{"success":true,"data":{"pressRelease":{"id":"170074","rtpr_id":"nNFC1ztFsC-20261015","ticker":"BMR","exchange":"","all_tickers":["BMR","CTH"],"title":"CoTec and Battery Mineral Resources Enter Strategic Partnership to Unlock Additional Copper Production and Growth Opportunities at Punitaqui","author":"Newsfile Corp","published_at":"2026-10-15T11:00:23.916Z","article_body":"Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 15, 2026) - CoTec\nHoldings Corp. (TSXV: CTH) (OTCQX: CTHCF) (\"CoTec\") and Battery Mineral\nResources Corp. (TSXV: BMR) (OTCQB: BTRMF) (\"BMR\") (together, the \"Parties\")\nare pleased to announce that they have entered into a non-binding framework\nagreement establishing a pathway toward a Strategic Economic Joint Venture to\nevaluate and develop opportunities to increase copper production and unlock\nvalue from lower-grade sulphide mineralization and tailings at BMR's Punitaqui\nmining district in Chile through the deployment of technologies identified,\nsourced or made available through CoTec. The agreement establishes a\nstructured pathway toward the potential formation of a Strategic Economic\nJoint Venture, subject to the completion of technical and economic evaluations\nand the negotiation of definitive agreements.\n\nThe proposed partnership combines BMR's producing copper operation,\nestablished infrastructure, permits, workforce and resource base with CoTec's\ncapabilities in identifying and sourcing technologies, resource optimization,\nproject development and financing. The parties will evaluate opportunities to\nincrease copper recovery, identify additional production opportunities and\nadvance new development opportunities across the Punitaqui mining district.\n\nThe parties intend to evaluate the potential application of CoTec technologies\nto Punitaqui's existing resource base, lower-grade sulphide mineralization and\ntailings with the objective of identifying additional growth potential and\ndevelopment opportunities.\n\nA key feature of the proposed Strategic Economic Joint Venture is a\nvalue-sharing framework under which BMR would retain 100% ownership and\neconomic benefit of its existing Punitaqui operation, including current\nresources, production and mine plans, as reflected in a baseline to be agreed\nby the parties. CoTec and BMR would each have a 50% economic participation in\nthe incremental production and value generated through the application of\nCoTec technologies and any qualifying new development opportunities identified\nthrough CoTec's technology-related activities.\n\nThe initial assessment program will include metallurgical testing and\npreliminary technical and economic evaluation of opportunities to recover\nadditional copper from historical and active tailings, evaluate the potential\nof lower-grade mineralization, improve recoveries, identify additional growth\npotential and create new copper production streams.\n\nThe framework agreement is non-binding, except for certain provisions relating\nto exclusivity, confidentiality and other customary matters, and is intended\nto govern the initial assessment and testing program. Following completion of\nthe technical, metallurgical and economic evaluations, the parties intend to\nnegotiate definitive agreements governing the proposed Strategic Economic\nJoint Venture and the development of qualifying opportunities identified\nwithin the Punitaqui district.\n\nCoTec is expected to bear the third-party costs of the initial assessment and\ntesting activities approved by CoTec.\n\nJulian Treger, Chief Executive Officer of CoTec, commented: \"Punitaqui is an\nattractive copper district with an established operating platform and\nsignificant growth potential beyond the current mine plan. We believe there\nare opportunities to increase copper production and unlock additional value by\napplying CoTec's resource optimization and processing solutions to existing\nresources, lower-grade sulphides and tailings.\n\n\"The partnership reflects CoTec's strategy of creating value from existing\nassets through technology, project development expertise and disciplined\ncapital allocation. By leveraging Punitaqui's existing infrastructure and\noperating base, we believe there is potential to unlock meaningful incremental\nvalue with a lower risk profile than greenfield development. The framework is\nstraightforward and aligned: BMR retains the value of its existing business\nwhile both parties share equally in the value created through future\ndevelopment opportunities.\"\n\nLazaros Nikeas, Chief Executive Officer of Battery Mineral Resources,\ncommented: \"Punitaqui is an established copper-producing district with\nvaluable infrastructure, a skilled operating team and a significant inventory\nof resource opportunities. While our current operations provide a solid\nfoundation, we believe there is substantial potential to create additional\nvalue through the evaluation of lower-grade sulphide mineralization, tailings\nand other opportunities across the district.\n\n\"CoTec brings a differentiated combination of technology expertise, project\ndevelopment capability and access to capital. We look forward to working\ntogether to evaluate opportunities which could increase copper production,\nsupport future growth and enhance the long-term value of Punitaqui for all\nstakeholders.\"\n\nAbout CoTec\n\nCoTec is redefining the future of resource extraction and recycling. Focused\non rare earth magnets and strategic materials, CoTec integrates breakthrough\ntechnologies with strategic assets to unlock secure, sustainable, and low-cost\nsupply chains.\n\nCoTec's mission is clear: accelerate the energy transition while strengthening\nstrategic mineral supply chains for the countries we operate in. By investing\nin and deploying disruptive technologies, the Company delivers\ncapital-efficient, scalable technologies that transform marginal assets,\ntailings, waste streams, and recycled products into high-value critical\nminerals.\n\nFrom its HyProMag USA magnet recycling joint venture in Texas, to iron\ntailings reprocessing and reclamation in Québec, to next-generation copper\nand iron technologies backed by global majors, CoTec is building a diversified\nportfolio with long-term growth, rapid cash flow potential, and high barriers\nto entry. The result is a differentiated platform at the intersection of\ntechnology, sustainability, and strategic materials.\n\nAbout Battery Mineral Resources Corp.\nBattery Mineral Resources operates the Punitaqui Mining Complex, a historic\ncopper, gold, and silver-producing mine in the Coquimbo region of Chile. The\nCompany's portfolio also includes 100%-owned ESI Energy Services Inc. and\nNorth American mineral exploration assets. The Company is focused on providing\nshareholders with accretive exposure to copper and the global trend of\nelectrification while targeting growth through cash flow, exploration and\nacquisitions in favorable mining jurisdictions. Further information about BMR\nand its projects can be found on www.bmrcorp.com.\n\nFor further information, please contact:\n\nCoTec Holdings Corp.\n\nBraam Jonker – (604) 992-5600\n\nBattery Mineral Resources Corp.\n\nLazaros Nikeas – (672) 887-5010\n\nQualified Person\n\nPeter Doyle, B.Sc. (Hons.), FAusIMM, Vice President Exploration of Battery\nMineral Resources Corp., is a Qualified Person as defined under National\nInstrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and has\nreviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in\nthis news release. Scientific and technical information relating to\nPunitaqui's previously disclosed mineral resources and mineralization is\nsupported by BMR's technical report entitled \"Technical Report on Punitaqui\nCopper Complex Coquimbo, Chile,\" dated September 30, 2022, with an effective\ndate of August 16, 2022, available under BMR's profile on SEDAR+ at\nwww.sedarplus.ca.\n\nForward-Looking Information Cautionary Statement\n\nStatements in this press release regarding CoTec Holdings Corp. (\"CoTec\") and\nBattery Mineral Resources Corp. (\"BMR\") which are not historical facts are\n\"forward-looking statements\" or \"forward-looking information\", which involve\nrisks and uncertainties, including statements relating to the proposed\nStrategic Economic Joint Venture; the negotiation and execution of definitive\nagreements; the initial assessment and testing program; the evaluation,\ndeployment and performance of the CoTec technologies; opportunities to\nincrease copper recovery and production, identify additional growth and\ndevelopment opportunities and identify or develop new projects; the proposed\nvalue-sharing framework; the completion and results of any feasibility study;\npotential project development and financing; and the anticipated benefits of\nthe proposed transaction to CoTec and BMR.\n\nForward-looking statements are based on assumptions considered reasonable by\nmanagement as of the date of this release, including assumptions regarding the\nParties' continued cooperation, the availability and effectiveness of the\nCoTec technologies, the ability to complete the proposed technical and\neconomic evaluations, the availability of necessary financing, applicable\ncommodity prices and operating costs, and the ability to obtain required\nregulatory and permitting approvals.\n\nSince forward-looking statements address future events and conditions that, by\ntheir very nature, involve inherent risks and uncertainties, actual results\ncould differ materially from those currently anticipated due to known and\nunknown risks and uncertainties affecting CoTec and BMR, including, but not\nlimited to, technical and metallurgical risks; the possibility that definitive\nagreements may not be entered into; the risk that proposed technologies may\nnot achieve anticipated results; resource and reserve risks; environmental\nrisks and costs; permitting requirements and delays; the availability of\nfinancing; changes in commodity prices and operating costs; labour costs and\nshortages; equipment availability; project delays and cost overruns; extreme\nweather conditions; and other risks associated with mineral exploration,\ndevelopment and production.\n\nFor further details regarding risks and uncertainties facing CoTec and BMR,\nplease refer to the continuous disclosure documents filed by each company\nunder its respective SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Neither CoTec nor BMR\nassumes any responsibility to update forward-looking statements contained in\nthis press release except as required by applicable securities laws. Readers\nshould not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and\ninformation contained in this press release.\n\nNeither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that\nterm is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts\nresponsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.\n\n\nTo view the source version of this press release, please visit\nhttps://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/319125","article_body_html":"","raw_payload":{"data":{"id":"nNFC1ztFsC-20261015","title":"CoTec and Battery Mineral Resources Enter Strategic Partnership to Unlock Additional Copper Production and Growth Opportunities at Punitaqui","author":"Newsfile Corp","ticker":"BMR","created":"2026-10-15T11:00:23.916Z","tickers":["BMR","CTH"],"exchange":"","article_body":"Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 15, 2026) - CoTec\nHoldings Corp. (TSXV: CTH) (OTCQX: CTHCF) (\"CoTec\") and Battery Mineral\nResources Corp. (TSXV: BMR) (OTCQB: BTRMF) (\"BMR\") (together, the \"Parties\")\nare pleased to announce that they have entered into a non-binding framework\nagreement establishing a pathway toward a Strategic Economic Joint Venture to\nevaluate and develop opportunities to increase copper production and unlock\nvalue from lower-grade sulphide mineralization and tailings at BMR's Punitaqui\nmining district in Chile through the deployment of technologies identified,\nsourced or made available through CoTec. The agreement establishes a\nstructured pathway toward the potential formation of a Strategic Economic\nJoint Venture, subject to the completion of technical and economic evaluations\nand the negotiation of definitive agreements.\n\nThe proposed partnership combines BMR's producing copper operation,\nestablished infrastructure, permits, workforce and resource base with CoTec's\ncapabilities in identifying and sourcing technologies, resource optimization,\nproject development and financing. The parties will evaluate opportunities to\nincrease copper recovery, identify additional production opportunities and\nadvance new development opportunities across the Punitaqui mining district.\n\nThe parties intend to evaluate the potential application of CoTec technologies\nto Punitaqui's existing resource base, lower-grade sulphide mineralization and\ntailings with the objective of identifying additional growth potential and\ndevelopment opportunities.\n\nA key feature of the proposed Strategic Economic Joint Venture is a\nvalue-sharing framework under which BMR would retain 100% ownership and\neconomic benefit of its existing Punitaqui operation, including current\nresources, production and mine plans, as reflected in a baseline to be agreed\nby the parties. CoTec and BMR would each have a 50% economic participation in\nthe incremental production and value generated through the application of\nCoTec technologies and any qualifying new development opportunities identified\nthrough CoTec's technology-related activities.\n\nThe initial assessment program will include metallurgical testing and\npreliminary technical and economic evaluation of opportunities to recover\nadditional copper from historical and active tailings, evaluate the potential\nof lower-grade mineralization, improve recoveries, identify additional growth\npotential and create new copper production streams.\n\nThe framework agreement is non-binding, except for certain provisions relating\nto exclusivity, confidentiality and other customary matters, and is intended\nto govern the initial assessment and testing program. Following completion of\nthe technical, metallurgical and economic evaluations, the parties intend to\nnegotiate definitive agreements governing the proposed Strategic Economic\nJoint Venture and the development of qualifying opportunities identified\nwithin the Punitaqui district.\n\nCoTec is expected to bear the third-party costs of the initial assessment and\ntesting activities approved by CoTec.\n\nJulian Treger, Chief Executive Officer of CoTec, commented: \"Punitaqui is an\nattractive copper district with an established operating platform and\nsignificant growth potential beyond the current mine plan. We believe there\nare opportunities to increase copper production and unlock additional value by\napplying CoTec's resource optimization and processing solutions to existing\nresources, lower-grade sulphides and tailings.\n\n\"The partnership reflects CoTec's strategy of creating value from existing\nassets through technology, project development expertise and disciplined\ncapital allocation. By leveraging Punitaqui's existing infrastructure and\noperating base, we believe there is potential to unlock meaningful incremental\nvalue with a lower risk profile than greenfield development. The framework is\nstraightforward and aligned: BMR retains the value of its existing business\nwhile both parties share equally in the value created through future\ndevelopment opportunities.\"\n\nLazaros Nikeas, Chief Executive Officer of Battery Mineral Resources,\ncommented: \"Punitaqui is an established copper-producing district with\nvaluable infrastructure, a skilled operating team and a significant inventory\nof resource opportunities. While our current operations provide a solid\nfoundation, we believe there is substantial potential to create additional\nvalue through the evaluation of lower-grade sulphide mineralization, tailings\nand other opportunities across the district.\n\n\"CoTec brings a differentiated combination of technology expertise, project\ndevelopment capability and access to capital. We look forward to working\ntogether to evaluate opportunities which could increase copper production,\nsupport future growth and enhance the long-term value of Punitaqui for all\nstakeholders.\"\n\nAbout CoTec\n\nCoTec is redefining the future of resource extraction and recycling. Focused\non rare earth magnets and strategic materials, CoTec integrates breakthrough\ntechnologies with strategic assets to unlock secure, sustainable, and low-cost\nsupply chains.\n\nCoTec's mission is clear: accelerate the energy transition while strengthening\nstrategic mineral supply chains for the countries we operate in. By investing\nin and deploying disruptive technologies, the Company delivers\ncapital-efficient, scalable technologies that transform marginal assets,\ntailings, waste streams, and recycled products into high-value critical\nminerals.\n\nFrom its HyProMag USA magnet recycling joint venture in Texas, to iron\ntailings reprocessing and reclamation in Québec, to next-generation copper\nand iron technologies backed by global majors, CoTec is building a diversified\nportfolio with long-term growth, rapid cash flow potential, and high barriers\nto entry. The result is a differentiated platform at the intersection of\ntechnology, sustainability, and strategic materials.\n\nAbout Battery Mineral Resources Corp.\nBattery Mineral Resources operates the Punitaqui Mining Complex, a historic\ncopper, gold, and silver-producing mine in the Coquimbo region of Chile. The\nCompany's portfolio also includes 100%-owned ESI Energy Services Inc. and\nNorth American mineral exploration assets. The Company is focused on providing\nshareholders with accretive exposure to copper and the global trend of\nelectrification while targeting growth through cash flow, exploration and\nacquisitions in favorable mining jurisdictions. Further information about BMR\nand its projects can be found on www.bmrcorp.com.\n\nFor further information, please contact:\n\nCoTec Holdings Corp.\n\nBraam Jonker – (604) 992-5600\n\nBattery Mineral Resources Corp.\n\nLazaros Nikeas – (672) 887-5010\n\nQualified Person\n\nPeter Doyle, B.Sc. (Hons.), FAusIMM, Vice President Exploration of Battery\nMineral Resources Corp., is a Qualified Person as defined under National\nInstrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and has\nreviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in\nthis news release. Scientific and technical information relating to\nPunitaqui's previously disclosed mineral resources and mineralization is\nsupported by BMR's technical report entitled \"Technical Report on Punitaqui\nCopper Complex Coquimbo, Chile,\" dated September 30, 2022, with an effective\ndate of August 16, 2022, available under BMR's profile on SEDAR+ at\nwww.sedarplus.ca.\n\nForward-Looking Information Cautionary Statement\n\nStatements in this press release regarding CoTec Holdings Corp. (\"CoTec\") and\nBattery Mineral Resources Corp. (\"BMR\") which are not historical facts are\n\"forward-looking statements\" or \"forward-looking information\", which involve\nrisks and uncertainties, including statements relating to the proposed\nStrategic Economic Joint Venture; the negotiation and execution of definitive\nagreements; the initial assessment and testing program; the evaluation,\ndeployment and performance of the CoTec technologies; opportunities to\nincrease copper recovery and production, identify additional growth and\ndevelopment opportunities and identify or develop new projects; the proposed\nvalue-sharing framework; the completion and results of any feasibility study;\npotential project development and financing; and the anticipated benefits of\nthe proposed transaction to CoTec and BMR.\n\nForward-looking statements are based on assumptions considered reasonable by\nmanagement as of the date of this release, including assumptions regarding the\nParties' continued cooperation, the availability and effectiveness of the\nCoTec technologies, the ability to complete the proposed technical and\neconomic evaluations, the availability of necessary financing, applicable\ncommodity prices and operating costs, and the ability to obtain required\nregulatory and permitting approvals.\n\nSince forward-looking statements address future events and conditions that, by\ntheir very nature, involve inherent risks and uncertainties, actual results\ncould differ materially from those currently anticipated due to known and\nunknown risks and uncertainties affecting CoTec and BMR, including, but not\nlimited to, technical and metallurgical risks; the possibility that definitive\nagreements may not be entered into; the risk that proposed technologies may\nnot achieve anticipated results; resource and reserve risks; environmental\nrisks and costs; permitting requirements and delays; the availability of\nfinancing; changes in commodity prices and operating costs; labour costs and\nshortages; equipment availability; project delays and cost overruns; extreme\nweather conditions; and other risks associated with mineral exploration,\ndevelopment and production.\n\nFor further details regarding risks and uncertainties facing CoTec and BMR,\nplease refer to the continuous disclosure documents filed by each company\nunder its respective SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Neither CoTec nor BMR\nassumes any responsibility to update forward-looking statements contained in\nthis press release except as required by applicable securities laws. Readers\nshould not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and\ninformation contained in this press release.\n\nNeither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that\nterm is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts\nresponsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.\n\n\nTo view the source version of this press release, please visit\nhttps://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/319125"},"type":"article","timestamp":"2026-10-15T11:00:23.968833123Z","server_sent_at_ms":1792062023968},"received_at":"2026-10-15T11:00:24.022Z","source_url":"https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/319125"},"analysis":null,"durationMs":null,"modelName":null}}