Rio2 Announces Signing of US$50 Million Gold Stream with Wheaton Precious Metals on the Fenix Gold Project
16 November 2021 - 1:30PM
Rio2 Limited (“
Rio2” or the
“
Company”) (TSXV: RIO; OTCQX: RIOFF; BVL: RIO) is
pleased to announce that it has entered into a definitive precious
metals purchase agreement (the “
Gold Stream”) with
Wheaton Precious Metals International Ltd. (“
Wheaton
International”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wheaton
Precious Metals Corp., in relation to the Company’s Fenix Gold
Project in Chile.
The Gold Stream is one of the components of the
mine construction financing totaling approximately US$125 to US$135
million to finance the construction of a mine at the Company’s
100%-owned Fenix Gold Project in Chile (the “Mine Financing
Package”). The signing of the Gold Stream agreement
follows the successful completion in August 2021 of the Company’s
C$35.1 million equity offering and positions the Company to
finalize the previously announced US$50 to US$60 million senior
debt project finance facility with BNP Paribas mandated as sole
lead arranger.
Jose Luis Martinez, EVP, Chief Strategy Officer
stated: “Entering into this definitive agreement with Wheaton
International represents a significant milestone for Rio2 and
secures the foundation of the Mine Financing Package setting the
Company on a solid path for development and a fast track to
production.”
Under the Gold Stream, Wheaton International
will purchase 6.0% of the gold production from the Fenix Gold
Project until 90,000 ounces of gold have been delivered and 4.0% of
the gold production until 140,000 ounces of gold have been
delivered, after which the stream will reduce to 3.5% of the gold
production for the life of mine. Wheaton International will make an
upfront deposit in cash of US$50 million with US$25 million
available following closing of the Gold Stream agreement, and the
remaining US$25 million payable after the receipt of the EIA
approval for the Mine with both payments subject to completion of
customary conditions.
In addition, Wheaton International will make
ongoing payments for gold ounces delivered equal to 18% of the spot
gold price until the value of gold delivered less the production
payment is equal to the upfront consideration of US$50 million, at
which point the production payment will increase to 22% of the spot
gold price.
ADVISORS
Scotiabank acted as financial advisor and
McMillan LLP acted as legal advisor to Rio2 in connection with the
Gold Stream.
ABOUT RIO2 LIMITED
Rio2 is a mining company with a focus on
development and mining operations with a team that has proven
technical skills as well as a successful capital markets track
record. Rio2 is focused on taking its Fenix Gold Project in Chile
to production in the shortest possible timeframe based on a staged
development strategy. In addition to the Fenix Gold Project in
development in Chile, Rio2 Limited continues to pursue additional
strategic acquisitions where it can deploy its operational
excellence and responsible mining practices to build a multi-asset,
multi-jurisdiction, precious metals company.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking
statements and forward-looking information (collectively
“forward-looking information”) within the meaning of applicable
securities laws relating to Rio2’s planned development of its Fenix
Gold Project and other aspects of Rio2’s anticipated future
operations and plans. In addition, without limiting the generality
of the foregoing, this news release contains forward-looking
information pertaining to the following: the Gold Stream and the
timing for the release of the first US$25 million deposit, and
other matters ancillary or incidental to the foregoing.
All statements included herein, other than
statements of historical fact, may be forward-looking information
and such information involves various risks and uncertainties.
Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by
the use of words such as “seek”, “anticipate”, “plan”, “continue”,
“estimate”, “expect”, “may”, “will”, “project”, “predict”,
“potential”, “targeting”, “intend”, “could”, “might”, “should”,
“believe”, and similar expressions. The forward-looking information
is based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by Rio2’s
management which may prove to be incorrect, including but not
limited to: expectations concerning prevailing commodity prices,
exchange rates, interest rates, applicable royalty rates and tax
laws; capital efficiencies; legislative and regulatory environment
of Chile; future production rates and estimates of capital and
operating costs; estimates of reserves and resources; anticipated
timing and results of capital expenditures; the sufficiency of
capital expenditures in carrying out planned activities;
performance; the availability and cost of financing, labor and
services; and Rio2’s ability to access capital on satisfactory
terms.
Rio2 believes the expectations reflected in
these forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance
can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and
such forward-looking statements in this news release should not be
unduly relied upon. A description of assumptions used to develop
such forward-looking information and a description of risk factors
that may cause actual results to differ materially from
forward-looking information can be found in Rio2's disclosure
documents on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. These risks and
uncertainties include, but are not limited to: risks and
uncertainties relating to the completion of the financings as
described herein, and management’s ability to anticipate and manage
the factors and risks referred to herein. Forward-looking
statements included in this news release are made as of the date of
this news release and such information should not be relied upon as
representing its views as of any date subsequent to the date of
this news release. Rio2 has attempted to identify important factors
that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to
vary from those current expectations or estimates expressed or
implied by the forward-looking information. However, there may be
other factors that cause results, performance or achievements not
to be as expected or estimated and that could cause actual results,
performance or achievements to differ materially from current
expectations. Rio2 disclaims any intention or obligation to update
or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of
new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly
required by applicable securities legislation.
To learn more about Rio2 Limited, please visit:
www.rio2.com or Rio2's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF RIO2 LIMITED
Alex BlackPresident, CEO & DirectorEmail:
info@rio2.comTel: 1 604 260-2696
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation
Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the
TSX Venture Exchange) accepts the responsibility for the adequacy
or accuracy of this release.
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