Avrupa Minerals Announces $500,000 Private Placement to Fund Exploration

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA — June 17, 2026 — Leads & Copy — Avrupa Minerals Ltd. (TSXV:AVU) announced today a $500,000 private placement of Units, with proceeds earmarked for exploration at its copper-focused projects in Finland, ongoing operations in Portugal, and working capital. The company also holds the Slivova Gold Project in Kosovo, which is currently under option to a third party.

Subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval, the non-brokered private placement will issue 10 million Units at $0.05 per Unit. Each Unit consists of one common share and one-half common share purchase warrant. Each full Warrant grants the holder the right to purchase an additional common share at $0.10 for 36 months from closing. Eligible parties will receive 7.5% in cash as finder's fees. The Offering's closing is contingent on regulatory approvals, including the Exchange's, and all securities will be subject to a four-month and one-day hold period.

In recent developments, Avrupa completed the initial Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for its Sesmarias Project in Portugal's Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB). The company first discovered copper/zinc mineralization at Sesmarias in 2014 and has since advanced exploration, largely funded by partners. The Sesmarias MRE is the second for Avrupa, following the MRE for its Slivova Gold/Silver Project.

Portugal's IPB, part of a larger belt extending over 250 kilometers, has a long history of copper mining. The IPB is known to host over 80 volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits, with seven currently supporting active mining operations, including two in Portugal and five in Spain.

Through its Finnish partnership entity, Akkerman Finland Oy (AFOy), Avrupa has advanced its volcanogenic massive sulphide exploration program in the Pyhäsalmi mining district. This includes acquiring the Lehto and Lippikylä exploration permits from First Quantum Minerals and subsidiaries. These permits are adjacent to the Pyhäsalmi Mine license and cover potential extensions of the mine's known mineral horizon. The acquisitions include historic data, which suggests at least five drill-ready targets: two on the Lehto permit and three on the Lippikylä permit. Additionally, AFOy acquired the KKS exploration reservation, covering three VMS prospects located north-northwest of the Pyhäsalmi mine.

Avrupa now holds seven copper/zinc projects in the Pyhäsalmi Mining District, all potentially within trucking distance to the active Pyhäsalmi Mine mill and flotation plant. The company also holds rights to a gold/silver target in the Oijarvi Greenstone Belt in central Finland. Avrupa is currently presenting data on its Finnish and Portuguese projects to potential partners for advanced exploration funding.

At the Company's Annual General Meeting on June 3, 2026, all resolutions passed with 98% shareholder support, including the re-election of directors Paul Kuhn, Mark T. Brown, Paul Dircksen, and Frank Hogel. Director Paul Nelles did not stand for re-election after serving since 2016.

Shareholders re-appointed DeVisser Gray LLP as auditor and approved the company's rolling incentive stock option plan, pending TSX Venture Exchange acceptance. Paul Kuhn was re-appointed President & CEO, and Winnie Wong was re-appointed Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary.

Avrupa Minerals Ltd. is a junior exploration and development company focused on mineral deposit discovery using a project generator business model. The company is advancing seven copper-zinc VMS targets and one orogenic gold prospect in Finland via its partnership with Akkerman Exploration B.V. Avrupa also holds the 100%-owned Alvalade VMS Project in Portugal and a 49%-owned exploration permit for the Slivova Gold Project in Kosovo, optioned to Western Tethyan Resources. The company focuses on politically stable and prospective regions in Europe and seeks new joint venture partnerships for its projects in Finland and Portugal.

Source: Avrupa Minerals Ltd.