#Orvana Minerals #Bolivia #La Paz #Don Mario Plant

Orvana Minerals Corp. Announces Phased Restart of the Don Mario Processing Plant in Bolivia

Orvana Minerals Corp., listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol ORV, has recently declared the initiation of a phased restart of its Don Mario processing facility located in Bolivia. This announcement is a significant step for the company as it works to advance and optimize its operations to improve efficiency and output.

Strategic Significance of the Restart
The restarting of the Don Mario plant is seen as a crucial milestone for Orvana. Juan Gavidia, Chief Executive Officer of Orvana, expressed that the restart represents an important achievement in the commissioning of the expanded processing facilities. The company’s approach is meticulously planned to ensure a disciplined and staged start-up process. This strategy aims to mitigate commissioning risks, validate the performance of the plant, and prepare for a controlled ramp-up of operations in 2026.

Details of the Restart Phases
The Bolivian subsidiary of Orvana, Empresa Minera Paitití S.A. (EMIPA), has kicked off the first phase of the plant's restart. The initial efforts included activating the comminution and thickening circuits which will provide essential feed for the Gold-Silver processing circuit. This part of the operation is expected to undergo performance verification until mid-January 2026. The subsequent phase involves bringing the copper circuit online, part of the Don Mario plant expansion, scheduled for the latter half of January 2026. From February through April 2026, all circuits are intended to undergo a controlled ramp-up.

Expanded Features of the Don Mario Plant
The ongoing expansion of the Don Mario plant encompasses several enhancements aimed at boosting production and operational efficiency. Key features of the expansion program include:

1. New copper oxide processing circuits, integrating acid leaching, filtration, solvent extraction, and electrowinning processes to manufacture copper cathodes.
2. Upgrades to Gold-Silver circuits to enhance throughput and improve technological performance.
3. A thorough overhaul of existing comminution and thickening circuits to ensure greater reliability and performance.
4. Business-readiness initiatives, which include enhancements to power generation capabilities, laboratory upgrades, warehouse and workshop improvements, as well as the recruitment and training of new personnel to support operations.

In parallel to these commissioning activities, EMIPA is conducting final on-site pilot testing. The findings from these tests, combined with existing metallurgical data, are expected to allow the company to provide updated estimates for metal production derived from processing the oxide stockpiles at Don Mario. Once the results from the testing have been assessed and validated, the company anticipates sharing additional information with stakeholders.

About Orvana Minerals Corp.
Orvana Minerals Corp. is a multi-mine miner specializing in gold, copper, and silver. The company’s significant projects include the operating Orovalle mine located in northern Spain, the Don Mario operation in Bolivia, and the Taguas property in Argentina. For further details, interested parties can visit Orvana’s official website at www.orvana.com.

Cautionary Notes on Forward-Looking Information
This announcement contains forward-looking information as defined under Canadian securities law. Such information encompasses statements related to the timing, nature, and success of the plant’s phased restart, commissioning, and the ramp-up schedule, along with expectations for production updates. It is essential to note that this information relies on management’s current assumptions and expectations, which may change due to various risks and uncertainties such as operational performance, regulatory conditions, and political and economic factors within Bolivia.

Readers are cautioned not to place excessive reliance on the forward-looking statements contained herein, as actual outcomes may differ materially from those projected. Orvana does not commit to updating this information except as required by law.