Rio2 Limited (“Rio2” or “the Company”) (TSXV: RIO; OTCQX: RIOFF;
BVL: RIO) is providing an update of its activities following the
announcement made on July 5, 2022 in respect to the Atacama
Regional Evaluation Commission’s (“the Commission”) decision to not
approve the Environmental Impact Assessment (“EIA”) for its Fenix
Gold Project (“the Project”) in Chile.
The Company, along with its Chilean
environmental and legal advisors, are currently evaluating options
to continue to advance the Project. A key document the Company is
waiting for is the Environmental Qualification Resolution (“RCA”)
which is the administrative document with which the Environmental
Assessment Service (“SEA”), outlines the rationale for their
decision. The RCA is expected within the next three weeks and the
Company is finalizing its action plan thereafter.
Once the EIA action plan is completed, the
Company anticipates announcing a revised timeline of its proposed
activities and how it intends to execute and finance the plan
forward.
Key considerations for developing a plan forward
is to use all the well-established options within the permitting
process and working with all relevant government authorities to
ensure we secure a successful path forward for the development of
the Fenix Gold project.
The Company is thankful for the support it has
received following the EIA decision from various government
authorities and community organizations that participated in the
Participación Ciudadana (Citizen Participation) and Consulta
Indígena (Indigenous Consultation) as part of the EIA process. The
Company is also encouraged that the SEA decision states that the
EIA fulfills all the applicable regulations and meets the
environmental requirements for the granting of applicable sectorial
permits.
The Fenix Gold project is one of the largest
undeveloped gold oxide, heap leach projects in the Americas,
hosting a Measured and Indicated mineral resource (as such term is
defined in National Instrument 43-101 -Standards of Disclosure for
Mineral Projects, “NI 43-101”) of 5 Million ounces
of gold which the Company believes will make a positive
contribution to the Atacama Region and Chile. The Project is an
example of modern gold mining where a full complement of technical,
environmental, and social considerations have been consulted on and
designed in from the outset. The Project represents a significant
investment in the gold mining business in Chile by a junior mining
company of approximately US$210M of initial and sustaining capital
and will generate employment for at least 1,200 people during the
construction phase and 550 people during the 17 years operations
phase. The mine being contemplated at the Project will be a
run-of-mine heap leach operation, no crushing or tailings storage
facilities are required thereby minimizing the overall impact and
footprint of the Project.
As at March 31, 2022, the Company had cash of
approximately US$33M and working capital of approximately US$25M
which had been allocated to pre-development activities for the
Project. A significant amount of money has been invested so far in
the pre-development of the Project including the construction of
the camp facilities at its infrastructure subsidiary, Lince S.A.,
pre-fabrication of elements of the processing plant and water
loading facilities in Copiapo.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
The scientific and technical content of this
news release has been reviewed, approved and verified by Enrique
Garay, MSc. P. Geo (AIG Member), Senior Vice President Geology of
Rio2 Limited, who is a QP under NI 43-101 has also reviewed,
approved and verified the scientific and technical content of this
news release. For additional information regarding the Project,
including key parameters, assumptions and risks associated with its
development, see the independent technical report entitled “Updated
Pre-Feasibility Study for the Fenix Gold Project, Atacama, III
Region, Chile” dated August 3, 2021, with an effective date of
August 15, 2019, a copy of which document is available under Rio2’s
SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com
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
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: Rio2’s intentions to prepare and
undertake an action plan to address the concerns raised in the
RCA, anticipated timing for an announcement on revised timeline and
financial plan; the potential development of a mine at the Project;
the impact of the Project for Chile; development and operating
plans; 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 the ongoing environmental
impact assessment process with the SEA; expectations relating to
timing of receipt of the RCA; 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 after 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: 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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