Mr. Brad Peters reports

PACIFIC EMPIRE COMMENCES FIFTH DRILL HOLE AT THE TRIDENT COPPER-GOLD PROJECT, BRITISH COLUMBIA

Pacific Empire Minerals Corp. has provided an update on the continuing diamond drilling program at its 100-per-cent-owned Trident copper-gold project, located in north-central British Columbia.

Fifth drill hole under way following key geological breakthrough

Drilling of hole TRI-25-005 has now commenced from the same collar location as hole TRI-25-001, but with a new azimuth of 330 degrees designed to test the margins of a newly confirmed porphyry intrusion.

Holes 1 through 3 all intersected visible copper mineralization, specifically disseminated chalcopyrite and visible bornite, highlighting the strength and continuity of the mineralizing system at Trident.

Hole TRI-25-004, drilled to test the centre of a large resistivity anomaly, successfully confirmed the presence of a porphyry intrusion -- a major milestone validating Pacific Empire's geophysical model. Although this intrusion was less mineralized, it provides essential context for vectoring toward higher-grade zones associated with later, more copper-rich intrusive phases.

"Each hole drilled at Trident continues to refine our understanding of this emerging porphyry system," stated Brad Peters, president and chief executive officer of Pacific Empire. "The confirmation of a porphyry intrusion at the centre of the geophysical anomaly represents a key milestone in our exploration model. With hole 5 now under way, we're testing a new orientation that aims to follow up on the strongest copper mineralization intersected to date in hole one."

To date, 1,958 metres have been completed across four drill holes:

• TRI-25-001 -- 503 metres (m);
• TRI-25-002 -- 501 m;
• TRI-25-003 -- 501 m;
• TRI-25-004 -- 453 m.

Samples from completed holes are being logged, cut and shipped to ALS Laboratories in North Vancouver for analysis. Results will be released as they become available.

Drill core highlights:

• Hole TRI-25-001: collared directly into a mineralized porphyry with disseminated chalcopyrite and visible bornite. At approximately 300 m, the hole crossed a major fault zone and entered strongly potassic- and sericite-altered rocks, suggesting proximity to a hydrothermal center;
• Holes TRI-25-002 and TRI-25-003: tested an IP chargeability anomaly approximately 360 m northeast of hole 1 and both encountered zones of visible copper mineralization with abundant pyrite, supporting the interpretation of a broad, continuous system extending along strike;
• Hole TRI-25-004: intersected a porphyry intrusion at depth, interpreted as an earlier, weakly mineralized phase. The mineralized porphyry from hole TRI-25-001 likely represents a later, copper-rich phase emplaced along the margins of this earlier intrusion, providing a compelling vector toward higher-grade mineralization.

Next steps

The objective of hole TRI-25-005 is to test the margins of the porphyry intrusion encountered in hole TRI-25-004 and to vector toward the well-mineralized porphyry intersected in hole TRI-25-001. By drilling from the same collar as hole 1 but at a new azimuth of 330 degrees, the company aims to better define the relationship between these intrusive phases and identify potential zones of stronger copper-gold mineralization along the intrusive contact.

About Trident

The Trident property is an early-exploration-stage property hosting an alkalic porphyry copper-gold-silver prospect with district-scale potential that is accessible by vehicle. The property is located approximately 50 kilometres (km) southeast of the Kwanika deposit owned by NorthWest Copper Corp. and 50 km to the northwest of Centerra Gold's Mt. Milligan mine. The property covers 6,618 hectares endowed with well-established logging roads providing important efficient access to conduct exploration programs.

In 2022, Pacific Empire acquired a 100-per-cent interest in the property in exchange for granting the vendors a 2-per-cent net smelter return (NSR) royalty. One-half (a 1-per-cent royalty) of the 2-per-cent NSR may be purchased for $500,000 by Pacific Empire.

About Pinnacle

The Pinnacle project is located 60 km west of Centerra Gold's Mt. Milligan copper-gold mine and 30 km southeast of NorthWest Copper's Kwanika copper-gold deposit in a proven copper-gold porphyry district. Access to the Pinnacle is by road, including a new and expanding network of logging roads and trails throughout the main target areas. This improved access is a significant development, and is anticipated to contribute to cost-effective drill support and provides additional bedrock exposure.

Qualified person's statement

Kristian Whitehead, PGeo, serves as a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, and has reviewed the scientific and technical information in this news release, approving the disclosure herein.

About Pacific Empire Minerals Corp.

Pacific Empire is a copper exploration company based in Vancouver, B.C., and trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol PEMC. The company has a district-scale land position in north-central British Columbia totalling 22,541 hectares.

British Columbia is a green copper jurisdiction with abundant hydroelectric power, access and infrastructure in close proximity to the end market.

We seek Safe Harbor.