#Canada #Vancouver, BC #Kootenay Silver #La Cigarra #Mark Smith

Kootenay Silver Welcomes Mark Smith as Technical Advisor

Kootenay Silver Inc. has recently announced the appointment of Mr. Mark Smith as a technical advisor for the development of the La Cigarra project. This move is expected to bolster the company’s technical team and strengthen its developmental strategies.

The President and CEO of Kootenay, James McDonald, expressed his enthusiasm about Smith joining the team, highlighting how his extensive experience in geotechnical drilling and engineering will play a vital role in the advancement of the La Cigarra project. Smith's insights will be instrumental in planning the necessary engineering for the tailings facility outlined in the Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA).

Renowned in the mining industry, Mark Smith is recognized as an authority on the design, construction, and management of tailings and heap leach facilities. His vast expertise is reflected in the various design standards for tailings disposal and heap leach pads that have been established either through his work or by his team. A prolific contributor to industry literature, he has authored or co-authored over 30 technical papers focused on heap leaching, sustainable development, tailings management, and containment systems.

Before joining Kootenay, Mark Smith was the founder of Vector Engineering, Inc., a major engineering firm specializing in tailings and heap leach design, boasting a workforce of 500 professionals across seven countries. His expansive career includes significant projects in North and South America, covering countries such as Mexico, Canada, and various nations in South America. Currently, he serves on the boards of directors for notable companies such as Western Copper and Gold and Brazilian Nickel, in addition to being involved in technical review boards for industry leaders including Newmont, Barrick, and Glencore.

His past design and review projects list prolific undertakings from various regions, including:

• - Teck's Quebrada Blanca and Nueva Union in Chile
• - La India, Dolores, and Cerro San Pedro in Mexico
• - Western Copper and Gold's Casino and Eagle Gold in Yukon, Canada
• - Newmont's Coffee Gold project in Yukon
• - Barrick's Goldstrike and Phoenix projects in the USA

In conjunction with this high-profile appointment, Kootenay Silver has also announced the issuance of stock options and incentive units for its employees and advisors. The company plans to issue an aggregate of 2.2 million shares for purchase, along with restricted and deferred share units totaling 1.11 million common shares.

The technical information disclosed in this announcement complies with the Canadian regulatory requirements governed by National Instrument 43-101 (Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects). The approval for this information has been provided by Vice President of Exploration, Mr. Dale Brittliffe, who is designated as a Qualified Person according to NI 43-101 standards.

About Kootenay Silver Inc.

Kootenay Silver Inc. is actively engaged in the exploration and development of mineral projects within Mexico’s Sierra Madre Region. With a strong focus on silver assets, the company has established an impressive portfolio that provides shareholders with substantial exposure to silver price fluctuations. Current efforts are centered around expanding silver resources, making new discoveries, and developing priority silver projects in prolific mining areas in Sonora and Chihuahua regions of Mexico.

Conclusion

Mark Smith's addition to Kootenay Silver's technical team signifies a strategic move to enhance the La Cigarra project, drawing from his extensive experience and proven expertise in the field. With plans for significant resource expansion, Kootenay is poised to make great strides in its operational capabilities and project developments.