VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Feb. 21, 2013) - Equinox Copper Corp. (TSX VENTURE:EQX) ("Equinox" or the "Company") announces changes to both its management team and its professional ranks, effective immediately. Mr. Corey Dias, who is currently a Director of Equinox, has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Mr. Josh Bleak, who has been serving as CEO, will remain on the Board. In addition, Equinox welcomes Senior Geologist Dr. Patrick O'Hara to the Company. These appointments are taken as Equinox embarks on its next stage of growth. As previously announced, Equinox has commenced the shipping of copper oxides to Enami, Chile's state-owned mining agency. Enami, established in 1969, is responsible for facilitating small- and medium-sized mining operations in Chile.

Mr. Dias brings to the role of CEO a wealth of capital markets experience, accumulated over his ten years on both the buy-side and the sell-side of the market. Mr. Dias began his capital markets career in institutional equity research at CIBC in 2003 and gained further sell-side experience with other boutique investment firms in Toronto. In addition, Mr. Dias was a Vice President at Fortress Investment Group - a major U.S.-based hedge fund - where he was involved in the management of a $400 million investment portfolio. Finally, Mr. Dias was a management consultant at The Monitor Group - a U.S.-based strategy consulting firm - in Stockholm, where he gained invaluable experience in identifying and resolving issues faced by executive management at multinational corporations in various industries.

Mr. Dias holds a Master of Business Administration from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario.

Dr. O'Hara, a Certified Professional Geologist, brings with him over four decades of relevant field experience to Equinox. Dr. O'Hara's fields of specialization include the interpretation of both base and precious metal mineral deposits, geochemistry, petrology and structural geology throughout North America. In addition, he has authored or co-authored a number of publications specifically dealing with volcanic massive sulfide and precious/base metal deposits in central Arizona. Finally, Dr. O'Hara's prior application of his specializations while working in Arizona with CONOCO Inc. - which previously conducted exploration on Equinox's Copper Queen asset - provides a unique insight into this property.

Dr. O'Hara received his B.A. from the City University of New York in 1971 and his Ph.D. in Geology from Arizona State University in 1980. Dr. O'Hara has also served on the Board of Governors of the Arizona Department of Mines and Mineral Resources and is a Fellow of the Society of Economic Geologists.

Additionally, the Company also announces that Mr. Vic Nielsen has resigned as President and COO of the Company.

About Equinox Copper Corp.

Equinox Copper Corp. is a publicly traded corporation listed on the TSX-Venture Exchange (TSX VENTURE:EQX) and is engaged in mineral exploration and development in the United States and Chile. The major focus is on copper exploration properties in the Southwest United States where management has extensive experience and a proven track record of discovery. To find out more about Equinox visit its website at www.EquinoxExploration.com.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Equinox Copper Corp.

Roy Fuller, Director

Forward-Looking Statement

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to: statements with respect to the effect and estimated timeline of the drilling and assay results on the Company; the estimation of mineral reserves and mineral resources; the timing and amount of estimated future exploration; costs of exploration; capital expenditures; success of exploration activities; permitting time lines and permitting; government regulation of mining operations; potential future expansion of the PFNP; environmental risks; unanticipated reclamation expenses; and title disputes or claims. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, including the likelihood of commercial mining and possible future financings are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include: unsuccessful exploration results; changes in metals prices; changes in the availability of funding for mineral exploration; unanticipated changes in key management personnel and general economic conditions. Mining is an inherently risky business. Accordingly the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on the Company and the risks and challenges of its business, investors should review the Company's annual filings that are available at www.sedar.com.