THE CERRO QUEMA PROJECT
The following disclosure relating to the Cerro Quema Project has been derived, in part, from the 2022 Cerro Quema Report for the Cerro Quema Project, prepared by Carl E. Defilippi, RM SME, of KCA, Sue Bird, P. Eng., of Moose Mountain Technical Services (“MMTS”), Jesse Aarsen, P.Eng, of MMTS, Denys Parra, RM SME, of Anddes Asociados SAC (“Anddes”), Dr. Matthew D. Gray, Ph.D., C.P.G., of RGI, Brent Johnson, RM SME, P.G., of HydroGeoLogica, Inc. (“HydroGeoLogica”), Lee Josselyn, P.E. of Linkan Engineering (“Linkan”) and Wade Brunham, M.Sc. PWS, R.P.Bio, of Environmental Resources Management (“ERM”), each of whom is independent of the Company and a qualified person under NI 43-101. Reference should be made to the full text of the 2022 Cerro Quema Report, which is available under the Company’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov, as the 2022 Cerro Quema Report contains additional assumptions, qualifications, references, reliances, and procedures that are not fully described herein.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION, LOCATION, AND ACCESS
The Cerro Quema Project is located in the Azuero Peninsula, Los Santos Province, Panama. The property lies 193 straight line kilometres (km) SW of Panama City, 45 km S-SW of the town of Chitré.
The Cerro Quema Project is 82 km by road from Chitré, of which 75 km are on paved Federal highways Via Chitré-Macaracas and Via Macaracas-Tonosí. A 7 km unsurfaced road connects the Cerro Quema Project to the Federal highway. Driving time from Chitré is approximately 1.5 hours, and with the exception of temporal road closings during extreme rain events, the Cerro Quema Project is road accessible through all seasons. Equipment and supplies can be internationally sourced, shipped through the Panama Canal, and then trucked to site.
Chitré provides basic commercial services to a regional population of approximately 80,000. Alonso Valderrama airport in Chitré has regular commercial air service with daily flights to Panama City. A helipad at the camp of the Company’s subsidiary, Minera Cerro Quema SA (“MCQ”), allows helicopter access for emergency services.
The Cerro Quema Project comprises three contracts between the Republic of Panama and MCQ that grant exclusive rights for mineral extraction of class IV metallic minerals (silver and gold) over 14,893 ha, dated between February 26, 1997 and March 3, 1997. The original 20-year term for the concessions expired on February 26, 2017 (Contracts 19 and 20) and March 3, 2017 (Contract 21). MCQ has applied for the prescribed 10-year extension to these contracts as it is entitled to under Panamanian mineral law. MCQ believes it has complied with all legal requirements in relation to the concessions. On March 6, 2017, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry provided written confirmation to MCQ that the extension applications were received, and that exploration work could continue while the MCQ waits for the renewal of the concessions. MCQ has also received verbal assurances from government officials that the renewal applications are complete with no outstanding legal issues. The renewal of the mining rights has been duly accredited by the Minister of Commerce, identified with registration numbers 0-08-0-10393814-2021, 0-08-0-10393872-2021, and 0-08-0-10393847-2021 and the renewal is pending endorsement by the Comptroller General of the Nation.
On April 26, 2017, MCQ received authorization from the Ministry of Environment to drill in two areas outside of the existing permitted drill area. On June 28, 2017, MCQ received a permit to use water for drilling. A permit was received on May 8, 2018 to drill in the Sombrero zone and on May 11, 2018 two permits to use water for drilling were received. An existing permit that allows drilling in the areas of the current resources was extended for two years in May 2018.
In October 2018, the government accepted 2018 concession tax payments, and in February 2019, MCQ paid the 2019 concession tax payments. A new drilling permit for the Pelona area in the eastern part of the concessions was received on February 11, 2019. All drill permits are currently active.
General elections were held in Panama in May 2019, which resulted in a change in federal government effective July 1, 2019. Subsequent to this, two permits allowing temporary use of water for exploration drilling were received on November 12, 2019 and an additional two temporary water permits were received on January 13, 2020. On February 3, 2020, the 2020 annual report and concession payments were made and accepted.
As of the date of the 2022 Cerro Quema Report and this AIF, final concession renewals have not been received and are still under revision.