DPM Metals Announces First Quarter 2026 Preliminary Production Results; Ramp-up of Vareš Proceeding Well

TORONTO, April 08, 2026 - DPM Metals Inc. (TSX: DPM, ASX: DPM) (ARBN: 689370894) ("DPM" or "the Company") is pleased to announce preliminary production results for the quarter ended March 31, 2026.
"With solid operating performance in the first quarter, we are on track to meet our guidance for 2026, with higher production planned in the second half of the year as we continue to progress the ramp-up at Vareš to full production," said David Rae, President and Chief Executive Officer of DPM Metals. "The high-grade, low-cost nature of our operations and our disciplined focus on cost management positions us well to continue delivering consistent margins in the midst of challenging global economic conditions."
"We are pleased to have received the renewal of the exploration permits for the ?oka Rakita licence in March as anticipated, reflecting the well-defined permitting process in Serbia. We have started a 20,000-metre drilling program, focused on infilling and extending mineralization at the Dumitru Potok prospect, amongst other targets."
Preliminary First Quarter 2026 Production Highlights
Preliminary results for the first quarter are provided below:
| Unit | Chelopech | Ada Tepe | Vareš | Consolidated | |
| Ore processed | Kt | 507 | 147 | 79 | 733 |
| Metals contained in concentrate produced | |||||
| Gold | Koz. | 32 | 12 | 7 | 51 |
| Silver | Koz. | 117 | 8 | 912 | 1,037 |
| Copper | Mlbs. | 7 | - | 1 | 8 |
| Zinc | Mlbs. | - | - | 10 | 10 |
| Lead | Mlbs. | - | - | 8 | 8 |
| Gold equivalent ounces ("GEO")1 | Koz. | 43 | 12 | 29 | 84 |
| Payable metals in concentrate sold | |||||
| Gold | Koz. | 30 | 12 | 3 | 45 |
| Silver | Koz. | 126 | 6 | 478 | 610 |
| Copper | Mlbs. | 7 | - | - | 7 |
| Zinc | Mlbs. | - | - | 5 | 5 |
| Lead | Mlbs. | - | - | 4 | 4 |
| GEO1 | Koz. | 40 | 12 | 14 | 66 |
| |||||
Vareš produced approximately 29,000 GEO in the first quarter, in line with the planned ramp-up of the mine to full production. Payable metals sold of approximately 14,000 GEO was lower than the GEO produced due primarily to timing of deliveries. DPM has continued to make strong progress at Vareš, with development rates in-line with expectations and the paste backfill plant on track for commissioning in the third quarter of the year. During the second quarter, the processing plant will be shut down for approximately 20 days for the preparation of installation tie-ins for the second tailings filter. This will allow installation of the tailings filter with minimal impact to the higher production rates anticipated in the second half of the year. Vareš is on track to achieve its guidance for 2026.
Chelopech produced approximately 43,000 GEO during the first quarter, with lower metal grades and gold recoveries as expected with the type of ore processed during the period. Production is expected to increase in the second quarter, and Chelopech is on-track to achieve its production guidance for 2026.
Ada Tepe produced approximately 12,000 GEO in the first quarter, in line with expectations. Ada Tepe is scheduled to reach the end of its life by mid-2026, with the final production blast scheduled for mid-April. The Company is committed to the responsible closure and rehabilitation of Ada Tepe in-line with the highest standards and in accordance with the regulatory framework.
Renewal of ?oka Rakita Licence Exploration Permits
In mid-March 2026, DPM received the normal course renewal of exploration permits for the ?oka Rakita licence as anticipated. A 20,000-metre drilling program was initiated with two drill rigs currently active, ramping up to 10 drill rigs by June. A significant component of the drilling program will be allocated to infilling and extending mineralization at Dumitru Potok and increasing the drilling density prior to initiating an economic study. An additional 20,000 metres of drilling and six to eight drill rigs will be dedicated to the Putaj ?uka licence, targeting the same north-west geological trend of the ?oka Rakita and Dumitru Potok projects.
Return of Capital to Shareholders
During the first quarter of 2026, DPM repurchased approximately 700,800 common shares at an average price of US$36.29 (Cdn$49.75) per share for a total cost of approximately US$25.4 million under its Normal Course Issuer Bid, which was renewed March 18, 2026. The Company's Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to US$200 million of shares within 2026.
As previously announced in February 2026, DPM will pay a quarterly dividend of US$0.04 per share on April 15, 2026, to shareholders of record on March 31, 2026.
Timing of First Quarter 2026 Operating and Financial Results
The Company plans to release its first quarter 2026 operating and financial results after market close on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. The news release, Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") and condensed interim consolidated financial statements will be posted on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.dpmmetals.com.
On Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at 9 AM EDT, DPM will host a conference call and audio webcast to discuss the results, followed by a question-and-answer session. To participate via conference call, register in advance at the link in the following table to receive the dial-in information as well as a personalized PIN code to access the call.
| Conference call date and time | Thursday, May 7, 2026 9 AM EDT |
| Call registration | https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BI267d3c865b97471b9a6c2c4fd4f5320b |
| Webcast link | https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/mpw5kfj6 |
| Replay | Archive will be available on www.dpmmetals.com |
Gold Equivalent Calculation
The Company uses conversion ratios for calculating GEO for its silver, copper, zinc and lead production and sales, which are calculated by multiplying the volumes of metal produced or sold, as applicable, by the respective assumed metal prices, and dividing the resulting figure by the assumed gold price.
GEO produced and sold for the first quarter 2026 and DPM's 2026 guidance are based on the following metal prices:
| Gold ($/oz.) | Silver ($/oz.) | Copper ($/lb.) | Zinc ($/lb.) | Lead ($/lb.) | |
| First quarter 2026 market average metal prices | 4,875 | 84 | 5.83 | 1.47 | 0.88 |
| 2026 guidance assumption | 4,200 | 50 | 5.00 | 1.30 | 0.90 |
For more information regarding DPM's 2026 guidance and three-year outlook, refer to the MD&A for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2025, issued on February 10, 2026, available on at www.sedarplus.ca and at www.dpmmetals.com.
Technical Information
The technical and scientific information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Ross Overall, Director, Corporate Technical Services, of the DPM, who is a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, and not independent of the Company.
About DPM Metals Inc.
DPM Metals Inc. is a Canadian-based international gold mining company with operations and projects located in Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Ecuador. Our strategic objective is to become a mid-tier precious metals company, which is based on sustainable, responsible and efficient gold production from our portfolio, the development of quality assets, and maintaining a strong financial position to support growth in mineral reserves and production through disciplined strategic transactions. This strategy creates a platform for robust growth to deliver above-average returns for our shareholders. DPM trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (symbol: DPM) and the Australian Securities Exchange as a Foreign Exempt Listing (symbol: DPM).
For further information please contact:
Jennifer Cameron
Director, Investor Relations
Tel: (416) 219-6177
jcameron@dpmmetals.com
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements
This news release contains "forward looking statements" or "forward looking information" (collectively, "Forward Looking Statements") that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Forward Looking Statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the use of forward looking terminology such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "outlook", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or that state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms or similar expressions. The Forward Looking Statements in this press release relate to, among other things: expected rates of production at the Company's operating properties; the Company's future business plans, objectives, and strategy, including, without limitation, meeting its targeted annual rates of production from its operating mines; anticipated steps in the development of the Vareš operation; anticipated timing for the ramp up to commercial production at the Vareš operation; exploration activities expected to be undertaken at the Company's operating and project sites; statements with respect to outlook and guidance previously provided by the Company; the Company's intentions with respect to repurchases of shares under its NCIB; timing and amounts of dividends; and the anticipated timing for the release of the Company's financial and operational results for the three month period ended March 31, 2026. Forward Looking Statements are based on certain key assumptions and the opinions and estimates of management, as of the date such statements are made, and they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any other future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the Forward Looking Statements. In addition to factors already discussed in this news release, such factors include, among others, fluctuations in metal prices and foreign exchange rates; risks arising from the current economic environment and the impact on operating costs and other financial metrics, including risks of recession; the commencement, continuation or escalation of geopolitical crises and armed conflicts and their direct and indirect effects on the operations of DPM; risks arising from counterparties being unable to or unwilling to fulfill their contractual obligations to the Company; the speculative nature of mineral exploration, development and production, including changes in mineral production performance, exploitation and exploration results; the Company's dependence on its operations at the Chelopech and Ada Tepe mines and the Vareš operation; changes in tax and tariff regimes in the jurisdictions in which the Company operate or which are otherwise applicable to the Company's business, operations, or financial condition; possible inaccurate estimates relating to future production, operating costs and other costs for operations; possible variations in ore grade and recovery rates; inherent uncertainties in respect of conclusions of economic evaluations, economic studies and mine plans; uncertainties with respect to the results of technical studies of the Company's exploration and development projects and the results thereof; the Company's dependence on continually developing, replacing and expanding its mineral reserves; uncertainties and risks inherent to developing and commissioning new mines into production, which may be subject to unforeseen delays; risks related to the possibility that future exploration results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations, that quantities or grades of reserves will be diminished, and that resources may not be converted to reserves; risks associated with the fact that certain of the Company's initiatives are still in the early stages and may not materialize; risks related to the Company's ability to develop the Loma Larga project and to obtain necessary permits in respect thereof; changes in project parameters, including schedule and budget, as plans continue to be refined; risks related to the financial results of operations, changes in interest rates, and the Company's ability to finance its operations; the impact of global liquidity and credit availability on the timing of cash flows and the values of assets and liabilities based on projected future cash flows; uncertainties inherent with conducting business in foreign jurisdictions where corruption, civil unrest, political instability and uncertainties with the rule of law may impact the Company's activities; accidents, labour disputes and other risks inherent to the mining industry; failure to achieve certain cost savings; risks related to the Company's ability to manage environmental and social matters, including risks and obligations related to closure of the Company's mining properties; risks related to climate change, including extreme weather events, resource shortages, emerging policies and increased regulations relating to related to greenhouse gas emission levels, energy efficiency and reporting of risks; land reclamation and mine closure requirements, and costs associated therewith; the Company's controls over financial reporting and obligations as a public company; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities; opposition by social and non-governmental organizations to mining projects; uncertainties with respect to realizing the anticipated benefits from the development of the Company's exploration and development projects; cyber-attacks and other cybersecurity risks; competition in the mining industry; exercising judgment when undertaking impairment assessments; claims or litigation; limitations on insurance coverage; changes in values of the Company's investment portfolio; changes in laws and regulations, or judicial interpretations thereof, including with respect to taxes, and the Company's ability to successfully obtain all necessary permits and other approvals required to conduct its operations; employee relations, including unionized and non-union employees, and the Company's ability to retain key personnel and attract other highly skilled employees; ability to successfully integrate acquisitions or complete divestitures; disputes and challenges with respect to land title; volatility in the price of the common shares of the Company; potential dilution to the common shares of the Company; damage to the Company's reputation due to the actual or perceived occurrence of any number of events, including negative publicity with respect to the Company's handling of environmental matters or dealings with community groups, whether true or not; risks related to holding assets in foreign jurisdictions; conflicts of interest between the Company and its directors and officers; the timing and amounts of dividends; there being no assurance that the Company will purchase additional common shares of the Company under the NCIB, as well as those risk factors discussed or referred to in the MD&A, the Company's most recent AIF in any other documents filed from time to time with the securities regulatory authorities in all provinces and territories of Canada and available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca . The reader has been cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all factors which may have been used. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in Forward Looking Statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that Forward-Looking Statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company's Forward Looking Statements reflect current expectations regarding future events and speak only as of the date hereof. Unless required by securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update Forward Looking Statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on Forward Looking Statements.





