Casa Grande, AZ and Toronto, ON, January 5, 2022 – Arizona Sonoran Copper Company Inc. (TSX:ASCU) (“ASCU” or the “Company”), an emerging US-based copper developer and near-term producer, announces the completion of the General Plan Amendment with the City Council of Casa Grande (“the Council”). The amendment is related to a 2,159 acre parcel of land, including the LKY, ARCUS and Merrill Properties, newly demarcated for manufacturing/industrial use. The Company’s entire land package consists of 4,698 acres of private land sufficient to accommodate all the infrastructure envisioned within its 18-year Life-of-Mine Operating Plan. With the new amendment, the entire land package is fully-zoned for industrial purposes (see FIGURE 1).

Ian McMullan, ASCU COO commented, “The rezoning marks our 6th major permit received in the permitting process of the Cactus Mine. As a private landowner in Casa Grande, Arizona, we benefit from a streamlined permitting process at the state and county level. We are dedicated to supporting the local communities as a Core Value of our Company, and we thank the Community for their support in return.”

He continued, “The increased land position increases the exposure to the 4 km mine trend while also improving future operational flexibility. The 4 km porphyry copper mine trend extends from Parks/Salyer which we are currently drilling to the southwest and extending northeast over the Cactus Project and into the Cactus NE Extension. Our team will be incorporating the Cactus NE Extension property into the exploration pipeline.”

The amendment includes the City of Casa Grande’s 2030 General Plan change from the Copper Mountain Ranch Planned Area of Development (PAD) to the Cactus Mine PAD (number 52731.1). Additionally, the land use designation (rezoning) (number 1178.414) is amended from commerce & business and residential to manufacturing/industrial use for the 2,159-acre parcel.

The Council also approved a Development Agreement for these re-zoned lands as part of the Cactus Mine. Included in the Agreement are community benefits such as employment sourcing a minimum 20% from the local area, as well as the construction of viewshed berms along the eastern and northern portions of the re-zoned lands. These 100-foot berms will be built as part of construction activities and vegetated with local desert vegetation to fit with the landscape of the area. ASCU will also dedicate and develop a community bike path on the eastern and portions of the northern boundary that will tie into the City of Casa Grande’s new system of hiking and biking trails, thus providing for both residents and visitors the opportunity for healthy outdoor recreational activities.

Links from the Press Release

FIGURES 1: https://arizonasonoran.com/projects/cactus-mine-project/press-release-images/

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About Arizona Sonoran Copper Company (www.arizonasonoran.com | www.cactusmine.com)
ASCU’s objective is to become a mid-tier copper producer with low operating costs, develop the Cactus Project that could generate robust returns for investors, and provide a long term sustainable and responsible operation for the community and all stakeholders. The Company's principal asset is a 100% interest in the Cactus Project (former ASARCO, Sacaton mine) which is situated on private land in an infrastructure-rich area of Arizona. The Company is led by an executive management team and Board which have a long-standing track record of successful project delivery in North America complemented by global capital markets expertise.

For more information:
Alison Dwoskin, Director, Investor Relations
647-233-4348
adwoskin@arizonasonoran.com