Culpeo Minerals Limited (ASX: CPO; OTCID: CPORF) has strengthened its technical leadership team with the appointment of experienced exploration geologist and mining executive Ed Turner as Technical Director, effective 10 August 2026.
Mr Turner joined Culpeo as Technical Manager in May 2026 and has spent recent months reviewing the Company’s historical technical information, working with its Chilean geological team and assessing exploration opportunities across its portfolio. His appointment to the Board formalises that role and gives him responsibility for driving exploration strategy across Culpeo’s copper assets in Chile.
Figure 1: Ed Turner at Chilean Portfolio [YouTube / Culpeo Minerals]
The appointment comes as Culpeo seeks to increase the pace of exploration across multiple targets, with a particular focus on advancing high-priority opportunities within its Chilean portfolio.
Ed Turner Brings More Than 35 Years of Exploration Experience
Ed Turner brings more than 35 years of experience across mineral exploration and mining geology, including more than two decades in exploration management.
His experience spans base metals, precious metals, lithium and uranium projects across South America, Africa, Australia and Eastern Europe. He has also held senior executive and board positions, including Managing Director of Lodestar Minerals, CEO of Kingwest Resources, CEO of Galena Mining and Technical Director of Riedel Resources.
His career includes several notable resource and project-development achievements. While serving as CEO of Kingwest Resources, Mr Turner helped increase the Menzies Gold Project Mineral Resource from 170koz to 505koz. At Galena Mining, he led the Company through its ASX listing and advanced the Abra lead-silver project from resource definition towards production.
Mr Turner also managed exploration programmes at the Roșia Montană Gold Project in Romania, contributing to an increase in the project’s Mineral Resource of more than 5 million ounces of gold.
Importantly for Culpeo, Mr Turner has direct experience evaluating IOCG and porphyry copper-gold projects in Chile, providing relevant technical expertise as the Company continues to investigate copper systems within the country.
Hailing the board and management of Culpeo Minerals, he has mentioned,
“The Culpeo board is highly credentialled and has had success in multiple commodities and multiple jurisdictions around the world. They’re highly technically capable and professional, and that was one of the reasons I was very attracted to joining the board. I look forward to having success with them in the future.”
Figure 2: Ed Turner welcoming the decision from the Culpeo Minerals on a video note. [YouTube / Culpeo Minerals]
Technical Director to Lead Exploration Across Culpeo’s Portfolio
As Technical Director, Mr Turner will oversee the planning, management and execution of exploration programmes across Culpeo’s entire project portfolio.
His responsibilities will cover target prioritisation, exploration strategy, programme design, drilling execution, technical evaluation and the advancement of exploration opportunities through to Mineral Resource delineation.
The Company expects his appointment to support a more structured and active exploration programme as it advances multiple target areas across its Chilean copper portfolio.
Culpeo Interim Executive Chairman Geoff McNamara said Mr Turner’s appointment builds on an established working relationship with the Company’s geological team.
“Ed’s appointment to the Board formalises a working relationship that began when he joined Culpeo as Technical Manager in April.”
McNamara highlighted Mr Turner’s familiarity with the portfolio and his experience in Chilean copper exploration, adding:
“Ed brings the depth of technical leadership and hands-on exploration management experience required as we step-up our cadence in advancing multiple target areas across our Chilean copper portfolio.”
He also noted that Mr Turner’s direct experience with IOCG and porphyry copper-gold projects in Chile was particularly relevant to Culpeo’s exploration targets.
Figure 3: Culpeo Interim Executive Chairman Geoff McNamara has appreciated Ed Turner’s appointment [Culpeo Minerals / Supplied]
Mr Turner Encouraged by Exploration Potential
Mr Turner’s appointment follows several months of direct technical work across Culpeo’s portfolio.
He has reviewed historical data and worked directly with the Company’s local geological team, providing him with exposure to both the existing technical dataset and the geological characteristics of the projects.
Mr Turner said:
“Having spent a considerable amount of time both with the historic data and directly on the ground with the local team, it’s fair to say I am extremely encouraged by what I’m seeing from a geological perspective.”
He added that Culpeo’s portfolio contains several attractive exploration opportunities and confirmed plans to return to Chile later in August to lead a focused programme.
“It’s very clear to me that the portfolio presents several attractive exploration opportunities, and I look forward to heading back to Chile later this month to lead our disciplined programme focused on testing and advancing the highest-priority targets.”
Figure 4: Drilling and ongoing fieldwork in the Chilean portfolio.
Lana Corina and Fortuna Provide Exploration Foundation
Culpeo operates a copper-focused exploration and development strategy in Chile, which the Company describes as the world’s leading copper-producing jurisdiction.
Its key assets include the Lana Corina and Fortuna projects in the Coquimbo Region, approximately 350km north of Santiago and close to the world-class Los Pelambres mine.
Both projects feature extensive outcropping copper mineralisation and benefit from established regional infrastructure, including road access, power transmission, water availability and an experienced mining workforce.
The Company has already delivered a significant copper and molybdenum discovery at Lana Corina and continues to systematically advance Fortuna.
Culpeo aims to unlock district-scale potential through disciplined exploration and staged project advancement, while focusing on high-grade, near-surface copper systems.
Figure 5: Location map showing the Lana Corina and Fortuna projects in Chile. [Culpeo Minerals]
Appointment Terms and Share Price Activity
Mr Turner’s appointment commenced on 10 August 2026 under a full-time, ongoing employment arrangement.
| Appointment detail | Terms |
|---|---|
| Position | Technical Director |
| Commencement | 10 August 2026 |
| Remuneration | $313,000 per annum, including superannuation |
| Short-term incentive | Discretionary performance-based bonus |
| Long-term incentive | Subject to shareholder approval, ASX Listing Rules and the Company’s Securities Incentive Plan |
| Term | Ongoing |
| Termination | Three months’ written notice |
The Company said Mr Turner will also be eligible to participat in its incentive arrangements, subject to the relevant approvals and rules.
Culpeo Minerals shares last traded at $0.012, representing a 9.09% increase (as of 10 August, 2026, 10:00 am AEST). The stock has gained 9.09% over one month and 9.09% over 2026, compared with a 4.40% gain for the ASX 200 over one year. The Company has a market capitalisation of approximately $9.54 million.
Investors’ Outlook
Culpeo’s appointment of Ed Turner adds substantial exploration and technical experience to the Company as it prepares to increase activity across its Chilean copper portfolio.
For investors, the key development will be how Turner translates his initial assessment of the portfolio into exploration results. His planned return to Chile later this month is expected to support work focused on the Company’s highest-priority targets.
The combination of an experienced technical leader, established Chilean infrastructure and a portfolio anchored by the Lana Corina copper-molybdenum discovery and Fortuna project provides Culpeo with a platform to pursue further discoveries.
The near-term focus will therefore remain on target prioritisation, exploration execution, drilling and the advancement of priority prospects. Successful exploration outcomes could strengthen Culpeo’s resource base and support its broader strategy of developing high-grade, near-surface copper systems in Chile.
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Disclaimer
This article has been prepared by Colitco in collaboration with Culpeo Minerals as part of a commercial content and investor communications arrangement. Colitco may receive compensation for the production and distribution of this content. This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial product advice, investment advice, or a recommendation to buy or sell any securities. The content reflects information available at the time of publication and may not be updated. All figures, data and statements have been sourced from Culpeo Minerals’ official ASX announcements and publicly available sources. Readers should conduct their own independent research and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decisions. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Exploration results are not a guarantee of future resource definition or commercial production.
Luke Carlino is a seasoned Copywriter, Content Strategist, and Social Media Manager specialising in Mining, Finance, and Business journalism. With more than a decade of industry experience, he brings rigorous editorial standards and commercial acuity to every project.
