Legacy Lithium Pivots to Copper with New BC Property Option

CALGARY, Alberta – January 15, 2026 – Legacy Lithium Corp., an exploration company previously focused on battery metals, has announced a significant strategic pivot, entering into an option agreement to acquire the Vent Copper Property in British Columbia. The deal with mineral exploration consultancy Geomap Exploration Inc. signals a diversification beyond the company's namesake commodity and a strong bet on copper's burgeoning role in the global green energy transition.

The agreement gives Legacy the right to earn a 100% interest in the 1,500-hectare property, located in the historic Alberni Mining Division. To complete the acquisition, the company must make aggregate cash payments of $130,000, issue 350,000 common shares, and fund $750,000 in exploration expenditures over a multi-year period. This move positions Legacy to tap into a market experiencing unprecedented demand projections, driven by the electrification of the global economy.

A Strategic Shift to the Red Metal

For a company named Legacy Lithium, the move into copper exploration represents a noteworthy evolution in corporate strategy. While the name suggests a singular focus, company records indicate a more dynamic approach to the critical minerals sector. In late 2023, Legacy Lithium divested a lithium brine project in Utah, while also making a strategic investment in Pan American Energy Corp., another lithium-focused explorer. This latest move into copper underscores a broader mandate to build a portfolio of assets essential for modern technologies.

The diversification aligns with a growing trend among junior exploration firms to gain exposure to a basket of critical minerals rather than relying on a single commodity. Copper, often called "the metal of electrification," is an indispensable component in electric vehicles (EVs), wind turbines, solar panels, and the charging infrastructure needed to support them. An average EV, for example, contains nearly four times as much copper as a conventional car.

By acquiring a copper prospect, Legacy Lithium is positioning itself to capitalize on a different, yet equally vital, segment of the energy transition supply chain. This strategic breadth could enhance its appeal to investors looking for comprehensive exposure to the metals powering a low-carbon future.

Riding the Copper Supercycle

Legacy's venture into copper comes at a time when market analysts are forecasting a severe and prolonged supply deficit for the metal. Decades of underinvestment in new mines, coupled with declining ore grades at existing operations, have created a precarious supply situation. Meanwhile, demand is projected to soar. A report from S&P Global Market Intelligence suggests global copper demand could nearly double by 2035, potentially creating a staggering annual shortfall of millions of tonnes.

This looming supply-demand imbalance has prompted a bullish outlook on copper prices from major financial institutions. Forecasts from J.P. Morgan, Goldman Sachs, and Bank of America project prices to climb significantly in the coming years, with some analysts predicting prices could exceed $12,000 per metric tonne as early as 2026. This market environment provides a powerful tailwind for companies bringing new copper projects online.

The Vent Copper Property is situated in a region with a documented history of mining. The Alberni Mining Division saw widespread exploration for copper and iron in the 1960s and 1970s. By securing a foothold in this historically productive area, Legacy Lithium aims to leverage modern exploration techniques to unlock new potential.

The Path to a Public Listing

A crucial element of the option agreement is its direct link to Legacy Lithium's corporate development plans. Several key payment and share issuance milestones are contingent upon the company completing what it terms a “Go Public Transaction,” which involves listing its shares on a stock exchange. This structure suggests the copper asset is a cornerstone of the company’s strategy to attract public market investors.

In late 2024, the company announced a proposed five-to-one share consolidation, a common precursor for companies preparing for an Initial Public Offering (IPO) or a Reverse Takeover (RTO). The earn-in agreement for the Vent Copper Property further builds this narrative, providing a tangible exploration asset with significant upside potential to present to the market.

Under the terms, an initial $15,000 cash payment and a $150,000 exploration commitment are due in early 2026. However, the bulk of the consideration—including $115,000 in further cash payments, 350,000 shares, and an additional $600,000 in exploration funding—is staggered over two years following the completion of the public listing. This structure allows Legacy to manage its capital while using the prospect of a new discovery to fuel its journey to the public markets. Upon completion, Geomap Exploration will retain a 1.5% net smelter return royalty on the property, 1% of which can be repurchased by Legacy for $1 million.

As operator of the project, Legacy will direct the exploration programs, giving it full control over the technical work and news flow generated from the property. This control is vital for a junior explorer aiming to build shareholder value through discovery. The success of its upcoming exploration work will be critical not only for proving out the property's potential but also for supporting its ambitions to become a publicly traded entity.