Northwest Copper starts metallurgy testing at Kwanika

Mr. Paul Olmsted reports NORTHWEST ANNOUNCES METALLURGICAL PROGRAM UNDERWAY TO TEST FOR ENHANCED RECOVERIES AT KWANIKA Northwest Copper Corp. has initiated a follow-up metallurgical testing program at its 100-per-cent-owned Kwanika project; samples have been shipped to and received by the lab. The program represents a key step in advancing one of the company's strategic initiatives to enhance the value of the 2023 PEA (preliminary economic assessment) through improved metal recoveries, particularly for gold. The company has engaged Canenco Consulting Corp. to manage the program. Chief executive officer Paul Olmsted stated: "The recognition of higher-grade zones of mineralization at Kwanika together with a more detailed understanding of the mineralogy creates opportunities to significantly enhance recoveries over those reported in the 2023 PEA. This is particularly relevant for gold where the 2023 PEA reported gold recoveries of only 65.6 per cent. An optimized metallurgical process is to drive improved economics at Kwanika." A significant amount of historical metallurgical work has been undertaken at Kwanika. Canenco's initial review identified gaps that provide metallurgical opportunities for the company to improve both copper and gold recoveries. Previous testwork has shown that copper mineralization responds well to conventional flotation processes, and the initial scope of the additional testing will optimize and bound a number of the process variables, taking into account the company's focus on higher-grade zones within the current mineralization. The objective of the program will be to assess the metallurgical response at varying grind sizes, including smaller sizes than that used in the 2023 PEA and monitoring flotation responses to evaluate potential enhancements. The program plans to optimize the flotation flowsheet for copper and gold recoveries and, if warranted, perform gold leaching tests on flotation tails. In addition, rock types have been historically shown to be amenable to sorting and it is envisaged to further evaluate this in an effort to manage mining dilution when considering a more selective bulk mining method. The Canenco team expect to identify additional opportunities to improve the process as work progresses, while maintaining a focus on conventional operating processes and optimizing economic recoveries. Vice-president, business development and exploration, Geoff Chinn, PGeo, stated: "Grinding plant feed down to the size of the minerals hosting copper and gold can liberate more minerals and potentially make them available to be recovered by flotation. Previous work has shown a significant amount of copper and gold minerals at Kwanika are smaller than the 100-micrometre (0.1 mm) primary grind size assumed for the 2023 PEA. We believe finer grinding will substantially enhance metal recoveries at Kwanika. In Canenco's review, previous successful ore sorting test results were found amongst the data, which in the context of parallel higher-grade mineralized zones, presents an interesting opportunity to utilize low-cost bulk mining methods and rejecting dilutive materials ahead of a processing plant. While processing higher grades typically provides a good start for realizing higher copper and gold recoveries, other processing opportunities, like finer grinding and sorting, could provide additive benefits, which is very exciting for the project." The company will provide updates on its progress in advancing the plan for the coming year. Northwest also announces that it has granted 700,000 stock options to non-executive directors of the company pursuant to its equity incentive plan. The stock options have an exercise price of 31.5 cents, vest over two years, with one third vesting immediately, one-third after one year and one-third after two years. Technical aspects of this news release have been reviewed, verified and approved by Geoff Chinn, PGeo, vice-president of business development and exploration for Northwest, and Stacy Freudigmann, PEng, FAusIMM, managing director of Canenco, who are qualified persons as defined by National Instrument 43-101 -- Standards of Disclosure for Minerals Projects. About Northwest Copper Corp. Northwest is a copper-gold exploration and development company with a pipeline of advanced and early stage projects in British Columbia, including Kwanika-Stardust, Lorraine-Top Cat and East Niv. With a robust portfolio in a Tier 1 jurisdiction, Northwest is well positioned to participate fully in a strengthening global copper market and gold market. The company is committed to responsible mineral exploration which involves working collaboratively with first nations to ensure future development incorporates stewardship best practices and traditional land use. We seek Safe Harbor.