VANCOUVER, British Columbia — January 15, 2026 — Leads & Copy — Rio Silver Inc. (TSX-V: RYO | OTC: RYOOF) has outlined the steps required to access high-grade silver mineralization at the Maria Norte Project in Peru’s Huachocolpa silver district, with the goal of advancing into underground development.
The company’s development strategy focuses on the system’s accessible and economically attractive portions, as confirmed by recent NI 43-101 verification sampling, which validated high-grade silver mineralization at the surface. The initial development phase will involve transporting material to nearby third-party processing facilities, thus removing the need for stand-alone processing infrastructure.
Maria Norte is positioned advantageously with established site access, proximity to operating mills, and a regulatory framework conducive to parallel development and exploration. These factors support a low-capital, fast-track approach to potential cash flow from exposed mineralization, while preserving upside as underground access expands.
Rio Silver’s near-term plan prioritizes exposed, high-grade mineralization first, followed by advancing portal access to unlock additional high-grade zones below surface. Several steps are expected to occur concurrently over the coming two quarters.
The company is focused on engagement with local leadership. It is expected that the newly appointed community president will convene a local assembly in the coming weeks to support final site access arrangements, enabling development activities to proceed in alignment with community priorities.
Rio Silver has identified existing camp facilities in the area that can be leased, allowing rapid mobilization of personnel and equipment. Initial development efforts will focus on exposed surface veins and near-surface mineralization, where high-grade silver has already been confirmed. In parallel with surface access, the company will advance portal preparation to enable underground entry. Portal access is expected to provide direct access to the vein system at shallow depths.
The company intends to utilize contract (toll) milling, enabling mined material to be transported and processed without constructing a standalone plant.
Maria Norte is located approximately 2.5 kilometers from a planned 3,000 tonne-per-day processing facility outlined in a recently published preliminary economic assessment by a nearby operator in the district. Rio Silver controls approximately 400 metres of the Tangana West vein.
“What makes Maria Norte compelling is the ability to start with high-grade silver already exposed at surface while systematically moving underground to capture additional low-hanging, high-value mineralization,” said Chris Verrico, President and Chief Executive Officer of Rio Silver.
Metallurgical testing at Maria Norte is underway to confirm processing characteristics consistent with conventional flotation. The company will continue constructive engagement with local leadership, including upcoming community assembly discussions, to finalize site access arrangements in support of near-term development activities. It also plans to utilize existing camp infrastructure to mobilize personnel and equipment, while advancing planning for permanent camp facilities to support sustained operations. Rio Silver is working to advance portal access preparation and underground development planning, alongside progress toward explosives permitting approval.
Jeffrey Reeder, P.Geo., is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release.
Rio Silver Inc. (TSX-V: RYO | OTC: RYOOF) is a Canadian resource company advancing high-grade, silver-dominant assets in Peru.
Chris Verrico, President and CEO, can be reached at (604) 762-4448 or chris.verrico@riosilverinc.com.
Source: Rio Silver Inc.
