South Pacific Metals Corp Announces Start of Drilling Program at Ontenu Northeast

Executive Summary

• South Pacific Metals Corp. announced the start of its maiden drilling program at the Ontenu Northeast prospect, part of the Osena project in Papua New Guinea.
• The program will test newly identified surface mineralised structures that have returned high-grade Au‑Ag‑Cu assays (up to 13.9 g/t Au and 645 g/t Ag).
• Four to six drill holes (~1,500 m total) are planned through the end of the 2025 field season, targeting depths of 100–250 m to intersect potential epithermal Au‑Cu veins.

Key Details

• Project Location: Ontenu Northeast prospect within the Kainantu Transfer Zone, Osena project area, PNG.
• Target Geology: Northwest‑trending mineralised structures previously identified in September and October 2025 releases; surface samples show up to 3.95 g/t Au, 645 g/t Ag, 1.56 % Cu over a 6 m interval.
• Additional Targets: Five other structures with chip assays up to 13.9 g/t Au and 388 g/t Ag will also be tested.
• Drilling Plan: 4–6 holes, total ~1,500 m of core, scheduled to complete by the end of the 2025 field season.
• Depth Objectives: First hole expected to intersect target structures between 100 m and 250 m depth; subsequent holes will further test these and additional structures.
• CEO Comment: “The drill program marks a major milestone for South Pacific… The whole team is excited to start drilling these holes, aimed at testing the deeper parts of these mineralised structures for high‑grade epithermal Au‑Cu veins.” – Timo Jauristo, CEO.

Notable Quotes

• Timo Jauristo, CEO: “The drill program marks a major milestone for South Pacific. Ontenu Northeast has not been drilled before… The first drill hole is planned to intersect several of these structures at depths between 100 m to 250 m.”