CoTec Holdings Corp. Enters Copper Industry Through Investment In Early-Stage Revolutionary Copper Leaching Technology

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 11, 2023 / CoTec Holdings Corp. (TSXV:CTH)(OTCQB:CTHCF) ("CoTec" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has invested US$1.5 million into Ceibo Inc. ("Ceibo"), a Delaware corporation, for a small equity interest. Ceibo, through its wholly-owned Chilean subsidiary has developed a revolutionary process to leach low-grade primary copper sulphides, such as chalcopyrite, and copper waste material using a proprietary high throughput inorganic leaching technology. Jetti Resources LLC, a copper mining extraction company has developed a competitive, though more advanced, technology which has recently been valued at USD2.5 billion.^[1]

CoTec participated in Ceibo's recently completed Series B financing round with funding secured from a group of leading international investors. Ceibo will use the proceeds from the financing to scale its technology through continued small- and large-scale column testing and the building of a demonstration plant.

If successful, Ceibo's technology will represent a leading, low-carbon, high recovery primary and waste copper sulphide heap leaching process. This could deliver considerable value through a significant reduction in the time required to bring additional copper into production, a competitive cost structure and a lower environmental and carbon footprint, protected by a high technical barrier to entry.

Julian Treger, CoTec CEO commented: "We are pleased to have been given the opportunity to invest in Ceibo. In line with CoTec's business model, we expect to contribute to the development of the technology by appointing a representative to a Technical Advisory Board that Ceibo intends to form. We also intend to identify opportunities for Ceibo to commercially deploy its technology with a view to participating in any such opportunities that Ceibo chooses to pursue as a co-investor or joint venture partner.

"Entering the copper industry has been one of CoTec's key strategic objectives and we view Ceibo's technology as an excellent entry point for us as copper will play an essential role in the transition towards a carbon-neutral energy system. We are looking forward to working with the Ceibo team as they continue to develop this exciting technology and in securing application opportunities that we could jointly pursue.

"Our board and senior executives have extensive experience and industry relationships that, along with the financial support of our co-investors, will allow CoTec to make a meaningful and immediate contribution to Ceibo's success."

About CoTec

CoTec is an ESG-focused company investing in innovative technologies which have the potential to fundamentally change the way metals and minerals can be extracted and processed. The Company is committed to supporting the transition to a lower carbon future for the extraction industry, a sector on the cusp of a green revolution as it embraces technology and innovation. CoTec is a publicly traded mining issuer listed on the Toronto Venture Stock Exchange (CTH.V) and the OTCQB (CTHCF).

For further information, please contact:

Braam Jonker - (604) 992-5600

Forward-Looking Information Cautionary Statement

Statements in this press release regarding the Company and its investments which are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including statements relating to management's expectations with respect to its current and potential future investments and the benefits to the Company which may be implied from such statements. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature, they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results in each case could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. For further details regarding risks and uncertainties facing the Company please refer to "Risk Factors" in the Company's filing statement dated April 6, 2022, a copy of which may be found under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com, and in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

^[1] Biesheuvel, T. (October 24, 2022). Copper Tech Firm Jetti Raises Funds at $2.5 Billion Value. Bloomberg. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-10-24/copper-tech-firm-jetti-raises-funds-at-2-5-billion-valuation#xj4y7vzkg.

SOURCE: CoTec Holdings Corp.