Taseko announces First Cathode Harvest at Florence Copper

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Taseko Mines Limited (TSX: TKO; NYSE American: TGB; LSE: TKO) (“Taseko” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce its Florence Copper operation in Arizona has harvested the first copper cathodes from its recently completed commercial production facility.

Late February, Taseko announced the start-up of Florence Copper’s electrowinning plant and the commencement of copper production. Last week, the first copper cathodes were harvested, representing the first new copper production from a greenfield facility in the United States since 2008.

Once Florence Copper achieves its nameplate capacity of 85 million pounds of LME Grade A copper metal per year, Taseko will become the third largest copper cathode producer in America. The operation is expected to produce a minimum of 1.5 billion pounds of copper over the next 22 years.

Stuart McDonald, President & CEO of Taseko, commented “The production of first copper in Arizona represents a landmark achievement for the Florence Copper team and a major milestone for Taseko, as we continue our journey to become a leading North American copper producer.”

Florence Copper is the first greenfield site globally to employ ISCR, a unique and low-cost method of producing copper metal which delivers compelling environmental advantages over conventional mining.

With copper production in the U.S. essentially flat in recent years, and global copper demand continuing to rise, Florence Copper represents an important step forward for America’s critical minerals strategy.

“Producing LME Grade A copper cathode for America’s manufacturing sector, including automotive, semiconductor, defense/aerospace and AI data centers, will meaningfully strengthen US manufacturing and supply chain security,” McDonald said. “All of the copper metal produced at Florence will remain in the United States to help address America’s growing reliance on copper imports at a time of burgeoning global demand.”

“The journey to first production at Florence Copper – from envisioning a stand-alone ISCR operation, to undertaking the extensive test work and permitting, and ultimately completing construction on-time and on-budget – is a testament to the resourcefulness, purpose and commitment of the entire Taseko team,” McDonald said.

“We are proud to be making copper in the United States, and we look forward to continuing to grow our business as a leading North America-focused copper producer.”

For further information on Taseko, see the Company’s website at tasekomines.com or contact:

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information

uncertainties as to our ability to achieve reduced costs for Gibraltar and to otherwise control our operating costs without impacting our planned copper production;

any increases in interest rates, by central banks may increase our borrowing costs and impact the profitability of our operations;

the risk of inadequate insurance or inability to obtain insurance to cover our business risks;

the risk that the results from our ramp up and initial operations of Florence Copper will not meet our estimates of operating costs, revenue, sustaining capital, rates of return and cash flows from operations which have been projected by the technical report for Florence Coopper;

the risk of ramp up of the commercial facilities at Florence Copper, resulting in not achieving commercial production within our current projected timeline or within our current projected cost estimates;

the availability of, and uncertainties relating to, any additional financing necessary for the continued operation and development of our projects, including with respect to our ability to obtain any additional financing, if needed, to continue commercial operations at Florence Copper;

our ability to comply with the extensive governmental regulation to which our business is subject;

uncertainties related to unexpected judicial or regulatory proceedings;

potential changes to the mineral tenure system in British Columbia, which is undergoing reform including for compliance with the Declaration Act (British Columbia);

our dependence on our 100% interest in Gibraltar and in due course, Florence Copper for our revenues and our operating cash flows;

litigation risks and the inherent uncertainty of litigation;

our ability to renegotiate our existing union agreement for Gibraltar when it expires in May 2027;

our reliance upon key personnel;

the competitive environment in which we operate;

uncertainties relating to the war in Ukraine and other future geopolitical events including social unrest, which could disrupt financial markets, supply chains, availability of materials and equipment and execution timelines for any project development;