Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 20, 2026) - Los Andes Copper Ltd. (TSXV: LA) (OTCQX: LSANF) ("Los Andes" or the "Company") advises that Santiago Montt has been appointed as Minister of Mines for the incoming government of President Jose Antonio Kast and has submitted his resignation from the position of Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") of the Company. Mr. Montt will remain with the Company to support an orderly transition until February 19, 2026. Antony Amberg, Chief Geologist at Los Andes, has been appointed as interim CEO of the Company, and the Board has begun the search for a new CEO.

Eduardo Covarrubias, Chairman of Los Andes, commented:

"I would like to congratulate Santiago on his recent appointment as Minister of Mines. Santiago brings his decades of experience and track record in the mining sector to support the incoming government of President Jose Antonio Kast. We would also like to thank Santiago for his invaluable contribution to Los Andes Copper. Santiago has been instrumental in leading the Vizcachitas project to make it the largest greenfield copper project in Chile not controlled by the majors. Under his leadership, Vizcachitas has been designed to be an example of how sustainable mining operations should be undertaken. He has brought his years of experience with majors to the development and reinforcement of relationships with the communities as well as with authorities at local, regional and national levels. We wish him the very best on his responsibilities with Chile going forward."

Santiago Montt, outgoing CEO of Los Andes, commented:

"I have been honoured to have been asked to serve my country as Minister of Mines in the incoming government of President Jose Antonio Kast. It has been a privilege working with Los Andes advancing the Vizcachitas project, one of the largest undeveloped greenfield copper projects in Chile, ensuring it is a sustainable mining project that will benefit all stakeholders. During my tenure as CEO, I have had the privilege of working alongside an exceptional Board, Chairman and Leadership Team. Together, we have achieved material progress across multiple strategic fronts. I am deeply grateful for the invaluable knowledge I have gained regarding the development of greenfield mining projects, encompassing the full business cycle from geological exploration through to stakeholder engagement. I leave with immense pride in what we have accomplished and full confidence in the leadership team's ability to carry this important project forward."

About Los Andes Copper Ltd.

Los Andes Copper Ltd. is an exploration and development company with an 100% interest in the Vizcachitas Project in Chile. The Company is focused on progressing the Project, which is located along Chile's most prolific copper belt, into production. Vizcachitas is one of the largest copper deposits in the Americas not controlled by the majors and the Company believes it will be Chile's next major copper mine.

The Project is a copper-molybdenum porphyry deposit, located 150 kilometers north of Santiago, in an area of very good infrastructure. An independent technical report for the PFS, prepared in accordance with NI 43-101, is available on the Company's SEDAR profile.

Los Andes Copper Ltd. is listed on the TSX-V under the ticker: LA.

Qualified Persons

Antony Amberg CGeol FGS, the Company's Interim CEO, is the qualified person who has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release.

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Certain of the information and statements contained herein that are not historical facts, constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of the Securities Act (British Columbia), Securities Act (Ontario) and the Securities Act (Alberta) ("Forward-Looking Information"). Forward-Looking Information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect" and "intend"; statements that an event or result is "due" on or "may", "will", "should", "could", or might" occur or be achieved; and, other similar expressions. More specifically, Forward-Looking Information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such Forward-Looking Information. Such Forward-Looking Information includes, without limitation, the timing of and ability to obtain TSX-V and other regulatory approvals and the prospects, details related to and timing of the Vizcachitas Project. Such Forward-Looking Information is based upon the Company's assumptions regarding global and Chilean economic, political and market conditions and the price of metals and energy and the Company's production. Among the factors that have a direct bearing on the Company's future results of operations and financial conditions are changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, a change in government policies, competition, currency fluctuations and restrictions and technological changes, among other things. Should one or more of any of the aforementioned risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from any conclusions, forecasts or projections described in the Forward-Looking Information. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise Forward-Looking Information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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

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