Aclara Strengthens Its Management Team
ACLARA STRENGTHENS ITS MANAGEMENT TEAM
TORONTO, ON, Aug 15, 2022 – Aclara Resources Inc. (“Aclara” or the “Company”) (TSX: ARA) is pleased
to announce the appointment of three new members to its team: Patricio Irribarra as Chief Geologist,
Fernando Illanes as Public Affairs Manager, and Gisele Azimi as Technical Advisor of the Company.
Chief Geologist
Patricio Irribarra has been appointed as Chief Geologist and will lead the Company’s efforts towards the
planning and execution of exploration campaigns in order to define potential new operation modules.
Patricio is a highly experienced geologist with 28 years of experience, leading exploration projects from basic
stages to reserve definition phases, including exploitation and planning in well renowned companies such
as Barrick and Gold Fields and in different jurisdictions such as Argentina, Chile, Peru , Australia-Pacific,
Mexico and the US.
Patricio brings to Aclara exceptional leading capabilities in relation to the execution of exploration programs
at a regional, district and mine level. He has successfully led several growth and development projects such
as Pascual-Lama, Veladero, Salares Norte, La Fortuna, Lagunas Norte, Pierina, and Zaldivar, complying
with the most rigorous safety and environmental policies as well as guiding and working with multidisciplinary
and multicultural work groups.
Public Affairs Manager
Fernando Illanes has been appointed as Public Affairs Manager and will lead the Company locally to expand
and enhance the relationships between the Company and its stakeholders in the BioBio region, as well as
manage the Company’s social contribution projects that will aim to generate value to the community.
Fernando has over 15 years of experience in strategic planning and execution of corporate social
responsibility plans, specifically in connection with the identification of interest groups, the determination of
relationship levels, and the development and management of programs and projects related to the social
environment of organizations. Fernando holds a Master in Corporate Responsibi lity and Sustainable
Development, specializing in Indigenous Policies and Interculturality (Sociology and Anthropology).
Fernando brings to Aclara a deep understanding of the stakeholders from the BioBio region, where he has (1)
managed several projects such as territorial development and education programs, in connection with local
authorities, municipal teams and the community surrounding the Colbún power plants; (2) led the Public Affairs
team that generates sustainable development and corporate social responsibility projects with neighboring
communities of the Angostura Hydroelectric Power Plant, the Rucúe and Quilleco Hydroelectric Power Plants,
and the Los Pinos Thermal Power Plant; and (3) represented the Chilean Wood Corporation (CORMA) and
carried out plans and programs that link the interests of the inhabitants of the territory with those of the CORMA
partners.
Technical Advisor
Dr. Gisele Azimi has been appointed as Technical Advisor to the management team of Aclara, and will play
an important role in defining the metallurgical inputs for the Company’s NI 43-101 Feasibility Study, and keep
improving the metallurgical recovery process, while minimizing impact on Capex and Opex. She will also be
advising in respect of separation and vertical integration opportunities.
Gisele is a Professor and Canada Research Chair joint ly appointed by Chemical Engineering & Applied
Chemistry and Materials Science & Engineering Departments at the University of Toronto. She has 12 years
of experience in the fields of electrochemistry, thermodynamics, hydrometallurgy, supercritical fluids and
materials design. She has published more than 100 journal and referred conference publications and she
continues to present her research at national and international conferences. She is also a co -inventor in a
number of patent applications and two awarded patents. She holds a Ph.D. degree from the University of
Toronto and has completed her first and second postdoctoral appointments at MIT.
Gisele has a deep understanding of the rare earths metallurgy and has advised the R&D activities of the
Company over the last three years. She has played a significant role in determining the actual metallurgical
recovery process, training local (Chile) laboratories, and improving recoveries along the way.
About Aclara
Aclara is a development-stage rare earth mineral resources company located in Chile. Aclara is initiating the
development of its resources through a project called the Penco Module (the “Penco Module”), which covers
a surface area of approximately 600 hectares and which has ionic clays that are rich in rare earth elements.
Aclara is currently focused on the development and on the future construction and operation of the Penco
Module, which will aim to produce a rare earth concentrate through a processing plant that will be fed by clays
from nearby deposits. Aclara’s unique extraction process offers several advantages such as: no blasting,
crushing or milling required ; no tailings dam ; minimal water consumption due to a high level of water
recirculation; amenable leaching with a fertilizer; and no radioactivity.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains “forward -looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities
legislation, which reflects the Company’s current expectations regarding fu ture events, including statements
with regard to, among other things, the accretive value of the Company’s new management appointees.
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, the factors discussed under “Risk Factors” in the Company’s annual information form dated as
of March 30, 2022 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 news release is provided as of the date of this news 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 Barua
Chief Executive Officer