Appointment of contractor

Halo Minerals PLC

08 April 2026

 

8 April 2026

Halo Minerals PLC

("Halo Minerals" or the "Company")

Appointment of contractor to review and optimise mineral processing plant flow sheet and assist in securing ancillary permits

Halo Minerals PLC (AIM: HALO), the copper development company focused on extracting critical minerals from legacy mining waste, announces that it has contracted BIOS Mining & Infrastructure ("BIOSMI") to conduct the mineral processing plant flow sheet design review and optimisation studies. BIOSMI will also assist the Company in the application process and in the securing of the ancillary permits needed to advance the Company's Playa Verde project (the "Project") towards a position where a final investment decision ("FID") could be made. BIOSMI (former name Propipe) has worked with the Project for over 10 years and has detailed knowledge of the Company's development plans; having previously supported the Company with the mineral processing plant flow sheet and design studies during the previously completed definitive feasibility studies.

The Company also confirms that the annual mining license fees for the Project's six mining concessions have been paid in accordance with their terms.

Highlights

-    Engagement of specialist multidisciplinary mining firm BIOSMI to review and optimise the Project mineral processing plant flow sheet.

-   Engagement of BIOSMI to assist the Company in filing for and securing the ancillary permits needed to advance the Project towards a position where a FID could be taken.

-    Payment of annual mining concession license fees.

Andrew Dennan, CEO of Halo Minerals, commented:

"We are pleased to continue to work with BIOSMI, who have previously supported the Project and bring detailed knowledge of its development. Their work to review and optimise the mineral processing plant flowsheet and support the Company on ancillary permit applications is an important step in progressing the Project towards a potential FID."

Background and Scope of Mineral Processing Plant Optimisation Study

The Company has engaged BIOSMI to provide conceptual engineering and economic analysis services to Minera Playa Verde to update the existing feasibility information for the Project. The scope includes work to evaluate a complementary process circuit to reduce arsenic levels in final tailings to support compliance with commitments under the Project's approved Environmental Impact Assessment ("EIA"), as well as to review the flow sheet more generally and provide suggestions on ways that this can be optimised (including review of conventional as well as newer technologies) for both efficiencies and potential to reducing overall CAPEX spend. BIOSMI will also produce an updated business case (CAPEX/OPEX and economic evaluation) for the Playa Verde process plant and associated infrastructure, supporting decision‑making on project implementation.

The objective of the study is to update material balance calculations, review conventional and newer technology applications in order to optimise the mineral processing plant flow sheet, update estimated costs for CAPEX and OPEX of the Project (including new quotations for key equipment and updated prices for material and labour) and to produce final reports for these studies that can support a FID being taken.

Background and Scope of Ancillary Permit Support

BIOSMI will provide consultancy services to Minera Playa Verde to plan, prepare and process the required sectoral permits and related authorisations for the Project. The objective is to secure the necessary approvals from the competent authorities, to allow construction and operation to proceed in compliance with Chilean regulations and to support a potential FID in due course.

BIOSMI have also been engaged to develop a Permit Management Plan consistent with the approved EIA and the Project's RCA. BIOSMI will identify the applicable sectoral permits and mixed environmental‑sectoral permits (PASM and PS) required for the construction and operation phases of the Project and will prepare the required application documentation for each required permit or authorisation. This task is expected to take approximately 180 days to complete.

About BIOSMI

BIOS Mining and Infrastructure is a Chilean company, head quartered in Santiago, who are specialised in the provision of consulting and multidisciplinary engineering services for the Mining, Energy and Water and Industrial Waste treatment sectors. BIOSMI have a team of professional specialists in: Design, Construction Support and Administration of Mining Projects, being recognised in the development of Fluid Transport projects, Infrastructure Design for mining: Concentrating Plants, Chemical Plants, Civil Works and Structures, Mining Pipelines, Management and Disposition of Tailings, Water Adductions, Seawater Collection and Impulsion and Leaching Plants. BIOSMI develop engineering studies and projects from pre-investor phases to construction stages, including advice on the diagnosis and optimisation of systems in operation. They have extensive experience in the development of projects, participating in the stages of Conceptual Engineering until the implementation of the projects, where all their work is elaborated with certified quality processes ISO 9001/14001. They have specialised permanent staff in the areas of Processes, Hydraulics, Piping Mechanics, Civil Works, Metal and Concrete Structures, High Voltage Electricity, Instrumentation and Control, Geomensura, Cost and Programming, Architecture and Environment. BIOSMI have worked on a large number of projects including projects for Antofagasta Minerals, BHP, First Quantum and Codelco.

The Directors of the Company are responsible for the release of this announcement.

Enquiries:

Halo Minerals PLC	Via Tavistock below
Andrew Dennan, Chief Executive Officer Frank Jackson, Chief Financial Officer
[e-mail]
www.halominerals.co.uk
Cairn Financial Advisers LLP (NOMAD)	[phone]
Liam Murray Ludovico Lazzaretti James Western
Global Investment Strategy (Broker)	[phone]
Christopher Kipling
Tavistock (Public Relations)	[phone]
Nick Elwes Josephine Clerkin Gareth Tredway

Forward Looking Statements

This announcement contains forward-looking statements relating to expected or anticipated future events and anticipated results that are forward-looking in nature and, as a result, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, such as general economic, market and business conditions, competition for qualified staff, the regulatory process and actions, technical issues, new legislation, uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans, uncertainties resulting from working in a new political jurisdiction, uncertainties regarding the results of exploration, uncertainties regarding the timing and granting of prospecting rights, uncertainties regarding the Company's ability to execute and implement future plans, and the occurrence of unexpected events.   Actual results achieved may vary from the information provided herein as a result of numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors. 

 

END