VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / May 5, 2026 / Star Copper Corp. (CSE:STCU)(OTCQX:STCUF)(FWB:SOP) ("Star Copper" or the "Company"), a critical minerals exploration and development company, is pleased to announce that drill pad construction has commenced across multiple high-priority satellite targets at its northwestern British Columbia flagship Star Project in preparation for a fully funded 2026 exploration program.

Company CEO, Darryl Jones advises, "We are very encouraged to receive confirmation regarding the advancement of drill pad construction aimed at expediting a systematic drill strategy focused on our Star North, Star East, Star West, and Copper Creek project locations. The construction effectively heralds the launch of the largest and most coordinated exploration effort in the Project's history.

"The heightened degree of coordinated infrastructure development allows us to systematically test a pipeline of targets that all exhibit key characteristics of Star Main-style mineralization," added Mr. Jones. "Importantly, it positions us to move quickly to follow up on results in real time and fully evaluate the district-scale potential of the Star Project as we advance toward a maiden resource."

Figure 1-Copper Creek surface outcrop. Star Copper 2026.

Transition to District-Scale Discovery

Near simultaneous construction at four target locations is primarily designed to support efficient and flexible drill testing throughout the 2026 field season. Each pad location has been strategically selected based on integrated geological, geochemical, and geophysical datasets, including coincident chargeability anomalies and copper-gold soil geochemistry.

This infrastructure development represents a key milestone in transitioning the Star Project from single-target exploration to a district-scale discovery strategy, enabling:

• Systematic drill testing across multiple targets early in the 2026 season

• Rapid follow-up on mineralization to test nested porphyry model

• Improved access to structurally complex zones

Target Highlights

Copper Creek

Initial pad construction is most advanced at Copper Creek, where drilling will begin early in the season to follow up on prior mineralization and vector toward the source of copper-gold enrichment. Drilling in 2025 centered around locating the historic drill collars to target the exposed copper mineralization. With that confirmed in 2025 the goal this year is to effectively test the geophysical signature associated with the chargeability to confirm the source. Copper Creek is the most advanced target behind Star Main, which gives the company immense confidence early in the season to deliver and test the existence of a nested porphyry model at the Star Project. See map insert for targeted area (see Figure 2).

Figure 2-Drill target area - insert overlays. Star Copper 2026.

Star North

Drill pads are being constructed to expand on previous drilling and test a large, well-defined geophysical and geochemical footprint, supporting step-out drilling to evaluate scale and continuity. The north side of the target has shown significant surface expressions of copper oxide mineralization and a coincidental chargeability signature that warrants follow up with drilling in the early season (see figure 3).

Figure 3-Drill program target area. Star Copper 2026.

Star East

A first-pass drill program is being enabled at this untested target, characterized by a ~1 km × 1 km coincident anomaly analogous to Star Main, representing a compelling discovery opportunity. Star East is a target that holds promise with a geophysical signature similar to Star Main but is covered with little exposure at surface.

Star West

This target is centered around outcropping on the slope and extensive soil sampling showing elevated copper in gold with another coincidental geophysical high.

2026 Program Overview

• Up to 15,000 metres of drilling

• Targets: Star North, Copper Creek, Star East, Star West

• 3D IP and MT surveys to refine deeper targeting

• Fully funded with over $12 million in flow-through financing

• Maiden resource targeted in 2026

Qualified Person

Jeremy Hanson, P. Geo., a Qualified Person as that term is defined under NI 43-101, is an independent contractor of the Company and has reviewed and approved the technical aspects of this news release.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

~Darryl Jones~

Darryl Jones
CEO, President & Director
Star Copper Corp.

About Star Copper Corp. (CSE:STCU)(OTCQX:STCUF)(FWB:SOP / WKN A416ME)

Star Copper Corp. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on the discovery and advancement of large-scale copper-gold systems in British Columbia. The Company's flagship Star Project is located in British Columbia's prolific Golden Triangle and hosts multiple high-priority targets and exhibits geological characteristics consistent with significant porphyry copper deposits (watch our videos: https://starcopper.com/media/). The project hosts multiple copper-gold porphyry-style targets, including Star Main, Star North, East & West, Copper Creek and Copperline. Significant exploration including historical drilling has confirmed open mineralization at depth and in all directions. Star Copper's strategic plans include geological mapping and geophysical surveys to refine existing targets, diamond drilling programs to test high-priority zones, environmental baseline studies and permitting groundwork alongside data analysis and resource modeling to support a future resource estimate prepared in accordance with NI 43-101. The Company further plans to advance its Indata Project with follow-up drilling to expand on previous high-grade copper and gold intercepts, trenching and surface sampling to delineate mineralized zones, and infrastructure improvements for site accessibility and operations. With a commitment to sustainable development and value creation, Star Copper aims to position itself to support surging industrial demand to meet growing global electrification needs.

For more information visit: www.starcopper.com for in depth information and the ability to watch our videos at https://starcopper.com/media/, and while you are there, sign up for free news alerts at https://starcopper.com/news/news-alerts/, where you can follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook or LinkedIn. Additional information regarding the project, including historical drilling, is available under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and/or in the Company's February 26, 2025, technical report.

Investor Relations

Star Copper Corp.
Email: info@starcopper.com
Web: https://starcopper.com/

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding exploration of the Company's flagship Star Project and the potential thereof, as well as the anticipated mineral resource estimate planned in respect of the Star Project. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include, but are not limited to, the early-stage nature of the Star Project, the inherently unpredictable nature of resource exploration, market conditions and the risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect, and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by applicable law. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

SOURCE: Star Copper Corp.