Discovery Of Gold-Copper Surface Mineralised System At Ontenu NE Target

VANCOUVER - South Pacific Metals Corp. reported the discovery of a highly prospective gold-copper surface mineralized system at the Ontenu NE target within its Osena Project in Papua New Guinea, just one kilometre south of and geologically analogous to K92 Mining's prolific Kainantu gold mine.

"These are among the most exciting surface results we've seen to date in this emerging district," said Michael Murphy, Executive Chair. "To encounter double-digit copper and high-grade gold at surface-just steps from an operating mine-underscores Ontenu's exceptional potential. With trenching underway and our drill rig landing next month, we're entering a new phase of discovery."

The Company conducted a focused surface exploration campaign at Ontenu Northeast from January to March 2025, following up on historical work by RGC Limited in the 1980s and more recent airborne Mobile MT and magnetic surveys (see news release dated October 16, 2024). This program involved grid-based soil sampling, reconnaissance rock sampling, and geological mapping to confirm the presence of mineralization and identify potential structural trends.\