Gold Reserve Welcomes Venezuela’s Proposed New Mining Law
Gold Reserve Welcomes Venezuela’s Proposed New Mining Law
Pembroke, Bermuda – March 16, 2026 – Gold Reserve Ltd. (“Gold Reserve” or the
“Company”) (TSX-V: GRZ, BSX: GRZ.BH, OTCQX: GDRZF) welcomes the initial approval of
Venezuela’s proposed new mining law (the “Draft Mining Law”), by the National Assembly.
The Draft Mining Law must undergo a second discussion before it can be enacted and
published in the Official Gazette, but approval in first discussion represents an important
step in the legislative process.
The Draft Mining Law is intended to modernize Venezuela’s mining regime and encourage
both national and foreign investment. Key provisions of the Draft Mining Law include:
• a return to a concession model allowing private national and foreign companies to hold
mining concessions;
• real property rights for exploration and exploitation with an initial term of 30 years,
extendable for a total of up to 60 years;
• access to international arbitration for dispute resolution;
• a competitive royalty structure, including a flat 4% royalty for gold, silver, platinum,
diamonds and other minerals; and
• express authorization to sell minerals both inside Venezuela and internationally.
The Company has conducted a detailed review of the Draft Mining Law and has
confidentially submitted proposed comments to the relevant authorities for consideration
during the legislative process.
“We thank Venezuela for putting forward a progressive new mining law and we appreciate
the willingness to receive comments on this draft legislation,” said Paul Rivett, Vice-Chair
of Gold Reserve, “Constructive consultation will help to ensure that the final legislation
supports the long-term development of Venezuela’s mineral resources.”
About Gold Reserve
Gold Reserve is a primarily US-owned mineral exploration and development company
focused on advancing high-quality mineral assets with the objective of creating sustainable
long-term value for shareholders. The Company is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSX-
V: GRZ), the Bermuda Stock Exchange (BSX: GRZ.BH), and trades in the United States on
the OTCQX (OTCQX: GDRZF).
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking statements
This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable U.S.
federal securities laws and “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable
Canadian provincial and territorial securities laws and state Gold Reserve’s and its
management’s intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations or predictions for the future.
Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and
assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management at this time, are inherently
subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and
contingencies. They are frequently characterized by words such as "anticipates" , "plan" ,
"continue" , "expect" , "project" , "intend" , "believe" , "anticipate" , "estimate" , "may" , "will" ,
"potential" , "proposed" , "positioned" and other similar words, or statements that certain
events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements contained in this
press release include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the proposed Draft
Mining Law and its possible enactment following second discussion; the potential impact
of the Draft Mining Law on Venezuela’s mining sector; the Company’s ability to benefit from,
participate in, or operate under the proposed legislation; and the development of
Venezuela’s mineral resources.
We caution that such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other risks that may cause the actual events, outcomes or results of Gold
Reserve to be materially different from our estimated outcomes, results, performance, or
achievements expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements, including but not
limited to: the Draft Mining Law may be further amended, delayed, or not enacted at all;
even if enacted, the implementation, interpretation or enforcement of the Draft Mining Law
may differ from expectations; there can be no assurance that the Draft Mining Law, if
enacted, will have a positive impact on the Venezuelan mining sector; even if the Draft
Mining Law is enacted, the anticipated increase in national and international investment in
Venezuela’s mining sector may not materialize; the Company may fail to negotiate or enter
into any Venezuela-related agreements; risks involved in the mineral exploration and
development industry; risks associated with sanctions imposed by the U.S. and Canadian
governments targeting Venezuela, its agencies and instrumentalities, and its related
persons (the "Sanctions"); risks associated with whether the U.S. and Canadian
government agencies that enforce Sanctions may not issue licenses that the Company may
request in the future to engage in certain Venezuela-related transactions including timing
and terms of such licenses; and risks related to the revocation of the Company’s rights with
respect to the Siembra Minera Project. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may
affect any of the Company’s forward-looking statements. For a more detailed discussion of
the risk factors affecting the Company’s business, see the Company’s Management’s
Discussion & Analysis for the period ended September 30, 2025 and other reports that have
been filed on SEDAR+ and are available under the Company’s profile at www.sedarplus.ca.
Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. All
subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to Gold Reserve or
persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by this notice. Gold
Reserve disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any
forward-looking statements or the foregoing list of assumptions or factors, whether as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise, subject to its disclosure obligations
under applicable rules promulgated by applicable Canadian provincial and territorial
securities laws.
NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER
(AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS
RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.
For further information regarding Gold Reserve Ltd., visit https://www.goldreserve.bm or
contact:
Dave Onzay
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1 (441) 295-4653