Hudbay Minerals Inc. (“Hudbay” or the “company”)
(TSX, NYSE: HBM) announces the signing of
a memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) with Marubeni Corporation
(“Marubeni”) that establishes the framework for a multi-year
exploration partnership focused on the discovery of new deposits
within trucking distance of Hudbay’s existing processing facilities
in Flin Flon, Manitoba.
“Signing this MOU is the beginning of what we
hope will be a long-term relationship between Hudbay and Marubeni
to unlock value in the Flin Flon region,” said Peter Kukielski,
Hudbay’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “This exploration
partnership would allow us to couple our operational and
exploration expertise with Marubeni’s balance sheet strength to
test our large Flin Flon land package and potentially revive our
dormant Flin Flon processing facilities. We have discovered and
operated 29 mines in Hudbay’s nearly 100-year history in Manitoba
and we have the potential to continue that success with this
renewed focus on exploration in Flin Flon.”
Masafumi Ichigetsu, General Manager, Copper
Mining Dept., Marubeni, commented, “This exploration partnership
would give us access to the Flin Flon Greenstone Belt, one of the
most prospective base metal VMS camps in the world. We see
tremendous opportunity in this camp where we have the ability to
partner with Hudbay and benefit from their technical expertise and
proven track record of successful discovery, development and
operation of many mines in the region. We are eager to begin
building a long-lasting and prosperous partnership with Hudbay that
will undoubtedly yield exceptional results.”
In connection with the MOU, Hudbay and Marubeni
have agreed to negotiate the terms of a definitive agreement to
govern the relationship between the parties and the Flin Flon
properties that would form the subject of the exploration
partnership (the “Project Properties”). It is currently
contemplated that Marubeni would be required to fund approximately
$10 – 15 million of exploration expenditures on the Project
Properties and that Hudbay will act as operator and carry out the
exploration activities. The definitive agreement will provide for
the allocation of these expenditures among the Project
Properties.
The MOU also provides a framework for a future
joint venture between the parties if the exploration efforts are
successful in discovering new deposits in the Flin Flon region.
Upon satisfaction of certain earn-in obligations, it is expected
that Marubeni would have the option to acquire a substantial
minority equity interest in the projects, allowing the parties to
jointly pursue the development of the projects. The final structure
of a joint venture between the parties would be determined by the
terms of a joint venture agreement.
Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains forward-looking
information within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United
States securities legislation. Forward-looking information
includes, but is not limited to, the entry by the parties into a
definitive agreement and/or a joint venture agreement and the
potential timing related thereto; the final and definitive terms of
such agreements; Hudbay’s expectations regarding exploration in
Flin Flon and the potential for future discoveries on Hudbay’s land
claims; and Hudbay’s strategies regarding the applicable projects.
Forward-looking information is not, and cannot be, a guarantee of
future results or events. Forward-looking information is based on,
among other things, opinions, assumptions, estimates and analyses
that, while considered reasonable by the company at the date the
forward-looking information is provided, inherently are subject to
significant risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors
that may cause actual results and events to be materially different
from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking
information.
The risks, uncertainties, contingencies and
other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially
from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information
may include, but are not limited to the risk that the parties are
not able to negotiate a mutually acceptable definitive agreement,
risks generally associated with the mining industry and the current
geopolitical environment, such as economic factors (including
future commodity prices, currency fluctuations, energy prices and
general cost escalation), risks associated with the permitting
process with respect to our projects, uncertainties related to the
development and operation of our projects, as well as the risks
discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Hudbay’s most recent
Annual Information Form and under the heading “Financial Risk
Management” in Hudbay’s most recent management’s discussion and
analysis.
Should one or more risk, uncertainty,
contingency or other factor materialize or should any factor or
assumption prove incorrect, actual results could vary materially
from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking information.
Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking
information. Hudbay does not assume any obligation to update or
revise any forward-looking information after the date of this news
release or to explain any material difference between subsequent
actual events and any forward-looking information, except as
required by applicable law.
About Marubeni
Marubeni Corporation is a major Japanese
integrated trading and investment business conglomerate that
handles products and provides services in a broad range of business
activities across wide-ranging fields. Marubeni and its
consolidated subsidiaries use their broad business networks, both
within Japan and overseas, to conduct importing and exporting
(including third country trading), as well as domestic business,
encompassing a diverse range of business activities across
wide-ranging fields including lifestyle, IT solutions, food, agri
business, forest products, chemicals, metals & mineral
resources, energy, power, infrastructure project, aerospace &
ship, finance, leasing & real estate business, construction,
industrial machinery & mobility, next generation business
development and next generation corporate development.
Additionally, the Marubeni Group offers a variety of services,
makes internal and external investments, and is involved in
resource development throughout all of the above industries.
About Hudbay
Hudbay (TSX, NYSE: HBM) is a copper-focused
mining company with three long-life operations and a world-class
pipeline of copper growth projects in tier-one mining-friendly
jurisdictions of Canada, Peru and the United States.
Hudbay’s operating portfolio includes the
Constancia mine in Cusco (Peru), the Snow Lake operations in
Manitoba (Canada) and the Copper Mountain mine in British Columbia
(Canada). Copper is the primary metal produced by the company,
which is complemented by meaningful gold production. Hudbay’s
growth pipeline includes the Copper World project in Arizona, the
Mason project in Nevada (United States), the Llaguen project in La
Libertad (Peru) and several expansion and exploration opportunities
near its existing operations.
The value Hudbay creates and the impact it has
is embodied in its purpose statement: “We care about our people,
our communities and our planet. Hudbay provides the metals the
world needs. We work sustainably, transform lives and create better
futures for communities.” Hudbay’s mission is to create sustainable
value and strong returns by leveraging its core strengths in
community relations, focused exploration, mine development and
efficient operations.
For further information, please contact:
Candace BrûléVice President, Investor
Relations (416) 814-4387 investor.relations@hudbay.com
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