Interview with Jonathan Egilo, President & CEO of AXO Copper Corp.

Recording date: 30th May 2025

Executive Summary for Investors
AXO Copper presents a compelling investment opportunity in the high-grade copper space, combining proven mineralization with near-term development potential. The company is set to list , following successful completion of its IPO process, positioning investors to participate in a systematic resource definition program at the La Huerta Copper Project in Jalisco, Mexico.

Production-Proven Asset Base
Unlike typical exploration stories, AXO's flagship project comes with established production history that significantly reduces geological and metallurgical risk. Locals successfully operated the deposit for three to four years using a 250-ton-per-day sulfide flotation plant, consistently mining ore grading 4-5% copper. This operational track record provides crucial validation of both ore continuity and processing characteristics that most junior companies lack during early development phases. President and CEO Jonathan Egilo emphasized this advantage: "They've effectively done a three or four year what I would consider like a bulk sample derisking process for us. And the next step is to see like what it should be kind of restarted up."

Exceptional Grade Profile and Geological Potential
AXO's drilling program has confirmed the high-grade nature of the deposit with impressive intercepts including 9.4m grading 4.4% copper, with a subsection of 3.2m grading 21.4% copper. The mineralization extends across a 5-kilometer strike length, with drilling to date reaching only 200 meters below surface. The geological system consists of steeply-dipping copper sulfide dykes with high-grade cores of 3-6 meters surrounded by alteration halos, creating opportunities for both high-grade and bulk tonnage scenarios.

The company has traced mineralization for 5 kilometers along surface, yet the family's original operation covered only 200 meters of strike length and extended just 40-50 meters depth. This limited exploitation of a much larger system presents significant expansion potential for systematic exploration.

Strategic Acquisition and Capital Structure
AXO secured roughly $9.5 million in 2023 which funded the first drill program, plus 5 million shares over five years with no ongoing royalties. This royalty-free structure enhances project economics by allowing AXO to capture full production value without perpetual payments. The company has raised more capital through pre-IPO financing rounds providing adequate financing for the planned 15,000-meter drilling program.

Systematic Exploration Strategy
The upcoming drill program allocates 70% of 15,000 meters to a priority 1.5-kilometer zone, focusing on strike extension and depth testing to 350-400 meters below surface. The systematic approach targets resource definition while testing the hypothesis that current workings represent only the upper portion of a larger copper system. Regional targets provide additional upside potential with surface copper expressions grading up to 6% in different geological settings.

Infrastructure and Development Advantages
Located within 7 kilometers of ArcelorMittal's major iron ore operation, the project benefits from established infrastructure, skilled labor, and supply chains. Access requires only 1.5 hours from Manzanillo port via paved highways, providing connectivity to Pacific shipping and Mexico's industrial centers.

Management's development strategy focuses on building a project suitable for junior company advancement rather than requiring acquisition by major miners. Egilo noted: "One of our best differentiating factors here is, you know, I don't know what the scale of this should end up being, but you know, it's not going to be a $3 billion porphyry bill."

Investment Outlook
AXO Copper offers investors exposure to high-grade copper discovery with reduced geological risk, systematic exploration approach, and clear development pathway. The combination of production history, exceptional grades, excellent infrastructure, and experienced management team creates a compelling value proposition within the copper sector's favorable supply-demand dynamics.

View AXO Copper's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/axo-copper-c

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