RIO2 Designates Stracon as the Lead Mining Contractor FOR the Fenix GOLD Project
RIO2 DESIGNATES STRACON AS THE LEAD MINING CONTRACTOR FOR THE
FENIX GOLD PROJECT
For Immediate Release JULY 7, 2020
Rio2 Limited (“Rio2” or “the Company”) (TSXV: RIO; OTCQX: RIOFF; BVL: RIO) today announces that it
has taken another key step towards the development of its Fenix Gold Project (“the Project”) located
in Chile by selecting STRACON S.A. (“STRACON”) as the lead mining services contractor for the Fenix
Gold Project.
Both companies have executed an early contractor involvement agreement ( “ECI Agreement”) for
early works associated with contract mining services. Under the ECI Agreement, the parties will work
exclusively over the coming months to further optimi ze the mining and civil construction aspects of
the Project and conclude contract documentation.
The scope of the mining services contract will include mining of ore at the rate of 7.3M tonnes per
annum (20,000 tonnes per day), waste mining, drilling, blasting, hauling, supply of operating personnel
and mining equipment, supervision and management, dust suppression and road maintenance . The
scope also includes water transportation from Copiapó to the mine site and maintenance of the entire
mobile fleet of equipment plus all pre-mining and civil construction activities including the
construction of platforms, leach pad, ponds, access roads and waste material deposits.
The financial terms of the mining contract will utilize an alliancing-style commercial framework based
on the mine plan, methodologies and productivity estimate assumptions contained in the Fenix Gold
Project Pre-Feasibility Study with an effective date of August 15, 2019 a copy of which document is
available under Rio2’s SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.
MINING AND CONSTRUCTION ALLIANCE
The basis for Rio2 establishing a mining and construction alliance with STRACON at the Fenix Gold
Project is a best for project business strategy . Together with STRACON, the Rio2 management team
collaborated, implemented and executed with this same approach when they built and operated the
La Arena and Shahuindo gold mines in Peru with Rio Alto Mining Limited.
In the case of the Fenix Gold Project mining and construction alliance, Rio2 and STRACON will work
together as an integrated team, dedicated to exceeding goals, controlling budgets and adding value
through exceptional performance while working in a safe and environmentally sustainable manner
focused on every detail of the mining and construction process . The alliance will implement an
inclusive social policy as a priority based on the hiring of local personnel and service companies from
Copiapó and the Atacama Region.
The principal characteristics of a successful alliance are;
• collective responsibility;
• collective sharing of risks and opportunities; and
• no fault, no blame philosophy leading to no disputes between the owner and contractor.
The payment model of an alliance includes;
• reimbursement of 100% of contractor project costs plus a fee (corporate overheads and
profit);
• a KPI based regime that rewards for outstanding performance and punishes poor
performance; and
• unanimous, best for project, management and decision making and the selection of a n
integrated owner/contractor team on the basis of best person for each position and avoiding
duplication of roles.
Benefits of an alliance;
Both owner and contractor work together to;
• achieve project objectives by aligning the commercial framework and objectives of the
participants;
• collectively manage project issues and risks;
• collectively own the project risks, and outcomes;
• encourage a collaborative, flexible approach to the management of the project;
• ensure a strong focus on collaboration to achieve win-win solutions;
• manage the project with open book transparency of all costs providing the owner confidence
in the robustness of both the estimate and actual cost outcomes;
• focus on achieving outcomes rather than exchange of contractual dispute letters; and
• eliminate the duplication of resources.
Alex Black, President & CEO of Rio2, stated, “The signing of this ECI Agreement with STRACON, a
leading mining and civil construction contractor in Latin America , forms a key part of Rio2’s strategy
to prepare for next year’s construction phase of our Fenix Gold Project. The Rio2 management team
is pleased to work again with STRACON, this time in Chile, and look forward to further optimizing the
mining and construction solution for the Project and finalizing contract documentation in readiness
for next year’s work program.”
Steve Dixon, Chief Executive Officer of STRACON stated, “The team at STRACON is excited to be
working with the Rio2 team and all project stakeholders to successfully build and operate the Fenix
Gold Project in Chile. The project will be delivered under a collaborative allian ce agreement, a
framework which has been successfully utiliz ed over the past 10 years at several of STRACON’s
projects throughout Latin America.”
ABOUT STRACON
STRACON is a leading provider of contract mining and construction services, operating throughout the
Americas. Headquartered in Peru, STRACON has built a sustainable business based on providing
efficient and innovative services. In doing so, STRACON has developed a reputation for successful
project delivery in Latin America, across a range of commodities.
STRACON’s commitment to providing safe and efficient services, coupled with its experience in
building and operating greenfield projects, similar to that of the Fenix Gold Project, means it is well
placed to meet Rio2’s construction and mining requirements.
CORPORATE UPDATE
We are also pleased to announce that Andrew Cox, S enior Vice President Operations, has been
appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Andrew’s appointment is a positive
and logical step as he has led the technical work for the Fenix Gold Project over the past 2 years from
our technical office in Lima and will continue to leverage his extensive experience having built and
operated the La Arena and Shahuindo mines in Peru . Andrew is replacing Tim Williams who will be
pursuing other career interests.
Alex Black stated, “The Rio2 team welcomes Andrew to his new and important role as COO and wishes
Tim well in his new career phase. With the early contractor involvement agreement in place, Andrew’s
appointment as COO, and the recently announced additions to the Fenix Gold Project team, Rio2 is in
a strong position to advance the Fenix Gold Project to construction in 2021.”
ABOUT RIO2 LIMITED
Rio2 is a mining company with a focus on development and mining operations with a team that has
proven technical skills as well as a successful capital markets track record. Rio2 is focused on taking its
Fenix Gold Project in Chile to production in the sho rtest possible timeframe based on a staged
development strategy. In addition to the Fenix Gold Project in development in Chile, Rio2 Limited
continues to pursue additional strategic acquisitions where it can deploy its operational excellence
and responsible mining practices to build a multi- asset, multi-jurisdiction, precious metals company
focused in the Americas.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively
“forward-looking information”) within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to Rio2’s
planned development of its Fenix Gold Project and other aspects of Rio2’s anticipated future operations
and plans. In addition, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this news release contains
forward-looking information pertaining to the following: the potential development of a mine at the
Fenix Gold Project, the potential characteristics and benefits of a Fenix Gold Project m ining and
construction alliance with STRACON , the potential to enter into a mining services contract with
STRACON and its scope and terms , estimated mining and processing rates, the potential number of
jobs created through the construction and operation of a mine at the Fenix Gold Project, the potential
timing of the commencement of construction at the Fenix Gold Project, certain anticipated economic
benefits of a mine at the Fenix Gold Project to the local region and other matters ancillary or incidental
to the foregoing.
All statements included herein, other than statements of historical fact, may be forward- looking
information and such information involves various risks and uncertainties. Forward- looking
information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as “seek”, “anticipate”, “plan”,
“continue”, “estimate”, “expect”, “may”, “will”, “project”, “predict”, “potential”, “targeting”, “intend”,
“could”, “might”, “should”, “believe” , and similar expressions. The forward- looking information is
based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by Rio2’s management, including but not
limited to: expectations concerning prevailing commodity prices, exchange rates, interest rates,
applicable royalty rates and tax laws; capital efficiencies; legislative and regulatory environment of
Chile; future production rates and estimates of capital and operating costs; estimates of reserves and
resources; anticipated timing and results of capital expenditures; the sufficiency of capital
expenditures in carrying out planned activities; performance; the availability and cost of financing,
labor and services; and Rio2’s ability to access capital on satisfactory terms.
Rio2 believes the expectations reflected in these forward- looking statements are reasonable, but no
assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward- looking
statements in this news release should not be unduly relied upon. A description of assumpt ions used
to develop such forward- looking information and a description of risk factors that may cause actual
results to differ materially from forward -looking information can be found in Rio2's disclosure
documents on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. F orward-looking statements included in this
news release are made as of the date of this news release and such information should not be relied
upon as representing its views as of any date subsequent to the date of this news release. Rio2 has
attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements
to vary from those current expectations or estimates expressed or implied by the forward- looking
information. However, there may be other factors that cause results, pe rformance or achievements
not to be as expected or estimated and that could cause actual results, performance or achievements
to differ materially from current expectations. Rio2 disclaims any intention or obligation to update or
revise any forward- looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities legislation.
To learn more about Rio2 Limited, please visit: www.rio2.com or Rio2's SEDAR profile at
www.sedar.com.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF RIO2 LIMITED
Alex Black
President, CEO & Director
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 1 (604) 260-2696
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the
policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts the responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this
release.