Rio2 Limited (“Rio2” or the “Company”) (TSXV: RIO; OTCQX: RIOFF;
BVL: RIO) today announces that its Chilean subsidiary, Fenix Gold
Limitada, has received the principal Sectorial Permits it requires
to begin construction at its Fenix Gold Project (“Fenix Gold” or
the “Project”) located in the Maricunga Gold Belt of the Atacama
Region, Chile. These Sectorial Permits are: 1) Mining Methods; 2)
Process Plant; 3) Waste Dumps & Stockpiles; and 4) Closure
Plan.
Andrew Cox, President & CEO of Rio2,
commented, “The team at both Rio2 and Fenix Gold have done a great
job in obtaining these permits, which will allow the Company to
complete its debt and equity financing for the construction phase
of the mine. We look forward to rapidly continuing to unlock value
for all our stakeholders by progressing the Fenix Gold Mine towards
an anticipated construction start in November of this year”.
These Sectorial Permits represent the last
governmental authorization required to enable the start of
the construction phase and subsequent operation of the Fenix
Gold Mine.
Financing Update
Following the announcement of the filing of an
independent technical report dated October 16, 2023, entitled “NI
43-101 Technical Report on the Feasibility Study for the Fenix Gold
Project”, Rio2 has been working with its financial advisor,
Endeavour Financial, to develop the optimum financing solution for
the Fenix Gold Project.
The Company has received several financing
proposals from interested counterparties, which are being
considered by management and the Company’s Board. Due diligence is
progressing with certain of these financing sources and further
updates will be provided in due course.
Fenix Gold Project
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 4.8 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 has 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$235M of initial and sustaining capital and will
generate employment for at least 1,200 people during the
construction phase and 800 people during the 17-year 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.
The scientific and technical content of this
news release has been reviewed, approved and verified by Ronoel
Vega, Min. Eng., MMBA, FAusIMM, who is a QP under NI 43-101. For
additional information regarding the Project, including key
parameters, assumptions and risks associated with its development,
see the independent technical report entitled “NI 43-101
Technical Report on the Feasibility Study for the Fenix Gold
Project” (the “Feasibility Study”) pursuant to National Instrument
43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”).
The Feasibility Study is dated October 16, 2023, with an effective
date of October 16, 2023, a copy of which document is available
under Rio2’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.
Market-Making Service
Contract
Rio2 announces that it has engaged the services
of ICP Securities Inc. to provide automated market-making services,
including the use of its proprietary algorithm, ICP Premium, in
compliance with the policies and guidelines of the TSX Venture
Exchange and other applicable legislation. ICP will be paid a
monthly fee of $7,500, plus applicable taxes. The agreement dated
October 1, 2024, between the Company and ICP, with a start date of
October 1, 2024. The agreement is for four months and shall be
automatically renewed for subsequent one-month terms unless either
party provides at least 30 days written notice prior to the end of
the initial term or an additional term, as applicable. There are no
performance factors contained in the agreement and no stock options
or other compensation in connection with the engagement. ICP and
its clients may acquire an interest in the securities of the
Company in the future. ICP's market-making activity will be
primarily to correct temporary imbalances in the supply and demand
of the Company's shares. ICP will be responsible for the costs it
incurs in buying and selling the Company's shares and no third
party will be providing funds or securities for the market-making
activities. ICP is located in Toronto, Ontario. ICP and its
affiliates are an arm's-length party to the Company and, prior to
their engagement as market-makers, did not hold any securities of
Rio2, directly or indirectly.
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 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. Rio2 and its wholly owned subsidiary, Fenix
Gold Limitada, are companies with the highest environmental
standards and responsibility with the firm conviction that it is
possible to develop mining projects that respect the three pillars
(Social, Environment, Economics) of responsible development. As
related companies, we reaffirm our commitment to apply
environmental standards beyond those that are mandated by
regulators, seeking to protect and preserve the environment of the
territories that we operate in.
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 the
Fenix Gold Project, related potential financing activities 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 potential development of a mine at the Project
and the expected capital investment required for such mine; the
advancement of the Project through financing and the recommencement
of construction activities; estimated indicated and measured gold
resources; expected mine life; development and operating plans;
certain anticipated economic benefits of a mine at the Project to
the local region 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, 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; expectations
regarding the availability of debt financing; estimates of reserves
and resources; anticipated timing and results of capital
expenditures; the sufficiency of capital expenditures in carrying
out planned activities; results of operations; 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.sedarplus.ca. These risks
and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: risks and
uncertainties relating to the completion of debt and equity
financing for the construction phase of the mine, market conditions
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.sedarplus.ca.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF RIO2
LIMITED
Alex BlackExecutive Chairman Email:
alex.black@rio2.comTel: +51 99279 4655
Kathryn Johnson Executive Vice President, CFO
& Corporate Secretary Email: kathryn.johnson@rio2.com Tel: +1
604 762 4720
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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