Helius Minerals Provides an Update on the Agência Nacional de Mineração ´s Recent Decision s for the Serra Pelada Project
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Helius Minerals
Provides
an
Update on
the
Agência Nacional de
Mineração
´s
Recent
Decision
s
for the Serra Pelada Project
Vancouver, BC – April 22, 2026 – Helius Minerals Limited (“Helius” or the “Company”)
(TSXV: HHH) is pleased to announce that the Agência Nacional de Mineração (the “ANM”), the
Brazilian federal agency responsible for regulating, supervising and managing mining activities
in Brazil, has authorized (the “Authorization”) a one-year extension (the “Extension”) to Serra
Pelada Companhia de Desenvolvimento Mineral ( “SPCDM”) for the commencement of mining
activities at the Serra Pelada mining concession (the “Serra Pelada Mining Concession”) in
Para State, Brazil, on the condition that SPCDM, the titleholder of such concession, satisfies a
series of regulatory, environmental, and corporate compliance requirements (the “Conditions”)
within a 60-day extendable period (the “Extendable Period”) pursuant to the Brazilian Mining
Code. While the Authorization remains subject to satisfaction of the Conditions, the Company
will assist SPCDM to demonstrate to the ANM substantive progress on all required items within
the applicable timeframe and to engage constructively with the ANM throughout that process.
Helius has entered into an agreement dated March 3, 2025, as amended (the “ Option
Agreement”), with Colossus Minerals Inc. (“Colossus”) pursuant to which Helius has the option
(the “Option”) to acquire all of the shares of Colossus’ Brazilian subsidiaries, including Colossus
Mineração Ltda. (“Colossus Brazil”) (which holds a 75% interest in SPCDM), and thereby a
75% beneficial interest in the Serra Pelada Mining Concession. The Serra Pelada Project has
been dormant since 2014, and there was a significant ri sk of annulment and loss of the Serra
Pelada Mining Concession. The grant of the A uthorization has reduced the risk of annulment
and loss of the Serra Pelada Mining Concession.
Following a series of legal and technical discussions between the Company and the ANM, the
ANM granted a one-year Extension to SPCDM for the commencement of mining activities at the
Serra Pelada Mining Concession in March, 2026, subject to the satisfaction of the Conditions
within the Extendable Period that was initially set to expire on May 2, 2026 . SPCDM originally
filed the request for the Extension in 2012, and the Company subsequently obtained a proxy
from Colossus in February 2026 to represent SPCDM and to pursue the Extension request. The
Company understands that the ANM granted the Authorization and Extension on the basis of
the Company’s detailed plans to responsibly develop the deposit, the fact that mining operations
were never initiated on the concession, and the absence of any risk associated with the project's
existing dam structure. The Company believes that s uch factors, along with the Company’s
proposed detailed and structured plan and timeline to proceed with mining activities, provided
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sufficient assurance to the ANM that SPCDM was not abandoning the Serra Pelada Mining
Concession.
The ANM has decided to grant SPCDM a further 60 day extension to the Extendable Period ,
during which SPCDM is required to continue the satisfaction of the Conditions. Such 60 day
extension begins on the publication of such decision at the Brazilian Official Gazette ( the
“D.O.U”) which publication is pending as of the date of this news release. The Extendable Period
remains subject to further extensions under the Brazilian Mining Code. The Conditions continue
to include initiating a new environmental licensing process, submitting a Resource/Reserve
Reassessment Report and an updated Economic Development Plan, and presenting a revised
Mine Closure Plan. SPCDM must also regularize its corporate taxpayer registration and
corporate standing, provide a geotagged photographic report of current site conditions, and
renew or substantiate prior mining easement requests.
Following the Company’s exercise of the Option, the Company plans to restart exploration work
at Serra Pelada and to demonstrate tailings dam stability through registration of the tailings dam
structure in the Sistema Integrado de Gestão de Barragens de Mineração (SIGBM), submit a
Tailings Dam Safety Plan and deploy periodic safety and stability inspections.
Christian J. Grainger, President and CEO of Helius, commented:
“We are extremely satisfied with the progress made in regards to the restoration of development
activities at Serra Pelada, the result of our Brazilian legal counsel at Lima and Martins working
with the Agência Nacional de Mineração and the Ministério de Minas e Energia . This further
emphasizes our strong belief that Brazil is truly a premier mining and mineral exploration
jurisdiction and our clear focus at Helius. As we have been given the regulatory all clear to
advance the Serra Pelada Project, we look forward to exercising the Option and completing
major milestones in the near future as we advance all aspects of exploration and development
activities”.
The Company’s exercise of the Option remains subject to receipt of TSX Venture Exchange
approval and the satisfaction of closing conditions under the Agreement. The Company
continues to conduct due diligence on Colossus Brazil’s direct and indirect liabilities and is using
its best efforts to proceed to closing of the exercise of the Option as soon as possible. The
Company will provide a dditional information concerning such liabilities in a subsequent new s
release.
About Helius Minerals Limited
Helius is a mineral exploration company focused on the identification and development of high-
quality mineral assets across the Americas, with an emphasis on South American jurisdictions.
On behalf of the Board of Directors,
Helius Minerals Limited
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Christian Grainger (PhD, AIG)
President and CEO
M: +57 3146364676
Website: www.heliusminerals.com
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX
Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD -LOOKING STATEMENTS: This news release may contain forward -
looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws (“forward-looking statements”). Forward-looking
statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words
“expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “projects,” “potential” and similar expressions, or that
events or conditions “will,” “would,” “may,” “could” or “should” occur. These forward-looking statements include, but are
not limited to, statements regarding the satisfaction of the Conditions within 60 days, the extension of the deadline for
the Conditions to be met , the demonstration of tailings dam stability , and the Company’s plans for Serra Pelada
following the exercise of the Option. These forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties
which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward -looking statements,
including, without limitation: the uncertainties inherent to current and future legal challenges that face the Serra Pelada
Project and Colossus and its subsidiaries; controls, regulations, and political or economic developments in Brazil;
changes in national and local government legislation in Canada and Brazil; the lack of certainty with respect to foreign
legal systems, which may not be immune from the influence of political pressure, corruption or other factors that are
inconsistent with the rule of law; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, including the risks of
obtaining and maintaining the validity and enforceability of the necessary licenses and permits and complying with the
permitting requirements of Brazil; fluctuations in the international currency markets and in the rates of exchange of the
currencies of Canada, the United States and Brazil; significant capital requirements; risks related to fluctuations in metal
prices; uncertainties related to raising sufficient financing to fund exploration work in a timely manner and on acceptable
terms; changes in planned work resulting from weather, logistical, technical or other factors; the possibility that results
of work will not fulfill expectations and realize the perceived potential of the Serra Pelada Project; risk of accidents,
equipment breakdowns and labour disputes or other unanticipated difficulties or interruptions; the possibility of cost
overruns or unanticipated expenses in conducting work programs; the risk of environmental contamination or damage
resulting from Helius’ operations and other risks and uncertainties. Any forward -looking statement speaks only as of
the date it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or
obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or
otherwise.