Ero Copper Achieves First Saleable Copper Concentrate Production and Initiates Ramp-up at the Tucumã Project

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Ero Copper Corp. (TSX: ERO, NYSE: ERO) (“Ero” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce a significant commissioning milestone at the Tucumã Project (the “Project”) with the production of saleable copper concentrate, which exceeded process design concentrate grade targets. This milestone was achieved following the successful commissioning of the milling and flotation operations prior to the end of Q2 2024. Remaining work on site is focused on concluding non-critical path surface installations and ramping up to commercial production.

2024 commissioning milestones:

  • Completion and commissioning of primary, secondary, tertiary crushers, screening and conveyance systems – March 2024
  • Completion of mine pre-strip and commencement of full mine operations – April 2024
  • First ore through the milling and flotation circuits – mid-June 2024
  • First batch of copper concentrate production – June 24, 2024
  • Completion of first 24-hour shift of continuous mill operations – July 7, 2024
  • First saleable copper concentrate production, which exceeded process design concentrate grade targets – July 18, 2024
  • Expect to reach commercial production levels, defined as 80% of design mill capacity and 80% of design recovery rates, by the end of Q3 2024

“Producing our first saleable copper concentrate at the Tucumã Project and successfully completing the first 24-hour shift of continuous mining and milling operations are important milestones as we begin our ramp-up towards commercial production,” said David Strang, Chief Executive Officer. “We are rapidly progressing towards an important inflection point for our consolidated copper production and cash flows. It is an exciting time for the Company and with copper prices performing well year-to-date, the timing of the completion and ramp-up of Tucumã could not be better.

“I would like to extend my congratulations to our entire team, from senior leadership to our construction and commissioning teams, as well as our contracting, engineering, and supply chain partners. Their outstanding work on the construction of Tucumã – completed on time, without injury or environmental incident, and within line of sight of the original Project budget – is commendable. Notably, Tucumã was designed, built, and managed by Ero’s Brazilian Engineering, Procurement, Construction Management team, with approximately 85% of the capital expenditures made within Brazil. This achievement is a testament to the depth and technical strength of mining and project development talent and resources available in Brazil.”

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