PERTH, Australia, Oct. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ --
Highlights
Second Porphyry Discovery Confirmed at La Verde
- Assay results for step-out drilling, completed after the reporting period, confirmed the discovery of a second porphyry center - La Verde South - near-doubling the growth potential of the La Verde Project.
- First step-out Reverse Circulation (RC) drill hole DKP084, located approximately 250 m to the south of La Verde's +0.4% Cu mineralisation footprint, has delivered:
- 148 m grading 0.44% CuEq1(0.39% Cu, 0.07 g/t Au) from 36 m
- Including 44 m grading 0.56% CuEq (0.50% Cu, 0.06 g/t Au) from 138 m
- First step-out diamond drill hole (DD) DKD100, located a further 100 m to the south of DKP084, also visually recorded a 307 m down-hole interval of copper porphyry-style mineralisation2.
- Phase 2 resource infill and extensional drilling for La Verde is now complete, following 13 months and over 40,000m of DD and RC drilling, adding to the 10,000 m of RC drilling from Phase 1.
Hot Chili Delivers More Copper-Gold at La Verde
- Strong assay results continued to be delivered during the quarter from the four drill rigs (2 Diamond and 2 Reverse Circulation) located at La Verde.
- Continuity of higher-grade copper-gold mineralisation from shallow depths was further confirmed from infill drilling and step out diamond drilling continued to expand the discovery footprint.
- Standout results reported during the quarter included:
- DKP063 recorded 398 m grading 0.45% CuEq (0.35% Cu, 0.12 g/t Au) from surface
- Including 62 m grading 0.91% CuEq (0.70% Cu, 0.30 g/t Au) from 20 m
- Which includes 34 m grading 1.00% CuEq (0.80% Cu, 0.27 g/t Au) from 42 m
- DKD060 recorded 472 m grading 0.41% CuEq (0.34% Cu, 0.08 g/t Au) from 49 m
- Including 105.8 m grading 0.70% CuEq (0.58% Cu, 0.15 g/t Au) from 397 m
- Including 32.6 m grading 0.90% CuEq (0.75% Cu, 0.19 g/t Au) from 438 m
- DKP064 recorded 126 m grading 0.45% CuEq (0.38% Cu, 0.08 g/t Au) from 54 m
- Including 26 m grading 0.70% CuEq (0.60% Cu, 0.13 g/t Au) from 108 m
- DKP078 recorded 240 m grading 0.43% CuEq (0.30% Cu, 0.17 g/t Au) from 36 m
- Including 54 m grading 0.60% CuEq (0.41% Cu, 0.26 g/t Au) from 46 m
- And including 42 m grading 0.50% CuEq (0.36% Cu, 0.20 g/t Au) from 188 m
- The maiden La Verde MRE, revised Costa Fuego PFS and preparation of the EIA submission remained on track, with assay results pending for 35 drill holes (24 infill drilling and 11 southern step-out drillholes).
La Verde Drilling Totals 50,000m, with Phase 2 Now Complete
Strong Cash Position of A$29.3 Million following closure of OR Royalty Amendment Agreement during the quarter.
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SUMMARY OF OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Second Porphyry Centre Confirmed at La Verde South
Assay results for step-out drilling, returned after the reporting period, confirmed the discovery of a second porphyry centre at La Verde South. Located immediately south of, and along strike from, the initial La Verde copper-gold porphyry discovery, extending the potential mineralisation footprint of La Verde to 1,400m.
The first Reverse Circulation (RC) step-out drill hole, DKP084, was collared approximately 250 m south of La Verde's existing +0.4% Cu mineralisation footprint and returned 148 m grading 0.44% CuEq1 (0.39% Cu, 0.07 g/t Au) from 36 m, including 44 m grading 0.56% CuEq (0.50% Cu, 0.06 g/t Au) from 138 m.
The intersection was primarily oxide copper porphyry-style mineralisation, commencing immediately below shallow gravel cover, and was designed to follow up previously reported RC drill hole DKP024, which recorded 114 m grading 0.4% CuEq (0.4% Cu) from 86 m, including 52 m grading 0.5% CuEq (0.5% Cu, 0.1 g/t Au) from 96 m (see announcement dated 19 May 2025).
The first southern Diamond Drill (DD) step-out drill hole, DKD100, was then collared a further 100 m south of DKP084 to test for higher-grade copper porphyry-style sulphide mineralisation beneath the oxide zone.
DKD100 visually recorded a 307 m downhole interval of copper porphyry-style mineralisation2, comprising oxide mineralisation between 40 m and 172 m and porphyry-style sulphide mineralisation between 172 m and 347 m.
Core photo from DKD100 (259 - 261 m downhole) with vein-hosted and disseminated chalcopyrite (2%) and pyrite (4%) mineralisation in strongly veined tonalite host rock(2)
(1) Copper Equivalent (CuEq) reported for the drillhole intersections were calculated using the following formula: CuEq% = ((Cu% × Cu price 1% per tonne × Cu_recovery) + (Mo ppm × Mo price per g/t × Mo_recovery) + (Au ppm × Au price per g/t × Au_recovery) + (Ag ppm × Ag price per g/t × Ag_recovery)) / (Cu price 1% per tonne × Cu_recovery). The Metal Prices applied in the calculation were: Cu=4.50 USD/lb, Au=3,150 USD/oz, Mo=20 USD/lb, and Ag=30 USD/oz. The
entirety of the intersection is assumed as fresh. The recovery and copper equivalent formula for La Verde uses Cortadera as a proxy, which is considered reasonable given both the similar mineralisation style and amenability testwork completed thus far at La Verde - Recoveries of 83% Cu, 56% Au, 83% Mo and 37% Ag. CuEq (%) = Cu(%) + 0.69 x Au(g/t) + 0.00044 x Mo(ppm) + 0.0043 x Ag(g/t).
(2) Visual estimates of mineral abundance should never be considered a proxy or substitute for laboratory analyses where concentrations or grades are the factor of principal economic interest. Visual estimates also potentially provide no information regarding impurities or deleterious physical properties relevant to valuations. Assay results are pending and will be reported in accordance with the JORC Code (2012) and National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure
for Mineral Projects. Sampling methodologies are described in the attached JORC Table 1.
Expansion Drilling Continues to Demonstrate Scale and Continuity
In parallel with southern step-out drilling, drilling across the main La Verde discovery continued to refine the geological interpretation of the mineralised system, further delineating the interpreted high-grade core and demonstrating the vertical and lateral continuity of porphyry-hosted copper-gold mineralisation.
A significant result was returned from DKD060 intersected 472 m grading 0.41% CuEq (0.34% Cu, 0.08g/t Au) from 49 m depth, including a significant higher-grade component comprising 105.8 m grading 0.70% CuEq from 397 m, which also included 32.6 m grading 0.90% CuEq from 438 m (Figure 4).
Results from RC drill hole DKP067 also expanded the lateral extent of mineralisation along La Verde's eastern flank. The drillhole, reported as a partial result, returned 112 m grading 0.47% CuEq (0.40% Cu, 0.10 g/t Au) from 42 m, including 26 m grading 0.70% CuEq (0.59% Cu, 0.14 g/t Au) from 62 m.
In-fill RC Drilling Confirms Continuity of Near-Surface, Bulk Mineralisation
RC drill holes targeting the up-dip extension of high-grade mineralisation at La Verde has continued to return wide intersections of copper-gold mineralisation from shallow depths. Importantly, results are distributed across the deposit, highlighting the scale and continuity of La Verde's growing high-grade core.
These results are headlined by DKP063 (Figure 4), which recorded 398 m grading 0.45% CuEq (0.35% Cu, 0.12 g/t Au) from surface. Within this, a significant higher-grade component includes 62 m grading 0.91% CuEq(0.70% Cu, 0.30 g/t Au) from just 20 m depth, demonstrating the continuity of high-grade mineralisation at shallow depths and reinforcing the potential for a high-grade starter pit, capable of delivering early higher-grade material to the Costa Fuego mine plan.
DKP075 recorded a partial result of 132 m grading 0.57% CuEq (0.45% Cu, 0.16 g/t Au) from 24 m depth which included 42 m grading 0.70% CuEq (0.57% Cu, 0.19 g/t Au) from 96 m (Figure 5). Results for the final 177 m were still outstanding and are expected to be reported shortly.
Additionally, DKP064, which was collared at the southern extent of La Verde's high-grade core, returned 126 m grading 0.45% CuEq (0.38% Cu, 0.08 g/t Au) from 54 m depth, including 26 m grading 0.70% CuEq (0.60% Cu, 0.13 g/t Au) from 108 m, together with a second intersection of 74 m grading 0.35% CuEq (0.29% Cu, 0.07 g/t Au) from 276 m.
La Verde Drilling Totals 50,000m, with Phase 2 Now Complete
Drilling for the 40,000 m Phase 2 DD and RC program is now complete, following 13 months of progress and bringing the total at La Verde to 50,000 m. The Phase 1 RC program (completed from late 2024 to mid-2025) included 10,000 m and outlined a 750 m x 400 m x 400 m footprint, and in conjunction with Phase 2, has now identified a 1,400 m x 780 m x 800 m footprint across two porphyry centres. Resource infill drilling of La Verde is now complete, and drill rigs will start back up and focus on the growth of La Verde South in early 2027.
Project Development Integration
Since 30 June 2026, Hot Chili has further strengthened the dedicated Costa Fuego project development team and its integrated governance framework for the revised Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) programs, progressing multiple engineering, permitting, social, infrastructure and technical studies.
Key activities advanced include mine-plan inputs, hydrogeological and geotechnical investigations, TSF engineering and water-management studies, and evaluation of power-supply and transmission-line relocation options. Project controls are being consolidated through an integrated P6 schedule, clearer critical-path reporting, risk management and disciplined contractor cost and payment controls.
Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) Continue to Progress
During the quarter preparation of the Costa Fuego environmental approvals continued under the separate EIA 1A (Huasco Water) and EIA 1B (Costa Fuego) workstreams. Unusually heavy rainfall during July and August 2026 affected field activities resulted in delays which have been mitigated in part through four weeks of scheduled contingency. The Q2 2027 submission remains on track for both EIAs.
The two-stream permitting strategy has now been embedded in the project delivery framework:
- EIA 1A: the seawater intake, pumping and distribution system. Work progressed on the Project Description, environmental chapters, PAS 155 and PAS 156 gap-closure actions, the Punta Huasco Sur protection-area consultation, and flora, vegetation, vertebrate fauna and entomofauna compatibility studies. The latest Project Description revision was under review in October.
- EIA 1B: baseline studies, engineering inputs and environmental documentation progressed in parallel with the revised PFS2. Archaeological fieldwork was completed, hydrogeological field investigations and packer testing advanced, and the TSF, diversion-water and associated infrastructure packages continue to be developed for incorporation into the assessment.
Costa Fuego Revised PFS Advancement
During the quarter Hot Chili continued to advance workstreams at La Verde, designed to incorporate the new discovery into the Costa Fuego PFS as soon as possible. Geotechnical workstreams were completed at La Verde and are being incorporated into Mineral Resource Estimation and engineering design work, in parallel to metallurgical, hydrogeological and tailings testwork programs.
Analysis of multiple potential materials handling options between La Verde and Productora, the Costa Fuego central processing hub, are also underway. The potential development of a large open-pit mining scenario at Cortadera as an alternative to the previously defined open-pit and underground block cave operation for the later years of Costa Fuego's mine plan is also being finalised.
Social Integration and Community Support
Hot Chili continued its community engagement activities, with a round of early community engagement (Participación Ciudadana Temprana, PCT) in Huasco, Freirina and Vallenar. Public information stands shared details about the Huasco Water project and introduced the Produce Futuro Fund. Additional baseline interviews were completed with a further 9 parties, including 7 Indigenous organisations and 2 neighbourhood associations.
Launched in September, the Produce Futuro Fund will provide grants to successful applicants to support economic development in the Huasco Valley. Hot Chili coordinated the launch and held support sessions to help community members apply. The company received more than 300 applications, with 55 grants to be awarded next quarter.
Figure 1. Long section view (A - A') showing recent drill hole results DKP084 (± 75m clipping) and +0.3% copper (red), +0.4% (purple) copper interpolants and extent of visual estimate3 of porphyry -style copper mineralisation in DKD100, relative to the La Verde Discovery
(1) See Page 26 of this announcement for detail on the US$3.50 Cu and US$6.00 Cu conceptual open pit shells (Exploration Targets). Any potential tonnage and grade of the Exploration Target shown is conceptual in nature. There has been insufficient exploration to estimate a Mineral Resource within the target area, and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the estimation of a Mineral Resource.
(2) Copper Equivalent (CuEq) reported for the drillhole intersections were calculated using the following formula: CuEq% = ((Cu% × Cu price 1% per tonne × Cu_recovery) + (Mo ppm × Mo price per g/t × Mo_recovery) + (Au ppm × Au price per g/t × Au_recovery) + (Ag ppm × Ag price per g/t × Ag_recovery)) / (Cu price 1% per tonne × Cu_recovery). The Metal Prices applied in the calculation were: Cu=4.50 USD/lb, Au=3,150 USD/oz, Mo=20 USD/lb, and Ag=30 USD/oz. The
entirety of the intersection is assumed as fresh. The recovery and copper equivalent formula for La Verde uses Cortadera as a proxy, which is considered reasonable given both the similar mineralisation style and amenability testwork completed thus far at La Verde - Recoveries of 83% Cu, 56% Au, 83% Mo and 37% Ag. CuEq (%) = Cu (%) + 0.69 x Au(g/t) + 0.00044 x Mo(ppm) + 0.0043 x Ag(g/t).
3 Visual estimates of mineral abundance should never be considered a proxy or substitute for laboratory analyses where concentrations or grades are the factor of principal economic interest. Visual estimates also potentially provide no information regarding impurities or deleterious physical properties relevant to valuations. Assay results are pending and will be reported in accordance with the JORC Code (2012) and National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for
Mineral Projects. Sampling methodologies are described in the attached JORC Table 1.
Figure 2. Plan view map of La Verde showing recent drill hole results and updated +0.2% copper (yellow), +0.3% copper (red), +0.4% copper (magenta) mineralisation interpolants. Drilled holes with pending assays are shown in black. Position of A - A' long section (Figure 1 and 3) and B - B' (Figure 4) and C - C' (Figure 5) annotated with white dashed lines. Conceptual open pit shells1 displayed for $US3.50/lb Cu (short dash) and $US6.00/lb Cu (long dash) displayed as dashed lines. Results reported including CuEq2, visual estimate from DKD100 shown3.
(1) See Page 26 of this announcement for detail on the US$3.50 Cu and US$6.00 Cu conceptual open pit shells (Exploration Targets). Any potential tonnage and grade of the Exploration Target shown is conceptual in nature. There has been insufficient exploration to estimate a Mineral Resource within the target area, and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the estimation of a Mineral Resource.
(2) Copper Equivalent (CuEq) reported for the drillhole intersections were calculated using the following formula: CuEq% = ((Cu% × Cu price 1% per tonne × Cu_recovery) + (Mo ppm × Mo price per g/t × Mo_recovery) + (Au ppm × Au price per g/t × Au_recovery) + (Ag ppm × Ag price per g/t × Ag_recovery)) / (Cu price 1% per tonne × Cu_recovery). The Metal Prices applied in the calculation were: Cu=4.50 USD/lb, Au=3,150 USD/oz, Mo=20 USD/lb, and Ag=30 USD/oz. The
entirety of the intersection is assumed as fresh. The recovery and copper equivalent formula for La Verde uses Cortadera as a proxy, which is considered reasonable given both the similar mineralisation style and amenability testwork completed thus far at La Verde - Recoveries of 83% Cu, 56% Au, 83% Mo and 37% Ag. CuEq (%) = Cu(%) + 0.69 x Au(g/t) + 0.00044 x Mo(ppm) + 0.0043 x Ag(g/t).
(3) Visual estimates of mineral abundance should never be considered a proxy or substitute for laboratory analyses where concentrations or grades are the factor of principal economic interest. Visual estimates also potentially provide no information regarding impurities or deleterious physical properties relevant to valuations. Assay results are pending and will be reported in accordance with the JORC Code (2012) and National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure
for Mineral Projects. Sampling methodologies are described in the attached JORC Table 1.
Figure 3. Long-section slice (A - A') showing drill hole results and updated +0.2% copper (yellow), +0.3% copper (red), +0.4% copper (magenta) mineralisation interpolants. Returned Cu grades shown on hole traces, drilled holes with pending assays are shown in black. Conceptual open pit shells1 displayed for $US3.50/lb Cu (short dash) and $US6.00/lb Cu (long dash) displayed as dashed lines. Results reported including CuEq2, visual estimate from DKD100 shown3.
(1) See Page 26 of this announcement for detail on the US$3.50 Cu and US$6.00 Cu conceptual open pit shells (Exploration Targets). Any potential tonnage and grade of the Exploration Target shown is conceptual in nature. There has been insufficient exploration to estimate a Mineral Resource within the target area, and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the estimation of a Mineral Resource.
(2) Copper Equivalent (CuEq) reported for the drillhole intersections were calculated using the following formula: CuEq% = ((Cu% × Cu price 1% per tonne × Cu_recovery) + (Mo ppm × Mo price per g/t × Mo_recovery) + (Au ppm × Au price per g/t × Au_recovery) + (Ag ppm × Ag price per g/t × Ag_recovery)) / (Cu price 1% per tonne × Cu_recovery). The Metal Prices applied in the calculation were: Cu=4.50 USD/lb, Au=3,150 USD/oz, Mo=20 USD/lb, and Ag=30 USD/oz. The
entirety of the intersection is assumed as fresh. The recovery and copper equivalent formula for La Verde uses Cortadera as a proxy, which is considered reasonable given both the similar mineralisation style and amenability testwork completed thus far at La Verde - Recoveries of 83% Cu, 56% Au, 83% Mo and 37% Ag. CuEq (%) = Cu(%) + 0.69 x Au(g/t) + 0.00044 x Mo(ppm) + 0.0043 x Ag(g/t).
(3) Visual estimates of mineral abundance should never be considered a proxy or substitute for laboratory analyses where concentrations or grades are the factor of principal economic interest. Visual estimates also potentially provide no information regarding impurities or deleterious physical properties relevant to valuations. Assay results are pending and will be reported in accordance with the JORC Code (2012) and National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure
for Mineral Projects. Sampling methodologies are described in the attached JORC Table 1.
Figure 4. Cross section slice (B - B') showing recent drill hole results DKP063, DKP064, DKP059 and DKD060 (± 75m clipping) and updated +0.2% copper (yellow), +0.3% copper (red), +0.4% copper (magenta) mineralisation interpolants. Returned Cu grades shown on hole traces, drilled holes with pending assays are shown in black. Conceptual open pit shells1 displayed for $US3.50/lb Cu (short dash) and $US6.00/lb Cu (long dash) displayed as dashed lines. Results reported including CuEq2.
Figure 5. Cross section slice (C - C') showing drill hole results for DKP075 and DKP078 (± 75m clipping) and updated +0.2% copper (yellow), +0.3% copper (red), +0.4% copper (magenta) mineralisation interpolants. Returned Cu grades shown on hole traces, drilled holes with pending assays are shown in black. Conceptual open pit shells1 displayed for $US3.50/lb Cu (short dash) and $US6.00/lb Cu (long dash) displayed as dashed lines. Results reported including CuEq2.
Table 1. Drill Holes Completed for La Verde in Quarter 3 2026
Prospect Hole ID East North RL Depth Dip Azi. Results
La Verde DKD068 324321 6785527 1179 865.4 -61 72
Results Pending
DKP069 324671 6786109 1184 378 -69 77
Results Pending
DKP070 324516 6785676 1150 324 -58 271 Significant result returned
Q3 2026
DKP071 324567 6785711 1133 397 -60 90
Results Pending
DKP072 324780 6785773 1132 408 -59 244 Significant result returned
Q4 2026
DKP073 324866 6785725 1137 231 -64 249
Results Pending
DKP074 324703 6785591 1138 282 -60 271
Results Pending
DKP075 324632 6785991 1152 333 -57 99 Significant result returned
Q4 2026
DKD076 324640 6785842 1134 618.5 -58 74
Results Pending
DKP077 324421 6785619 1178 324 -58 80 Significant result returned
Q4 2026
DKP078 324658 6785901 1141 324 -69 332 Significant result returned
Q4 2026
DKP079 324515 6785522 1188 360 -61 90 Significant result returned
Q4 2026
DKP080 324054 6786141 1105 126 -60 239 Significant result returned
Q4 2026
DKP081 324713 6785594 1138 30 -60 70 Significant result returned
Q4 2026
DKP082 324713 6785593 1138 288 -67 71 Significant result returned
Q4 2026
DKP083 324177 6786091 1102 216 -60 244
Results Pending
DKP084 324420 6785327 1187 366 -62 75 Significant result returned
Q4 2026
DKP085 324257 6786043 1104 252 -60 250
Results Pending
DKD086 324507 6785744 1124 770.6 -60 35
Results Pending
DKP087 324911 6785764 1137 204 -58 71
Results Pending
DKP088 324427 6785221 1188 326 -59 92
Results Pending
DKP089 324957 6785822 1141 162 -57 262
Results Pending
DKP090 324249 6785307 1177 396 -60 89
Results Pending
DKP091 324997 6785961 1174 360 -59 301
Results Pending
DKP092 324205 6785152 1175 402 -60 91
Results Pending
DKP093 324956 6785820 1141 162 -61 306
Results Pending
DKP094 324695 6785663 1133 174 -59 271
Results Pending
DKP095 324352 6785006 1164 351 -60 91
Results Pending
DKP096 324733 6785525 1139 264 -64 70
Results Pending
DKP097 324508 6785000 1183 324 -60 89
Results Pending
DWEDKD001 324668 6786110 1184 231.1 -80 78
Results Pending
DWEDKD002 324549 6786081 1153 190 -89 170
Results Pending
DWEDKD003 324688 6785742 1128 250 -80 100
Results Pending
DWEDKD004 324909 6785767 1137 111.3 -79 50
Results Pending
DWEDKD005 324535 6785746 1123 186.1 -80 231
Results Pending
Table 2. Significant Drilling Intersections from La Verde in Quarter 3 2026
Hole ID Coordinates Azim Dip Hole Depth Intersection Interval Copper Eq1 Copper Gold Silver Molyb.
North East RL From To (m) (% CuEq) (% Cu) (g/t
Au) (ppm Ag) (ppm Mo)
DKP045D 6785947 324415 1110 60 -60 840.5 0 16.0 16.0 0.42 0.40 0.02 1.08 24
310.0 457.0 147.0 0.35 0.26 0.08 0.83 61
Incl 381.3 407.0 25.7 0.50 0.37 0.14 1.44 58
DKP051 6785722 324332 1167 56 -65 372 54.0 124.0 70.0 0.25 0.20 0.06 0.49 21
68.0 80.0 12.0 0.45 0.39 0.07 0.25 16
DKP052 6786024 324756 1188 245 -60 354 82.0 354.0 272.0 0.40 0.32 0.10 0.83 9
Incl 92.0 134.0 42.0 0.50 0.39 0.14 0.91 13
& Incl 226.0 242.0 16.0 0.64 0.54 0.13 1.39 6
& Incl 252.0 280.0 28.0 0.60 0.48 0.16 0.89 6
DKP058 6785775 324785 1134 70 -57 402 24.0 206.0 182.0 0.50 0.41 0.10 0.77 20
(updated) Incl 24.0 56.0 32.0 0.60 0.52 0.12 0.66 6
DKP059 6785728 324866 1139 70 -61 120 36 78 42.0 0.25 0.21 0.04 0.35 30
DKD060 6785762 324909 1139 260 -61 772.7 49.0 521.0 472.0 0.41 0.34 0.08 0.60 34
(updated) Incl 93.4 157.1 63.7 0.50 0.42 0.10 0.73 10
& Incl 397.0 502.8 105.8 0.70 0.58 0.15 0.99 19
Or Incl 438.0 470.6 32.6 0.90 0.75 0.19 1.30 31
642.1 765.2 123.1 0.30 0.27 0.02 0.80 23
Incl 655.5 657.8 2.3 4.63 4.56 0.02 10.40 18
DKP061 6785608 324901 1147 271 -61 273 70 98 28.0 0.27 0.22 0.05 0.71 25
166 206 40.0 0.40 0.33 0.08 1.10 21
DKP063 6785713 324566 1132 63 -70 417 0 398 398.0 0.45 0.35 0.12 0.58 18
Incl 20 82 62.0 0.91 0.70 0.30 1.07 6
DKP063 Incl 20 32 12.0 1.00 0.66 0.49 1.40 7
& Incl 42 76 34.0 1.00 0.80 0.27 0.95 5
DKP064 6785669 324508 1155 101 -57 426 54 180 126.0 0.45 0.38 0.08 1.03 24
Incl 108 134 26.0 0.70 0.60 0.13 0.83 11
276 350 74.0 0.35 0.29 0.07 0.85 16
DKP067 6785774 324785 1134 114 -60 300 42 154 112 0.47 0.4 0.1 0.89 8
Incl 62 88 26 0.7 0.59 0.14 1.19 9
DKP072 6785767 324776 1133 244 -59 408 12 172 160 0.37 0.3 0.09 0.83 5
Incl 12 52 40 0.53 0.45 0.11 0.97 4
& Incl 144 172 28 0.49 0.39 0.14 0.92 7
DKP075 6785983 324631 1153 99 -57 333 24 212 188 0.56 0.44 0.16 0.72 10
304 333 29 0.5 0.39 0.15 0.51 11
DKP077 6785616 324420 1177 80 -58 324 230 274 44 0.33 0.25 0.06 1.09 79
318 324 6 0.46 0.36 0.09 2.1 81
DKP078 6785893 324659 1142 332 -69 324 36 276 240 0.43 0.3 0.17 0.69 13
Incl 46 100 54 0.6 0.41 0.26 0.59 9
& Incl 188 230 42 0.5 0.36 0.2 0.8 9
DKP079 6785514 324520 1187 90 -61 360 156 210 54 0.3 0.25 0.06 0.87 14
DKP080 6786126 324051 1103 240 -60 126 0 16 16 0.24 0.23 0.01 0.33 14
DKP081(2) 6785590 324705 1138 70 -60 30 0 30 30 0.35 0.28 0.09 0.61 7
DKP082 6785590 324705 1138 70 -67 288 0 158 158 0.36 0.3 0.08 1.02 14
Incl 132 150 18 0.58 0.5 0.1 2.19 15
236 264 28 0.43 0.32 0.15 0.98 10
DKP084 6785322 324417 1186 75 -62 366 36 184 148 0.44 0.39 0.07 1.0 8
Incl 138 182 44 0.56 0.50 0.06 1.8 8
Notes to Table 2: Significant intercepts for La Verde are reported above a nominal cut-off grade of 0.20% Cu. Reported intersections may include internal dilution (intervals below 0.20% Cu), including zones exceeding 30 m downhole width, where the overall weighted average grade of the intersection remains above the cut-off grade. Significant intersections are separated where zones of internal dilution result in discrete intervals that do not meet the reporting criteria.
The selection of a 0.20% Cu cut-off grade is aligned with a marginal economic cut-off for bulk tonnage polymetallic copper deposits of comparable grade in Chile and globally. Significant intersection widths (interval) have been rounded to the nearest metre.
(1) Copper Equivalent (CuEq) reported for the drill hole intersections were calculated using the following formula: CuEq% = ((Cu% × Cu price 1% per tonne × Cu_recovery) + (Mo ppm × Mo price per g/
t × Mo_recovery) + (Au ppm × Au price per g/t × Au_recovery) + (Ag ppm × Ag price per g/t × Ag_recovery)) / (Cu price 1% per tonne × Cu_recovery). The Metal Prices applied in the
calculation were: Cu=4.50 USD/lb, Au=3,150 USD/oz, Mo=20 USD/lb, and Ag=30 USD/oz. The entirety of the intersection is assumed as fresh. The recovery and copper equivalent formula for La
Verde uses Cortadera as a proxy, which is considered reasonable given both the similar mineralisation style and amenability testwork completed thus far at La Verde - Recoveries of 83% Cu, 56%
Au, 83% Mo and 37% Ag. CuEq (%) = Cu(%) + 0.69 x Au(g/t) + 0.00044 x Mo(ppm) + 0.0043 x Ag(g/t).
(2)
DKP081 was abandoned due to mechanical issues and was redrilled as DKP082
SUMMARY OF CORPORATE ACTIVITIES
Strategic Partnering Process Update
Hot Chili continues to advance its asset-level strategic Partnering Process, aimed at introducing one or more qualified partners with the financial, technical and operational capability to assist in funding and delivery of the projects.
During the quarter management continued to facilitate ongoing due diligence activities, including arranging site visits, while discussions continued in relation to existing non-binding, indicative, incomplete and conditional proposals received for potential transactions involving the projects.
The Partnering Process may result in a range of transactions for the Projects. Investors are cautioned that there is no certainty the Partnering Process will result in a transaction or binding agreement.
BMO Capital Markets continues to act as financial adviser in connection with the Partnering Process.
The Company will continue to update the market in accordance with its continuous disclosure obligations.
OR Royalty Amendment Agreement
During the quarter, Hot Chili completed the Amended and Restated Investment Agreement with OR Royalties Inc. ("OR"), receiving net proceeds of A$20.4 million, after transaction costs, from the additional US$15 million royalty investment.
The transaction brings total consideration received under the OR royalty arrangement to US$30 million and expands OR's royalty interest to include the La Verde Project.
The additional non-dilutive funding further strengthens the Company's balance sheet and supports the ongoing advancement of La Verde and the broader Costa Fuego copper-gold development.
The agreement also incorporates an updated change of control buy-back provision, preserving strategic flexibility as the Company progresses its Strategic Partnering Process.
For further details, refer to the Company's announcement dated 7 July 2026.
Cash Position
As of 30 September 2026, the Company had cash of A$29.3 million and no debt.
The operating expenditure for quarter ended 30 September 2026 included payments for staff costs of A$1.3 million and administration and corporate costs of A$1.5 million.
The investing expenditure for quarter ended 30 September 2026 included payments for tenements of A$3.4 million relating mostly to the payment of the San Antonio Purchase Option Agreement for US$2 million, and payments for exploration and evaluation of A$10.1 million relating to drilling (four drill rigs in operation) and development study activities across the La Verde copper-gold porphyry discovery, value engineering workstreams and EIA submission activities. This was offset by the receipt of A$20.4 million (net of costs) from the OR Royalty Amendment Agreement.
With the Phase 2 resource infill and extensional drilling program at La Verde scheduled for completion by the end of October 2026, the Company anticipates a material reduction in exploration expenditure in subsequent quarters.
Capital Structure
The following summarises the Company's securities on issue:
- 202,901,656 ordinary fully paid shares
- 1,212,121 options at AUD $2.145 expiring 12 August 2028
- 420,302 service rights
- 4,729,457 performance rights
Additional ASX Disclosure Information
ASX Listing Rule 5.3.2: There was no substantive mining production and development activities during the quarter.
ASX Listing Rule 5.3.3 - Schedule of Mineral Tenements as of 30 September 2026.
The schedule of Mineral Tenements and changes in interests is appended at the end of this activities report.
ASX Listing Rule 5.3.4: Reporting under a use of funds statement in a Prospectus does not apply to the Company currently.
ASX Listing Rule 5.3.5: Payments to related parties of the Company and their associates during the quarter per Section 6.1 of the Appendix 5B totalled $234,000. This is comprised of directors' salaries and superannuation of $234,000.
Health, Safety, Environment and Quality
Field operations during the quarter included geological reconnaissance activities, diamond and reverse circulation drilling, sampling baselines and site investigations for EIA and revised PFS2, across the Company's Costa Fuego project landholdings, focused on La Verde and Productora. Activities on new tenements are run at the Productora or Cortadera operations centers and their safety statistics are included under the figures for all projects.
One Lost Time Injury (LTI) was recorded during the quarter. The LTI occurred during diamond drilling activities when an accident in retrieving a sample resulted in a fractured finger.
Hot Chili's sustainability framework ensures an emphasis on business processes that target long-term economic, environmental and social value. The Company is dedicated to continual monitoring and improvement of health, safety and the environmental systems. There is no greater importance than ensuring the safety of our people and their families.
Table 3. HSEQ Quarter 3 2026 Performance and Statistics
Deposit Domeyko Productora All Projects
Timeframe Q3 2026 Cum.2 Q3 2026 Cum.2 Q3 2026 Cum.2
2024 2024 2024
LTI events 1 1 0 1 1 5
NLTI events 1 0 0 1 1 6
Days lost 66 83 0 4 66 194
LTIFR index 23 20 0 16 20 21
ISR index 1543 552 0 66 1314 800
IFR Index 47 47 0 33 0 45
Thousands of man-hours 42.8 150 7.2 61 50.2 243
Incidents on materials and assets 0 2 0 0 0 2
Environmental incidents 0 0 0 0 0 0
Headcount(1) 100 36 28 20 130 69
Notes: HSEQ is the acronym for Health, Safety, Environment and Quality. LTIFR per million-manhours. Safety performance is reported on a monthly basis to the National Mine Safety Authority on a
standard E-100 form; (1) Average monthly headcount (2) Cumulative statistics since April 2024.
Tenement Changes During the Quarter
During the Quarter, Sociedad Minera La Frontera SpA ("La Frontera") exercised the option granted under the San Antonio Purchase Option Agreement, thereby acquiring ownership of 30 mining concessions.
During the reporting period, La Frontera also obtained the extensions of the following mining exploration concessions: "Cortadera 1", "Cortadera 2", "Cortadera 3", "Cortadera 4", "Cortadera 5", "San Antonio 1", "San Antonio 2", "San Antonio 3", "San Antonio 4" and "San Antonio 5"
In the course of the Quarter, the following mining exploration concessions have expired upon reaching their expiration date: "CF 1", "CF 2", "CF 3", "CF 4", "CF 5", "Juli 19", "Juli 20", "Juli 22", "Juli 23", "Julieta 5", "Julieta 6", "Julieta 7", "Julieta 8", "Julieta 9", "Julieta 11", "Julieta 12", "Julieta 16" and "Julieta 17".
In addition, during the quarter, La Frontera filed the following exploitation mining claims (manifestaciones), exercising the preferential rights arising from the corresponding exploration concessions: "CF 1 1/60", "CF 2 1/60", "CF 3 1/60" and "CF 4 1/40". Furthermore, Sociedad Minera El Aguila SpA ("El Aguila") has claimed the following mining exploitation concessions, exercising the preferential rights arising from the corresponding exploration concessions: "Juli 19 1/60", "Juli 20 1/60", "Juli 22 1/60", "Juli 25 1/60", "Julieta 5 1/40", "Julieta 6 1/40", "Julieta 11 1/60", "Julieta 12 1/60", "Julieta 16 1/40" and "Julieta 17 1/40". In addition, during the period, El Aguila also filed the exploitation mining claim (manifestación) "Julita 7 1/60", which covers the areas comprised within the Julieta 8 and Julieta 9 exploration concessions, as well as the exploration mining application (pedimento) "Bigotes 10".
Finally, during the period, the exploration mining concessions "CF Sur 17", "CF Sur 27", and "CF Sur 30" were judicially declared lapsed because of non-compliance with Article 112 bis of the Chilean Mining Code, which prohibits the overlap of exploration mining concessions held by the same owner. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the area covered by such concessions is encompassed within the exploitation mining concessions currently undergoing the constitution process, namely "Porfiada Sur 1 1/60", "Porfiada Sur 2 1/60", "Porfiada Sur 3 1/40", and "Porfiada Sur 4 1/60". To avoid becoming subject to the same restriction, La Frontera abandoned the exploration concession applications "CF Sur 36" and "CF Sur 37", which were then in the process of being constituted.
The Company's existing tenements are detailed in the tables below.
Table 4. Current Tenement Holdings in Chile as of 30 September 2026
Cortadera Project Tenements
N° License ID HCH % Held HCH % Earning Area Agreement Details
(ha)
1
ALCENIA 1/10 100% Frontera SpA 50
2 AMALIA 942 A 1/6 100% Frontera SpA 53
3
ATACAMITA 1/82 100% Frontera SpA 82
4 CORROTEO 1 1/260 100% Frontera SpA 260
5 CORROTEO 5 1/261 100% Frontera SpA 261
6 CORTADERA 1 1/200 100% Frontera SpA 200
7
CORTADERA 1/40 100% Frontera SpA 374
8 CORTADERA 2 1/200 100% Frontera SpA 200
9
CORTADERA 41 100% Frontera SpA 1
10
CORTADERA 42 100% Frontera SpA 1
11
LAS CANAS 1/15 100% Frontera SpA 146
12
LAS CANAS 16 100% Frontera SpA 1
13 LAS CANAS ESTE 2003 1/30 100% Frontera SpA 300
14 MAGDALENITA 1/20 100% Frontera SpA 100
15 PAULINA 10 B 1/16 100% Frontera SpA 136
16 PAULINA 11 B 1/30 100% Frontera SpA 249
17 PAULINA 12 B 1/30 100% Frontera SpA 294
18 PAULINA 13 B 1/30 100% Frontera SpA 264
19 PAULINA 14 B 1/30 100% Frontera SpA 265
20 PAULINA 15 B 1/30 100% Frontera SpA 200
21 PAULINA 22 A 1/30 100% Frontera SpA 300
22 PAULINA 24 1/24 100% Frontera SpA 183
23 PAULINA 25 A 1/19 100% Frontera SpA 156
24 PAULINA 26 A 1/30 100% Frontera SpA 294
25 PAULINA 27A 1/30 100% Frontera SpA 300
26 PURISIMA 1/8 (1/2 Y 5/6) 100% Frontera SpA 20 NSR 1.5%
27
CF 1 1/60 100% Frontera SpA 300
28
CF 2 1/60 100% Frontera SpA 300
29
CF 3 1/60 100% Frontera SpA 300
30
CF 4 1/60 100% Frontera SpA 300
31
CF 6 100% Frontera SpA 200
32
CF 7 100% Frontera SpA 100
33
CF 8 100% Frontera SpA 200
34
CF 9 100% Frontera SpA 100
35
CF 10 100% Frontera SpA 200
36
CF 11 100% Frontera SpA 200
37 CHAPULIN COLORADO 1/3 100% Frontera SpA 3
38
CHILIS 1 100% Frontera SpA 200
39
CHILIS 3 100% Frontera SpA 100
40
CHILIS 4 100% Frontera SpA 200
41
CHILIS 5 100% Frontera SpA 200
42
CHILIS 6 100% Frontera SpA 200
43
CHILIS 7 100% Frontera SpA 200
44
CHILIS 8 100% Frontera SpA 200
45
CHILIS 9 100% Frontera SpA 300
46
CHILIS 10 1/38 100% Frontera SpA 190
47
CHILIS 11 100% Frontera SpA 200
48
CHILIS 12 1/60 100% Frontera SpA 300
49
CHILIS 13 100% Frontera SpA 300
50
CHILIS 14 100% Frontera SpA 300
51
CHILIS 15 100% Frontera SpA 300
52
CHILIS 16 100% Frontera SpA 300
53
CHILIS 17 100% Frontera SpA 300
54
CHILIS 18 100% Frontera SpA 300
55
CORTADERA 1 100% Frontera SpA 200
56
CORTADERA 2 100% Frontera SpA 200
57
CORTADERA 3 100% Frontera SpA 200
58
CORTADERA 4 100% Frontera SpA 200
59
CORTADERA 5 100% Frontera SpA 200
60 CORTADERA 6 1/60 100% Frontera SpA 265
61 CORTADERA 7 1/20 100% Frontera SpA 93
62
CRISTINA 1/40 100% Frontera SpA 40
63
DIABLITO 1/5 100% Frontera SpA 25
64 DONA FELIPA 1/10 100% Frontera SpA 50
65
DORO 1 100% Frontera SpA 200
66
DORO 2 100% Frontera SpA 200
67
DORO 3 100% Frontera SpA 300
68 FALLA MAIPO 2 1/10 100% Frontera SpA 99
69 FALLA MAIPO 3 1/8 100% Frontera SpA 72
70 FALLA MAIPO 4 1/26 100% Frontera SpA 26
71
MINORI 1 100% Frontera SpA 300
72
MINORI 2 100% Frontera SpA 300
73
MINORI 3 100% Frontera SpA 300
74
MINORI 4 100% Frontera SpA 300
75
PORFIADA B 100% Frontera SpA 200
76
PORFIADA D 100% Frontera SpA 300
77
PORFIADA G 100% Frontera SpA 200
78
PORFIADA I 100% Frontera SpA 300
79
PORFIADA II 100% Frontera SpA 300
80
PORFIADA III 100% Frontera SpA 300
81
PORFIADA IV 100% Frontera SpA 300
82
PORFIADA V 100% Frontera SpA 200
83
PORFIADA VI 100% Frontera SpA 100
84
PORFIADA X 100% Frontera SpA 200
85
SAN ANTONIO 1 100% Frontera SpA 200
86
SAN ANTONIO 2 100% Frontera SpA 200
87
SAN ANTONIO 3 100% Frontera SpA 300
88
SAN ANTONIO 4 100% Frontera SpA 300
89
SAN ANTONIO 5 100% Frontera SpA 300
90
MARINA 1/10 100% Frontera SpA 100
91
CATITA V 1/9 100% Frontera SpA 9
92
CHILIS 19 100% Frontera SpA 300
93
PAULINA 100% Frontera SpA 100
94 ARBOLEDA 7 1/25 100% Frontera SpA 234 NSR 1%
95 NAVARRO 1 41/60 100% Frontera SpA 81 NSR 1%
96
WH 1 1/20 100% Frontera SpA 100
TOTAL 19.177
Note. Frontera SpA is a 100% owned subsidiary company of Hot Chili Limited
Productora Project Tenements
Productora Project
N° License ID HCH % Held HCH % Earning Area
Agreement Details
(ha)
1 ALGA 7 A 1/32 80% SMEA SpA 89
2
ALGA VI 4 100% SMEA SpA 2
3 ALGA VI 5/24 80% SMEA SpA 66
4 ARENA 1 1/6 80% SMEA SpA 40
5 ARENA 2 1/17 80% SMEA SpA 113
6 AURO HUASCO 1A 1/8 80% SMEA SpA 35
7 CABRITO-CABRITO 1/9 80% SMEA SpA 50
8 CACHIYUYITO 1 1/20 80% SMEA SpA 100
9 CACHIYUYITO 2 1/60 80% SMEA SpA 300
10 CACHIYUYITO 3 1/60 80% SMEA SpA 300
11 CARMEN I, 1/50 80% SMEA SpA 222
12 CARMEN II, 1/60 80% SMEA SpA 274
13
CF 12 100% Frontera SpA 100
14
CF 13 100% Frontera SpA 200
15
CF 14 100% Frontera SpA 300
16
CHICA 80% SMEA SpA 1
17 CHOAPA 1/10 80% SMEA SpA 50
18 CUENCA A 1/51 80% SMEA SpA 255
19 CUENCA B 1/28 80% SMEA SpA 139
20 CUENCA C 1/51 80% SMEA SpA 255
21
CUENCA D 80% SMEA SpA 3
22
CUENCA E 80% SMEA SpA 1
23 ELEONOR RIGBY 1/10 100% Frontera SpA 100
24 ELQUI 1/14 80% SMEA SpA 61
25 ESPERANZA 1/5 80% SMEA SpA 11
26 FRAN 1 1/60 80% SMEA SpA 220
27 FRAN 12 1/40 80% SMEA SpA 200
28 FRAN 13 1/40 80% SMEA SpA 200
29 FRAN 14 1/40 80% SMEA SpA 200
30 FRAN 15 1/60 80% SMEA SpA 300
31 FRAN 18, 1/60 80% SMEA SpA 273
32 FRAN 2 1/20 80% SMEA SpA 100
33 FRAN 21, 1/46 80% SMEA SpA 226
34 FRAN 3 1/20 80% SMEA SpA 100
35 FRAN 4 1/20 80% SMEA SpA 100
36 FRAN 5 1/20 80% SMEA SpA 100
37 FRAN 6 1/26 80% SMEA SpA 130
38 FRAN 7 1/37 80% SMEA SpA 176
39 FRAN 8 1/30 80% SMEA SpA 120
40 JULI 10, 1/60 80% SMEA SpA 300
41 JULI 11, 1/60 80% SMEA SpA 300
42 JULI 12, 1/42 80% SMEA SpA 210
43 JULI 13, 1/20 80% SMEA SpA 100
44 JULI 14, 1/50 80% SMEA SpA 250
45 JULI 15, 1/55 80% SMEA SpA 275
46 JULI 16 1/60 80% SMEA SpA 300
47 JULI 17 1/20 80% SMEA SpA 100
48 JULI.19 1/60 80% SMEA SpA 300
49 JULI.20 1/60 80% SMEA SpA 300
50 JULI 21 1/60 80% SMEA SpA 300
51 JULI.22 1/60 80% SMEA SpA 300
52 JULI 23 1/60 80% SMEA SpA 300
53 JULI 24 1/60 80% SMEA SpA 300
54 JULI.25 1/60 80% SMEA SpA 300
55 JULI 27 B, 1/10 80% SMEA SpA 48
56 JULI 27, 1/30 80% SMEA SpA 146
57 JULI 28, 1/60 80% SMEA SpA 300
58 JULI 9, 1/60 80% SMEA SpA 300
59 JULIETA 10, 1/60 80% SMEA SpA 300
60 JULIETA 11 1/60 80% SMEA SpA 300
61 JULIETA 12 1/60 80% SMEA SpA 300
62 JULIETA 13 1/60 80% SMEA SpA 298
63 JULIETA 14 1/60 80% SMEA SpA 269
64 JULIETA 15 1/40 80% SMEA SpA 200
65 JULIETA 16 1/40 80% SMEA SpA 200
66 JULIETA 17 1/40 80% SMEA SpA 200
67 JULIETA 18 1/40 80% SMEA SpA 200
68 JULIETA 5 1/40 80% SMEA SpA 200
69 JULIETA 6 1/40 80% SMEA SpA 200
70 JULIETA 7 1/60 80% SMEA SpA 300
71 JULITA 1/4 80% SMEA SpA 4
72 LEONA 2A 1/4 80% SMEA SpA 10
73 LIMARI 1/15 80% SMEA SpA 66
74
LOA 1/6 80% SMEA SpA 30
75 MAIPO 1/10 80% SMEA SpA 50
76 MONTOSA 1/4 80% SMEA SpA 35 NSR 3%
77 ORO INDIO 1A 1/20 80% SMEA SpA 82
78 PEGGY SUE 1/10 100% Frontera SpA 100
79 PRODUCTORA 1/16 80% SMEA SpA 75
80 TOLTEN 1/14 80% SMEA SpA 70
81 URANIO 1/70 0 % 350 25-year Lease Agreement US$250,000 per
year
(average for the 25 year term); plus 2%
NSR all but
gold; 4% NSR gold; 5% NSR non-metallic
82 ZAPA 1 1/10 80% SMEA SpA 100
83
ZAPA 1/6 80% SMEA SpA 6 GSR 1%
84 ZAPA 3 1/23 80% SMEA SpA 92
85 ZAPA 5A 1/16 80% SMEA SpA 80
86 ZAPA 7 1/24 80% SMEA SpA 120
87 SIERRA SOLIS 1 100% SMEA SpA 200
88 SIERRA SOLIS 2 100% SMEA SpA 300
89 SIERRA SOLIS 3 100% SMEA SpA 300
90 SIERRA SOLIS 4 100% SMEA SpA 200
91 SIERRA SOLIS 5 100% SMEA SpA 300
92 SIERRA SOLIS 6 100% SMEA SpA 300
93 SIERRA SOLIS 7 100% SMEA SpA 300
94 SIERRA SOLIS 8 100% SMEA SpA 300
95
ZAPALLO 1 100% SMEA SpA 100
96
ZAPALLO 2 100% SMEA SpA 200
97
ZAPALLO 3 100% SMEA SpA 200
98 HWZC 1 1/14 100% SMEA SpA 98
99 BUENA SUERTE 1/6 100% SMEA SpA 30
100
PILAR 1/2 100% SMEA SpA 10
101 BIGOTES 10 100% SMEA SpA 200
TOTAL 17.516
Note: SMEA SpA is subsidiary company - 80% owned by Hot Chili Limited, 20% owned by CMP (Compañía Minera del Pacífico)
Note: Frontera SpA is a 100% owned subsidiary company of Hot Chili Limited.
Domeyko Project Tenements
Domeyko Project
N° License ID HCH % Held HCH % Earning Area
Agreement Details
(ha)
1 ANTONIO 1 1/56 100% Frontera SpA 280 100% HCH Domeyko Purchase Option
Agreement
US$320,000 (already satisfied)
US$200,000 payable by April 19th 2027
US$3.480,000 payable by April 19th 2028
NSR 1%
2
ANTONIO 1/40 100% Frontera SpA 200
3 ANTONIO 10 1/21 100% Frontera SpA 63
4 ANTONIO 19 1/30 100% Frontera SpA 128
5 ANTONIO 21 1/20 100% Frontera SpA 60
6 ANTONIO 36 1/15 100% Frontera SpA 74
7 ANTONIO 5 1/40 100% Frontera SpA 200
8 ANTONIO 9 1/40 100% Frontera SpA 193
9
CAZURRO 1 100% Frontera SpA 200
10
CAZURRO 2 100% Frontera SpA 200
11
CAZURRO 3 100% Frontera SpA 300
12
CAZURRO 4 100% Frontera SpA 300
13
CAZURRO 5 100% Frontera SpA 100
14
CAZURRO 6 100% Frontera SpA 200
15
CAZURRO 7 100% Frontera SpA 200
16
CAZURRO 8 100% Frontera SpA 200
17
CERRO MOLY 1 100% Frontera SpA 300
18
CERRO MOLY 2 100% Frontera SpA 300
19
CERRO MOLY 3 100% Frontera SpA 300
20
CERRO MOLY 4 100% Frontera SpA 300
21 CAZURRO 3 1/60 100% Frontera SpA 300
22 CAZURRO 4 1/60 100% Frontera SpA 300
23 CAZURRO 7 1/40 100% Frontera SpA 200
24
EMILIO 1 1/8 100% Frontera SpA 38
25
EMILIO 3 1/9 100% Frontera SpA 45
26
INES 1/40 100% Frontera SpA 200
27
LORENA 1/2 100% Frontera SpA 2
28 MERCEDITA 1/7 100% Frontera SpA 22
29
PRIMO 1 1/6 100% Frontera SpA 36
30 SANTIAGUITO 5 1/24 100% Frontera SpA 114
31 DOMINOCEROS 1/20 (1/4) 100% Frontera SpA 20 100% HCH Dominoceros Purchase Option
Agreement
US$320,000 (already satisfied)
US$680,000 (already satisfied)
US$1,000,000 payable by October 25th 2026
US$6,890,000 payable by October 25th
2027
32
CF SUR 1 100% Frontera SpA 300
33
CF SUR 2 100% Frontera SpA 300
34
CF SUR 3 100% Frontera SpA 300
35
CF SUR 4 100% Frontera SpA 300
36
CF SUR 5 100% Frontera SpA 200
37
CF SUR 6 100% Frontera SpA 300
38
CF SUR 7 100% Frontera SpA 300
39
CF SUR 8 100% Frontera SpA 300
40
CF SUR 9 100% Frontera SpA 200
41
CF SUR 10 100% Frontera SpA 200
42
CF SUR 11 100% Frontera SpA 300
43
CF SUR 12 100% Frontera SpA 300
44
CF SUR 13 100% Frontera SpA 300
45
CF SUR 14 100% Frontera SpA 300
46
CF SUR 15 100% Frontera SpA 200
47
CF SUR 16 100% Frontera SpA 300
48
CF SUR 18 100% Frontera SpA 300
49
CF SUR 19 100% Frontera SpA 300
50
CF SUR 20 100% Frontera SpA 300
51
CF SUR 21 100% Frontera SpA 300
52
CF SUR 22 100% Frontera SpA 300
53
CF SUR 23 100% Frontera SpA 200
54
CF SUR 24 100% Frontera SpA 200
55
CF SUR 25 100% Frontera SpA 300
56
CF SUR 26 100% Frontera SpA 300
57
CF SUR 28 100% Frontera SpA 200
58
CF SUR 29 100% Frontera SpA 300
59
CF SUR 31 100% Frontera SpA 300
60
CF SUR 32 100% Frontera SpA 300
61
CF SUR 33 100% Frontera SpA 300
62
CF SUR 34 100% Frontera SpA 300
63
CF SUR 35 100% Frontera SpA 300
64
KRETA 1/4 100% Frontera SpA 16 The mining concession is included in
SanAntonio
Purchase Option Agreement
65
MARI 1 100% Frontera SpA 300
66
MARI 1/12 100% Frontera SpA 64 The mining concession is included in San
Antonio
Purchase Option Agreement
67
MARI 6 100% Frontera SpA 300
68
MARI 8 100% Frontera SpA 300
69
PAJONALES 100% Frontera SpA 300
70 PORFIADA SUR 1 1/60 100% Frontera SpA 300 The mining concession is included in
SanAntonio
Purchase Option Agreement
71 PORFIADA SUR 2 1/60 100% Frontera SpA 300 The mining concession is included in
SanAntonio
Purchase Option Agreement
72 PORFIADA SUR 3 1/40 100% Frontera SpA 200 The mining concession is included in
SanAntonio
Purchase Option Agreement
73 PORFIADA SUR 4 1/60 100% Frontera SpA 300 The mining concession is included in
SanAntonio
Purchase Option Agreement
TOTAL 16.655
Note: Frontera SpA is a 100% owned subsidiary company of Hot Chili Limited.
El Fuego Project Tenements
San Antonio Project
N° License ID HCH % Held HCH % Earning Area
Agreement Details
(ha)
1 MERCEDES 1/3 100% Frontera SpA 50
100% HCH San Antonio Purchase Option
Agreement
USD 4,400,000 already paid.
In September 2026, Frontera SpA exercised the
San Antonio Purchase Option Agreement.
(2 additional and conditional payments of
USD 2,000,000, each one, to be paid by December
31, 2030
under certain conditions detailed at title
"Tenement Changes During the Quarter" of this
quarterly report.)
2 PORFIADA A 1/33 100% Frontera SpA 160
3 PORFIADA C 1/60 100% Frontera SpA 300
4 PORFIADA E 1/20 100% Frontera SpA 100
5 PORFIADA F 1/50 100% Frontera SpA 240
6 PORFIADA IX 1/60 100% Frontera SpA 300
7 PORFIADA VII 1/60 100% Frontera SpA 270
8 PORFIADA VIII 1/60 100% Frontera SpA 300
9
PRIMA 1 100% Frontera SpA 1
10
PRIMA 2 100% Frontera SpA 2
11 ROMERO 1/31 100% Frontera SpA 31
12 SAN ANTONIO 1/5 100% Frontera SpA 25
13 SAN JUAN SUR 1/5 100% Frontera SpA 10
14 SAN JUAN SUR 6/23 100% Frontera SpA 90
15 SANTIAGO Z 1/30 100% Frontera SpA 300
16 SANTIAGO 1/4 Y 20 100% Frontera SpA 75
17 SANTIAGO 15/19 100% Frontera SpA 25
18 SANTIAGO 21/36 100% Frontera SpA 76
19 SANTIAGO 37/43 100% Frontera SpA 26
20 SANTIAGO A, 1/26 100% Frontera SpA 244
21 SANTIAGO B, 1/20 100% Frontera SpA 200
22 SANTIAGO C, 1/30 100% Frontera SpA 300
23 SANTIAGO D, 1/30 100% Frontera SpA 300
24 SANTIAGO E, 1/30 100% Frontera SpA 300
TOTAL 3.725
Note: Frontera SpA is a 100% owned subsidiary company of Hot Chili Limited.
Cordillera Project
N° License ID HCH % Held HCH % Earning Area Agreement Details
(ha)
1 ALBORADA III 1/35 100% Frontera SpA 162 100% HCH Purchase Option Agreement
USD 100,000 already paid
US$100,000 payable by November 14th
2026
US$100,000 payable by November 14th
2027
US$3,700,000 payable by November 14th
2028
NSR 1% for underground mining and 1,5%
for
open-pit mining
2 ALBORADA IV 1/20 100% Frontera SpA 54
3 ALBORADA VII 1/25 100% Frontera SpA 95
4
CAT IX 1/30 100% Frontera SpA 150
5 CATITA IX 1/20 100% Frontera SpA 100
6 CATITA XII 1/13 100% Frontera SpA 61
7 CORDILLERA 1/5 100% Frontera SpA 20
8 HERREROS 1/14 100% Frontera SpA 28
9 MINA HERREROS III 1/6 100% Frontera SpA 18
10 MINA HERREROS IV 1/10 100% Frontera SpA 23
11 PORSIACA 1/20 100% Frontera SpA 20
12 QUEBRADA 1/10 100% Frontera SpA 28
13
VETA 1/17 100% Frontera SpA 17
TOTAL 776
Note: Frontera SpA is a 100% owned subsidiary company of Hot Chili Limited.
Qualifying Statements
The scientific and technical information relating to the Company's Costa Fuego project in this report has been derived from or is based on the Costa Fuego Copper project pre-feasibility study (the "Costa Fuego PFS" or 2025 PFS), which has been prepared in accordance with Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and Joint Ore Reserves Committee of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves prepared by the Joint Ore Reserves Committee of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Australian Institute of Geoscientists and Minerals Council of Australia (the "JORC Code") and reviewed and approved by the "Qualified Persons" as defined under NI 43-101 and "Competent Persons" as defined under the JORC Code, as set out below. The 2025 PFS was compiled by the Qualified Persons and Competent Persons listed below based on information available up to the effective date of the PFS. Additional details of responsibilities are provided at page 48 of presentation "Costa Fuego Preliminary Feasibility Study March 2025" released on March 27, 2025.
Conceptual Open Pit Shells
Conceptual open pit shells represent Exploration Targets as defined in the 2012 Edition of the 'Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves' (JORC Code). They are based on completed exploration activities reported in the announcement released 19 May 2025 ('Hot Chili Announces Latest Drill Results for La Verde, Doubling Porphyry Discovery Footprint').
The conceptual open pit shells were generated using copper (Cu) prices of US$3.50/lb Cu and US$6.00/lb Cu on a series of nested Cu grade shells. Other input parameters informing the conceptual open-pit shells (pit slope angles, mining cost, processing cost, etc.) were derived from values reported in the March 2025 Costa Fuego Pre-feasibility Study and are considered appropriate for the style of mineralisation encountered at the La Verde Cu-Au porphyry discovery.
Any potential quantity and grade of the Exploration Target shown is conceptual in nature. There has been insufficient exploration to estimate a Mineral Resource within the target area, and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the estimation of a Mineral Resource.
Further exploration activities are detailed in this announcement and include (but may not necessarily be limited to) a program of diamond drill holes aiming to extend the mineralised footprint at La Verde. Drilling commenced on 22 September 2025, with the length of the program dependent on a number of considerations including (but not limited to) the results of the exploration activities and regulatory applications and approvals.
PFS Technical Report
For readers to fully understand the information in this report, they should read the PFS Technical Report available on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and at www.hotchili.net.au in its entirety titled "Costa Fuego Project, Chile, Preliminary Feasibility Study NI 43-101 Technical Report" dated May 9 2025 with an effective date of March 27 2025, including all qualifications, assumptions, limitations and exclusions. The PFS Technical Report is intended to be read as a whole, and sections should not be read or relied upon out of context. The technical information in this report is subject to the assumptions and qualifications to be contained in the PFS Technical Report. The PFS Technical Report replaces and supersedes the technical report titled "Costa Fuego Copper Project - NI 43-101 Technical Report Mineral Resource Estimate Update" dated April 8, 2024, with an effective date of February 26, 2024 (the "2024 PEA").
Qualified Persons - NI 43-101
The PFS was compiled by Wood Australia Pty Ltd with contributions from a team of independent "Qualified Persons" within the meaning of NI 43 -101. The scientific and technical information contained in this report pertaining to Costa Fuego has been reviewed and verified by the following independent qualified persons within the meaning of NI 43-101:
- Ms Elizabeth Haren (FAUSIMM (CP) & MAIG) of Haren Consulting - Mineral Resource Estimate
- Mr Dean David (FAUSIMM (CP)) of Wood Pty Ltd - Metallurgy
- Mr Piers Wendlandt (PE) of Wood Pty Ltd - Market Studies and Contracts, Economic Analysis
- Mr David Cuello (MAUSIMM) of GMT Servicios de Ingeniería - Geotechnical
- Mr Jeffrey Stevens (Pr. Eng, MSAIMM) of Wood Pty Ltd - Infrastructure and Capital Cost
- Mr Luis Bernal (Comisión Minera (PC) Registered Member) of Process Mineral Consulting - Leaching
- Mr Anton von Wielligh (FAUSIMM) of ABGM Consulting Pty Ltd - Mine Planning and Scheduling
- Mr Edmundo LaPorte (PE, PEng, CPEng, SME Registered Member) of High River Services - Environmental
The above independent Qualified Persons have verified the information disclosed herein, including the sampling, preparation, security, and analytical procedures underlying such information.
Competent Persons - JORC
The information in this report that relates to Mineral Resources, Exploration Results, and Ore Reserves for the Costa Fuego Project is based on information compiled by:
- Ms Elizabeth Haren (FAUSIMM (CP) & MAIG) who is a full-time employee of Haren Consulting - Mineral Resource Estimate
- Mr Dean David (FAUSIMM (CP)) who is a full-time employee of Wood Pty Ltd - Metallurgy
- Mr Piers Wendlandt (PE) who is a full-time employee of Wood Pty Ltd - Market Studies and Contracts, Economic Analysis
- Mr David Cuello (MAUSIMM) who is a full-time employee of GMT Servicios de Ingeniería - Geotechnical
- Mr Jeffrey Stevens (Pr. Eng, MSAIMM) who is a full-time employee of Wood Pty Ltd - Infrastructure and Capital Cost
- Mr Luis Bernal (Comisión Minera (PC) Registered Member) who is a full-time employee of Process Mineral Consulting - Leaching
- Mr Anton von Wielligh (FAUSIMM) who is a full-time employee of ABGM Consulting Pty Ltd - Mine Planning and Scheduling
- Mr Edmundo LaPorte (PE, PEng, CPEng, SME Registered Member) who is a full-time employee of High River Services - Environmental
- Mr Christian Easterday (MAIG), who is the Managing Director and is a full-time employee of Hot Chili Limited - Exploration Results
Ms Haren, Mr David, Mr Wendlandt, Mr Cuello, Mr Stevens, Mr Bernal, Mr LaPorte, Mr Easterday, and Mr von Wielligh each have sufficient experience, which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and types of deposits under consideration and to the activities undertaken, to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the JORC Code and as Qualified Persons under NI43-101.
Disclaimer
This report has been prepared by management of Hot Chili Limited ("Hot Chili" or the "Company") and does not represent a recommendation to buy or sell securities of the Company. Investors should always consult their investment advisors prior to making any investment decisions. This report does not purport to be complete or contain all of the information that may be material to the current or future business, operations, financial condition or prospects of the Company and Hot Chili makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this report. Certain information contained herein is based on, or derived from, information obtained from independent third-party sources, publicly available reports and other trade and industry sources. Hot Chili believes that such information is accurate and that the sources from which it has been obtained are reliable; however, Hot Chili has not independently verified such information and does not assume any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such information. Neither the 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.
Cautionary Note for U.S. Investors Concerning Mineral Resources
NI 43-101 is a rule of the Canadian Securities Administrators which establishes standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning material mineral projects. Technical disclosure contained in this report has been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum ("CIM") Classification System. These standards differ from the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and technical information contained in this report may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by domestic United States companies subject to the SEC's reporting and disclosure requirements.
All amounts in this report are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted.
Forward Looking Statements
This report contains certain statements that are "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Australian securities legislation (collectively, the "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current expectations, forecasts, and projections with respect to future events, many of which are beyond the Company's control, and are based on certain assumptions. No assurance can be given that these expectations, forecasts, or projections will prove to be correct, and such forward-looking statements included in this announcement should not be unduly relied upon. Forward-looking information is by its nature prospective and requires the Company to make certain assumptions and is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. The use of any of the words "capable", "estimate", "expansion", "expectations", "likely", "may", "plan", "potential", "project", "reinforce", "large-scale", "could", "should", "will", "would", variants of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.
In this report, forward-looking statements relate, among other things, to: the potential of the La Verde discovery; regulatory applications and approvals; and the Company's future exploration and other business plans.
Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from a conclusion, forecast or projection contained in the forward-looking statements in this announcement, including, but not limited to, the following material factors: the ability of drilling and other exploration activities to accurately predict mineralisation; operational risks; risks related to the cost estimates of exploration; sovereign risks associated with the Company's operations in Chile; changes in estimates of mineral resources or mineral reserves of properties where the Company holds interests; recruiting qualified personnel and retaining key personnel; future financial needs and availability of adequate financing; fluctuations in mineral prices; market volatility; exchange rate fluctuations; ability to exploit successful discoveries; the production at or performance of properties where the Company holds interests; ability to retain title to mining concessions; environmental risks; financial failure or default of joint venture partners, contractors or service providers; competition risks; economic and market conditions; and other risks and uncertainties described elsewhere in this announcement and elsewhere in the Company's public disclosure record.
Although the forward-looking statements contained in this report are based upon assumptions which the Company believes to be reasonable, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. With respect to forward-looking statements contained in this announcement, the Company has made assumptions regarding: future commodity prices and demand; availability of skilled labour; timing and amount of capital expenditures; future currency exchange and interest rates; the impact of increasing competition; general conditions in economic and financial markets; availability of drilling and related equipment; effects of regulation by governmental agencies; the timely receipt of permits and approvals; metallurgical recoveries for La Verde based on Cortadera as a proxy; that pending assays will be received and reported on anticipated timelines; that drill density will be sufficient to support a mineral resource estimate; future tax rates; future operating costs; availability of future sources of funding; and ability to obtain financing; and assumptions underlying estimates related to adjusted funds from operations.
The Company has included the above summary of assumptions and risks related to forward-looking information provided in this announcement to provide investors with a more complete perspective on the Company's future operations, and such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company's actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements and, accordingly, no assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits the Company will derive therefrom.
For additional information with respect to these and other factors and assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements made herein, please refer to the public disclosure record of the Company, including the Company's most recent Annual Report, which is available on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) under the Company's issuer profile. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all those factors or to assess in advance the impact of each such factor on the Company's business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.
The forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are expressly qualified by the foregoing cautionary statements and are made as of the date of this announcement. Except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this announcement or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, or otherwise. Investors should read this entire announcement and consult their own professional advisors to ascertain and assess the income tax and legal risks and other aspects of an investment in the Company.
Mineral Resource Statement
Costa Fuego Combined Mineral Resource (Effective Date 26 February 2024)
1 Mineral Resources are reported on a 100% Basis -combining Mineral Resource Estimates for the Cortadera, Productora, Alice and San Antonio deposits. All figures are rounded, reported to
appropriate significant figures and reported in accordance with the Joint Ore Reserves Committee Code (2012) and NI 43-101. Mineral Resource estimation practices are in accordance with CIM
Estimation of Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Best Practice Guidelines (29 November 2019) and reported in accordance CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves
(10 May 2014) that are incorporated by reference into NI 43-101.
2
Mineral Resources are inclusive of the Mineral Reserve
3 The Productora deposit is 100% owned by Chilean incorporated company Sociedad Minera El Aguila SpA (SMEA). SMEA is a joint venture (JV) company - 80% owned by Sociedad Minera El Corazón SpA (a
100% subsidiary of Hot Chili), and 20% owned by Compañía Minera del Pacífico S.A (CMP).
4 The Cortadera deposit is controlled by a Chilean incorporated company Sociedad Minera La Frontera SpA (Frontera). Frontera is a subsidiary company - 100% owned by Sociedad Minera El Corazón
SpA, which is a 100% subsidiary of Hot Chili.
5 The San Antonio deposit is controlled through Frontera (100% owned by Sociedad Minera El Corazón SpA, which is a 100% subsidiary of Hot Chili Limited) and Frontera is party to an Option
Agreement pursuant to which it can earn a 100% interest in the property.
6 The Mineral Resource Estimates (MRE) in the tables above form coherent bodies of mineralisation that are considered amenable to a combination of open pit and underground extraction methods
based on the following parameters: Base Case Metal Prices: Copper US$ 3.00/lb, Gold US$ 1,700/oz, Molybdenum US$ 14/lb, and Silver US$20/oz.
7 All MRE were assessed for Reasonable Prospects of Eventual Economic Extraction (RPEEE) using both Open Pit and Block Cave Extraction mining methods at Cortadera and Open Pit mining methods at
the Productora, Alice and San Antonio deposits.
8 Metallurgical recovery averages for each deposit consider Indicated + Inferred material and are weighted to combine sulphide flotation and oxide leaching performance. Process recoveries:
Cortadera - Weighted recoveries of 82% Cu, 55% Au, 81% Mo and 36% Ag. CuEq(%) = Cu(%) + 0.55 x Au(g/t) + 0.00046 x Mo(ppm) + 0.0043 x Ag(g/t). San Antonio -Weighted recoveries of 85% Cu,
66% Au, 80% Mo and 63% Ag. CuEq(%) = Cu(%) + 0.64 x Au(g/t) + 0.00044 x Mo(ppm) + 0.0072 x Ag(g/t) Alice -Weighted recoveries of 81% Cu, 47% Au, 52% Mo and 37% Ag. CuEq(%) = Cu(%) + 0.48 x
Au(g/t) + 0.00030 x Mo(ppm) + 0.0044 x Ag(g/t). Productora - Weighted recoveries of 84% Cu, 47% Au, 48% Mo and 18% Ag. CuEq(%) = Cu(%) + 0.46 x Au(g/t) + 0.00026 x Mo(ppm) + 0.0021 x Ag(g/
t). Costa Fuego - Recoveries of 83% Cu, 53% Au, 71% Mo and 26% Ag. CuEq(%) = Cu(%) + 0.53 x Au(g/t) + 0.00040 x Mo(ppm) + 0.0030 x Ag(g/t)
9 Copper Equivalent (CuEq) grades are calculated based on the formula: CuEq% = ((Cu% × Cu price 1% per tonne × Cu_recovery) + (Mo ppm × Mo price per g/t × Mo_recovery) + (Au ppm × Au price per
g/t × Au_recovery) + (Ag ppm × Ag price per g/t × Ag_recovery)) / (Cu price 1% per tonne × Cu recovery). The base case cut-off grade for Mineral Resources considered amenable to open pit
extraction methods at the Cortadera, Productora, Alice and San Antonio deposits is 0.20% CuEq, while the cut-off grade for Mineral Resources considered amenable to underground extraction
methods at the Cortadera deposit is 0.27% CuEq. It is the Company's opinion that all the elements included in the CuEq calculation have a reasonable potential to be recovered and sold.
10 Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. The MRE include Inferred Mineral Resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have
economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorised as Mineral Reserves. It is reasonably expected that the majority of Inferred mineral resources could be
upgraded to Measured or Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration.
11 The effective date of the MRE is 26 February 2024. The MRE was previously reported in the 2024 PEA. Hot Chili Limited confirms it is not aware of any new information or data that materially
affects the information included in the 2024 PEA and all material assumptions and technical parameters stated for the MRE in the 2024 PEA continue to apply and have not materially changed.
12 Hot Chili Limited is not aware of political, environmental, or other risks that could materially affect the potential development of the Mineral Resources other than as disclosed in the 2025
PFS. A detailed list of Costa Fuego Project risks is included in Chapter 25 of the 2025 PFS Technical Report titled "Costa Fuego Copper Project NI43-101 Technical Report Preliminary
Feasibility Study" and dated 9 May 2025 (effective 27 March 2025), is available on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and the Company's website (www.hotchili.net.au).
Ore Reserve Statement
Costa Fuego Combined Ore Reserve (Effective Date 27 March 2025)
1 Mineral Reserves are reported on a 100% Basis -combining Mineral Reserve estimates for the Cortadera, Productora, Alice and San Antonio deposits, and have an effective date of 27 March 2025.
2 An Ore Reserve (declared in accordance with JORC Code 2012) was previously reported at Productora, a component of Costa Fuego, on 2nd March 2016 on the ASX. The Company was not subject to the
requirements of NI 43-101 at that time.
3 Mineral Reserve estimation practices are in accordance with CIM Estimation of Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Best Practice Guidelines (29 November 2019) and reported in accordance CIM
Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (10 May 2014) that are incorporated by reference into NI 43-101. Mineral Reserve estimates are in accordance with the JORC Code.
References to "Mineral Reserves" mean "Ore Reserves" as defined in the JORC Code and references to "Proven Mineral Reserves" mean "Proved Ore Reserves" as defined in the JORC Code.
4
The Mineral Reserve reported above was not additive to the Mineral Resource. The Mineral Reserve is based on the 26 February 2024 Mineral Resource.
5 Tonnages and grades are rounded to two significant figures. All figures are rounded, reported to appropriate significant figures and reported in accordance with the Joint Ore Reserves Committee
Code (2012) and NI 43-101. As each number is rounded individually, the table may show apparent inconsistencies between the sum of rounded components and the corresponding rounded total.
6
Mineral Reserves are reported using long-term metal prices of US$4.30/lb Cu, US$2,280/oz Au, US$27/oz Ag, US$20/lb Mo.
7 The Mineral Reserve tonnages and grades are estimated and reported as delivered to plant (the point where material is delivered to the processing facility) and is therefore inclusive of ore
loss and dilution.
8 The Productora deposit is 100% owned by Chilean incorporated company Sociedad Minera El Aguila SpA (SMEA). SMEA is a joint venture (JV) company - 80% owned by Sociedad Minera El Corazón SpA (a
100% subsidiary of Hot Chili), and 20% owned by Compañía Minera del Pacífico S.A (CMP).
9 The Cortadera deposit is controlled by a Chilean incorporated company Sociedad Minera La Frontera SpA (Frontera). Frontera is a subsidiary company - 100% owned by Sociedad Minera El Corazón
SpA, which is a 100% subsidiary of Hot Chili.
10 The San Antonio deposit is controlled through Frontera (100% owned by Sociedad Minera El Corazón SpA, which is a 100% subsidiary of Hot Chili) and Frontera is party to an Option Agreement
pursuant to which it can earn a 100% interest in the property.
11 The Mineral Reserve Estimate as of 27 March 2025 for Costa Fuego was prepared by Anton von Wielligh, Fellow with the AUSIMM (FAUSIMM). Mr. von Wielligh fulfils the requirements to be a
"Qualified Person" within the meaning of NI 43-101 and is the Competent Person under JORC for the Mineral Reserve.
12 Hot Chili Limited is not aware of political, environmental, or other risks that could materially affect the potential development of the Mineral Reserves other than as disclosed in the 2025
PFS. A detailed list of Costa Fuego Project risks is included in Chapter 25 of the 2025 PFS Technical Report titled "Costa Fuego Copper Project NI43-101 Technical Report Preliminary
Feasibility Study" and dated 9 May 2025 (effective 27 March 2025), is available on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and the Company's website (www.hotchili.net.au).
Appendix 5B
Mining exploration entity or oil and gas exploration entity quarterly cash flow report
Name of entity
Hot Chili Limited
ABN Quarter ended ("current quarter")
91 130 955 725 30 September 2026
Consolidated statement of cash flows Current Year to
quarter date
$A'000 (3 months)
$A'000
1. Cash flows from operating activities
1.1
Receipts from customers
1.2
Payments for
(a) exploration & evaluation
(a) development
(b) production
(c) staff costs (1,250) (1,250)
(d) administration and corporate costs (1,538) (1,538)
1.3
Dividends received (see note 3)
1.4
Interest received 183 183
1.5 Interest and other costs of finance paid
1.6
Income taxes paid
1.7
Government grants and tax incentives
1.8
Other (provide details if material)
1.9 Net cash from /(used in) operating activities (2,605) (2,605)
2. Cash flows from investing activities
2.1
Payments to acquire or for:
(a) entities
(b) tenements (3,371) (3,371)
(c) property, plant and equipment (136) (136)
(d) exploration & evaluation (10,144) (10,144)
(e) investments
(f) other non-current assets
2.2
Proceeds from the disposal of:
(a) entities
(b) tenements
(c) property, plant and equipment
(d) investments
(e) other non-current assets
2.3 Cash flows from loans to other entities
2.4
Dividends received (see note 3)
2.5 Other (OR Royalty funds - net of costs) 20,435 20,435
2.6 Net cash from /(used in) investing activities 6,784 6,784
3. Cash flows from financing activities
3.1 Proceeds from issues of equity securities
(excluding convertible debt securities)
3.2 Proceeds from issue of convertible debt
securities
3.3
Proceeds from exercise of options
3.4 Transaction costs related to issues of equity
securities or convertible debt securities
3.5
Proceeds from borrowings
3.6
Repayment of borrowings
3.7 Transaction costs related to loans and borrowings
3.8
Dividends paid
3.9
Other (provide details if material)
3.10 Net cash from /(used in) financing activities
4. Net increase /(decrease) in cash and
cash equivalents for the period
4.1 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 24,948 24,948
4.2 Net cash from /(used in) operating activities
(item 1.9 above) (2,605) (2,605)
4.3 Net cash from /(used in) investing activities
(item 2.6 above) 6,784 6,784
4.4 Net cash from /(used in) financing activities
(item 3.10 above)
4.5 Effect of movement in exchange rates on cash held 122 122
4.6 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 29,249 29,249
5. Reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents Current Previous
quarter quarter
at the end of the quarter (as shown in the $A'000 $A'000
consolidated statement of cash flows) to the
related items in the accounts
5.1
Bank balances 8,841 5,428
5.2
Call deposits 16,107 29,792
5.3
Bank overdrafts
5.4
Other (provide details)
5.5
Cash and cash equivalents at end of 24,948 35,220
quarter (should equal item 4.6 above)
6. Payments to related parties of the entity and their associates Current quarter
$A'000
6.1
Aggregate amount of payments to related parties and their 234
associates included in item 1
6.2
Aggregate amount of payments to related parties and their
associates included in item 2
Note: if any amounts are shown in items 6.1 or 6.2, your quarterly activity report must include a description of, and an
explanation for, such payments.
7. Financing facilities Total
facility Amount drawn at
Note: the term "facility' includes all
forms of financing amount at quarter end
arrangements available to the entity. quarter end $A'000
Add notes as necessary for an understanding
of the $A'000
sources of finance available to the entity.
7.1
Loan facilities
7.2
Credit standby arrangements
7.3
Other (please specify)
7.4 Total financing facilities
7.5 Unused financing facilities available at quarter end
7.6 Include in the box below a description of each facility above,
including the lender, interest
rate, maturity date and whether it is secured or unsecured. If any
additional financing
facilities have been entered into or are proposed to be entered into
after quarter end,
include a note providing details of those facilities as well.
8. Estimated cash available for future operating activities
$A'000
8.1
Net cash from / (used in) operating activities (item 1.9) (2,605)
8.2
(Payments for exploration & evaluation classified as investing (10,144)
activities) (item 2.1(d))
8.3
Total relevant outgoings (item 8.1 + item 8.2) (12,749)
8.4
Cash and cash equivalents at quarter end (item 4.6) 29,249
8.5
Unused finance facilities available at quarter end (item 7.5)
8.6
Total available funding (item 8.4 + item 8.5) 29,249
8.7 Estimated quarters of funding available (item 8.6 divided by 2.29
item 8.3)
Note: if the entity has reported positive relevant outgoings (ie a net cash inflow) in item 8.3, answer item 8.7 as "N/A".
Otherwise, a figure for the estimated quarters of funding available must be included in item 8.7.
8.8 If item 8.7 is less than 2 quarters, please provide answers to the following questions:
8.8.1 Does the entity expect that it will continue to have the current level of net
operating
cash flows for the time being and, if not, why not?
Although the Company has reported more than two quarters of funding available, it
does not expect the current level of total cash outflows to continue.
The Company's payments for exploration & evaluation expenditure during the
quarter reflect the Phase 2 resource infill and extensional drilling program at La Verde,
which is scheduled for completion by the end of October 2026.
Following completion of this program, the Company anticipates a material reduction
in exploration and evaluation expenditure in subsequent quarters, resulting in a
reduction in overall cash outflows and an extension of its available cash runway.
8.8.2 Has the entity taken any steps, or does it propose to take any steps, to raise
further
cash to fund its operations and, if so, what are those steps and how likely does it believe
that
they will be successful?
N/A
8.8.3 Does the entity expect to be able to continue its operations and to meet its
business
objectives and, if so, on what basis?
N/A
Note: where item 8.7 is less than 2 quarters, all of questions 8.8.1, 8.8.2 and 8.8.3 above
must be answered.
Compliance statement
- This statement has been prepared in accordance with accounting standards and policies which comply with Listing Rule 19.11A.
- This statement gives a true and fair view of the matters disclosed.
Date: 30 October 2026
Authorised by: By the Board
(Name of body or officer authorising release - see note 4)
Notes
1. This quarterly cash flow report and the accompanying activity report provide a basis for informing the market about the entity's activities for the past quarter, how they have been
financed and the effect this has had on its cash position. An entity that wishes to disclose additional information over and above the minimum required under the Listing Rules is
encouraged to do so.
2. If this quarterly cash flow report has been prepared in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards, the definitions in, and provisions of, AASB 6: Exploration for and Evaluation of
Mineral Resources and AASB 107: Statement of Cash Flows apply to this report. If this quarterly cash flow report has been prepared in accordance with other accounting standards agreed by
ASX pursuant to Listing Rule 19.11A, the corresponding equivalent standards apply to this report.
3.
Dividends received may be classified either as cash flows from operating activities or cash flows from investing activities, depending on the accounting policy of the entity.
4. If this report has been authorised for release to the market by your board of directors, you can insert here: "By the board". If it has been authorised for release to the market by a
committee of your board of directors, you can insert here: "By the [name of board committee - eg Audit and Risk Committee]". If it has been authorised for release to the market by a
disclosure committee, you can insert here: "By the Disclosure Committee".
5. If this report has been authorised for release to the market by your board of directors and you wish to hold yourself out as complying with recommendation 4.2 of the ASX Corporate
Governance Council's Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations, the board should have received a declaration from its CEO and CFO that, in their opinion, the financial records
of the entity have been properly maintained, that this report complies with the appropriate accounting standards and gives a true and fair view of the cash flows of the entity, and that
their opinion has been formed on the basis of a sound system of risk management and internal control which is operating effectively.
For more information please contact: Christian Easterday, Managing Director & CEO - Hot Chili, Tel: +61 8 9315 9009, Email: admin@hotchili.net.au; Carol Marinkovich, Company Secretary - Hot Chili, Tel: +61 8 9315 9009, Email: cosec@hotchili.net.au; Graham Farrell, Investor & Public Relations, Email: graham@hotchili.net.au; or visit Hot Chili's website at www.hotchili.net.au
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SOURCE Hot Chili Limited
