Highland Copper Completes Environmental Mitigation Program Demonstrating Benefit of Concurrent Reclamation at Copperwood Project

Executive Summary

• Highland Copper successfully completed its early site work and environmental mitigation program at the fully permitted Copperwood Project in Michigan, staying on schedule, within budget, and in full regulatory compliance.
• The program delivered 18 acres of compensating wetlands, planted ~20,000 native trees and vegetation, and advanced a 717‑acre wetland preservation easement.
• Infrastructure improvements included a new clear‑span bridge replacing culverts to enhance fish passage, with additional stream restoration slated for September 2025.

Key Details

• Program Scope: Early site preparation for future mine construction; focused on environmental safeguards and compliance with the Michigan Wetlands and Streams Permit.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ongoing inspections by EGLE confirmed all key obligations were met; permits remain in good standing.
• Wetland Creation: Approximately 18 acres of new compensating wetlands constructed to offset impacted areas.
• Revegetation Effort: Nearly 20,000 native trees, wildflowers, sedges, and rushes planted across newly created habitats and stream diversion zones.
• Long‑Term Preservation Commitment: Finalizing a conservation easement for a 717‑acre wetland preservation area with a long‑term management plan to protect the land beyond mine life.
• Infrastructure Upgrade: Replacement of culverts on Choate Road crossing over Bluff Creek with a clear‑span bridge, improving fish passage and stream habitat quality; further in‑stream restoration work scheduled for September 2025.
• Environmental Impact: Early reclamation demonstrated that concurrent mitigation can create high‑quality habitats, stabilize channels against erosion, and support biodiversity (e.g., vigorous vegetation growth observed between April and August 2025).
• CEO Comment: Barry O’Shea emphasized the significance of proactive environmental stewardship and the ability to conduct reclamation concurrently with development.

Notable Quotes

“Michigan has stringent regulation to ensure mining projects minimize and mitigate their impact. Highland takes this commitment seriously and has demonstrated this with its environmental mitigation work at this early stage of its development… We are particularly pleased that the stream and wetland projects are maturing well into high‑quality habitats.” – Barry O’Shea, CEO

Materiality Assessment: Non-Material – Positive (operational progress and environmental stewardship updates without direct financial impact).