Aclara Receives Approval of Environmental Impact Assessment in Chile
ACLARA RECEIVES APPROVAL OF
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT IN CHILE
TORONTO, ON, June 9, 2026 – Aclara Resources (“Aclara” or the “Company”) (TSX: ARA) is pleased
to announce that the Environmental Assessment Commission of the Biobío Region has unanimously
approved the Environmental Impact Assessment (“EIA”) for the Penco Module ionic clay project (the
“Penco Module” or the “Project” ”), which Aclara is developing in partnership with Grupo CAP . The
approval includes the issuance of the corresponding Environmental Qualification Resolution (“RCA”).
Jose Augusto Palma , Aclara’s Executive Vice -president, commented: “This approval marks a
transformative milestone for the Penco Module and for Aclara’s vision of developing a sustainable
source of heavy rare earths outside China. It is the result of years of rigorous technical work, constructive
engagement with local communities and stakeholders, and a thorough environmental review process
carried out by the Chilean authorities. We sincerely appreciate the participation and contrib utions of
public agencies, local authorities, community members, social organizations, academia and all those
involved throughout the evaluation process, which helped strengthen the Project and its environmental
and social commitments.
This milestone reinforces the strategic importance of the Biobío Region and Chile in building resilient
critical mineral supply chains for the future. We are now entering a new stage, working together with
local authorities, communities, universities and p roductive stakeholders to responsibly implement the
Penco Module project and fulfill the commitments assumed throughout the evaluation process. ”
Nicolás Burr, CEO of CAP Group, commented: “This approval marks an important milestone for the
Project and reinforces a long -term vision shared by Aclara and CAP: the development of an integrated
critical minerals value chain. We believe Chile has a unique opportunity to become an important
contributor to the supply of critical minerals essential for the energy transition, and that the Biobío
Region is well positioned to play a leading role in that effort.”
Favourable Environmental Qualification Resolution
The issuance of the RCA marks the successful completion of the Project’s EIA approval process and
authorizes the development and operation of the Penco Module in accordance with the conditions
and commitments established throughout the environmental evaluation process.
The approval follows an extensive environmental evaluation process that commenced with the
submission of the EIA in June 2024 and included detailed technical reviews by government agencies,
citizen participation activities, and an indigenous consultation process. Throughout the evaluation,
Aclara submitted three addenda responding to more than 700 technical observations and considered
over 1,000 citizen observations submitted by 255 participants as part of the public participation
process. During the review period, Aclara maintained ongoing engagement with authorities, local
communities and other stakeholders to further enhance the Project’s environmental and social
design. This process resulted in the incorporation of additional measures focused on the prot ection
of biodiversity, water resources and neighbouring communities.
Following the unanimous approval by the Environmental Assessment Commission, the SEA is
expected to finalize the administrative processing of the RCA and publish the official resolution
through the SEIA electronic platform. The publication of the RCA will formalize the environmental
approval granted to the Project and make the final administrative decision publicly available.
Next steps
Aclara Resources continues to advance the Project’s Feasibility Study, which is expected to be
completed during the fourth quarter of 2026. During 2027, the Company intends to focus on project
execution readiness, including detailed engineering, procuremen t, early works and the
commencement of construction activities. Subject to the achievement of these milestones, Aclara
expects to begin commissioning activities by mid -2028, supporting the development of a new
sustainable source of heavy rare earths for global markets.
About the Penco Module
The Penco Module is an ionic clay heavy rare earth mining project located primarily in the municipality
of Penco, in the Biobío Region of Chile. The Project includes three clay extraction areas, a processing
plant, storage facilities, supporting infrastructure and internal access roads, with a designed
processing capacity of up to 320 tonnes of clay per hour to produce a super-pure rare earth carbonate
(“SPREC”).
The Penco Module is a heavy rare earth project based on ionic clay mineralization, a deposit type that
offers significant environmental advantages compared to conventional hard rock mining operations.
The Project will utilize Aclara’s proprietary Circular Mineral Harvesting process, a patented
technology designed to operate without blasting, crushing and grinding activities, as well as the
elimination of tailings generation and storage. The Project sources 100% recycled water and
incorporates progressive re habilitation and revegetation using native species throughout the
operation. In addition, the Project includes the long -term protection of more than 100 hectares
dedicated to ecosystem conservation, restoration and enhancement.
The Project also benefits from its strategic location within the Biobío Region, one of Chile’s principal
industrial and logistics hubs, with access to established infrastructure including highways, ports,
power supply, water infrastructure and nearby indus trial service providers. The region also offers
access to a highly skilled workforce with extensive experience in mining, industrial operations,
forestry, chemical processing and large -scale infrastructure projects, supporting the efficient
development and operation of the Penco Module.
During peak construction and operations, the Project is expected to generate approximately 700 and
400 jobs, respectively, supporting an estimated 2,200 direct and indirect employment opportunities
across the Biobío Region. Aclara has committed to prioriti zing local hiring, with particular focus on
the municipality of Penco.
Since 2022, Aclara has maintained an active presence in the local community through ongoing
engagement with neighbourhood associations, social organizations, local businesses and other
stakeholders. These efforts have included direct outreach to more than 10,000 households, guided
site visits, community workshops and local development initiatives aimed at fostering transpare ncy,
participation and long-term community relationships.
About Aclara
Aclara Resources Inc. (TSX: ARA), a Toronto Stock Exchange listed company, is focused on building
a vertically integrated supply chain for rare earths alloys used in permanent magnets. This strategy
is supported by Aclara’s development of rare earth minera l resources hosted in ionic clay deposits,
which contain high concentrations of the scarce heavy rare earths, providing the Company with a
long-term, reliable source of these critical materials. The Company’s rare earth mineral resource
development projects include the Carina Project in the State of Goiás, Brazil as its flagship project
and the Penco Module in the Biobío Region of Chile. Both projects feature Aclara’s patented
technology named Circular Mineral Harvesting, which offers a sustainable and ener gy-efficient
extraction process for rare earths from ionic clay deposits. The Circular Mineral Harvesting process
has been designed to minimize water consumption and overall environmental impact through
recycling and circular economy principles. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Aclara Technologies
Inc., the Company is further enhancing its product value by developing a rare earths separation plant
in the United States. This facility will process mixed rare earth carbonates sourced from Aclara’s
mineral resource projects, separating them into pure individual rare earth oxides. Additionally, Aclara,
through a joint venture with CAP, is advancing its alloy -making capabilities to convert these refined
oxides into the alloys needed for fabricating permanent magnets. This joint venture leverages CAP’s
extensive expertise in metal refining and special ferro-alloyed steels.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities
legislation, which reflects the Company’s current expectations regarding future events, including
statements with regard to the completion and publication of the Environmental Qualification
Resolution through the SEIA electronic platform; the advancement and completion of the Penco
Module Feasibility Study; the Company’s plans and timing relating to project execution readiness
activities, including detailed engineering, procurement, strategic contracting, early works,
construction and commissioning activities; the expected development timeline for the Penco Module;
the Project becoming a sustainable source of heavy rare earths for global markets; the environmental
and operational characteristics and expected benefits of the Project and the Company’s Circular
Mineral Harvesting process; the Project’s expected employment generation and regional economic
contributions; the availability of infrastructure and skil led workforce in the Biobío Region; the
Company’s engagement with local communities and stakeholders; and the strategic importance of
the Project and Chile in supporting resilient critical mineral supply chains and the global energy
transition. Forward -looking information is based on a number of assumptions and is subject to a
number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control. Such risks and
uncertainties include, but are not limited to risks related to operating in a foreign jurisdiction, including
political and economic problems in Chile and Brazil; risks related to changes to mining laws and
regulations and the termination or non -renewal of mining rights by governmental authorities; risks
related to failure to comply with t he law or obtain necessary permits and licenses or renew them;
compliance with environmental regulations can be costly; dependence on relations and agreements
with local communities; actual production, capital and operating costs may be different than thos e
anticipated; the Company may not be able to successfully complete the development, construction
and start-up of mines and new development projects; risks related to fluctuation in commodity prices;
risks related to mining operations; and dependence on th e Penco Module and/or the Carina Project.
Aclara cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. For a detailed discussion of the
foregoing factors, among others, please refer to the risk factors discussed under “Risk Factors” in
the Company’s annual information form dated as of March 18, 2026, filed on the Company’s SEDAR+
profile. Actual results and timing could differ materially from those projected herein. Unless
otherwise noted or the context otherwise indicates, the forward-looking information contained in this
press release is provided as of the date of this press release and the Company does not undertake
any obligation to update such forward -looking information, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise, except as expressly required under applicable securities laws.
For further information, please contact:
Ramon Barúa
Chief Executive Officer