May 21, 2024 – Vancouver, B.C. – Solaris Resources Inc. (TSX: SLS; NYSE: SLSR) (“Solaris” or the “Company”) announces the voluntary termination of the previously announced minority equity investment intended to support the growth of the Warintza Project (“Warintza” or “the Project”) in Ecuador, including the potential major purchase of an adjacent asset. After four months of Canadian regulatory review in an evolving environment, approval has not been obtained and the transaction no longer adequately reflects market value. The Company remains funded for its 2024 and 2025 Warintza baseline programs and key deliverables with an additional US$40 million available through the offtake financing package announced in December and will pursue a focused strategy that maximizes long-term shareholder value with enhanced strategic flexibility.
Summary
Solaris announces voluntary termination of minority equity investment intended to support an expansion of activities at Warintza, including the potential major purchase of an adjacent asset
The transaction was priced at a 14% premium, however, Solaris’ share price has increased by greater than 35% in the four months since announcement and the transaction no longer adequately reflects market value
Even with significant appreciation, Solaris’ share price has underperformed peers in the recent sector rally due to the overhang of Canadian regulatory uncertainty in an environment of heightened domestic political sensitivity
Given the minority investment nature of the transaction and that it involved assets outside of Canada with a use of proceeds to expand Canadian interests in critical minerals, the parties expected regulatory approval within the four months that have now elapsed
The inability to complete the transaction in a reasonable timeframe and remaining regulatory uncertainty together with the unattractive pricing in the context of the market are unfair to the Company’s shareholders and the investor
In addition, the Company is pursuing the recently awarded option to acquire ~40,000 hectares adjacent to Warintza, with fieldwork already underway on a target with a similar geological and “bullseye” geophysical signature as the Warintza cluster (refer to release dated April 30, 2024)
The Company remains funded for 2024 and 2025 Warintza baseline programs and key deliverables with a further US$40 million available through the offtake financing package announced in December
The Company reiterates the Warintza Project timeline with expected delivery of an Environmental Impact Assessment in H2/24 and a Pre-Feasibility Study in H2/25
Mr. Daniel Earle, President & CEO, commented: “This transaction represented a minority equity investment from a well-known and respected, publicly-listed foreign company where the proceeds were intended to be used for the growth of a Canadian-controlled company’s principal asset in a foreign jurisdiction. That this transaction cannot be completed in a reasonable timeframe signals that Canada’s critical minerals policy is counterproductive in relation to foreign assets. We intend to deliver a strategy focused on the growth and de-risking of the Warintza Project by 2026 and maximize long-term shareholder value with enhanced strategic flexibility.”
Qualified Person
The scientific and technical content of this press release has been reviewed and approved by Jorge Fierro, M.Sc., DIC, PG, Vice President Exploration of Solaris who is a “Qualified Person” as defined in National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Jorge Fierro is a Registered Professional Geologist through the SME (registered member #4279075).
On behalf of the Board of Solaris Resources Inc.
“Daniel Earle”
President & CEO, Director
For Further Information
Jacqueline Wagenaar, VP Investor Relations
Direct: 416-366-5678 Ext. 203
Email: jwagenaar@solarisresources.com |
