Rio Silver Inc. (TSX-V: RYO | OTC: RYOOF) (“Rio Silver” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that its Peruvian subsidiary, Rio Plata SAC, has acquired the Santa Rita Pb-Zn-Ag Property, a highly forward-looking exploration target with extensive historical operations and strong silver-lead-zinc showings in Central Peru.
A representative sample has been submitted for metallurgical testing, which is now underway. Historical work completed by previous operators has guided Rio Silver’s internal review, and the company will provide further information as the metallurgical investigation nears completion.
Santa Rita was secured through a sealed bid auction for USD$130,000.00, a process that grants the winner clear and unencumbered title. Rio Plata was the successful bidder and is now going through the standard Peruvian title confirmation process, which is expected to take approximately two to three months. The estate covers 570 hectares and is located in one of the richest mineral belts in Peru.
Strategic location in a prime Silver Belt
Santa Rita is located approximately 200 km ESE of Lima, with road access from two directions and in close proximity to important regional silver-lead-zinc activities. The project is located:
- 55 km northwest of Rio Silver’s flagship Maria Norte Au-Ag-Pb-Zn project And
- 14 km southwest of Kuya Silver production Bethania Mine (TSX-V: KUYA) .
This corridor is home to a concentration of long-lived underground operations, carbonate replacement deposits (“CRDs”) and active processing capabilities, making it one of the most productive polymetallic regions in Peru.
Geology and historical work
Between 2016 and 2020, extensive exploration was conducted at Santa Rita by Inca Minerals under an option agreement that was subsequently abandoned due to rising underlying payments – and not due to geological constraints. After annual taxes were not paid, the area returned to state ownership in 2024 and became available for new uses in mid-2025, after which Rio Plata secured it.
Historical work identified Santa Rita as one Carbonate Replacement Guarantee (CRD) system characterized by:
- 20+ steeply sloping east-west veins ,
- Crossing shallow dipping mantos
Two priority zones were highlighted – Humaspunco East and Humaspunco South – where mineralization occurs in carbonate sequences.
A strengthened vision at district level
“Santa Rita is located in the same mineralized corridor as our flagship Maria Norte Project, and its acquisition meaningfully expands our footprint within what we see as an emerging silver district in Central Peru,” said Chris Verrico, President and CEO of Rio Silver. “Securing this project through a clean, sealed bidding process gives us 100% ownership with no underlying royalties or option obligations, which fits perfectly with the disciplined approach we are taking across our portfolio. The reported high-quality CRD veins currently being confirmed by our field team strengthen the near-term development potential we are targeting, and Santa Rita adds another important building block as we advance our strategy to establish Rio Silver as a pure silver developer in one of the world’s most productive jurisdictions.”
Next steps for Rio Silver
• Pending approval of the acquisition of Maria Norte: The Company looks forward to announcing the formal closing of the Maria Norte transaction following approval from the TSX Venture Exchange, which will enable the immediate commencement of planned fieldwork and early development activities.
• Metallurgical tests underway: A representative sample from the Santa Rita Project is currently undergoing a metallurgical assessment, and the company expects to provide an update as the assessment moves closer to completion.
• Short-term development process: Preparations are underway for initial on-site work programs including camp installation, portal access upgrades and explosives permitting. These steps support Peru’s established exploration and exploitation model and allow development to move forward alongside exploration and resource definition.
• Infrastructure and cost benefits: Both Maria Norte and Santa Rita benefit from proximity to multiple regional processing facilities within trucking distance, providing the opportunity to bring forward high-quality silver assets quickly and at a relatively lower capital intensity.
• Strong exploration and market tailwinds: With high-grade CRD and vein systems identified at both projects and further refinement of targets underway, the company is positioned to advance exploration during a period of record high silver prices and tighter global supply, creating meaningful upside exploration potential as work continues to progress.
Why this matters to investors
The addition of Santa Rita further positions Rio Silver at the center of one of Peru’s most promising silver-lead-zinc regions. The project offers:
- High-grade CRD mineralization with strong Ag-Pb-Zn values,
- Low entry costs and 100% ownership without royalties,
- Road access and proximity to production mines and processing centers,
- Geological continuity with the mineralized belt that hosts Maria Norte,
- A scalable platform for district-wide growth with synergies between projects.
Together with Maria Norte, the addition of Santa Rita accelerates Rio Silver’s evolution into a pure-play, district-focused silver developer in one of the world’s top silver jurisdictions. These assets provide a foundation with meaningful exploration opportunities and clear paths for near-term progress.
Qualified person
The scientific and technical information contained in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Jeffrey Reeder, P.Geo., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Reeder acts as an independent advisor and consultant to Rio Silver Inc. and is also a shareholder of the Company.
About Rio Silver Inc.
Rio Silver Inc. (TSX-V: RYO | OTC: RYOOF) is a Canadian commodities company advancing high-quality, silver-dominant assets in Peru, the world’s second-largest silver producer. The company focuses on near-term development opportunities within proven mineral belts and is supported by an experienced technical and operational team with deep experience in Peruvian geology, underground mining and district-level exploration. With a clear development strategy and a growing portfolio of highly promising silver assets, Rio Silver is laying the foundation to become one of Peru’s next emerging silver producers.
More information at www.riosilverinc.com
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF Rio Silver INC.
Chris Verrico
Director, President and General Manager
For more information or to contact the company directly, please contact:
Christopher Verrico, Chairman and CEO
Phone: (604) 762-4448
Email: chris.verrico@riosilverinc.com
Website: www.riosilverinc.com
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or performance and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company’s planned exploration and development activities at the Maria Norte Project, expected timelines for regulatory approvals, future work programs, engagement with local stakeholders, geological interpretations and the Company’s ability to advance its assets toward potential development.
Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. These risks include, but are not limited to, operational risks, regulatory risks, geological uncertainties, availability of financing, community and social risks, commodity price fluctuations and general economic conditions. Additional risks are described in the Company’s filings available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Rio Silver undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable law.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
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