Aclara Submits New Eia FOR the Penco Module
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ACLARA SUBMITS NEW EIA FOR THE PENCO MODULE
TORONTO, ON, April 28, 2023 – Aclara Resources Inc. (“Aclara” or the “Company”) (TSX: ARA) is pleased to
announce the submission today of a new Environmental Impact Assessment ( the “New EIA”) for the Penco
Module project (the “Project”) to the Environmental Service Assessment ( the “SEA”) in Concepción, Chile .
The New EIA includes significant improvements compared to the previously withdrawn Environmental
Impact Assessment (the “Original EIA”) in respect of both the technical aspects and social impacts of the
Project on the local community. This event represents a major milestone for the Company’s overall strategy
and objectives including targeting to put the Project into production in early 2026.
Ramón Barúa, Aclara’s Chief Executive Officer, commented: “A bit more than year ago we decided to withdraw
the Original EIA to resolve certain technical aspects in relation to surrounding flora and fauna. Today we feel
proud, not only because we have addressed these technical aspects through a rigorous scientific investigation,
but because the New EIA now includes world class environmental attributes that enhance the value proposition
of the new Project. In doing so, we have strengthened our relationship with the host community by
demonstrating that we want to co -develop the Project, that we have listened to their concerns and that we are
now presenting a new Project that is stronger and better in all aspects. Notably, we have changed our water
source - we will now solely use a recycled water source - thus ensuring the protection of all natural creeks
present in the area. In addition, we have committed to revegetate more than 200 hectares with native species
and to donate them to a foundation that we have created for the future use and benefit of our neighbouring
communities. This in an area which has been already environmentally impacted by the local garbage dump and
the operations of the local forestry industry , and with the proposed changes will result in a net positive
contribution to the local ecology. We also plan to build a reproduction centre of Pudus, a local deer, for its
protection and conservation. We have also committed to build a recreational park for Penco, thus providing a
space highly request ed by the local community. Most importantly, the Project is expected to generate more
than two thousand direct and indirect jobs in connection with or as a result of the Project. We are committing
to prioritize workers from Penco and the Biobio region to f ill these new jobs. All these commitments are
additions to a Project that is already characterized by its unique environmental features: it will not use
explosives, nor crushing or milling in the extraction process; it will recycle water with 95% efficiency ; it will use
a fertilizer as its main reagent and will recycle it with 99% efficiency . The Project won´t produce solid or liquid
residues and will thus not require a tailings storage facility; and it will not generate radioactive waste. At Aclara,
we are committed to ensuring that we can produce rare earths while emphasizing a minimal environmental
footprint and, as we move forward, we will seek to reassure relevant authorities in Chile of our sustainable and
environmentally responsible approach to designing and operating a modern mining facility.”
Since the withdrawal of the Original EIA on March 24, 2022, the Company has been focused on resolving two
technical aspects, which were in respect of the protection of local flora and fauna. To address these issues,
the Company undertook new environmental baseline field studies across four seasons starting in April 2022,
led by consultants specialized in flora identification using plots methodology, direct observation and trap
cameras, resulting in over 850 thousand photographic datapoints. In terms of flora, and particularly with
respect to the preservation of the Queule and Pitao native species and habitat , the University of Chile also
conducted an in-situ study that confirmed that the Project will not generate any adverse impact on these
trees.
In parallel, the Company appointed a Public Affairs Manager and formed a social value management team
tasked with the following mandates: (i) to expand and strengthen relationships with stakeholders in the
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Biobío region, (ii) to educate the communities on the sustainability aspects of the Penco Module, and (iii) to
manage social contribution initiatives developed for the community. Last October, the Company visited
7,750 households in the Penco community to share in -person information about the Project and to address
potential concerns from the local community . More recently in 2023 , the Company further expanded its
efforts to foster local community engagement through open house and town hall information sessions,
among others, in order to provide the community with opportunities to become more informed in respect of
the Project, the Company and the rare earths industry in general.
Building on the technical studies carried out and community feedback received by the Company, the New
EIA includes the following highlights:
• New environmental baseline studies including evidence confirming the absence of an adverse
impact on the preservation of the native Queule and Pitao species and their habitat
• Details of a fulsome pre-feasibility engineering study of the Project developed for the New EIA
• The use of recycled water for 100% of the estimated water requirements of the Project
• The commitment to revegetate over 200 hectares of land with native species that will be donated to
a local Chilean foundation for the benefit of the local communities
• The commitment to build a Pudu (Pudu Puda) reproduction center
• The commitment to create a recreational park for the Penco community
• Over two thousand direct and indirect jobs are expected to result from the construction and
operation of the Project
The Company expects that the New EIA will be subject to an evaluation period of approximately 18 months
and is committed to supporting the regulatory authorities throughout the course of their assessment and
review. The Company notes that the application process is initially comprised of a preliminary 5 business
day review period involving a checklist review by SEA to confirm the admissibility of the application .
Following publication in the media of an extract of the application, the first round of observations will be
carried out by evaluation services during an approximately 30 business day period . In the cas e additional
relevant information is solicited for the evaluation, the application would need to be withdraw to address the
additional information; otherwise, the SEA will proceed to conduct the citizenship participation and technical
review phases of its assessment.
About Aclara
Aclara Resources Inc. (TSX: ARA) is a development-stage rare earth mineral resources company with its
principal project located in Chile. The Company is focused on the development of its mineral resources
through a project called the Penco Module, which covers a surface area of approximately 600 hectares and
hosts ionic clays rich in rare earth elements. Aclara is currently focused on the development and 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 extraction process offers several
environmentally positive attributes such as: no blasting, crushing, or milling; no tailings facility; minimal
water consumption due to a high level of water recirculation; is amenable to leaching with a fertilizer; and
contains no radioactivity. In parallel with the development of the Penco Module, the Company intends to
define additional opportunities to increase potential future rare earth element production via intensive
greenfield exploration programs and the development of additional project “modules” within the Company’s
concessions.
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 future events, including statements with
regard to: the New EIA and the expectations of the Company’s management as to the timing, procedural steps required,
scope and substance, and outcome in respect of such review, and any resulting discussions and consultations with
relevant authorities, advisors, and the community; estimates, projections and objectives in respect of the Project; and
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future plans, commitments and strategies of the Company. Forward-looking information is based on a number of
assumptions and is subject to a number of risks and uncert ainties, 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 28, 2023 filed on the Company’s SED AR profile.
Actual results, timing, performance, achievements or future events or developments could differ materially from
those expressed or implied 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