Largo Announces Copper Mineralization Studies Across its Maracás Menchen Vanadium Deposits; Extends US$6 Million Secured Loan
- Largo's current geological database presents a geological structure favorable to the disseminated mineralization of copper and platinum group metals, associated with vanadium and titanium ore in all deposits of the Maracás Menchen complex.
- Encouraging results in copper recovery occurred as a consequence of metallurgical studies evaluating ways to produce PGMs (platinum, palladium), and gold as byproducts at Largo's Maracás Menchen mine.
- Preliminary tests indicate a positive response of the copper-rich mineralized material to conventional flotation processes, producing copper concentrates.
- Largo is evaluating using part of its existing ilmenite flotation infrastructure to reduce capital costs and timeline for execution.
- Previous technical reports have not considered the economic impact of potential recovery of copper, PGMs or gold which are now regarded as critical minerals, many of which are trading at near record high prices.
-
Largo extended its promissory note with
ARG International AG in principal amount ofUS$6 million untilFebruary 2027 under the same terms announced in ourAugust 11, 2025 press release plus an extension fee of 1%.
All dollar amounts expressed are in
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Figure 1: Distribution of Copper Grades within the Maracás Menchen Deposits
In
The recent internal flotation study of PGMs conducted in the fourth quarter of 2025 showed positive results regarding copper grades in the final concentrate.
Preliminary internal analysis done by the geologists and geometallurgists at Largo Vanádio Maracás correlates copper grades with the non-magnetic particles of the vanadium ore. As such, the magnetic separation stage of Largo's vanadium process may be concentrating copper in the non-magnetic fraction, which is subsequently fed into the ilmenite flotation plant.
Our management team has been conducting various metallurgical tests to assess the recoverability of copper using conventional flotation processes and has obtained favorable initial results for copper. The PGM grades from these flotation tests are still pending as platinum and palladium assays take longer to process in certified external laboratories.
Mr.
Previous Drilling and Sampling Results
A review of the current database for the Maracás Menchen deposits comprises 351 drill holes and 1,063 samples, with copper grades ranging from 0.1% to 1.5% Cu and an average grade of 0.153% Cu. This average grade corresponds to a cumulative drill core length of 14,358 metres. The table 1 presents the copper grade distribution by deposits.
Table 1: Copper Grade Distribution by Maracás Menchen Deposits
|
Mine |
Drill Holes |
Samples |
Min. (Cu%) |
Max. (Cu%) |
Average (Cu%) |
|
Campbell |
72 |
115 |
0.10 |
1.00 |
0.16 |
|
GAN |
95 |
364 |
0.10 |
1.00 |
0.14 |
|
GAS |
15 |
28 |
0.10 |
0.60 |
0.18 |
|
SJO |
41 |
100 |
0.10 |
0.53 |
0.13 |
|
NAO |
31 |
278 |
0.10 |
0.40 |
0.13 |
|
NAN |
97 |
178 |
0.10 |
1.50 |
0.19 |
Note: statistics calculated on samples above a 0.10% Cu cutoff, to highlight Cu-anomalous intervals and reduce the influence of background values.
A detailed review of the geological database indicates that copper mineralization is disseminated throughout the mafic–ultramafic rocks of the Rio Jacaré sill, which hosts the Maracás Menchen deposits (Figure 1). Further studies will be required to better define zones of higher-grade mineralization and to assess the continuity of copper grades.
Largo’s geologic team is currently conducting a similar review of its deposit database for PGMs and gold. We plan to provide updates on this along with the pending results of multi-element assays of our non-magnetic tailings ponds which contain residues accumulated from 12 years of the continuous operations of the Maracás Menchen mine.
Geology Sampling, QA/QC, and Analytical Procedures
The sample preparation and analytical work was carried out at the SGS-Geosol and ALS Global facility, which are ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratories. All sample results during the period have been monitored through a QA/QC program that includes the insertion of certified standards, blanks, and pulp and reject duplicate samples.
Copper concentrate samples derived from internal flotation testing were submitted to an independent external laboratory for analytical verification of internally generated results.
Disclaimer
It is important to emphasize that the studies completed to date are based on diamond drill core samples collected from drilling programs conducted by independent third-party contractors and on chemical analyses performed by certified external laboratories. Preliminary geometallurgical results were obtained internally and are considered indicative in nature, reflecting improvements in the understanding of flotation processes currently in place.
This document does not disclose Mineral Resources or Mineral Reserves for copper or platinum group elements. The project includes vanadium and titanium mineralization for which scientific and technical information is set out in the National Instrument 43-101 (“NI 43-101”) technical report titled: “An Updated Life of Mine Plan (LOMP) for Gulçari A (
Largo is initiating a new phase of studies aimed at evaluating additional commodities that may support a future update of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves in an independent technical report prepared in compliance with NI 43-101.
Review of Technical Information
Mr.
About Largo
Largo is a globally recognized vanadium company known for its high-quality VPURETM and VPURE+TM products, sourced from its Maracás
Largo’s common shares trade on the
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-looking Information:
This press release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian and
Forward looking statements are based on a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Largo s of the date of this press release, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, operational and other uncertainties and contingencies. These assumptions include: that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner; receipt of regulatory and governmental approvals, permits and renewals in a timely manner; that the Company will not experience any material accident, labour dispute or failure of plant or equipment or other material disruption in the Company's operations; the availability of financing for operations and development; the availability of funding for future capital expenditures; the ability to replace current funding on terms satisfactory to the Company; the ability to mitigate the impact of heavy rainfall; the Company's ability to procure equipment, services and operating supplies in sufficient quantities and on a timely basis; the accuracy of the Company's mine plan at the Maracás
Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", 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". All information contained in this news release, other than statements of current and historical fact, is forward looking information. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Largo to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to those risks described in the annual information form of Largo and in its public documents filed on www.sedarplus.ca and available on www.sec.gov from time to time. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made. Although management of Largo has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Largo does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Readers should also review the risks and uncertainties sections of Largo's annual and interim MD&A which also apply.
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Information Concerning Estimates of Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources
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