VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – June 17, 2026 – TheNewswire - Avrupa Minerals Ltd. (TSXV:AVU) (“Avrupa” or the “Company”) announces a $500,000 private placement of Units.  The proceeds of the private placement financing will be used to fund exploration at its copper-focused projects in Finland, ongoing operations in Portugal, and for working capital. Avrupa also holds the Slivova Gold Project in Kosovo which is currently under option to a third party who manages and funds the project.

 

Private Placement

 

Subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the “Exchange”), the Company intends to raise $500,000 by way of a non-brokered private placement offering (the “Offering”) by issuing 10 million units (each, a “Unit”) at a price of $0.05.

 

Each Unit will be comprised of one common share of the Company and one half-common share purchase warrant (each, a “Warrant”).  Each full Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one additional common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.10 per common share, for a period of 36 months from the date of closing of the Offering.  Finders' fees of 7.5% in cash will be paid to eligible parties.

 

Closing of the Offering is subject to all applicable regulatory approvals, including the approval of the Exchange.  All securities are subject to a hold period of four months and one day in accordance with applicable securities laws.

 

Recent Developments

 

Avrupa recently announced the completion of the initial Mineral Resource Estimate (“MRE”) for its Sesmarias Project in the Iberian Pyrite Belt (“IPB”) of Portugal. The Company discovered copper/zinc mineralization in 2014 and has been advancing exploration, mostly funded by various partners, since that time.

 

The Sesmarias MRE is the second one completed by Avrupa, with the first being for its discovery of the Slivova Gold/Silver Project, currently optioned out to a partner.

 

Portugal has a long history of copper mining, at least since Roman times, in its portion of the IPB which stretches over 250 kilometers from near Lisbon, Portugal to beyond Seville, Spain.  The total IPB is known to contain more than 80 volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits, seven of which presently host active mining operations, including two in Portugal and five in Spain.

 

In addition, Avrupa, through its partnership entity in Finland, Akkerman Finland Oy (“AFOy”), recently advanced its volcanogenic massive sulphide exploration program in the Pyhäsalmi mining district in central Finland by acquiring the Lehto and Lippikylä exploration permits from First Quantum Minerals (“FQM”) and subsidiaries.  The projects are located immediately adjacent to the Pyhäsalmi Mine (“PMO”) license, less than two kilometres from the headframe, and cover potential east and south extensions, respectively, of the known mineral horizon at the mine.  The property acquisitions include all available historic data related to the exploration permits.  Review of the data, along with discussion between AFOy and FQM/PMO, suggests at least five drill-ready targets: two on the Lehto permit and three on the Lippikylä permit.

In addition to the Pyhäsalmi Mine area acquisitions, the Company, through the AFOy partnership, acquired the KKS exploration reservation, covering three VMS prospects located 20 to 30 kilometres north-northwest of the Pyhäsalmi mine.  Review of available data for KKS is presently underway.

The Company now holds seven copper/zinc projects in the Pyhäsalmi Mining District, all located within potential trucking distance to the active mill and flotation plant at the Pyhäsalmi Mine.  The Company also holds rights to a gold/silver target in the Oijarvi Greenstone Belt, located to the north of the Pyhäsalmi District in central Finland.

Avrupa is currently presenting the data on the projects in Finland and Portugal to potential partners to fund advanced exploration work.

 

AGM Results

 

All resolutions at the Company’s June 3, 2026 Annual General Meeting (the “Meeting”) were passed with 98% support from shareholders. This includes the re-election of the following directors: Paul Kuhn, Mark T. Brown, Paul Dircksen and Frank Hogel.  Paul Nelles, a director since 2016, did not stand for re-election at the Meeting.

 

Dr. Nelles was instrumental in bringing Avrupa into Kosovo and was the managing director of the Company’s subsidiary there before being appointed a director of Avrupa.  He was heavily involved in the acquisition of the Slivova Project and moving it forward through its early exploration stages and initial recognition of the mineral potential there. The Board thanks him for his service to the Company and wishes him a long and happy retirement.

 

In addition, the shareholders at the Meeting re-appointed DeVisser Gray LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, as auditor of the Company and approved the Company's rolling incentive stock option plan, subject to TSX Venture Exchange acceptance.

 

The following officers were re-appointed after the Meeting: Paul Kuhn as President & CEO, and Winnie Wong as Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary.

 

Avrupa Minerals Ltd. is a growth-oriented junior exploration and development company directed to discovery of valuable mineral deposits, using a hybrid project generator business model.  Avrupa is actively advancing seven copper-zinc VMS targets and one orogenic gold prospect in central Finland through its partnership with Akkerman Exploration B.V., via the Finnish exploration company, Akkerman Finland Oy.  Avrupa holds one 100%-owned project in Portugal, the Alvalade VMS Project, and has submitted an application for a mining license covering the Sesmarias Cu/Zn massive sulfide showing within the Project area.  The Company holds one 49%-owned exploration permit covering the Slivova Gold Project in Kosovo, optioned to Western Tethyan Resources.  Avrupa continues to focus its project generation work in politically stable and prospective regions of Europe, and looks to develop new opportunities around the general Mediterranean Basin.  The Company is actively seeking new JV partnerships for its projects in Finland and Portugal.

 

For additional information, contact Avrupa Minerals Ltd. at 1-604-687-3520 or visit our website at www.avrupaminerals.com.

 

On behalf of the Board,

 

“Paul W. Kuhn”

                               

Paul W. Kuhn, President & Director

   

This news release was prepared by Company management, who take full responsibility for its content.  Paul W. Kuhn, President and CEO of Avrupa Minerals, a Licensed Professional Geologist and a Registered Member of the Society of Mining Engineers, is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators.  He has reviewed the technical disclosure in this release.  Mr. Kuhn, the QP, has not only reviewed, but prepared and supervised the preparation or approval of the scientific and technical content in the news release.  

 

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.