:
Rich Matthews, Investor Relations
Integrous Communications
rmatthews@integcom.us
+1 604 757 7179

Cautionary Language

This news release includes certain statements and information that constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information specifically include, but are not limited to, statements that relate to mine development, production and ramp-up objectives, equipment installation, drilling programs and the completion of a new feasibility study.

Forward-looking statements and information include statements regarding the expectations and beliefs of management. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements and forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”, “potential”, “is expected”, “anticipated”, “is targeted”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates”, or “believes” or the negatives thereof 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. Forward-looking statements or information should not be read as guarantees of future performance and results. They are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results and events to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information.

Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, those relating to: the ability of the Company to complete the ramp-up of the Underground Mine within the expected cost estimates and timeframe; requirements for additional capital and no assurance can be given regarding the availability thereof; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the business and operations of the Company; the state of financial markets; history of losses; dilution; adverse events relating to milling operations, construction, development and ramp-up, including the ability of the Company to address underground development and process plant issues; ground conditions; cost overruns relating to development, construction and ramp-up of the Underground Mine; loss of material properties; interest rates increase; global economy; limited history of production; future metals price fluctuations; speculative nature of exploration activities; periodic interruptions to exploration, development and mining activities; environmental hazards and liability; industrial accidents; failure of processing and mining equipment to perform as expected; labor disputes; supply problems; uncertainty of production and cost estimates; the interpretation of drill results and the estimation of mineral resources and reserves; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; possible variations in ore reserves, grade of mineralization or recovery rates from management’s expectations and the difference may be material; legal and regulatory proceedings and community actions; accidents; title matters; regulatory approvals and restrictions; increased costs and physical risks relating to climate change, including extreme weather events, and new or revised regulations relating to climate change; permitting and licensing; volatility of the market price of the Company’s securities; insurance; competition; hedging activities; currency fluctuations; loss of key employees; other risks of the mining industry as well as those risks discussed in the Company’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis in respect of the year ended December 31, 2020 and in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Information Form dated March 18, 2021. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements or information. The forward-looking information or statements are stated as of the date hereof. Nevada Copper disclaims any intent or obligation to update forward-looking statements or information except as required by law. Readers are referred to the additional information regarding Nevada Copper’s business contained in Nevada Copper’s reports filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events, or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that could cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. For more information on Nevada Copper and the risks and challenges of its business, investors should review Nevada Copper’s filings that are available at www.sedar.com.

Nevada Copper provides no assurance that forward-looking statements and information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements or information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

FAQ

What operational updates did Nevada Copper Corp. announce for the Underground Mine?

Nevada Copper reported a 20% increase in lateral development rates and plans to drill the Sugar Cube zone in December, with mining anticipated in Q1 2022.

What is the significance of the Sugar Cube zone for Nevada Copper?

The Sugar Cube zone is expected to yield high-quality ground conditions and larger stope sizes, enhancing ore feed for the processing plant.

How is the processing plant performing for Nevada Copper?

The processing plant is operating well, running at design specifications and expecting increased production and recovery rates with the addition of ore from the Sugar Cube zone.

What are the upcoming plans for Nevada Copper in 2022?

Nevada Copper plans to undertake infill drilling and update its open pit studies, following funding from a recent public equity offering.

What challenges could impact Nevada Copper's operations?

Potential risks include the ability to ramp up production as scheduled, financing availability, and external factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic.