Montero Provides Update on the Expropriation of the Wigu Hill Rare Earth Deposit in Tanzania
May 27 2021 - 11:26AM
Montero Mining and Exploration Ltd. (TSX-V: MON)
(“
Montero” or the “
Company”)
filed a request for arbitration with the International Centre for
Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) on 8 January 2021.
Subsequently on the 9 February 2021 the Secretary-General of the
ICSID registered Montero’s request for the institution of
arbitration proceedings against the Government of Tanzania for the
illegal expropriation and loss of its Wigu Hill rare earth element
Project.
Currently, ICSID is in the process of
constitution of the arbitral tribunal. Montero and Tanzania (the
“Parties”) have both appointed their respective arbitrator and now
have to agree on a third arbitrator, who shall be the president of
the tribunal at which point ICSID will then request the parties to
make a deposit of US$150,000.
Montero has initiated international arbitration
proceedings through ICSID in accordance with the Bilateral
Investment Treaty between Canada and the United Republic of
Tanzania which protects investment rights. A multi-million
compensation award is being sought by Montero for expropriation of
the Wigu Hill Rare Earth Element Project by the Government of
Tanzania. This is as a result of damages suffered by the Company as
a result of Tanzania’s Act and Omissions.
Montero is not able to make any comment in
relation to the potential quantum of any claim for compensation at
this point. Montero has obtained third-party litigation funding
from Omni Bridgeway, a leading global dispute funder. Montero has
retained Mr Thierry Lauriol and his team at Jeantet AARPI, a highly
experienced legal counsel in international arbitration with a track
record of success for its clients in Africa. Most recently at ICSID
representing GDF-Suez vs the Government of Togo with an award of
€55 million. Montero has also retained the services of Dr Neal
Rigby of SRK Denver to act as its independent technical expert for
the valuation of Wigu Hill. Dr Rigby has acted in this capacity in
many successful international mining litigations involving ICSID
arbitrations. In Africa he was the independent technical expert in
the US$136 million award to the previous shareholders of Africo
Resources in the DRC.
For further information see Montero press
release (PR119 dated 8 January 2021) and from the ICSID website
(https://icsid.worldbank.org/services/arbitration/convention/process/overview).
Qualified Person's Statement This
press release was reviewed and approved by Mr. Mike Evans, M.Sc.
Pr.Sci.Nat. is a qualified person for the purpose of National
Instrument 43-101. This has also been reviewed by Mr Thierry
Lauriol, avocat à la cour (Paris, France).
About Montero Montero is a
junior exploration company focused on finding, exploring, and
advancing globally significant gold deposits in Latin America. The
Company is in the process of relinquishing its portfolio of battery
metal projects in Africa to focus on gold opportunities in Latin
America. Montero’s board of directors and management have an
impressive track record of successfully discovering and advancing
precious metal and copper projects. Montero trades on the TSX
Venture Exchange under the symbol MON and has 38,647,485 shares
outstanding.
For more information, contact:
Montero Mining and Exploration Ltd. Dr.
Tony Harwood, President and Chief Executive Officer
E-mail: ir@monteromining.com Tel: +1 416 840 9197 | Fax: +1 866 688
4671 www.monteromining.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 release.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING
INFORMATION: This news release includes certain "forward-looking
information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities
laws. Forward looking information includes, but is not limited to,
statements, projections and estimates with respect to the Share
Consolidation. Generally, forward-looking information can be
identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as
“plans”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “budget”,
“scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates” or
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and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results “may”,
“could”, “would”, “might” or “will be taken”, “occur” or “be
achieved”. Such information is based on information currently
available to Montero and Montero provides no assurance that actual
results will meet management's expectations. Forward-looking
information by its very nature involves inherent risks and
uncertainties that may cause the actual results, level of activity,
performance, or achievements of Montero to be materially different
from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking
information. Actual results relating to, among other things,
completion of the agreement, results of exploration, project
development, reclamation and capital costs of Montero’s mineral
properties, and financial condition and prospects, could differ
materially from those currently anticipated in such statements for
many reasons such as: an inability to complete the agreement on the
terms as announced or at all; changes in general economic
conditions and conditions in the financial markets; changes in
demand and prices for minerals; litigation, legislative,
environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and
competitive developments; technological and operational
difficulties encountered in connection with Montero’s activities;
and other matters discussed in this news release and in filings
made with securities regulators. This list is not exhaustive of the
factors that may affect any of Montero’s forward-looking
statements. These and other factors should be considered carefully
and accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on
forward-looking information. Montero does not undertake to update
any forward-looking information, except in accordance with
applicable securities laws.
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