Amerigo and Codelco/El Teniente Sign Agreement Extending Tailings Processing to 2037
22 April 2014 - 9:30PM
Marketwired
Amerigo and Codelco/El Teniente Sign Agreement Extending Tailings
Processing to 2037
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Apr 22, 2014) -
Amerigo Resources Ltd. (TSX:ARG) ("Amerigo" or the "Company")
announced today that its Chilean subsidiary Minera Valle Central
("MVC"), has entered into a definitive agreement (the "Master
Agreement") with the El Teniente division ("DET") of Corporación
Nacional del Cobre de Chile ("Codelco") for the purchase of the
processing rights to the Cauquenes tailings deposit and extending
MVC's rights to process DET fresh tailings to 2037.
Codelco's El Teniente is the world's largest underground mine.
It has been in operation for over a century, and DET is currently
undertaking expansion projects to extend El Teniente's mine life by
at least 50 years.
During the 23 year term of the Master Agreement it is expected
that MVC will produce approximately 1.7 billion pounds of copper
and 43 million pounds of molybdenum and the expansion project will
have positive employment and environmental effects in the region.
Major terms of the Master Agreement include the following:
- Extension of the existing fresh tailings and Colihues contracts
from 2021 to 2037
- Sliding scale royalty to DET for Cauquenes tailings
- Change to a sliding scale for the fresh tailings royalty, with
an increase in the minimum copper price at which this royalty is
payable and the elimination of exchange rate provisions that
increased royalty costs
- At a copper price of approximately $3.10 per pound the new and
amended royalty formulas are estimated to result in the same
royalties as the existing formulas, but with improved downside
protection
- Three early exit options for DET that are only exercisable in
the event of changes that were unforeseen as of the date of the
Master Agreement
Dr. Klaus Zeitler, Amerigo's Chairman and CEO, stated "We are
extremely pleased to announce this major milestone in the history
of the Company. The processing of tailings from the Cauquenes
deposit will require a major expansion of the Company's operations
in Chile and result in a number of new direct and indirect jobs
over the life of the project. We estimate that, upon reaching full
production levels from Cauquenes, the Company's annual copper
production will increase to approximately 90 million pounds, or
double current levels, and production cash costs will decrease by
close to 20%, both of which are expected to have a significantly
positive effect on Amerigo's financial results for years to
come".
Rob Henderson, Amerigo's President and Chief Operating Officer,
added "Bank due diligence in respect of the Cauquenes expansion
project is at an advanced stage and we anticipate receiving the
remainder of required environmental approvals in the near future.
Engineering is well underway so that construction can begin after
receipt of environmental approvals and proceeds from financing are
available."
Additional details can be found in the Master Agreement and an
English translation of the Master Agreement which are being filed
under the Company's profile on SEDAR. The Company also plans to
file a National Instrument 43-101 compliant report on the Company's
mineral resources on SEDAR in the near future.
Amerigo Resources Ltd. produces copper and molybdenum under a
long term partnership with the world's largest copper producer,
Codelco, by means of processing fresh and old tailings from the
world's largest underground copper mine, El Teniente near Santiago,
Chile. Tel: (604) 681-2802; Fax: (604) 682-2802; Web:
www.amerigoresources.com; Listing: ARG:TSX
Certain of the information and statements contained herein
that are not historical facts, constitute "forward-looking
information" within the meaning of the Securities Act (British
Columbia), Securities Act (Ontario) and the Securities Act
(Alberta)applicable Canadian securities legislation
("Forward-Looking Information"). Forward-Looking Information is
often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as
"expects", "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate",
"expect" and "intend"; statements that an event or result is "due"
on or "may", "will", "should", "could", or might" occur or be
achieved; and, other similar expressions. More specifically,
Forward-Looking Information contained herein includes, without
limitation, information concerning the agreement for the purchase
by MVC of the processing rights for the Cauquenes tailings deposit,
extending the contract for the processing of Fresh Tailings to 2037
and consolidating all contracts between MVC and DET (the "Master
Agreement"), completion of construction of the planned expansion of
MVC's operations required for the processing of old tailings from
the historic Cauquenes tailings deposit (the "Cauquenes
Expansion"), future tailings production volumes and the Company's
copper and molybdenum production, all of which involve known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the
actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, or
industry results, to be materially different from any future
results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such
Forward-Looking Information including, without limitation, material
factors and assumptions relating to, and risks and uncertainties
associated with, the performance of the Master Agreement, the
receipt of adequate debt financing required for the Cauquenes
Expansion, the receipt of environmental approval to the Cauquenes
expansion, the continued supply of tailings from El Teniente and
successful extraction of tailings from the Cauquenes and Colihues
tailings deposits, the achievement and maintenance of planned
production rates, the evolving legal and political policies of
Chile, the volatility in the Chilean economy, military unrest or
terrorist actions, metal price fluctuations, governmental
relations, the availability of financing for activities when
required and on acceptable terms, the estimation of mineral
resources and reserves, current and future environmental and
regulatory requirements, the availability and timely receipt of
permits, approvals and licenses, industrial or environmental
accidents, equipment breakdowns, availability of and competition
for future mineral acquisition opportunities, availability and cost
of insurance, labour disputes, land claims, the inherent
uncertainty of production and cost estimates, currency
fluctuations, expectations and beliefs of management and other
risks and uncertainties, including those described under Risk
Factors in the Company's Annual Information Form and in
Management's Discussion and Analysis in the Company's financial
statements. Such Forward-Looking Information is based upon the
Company's assumptions regarding global and Chilean economic,
political and market conditions and the price of metals, including
copper and molybdenum, and future tailings production volumes and
the Company's copper and molybdenum production. Among the factors
that have a direct bearing on the Company's future results of
operations and financial conditions are changes in project
parameters as plans continue to be refined, interruptions in the
supply of fresh tailings from El Teniente, further delays in the
extraction of tailings from the Colihues and Cauquenes tailings
deposits, a change in government policies, competition, currency
fluctuations and restrictions and technological changes, among
other things. Should one or more of any of the aforementioned risks
and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions
prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from any
conclusions, forecasts or projections described in the
Forward-Looking Information. Accordingly, readers are advised not
to place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. Except as
required under applicable securities legislation, the Company
undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise
Forward-Looking Information, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.
Amerigo Resources Ltd.Rob HendersonPresident & COO(604)
418-7788Amerigo Resources Ltd.(604)
697-6201www.amerigoresources.com
Amerigo Resources (TSX:ARG)
Historical Stock Chart
From Dec 2024 to Jan 2025
Amerigo Resources (TSX:ARG)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jan 2024 to Jan 2025