/R E P E A T -- Rio Silver Inc. Acquires the Palta Dorada Gold-Silver-Copper Project in Northern Peru and Signs Memorandum of Understanding for Joint Development/

VANCOUVER, Jan. 9, 2020 /CNW/ - Rio Silver Inc. ("Rio Silver" or the "Company") (TSX.V: RYO) announces the acquisition of the Palta Dorada Au-Ag-Cu property ("Palta Dorada" or the "Property"). The property contains several high-grade gold-silver veins both oxide and sulphide that has been mined by artisanal methods. The Company has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") with Peruvian Metals Corp ("Peruvian Metals") to jointly explore the Palta Dorada Au-Ag-Cu Property ("Palta Dorada" or the "Property") by initially conducting a detailed sampling and mapping program along with a bulk sampling campaign and processing the mineral at Peruvian Metals' 80% owned Aguila Norte Processing Plant ("Aguila Norte or Plant").

The Palta Dorada Au-Ag-Cu Property is located in the Ancash Mining Department in Northern Peru and covers an area of approximately 1200 hectares. The Property is accessible from the Plant by approximately 180 kms of mainly paved roadway. The MOU establishes a joint effort to explore and develop the property. Any sales from metal concentrates produced from the bulk sampling activity and all operational expenses will be shared between companies. Peruvian Metals' 80% owned Plant will charge the joint effort commercial mineral processing rates on a similar basis to its other clients for processing the bulk samples.

Peruvian Metals will also have the option to earn a 50% ownership in the property. Equal ownership will occur once Peruvian Metals has matched Rio Silver's acquisition price of the project of $250,000 US by assuming all capital and exploration expenditures. Any shortfall of capital expense by Peruvian Metals will require a cash payment to the joint effort by December 31, 2021. Both companies will enter into a definitive shareholder agreement in Peru shortly.

Limited surface mapping and sampling has identified several oxide Au-Ag veins hosted in granodioritic rocks. The previous owner completed extensive production ready access to several levels for exploration and bulk sampling, as well as limited small-scale bulk sampling in several adits and shafts. The main working is a 53 metre shaft where miners hoisted mineral to the surface. Eight chip samples have been taken from quartz veins containing sulphides in the shaft at various depths. Results from these samples range from 3.06 g/t Au to 24.1 g/t Au, 36 g/t Ag to 865 g/t Ag and 0.22% Cu to 4.94% Cu over an average width of 60 centimeters. The weighted average of the quartz-sulphide vein is 9.61 g/t Au, 256 g/t Ag and 1.42% Cu over the 60 centimeters. The mineralized NEE-SWW mesothermal vein exposed in this main working has been observed over an 800 metre strike length on surface. The oxide-sulphide transition occurs at approximately 25 metres below surface.

At the initial property visit by the QP, approximately 45 tonnes of mineral had been selectively exploited; hand sorted and sacked outside of the main working ready for shipment to tolls mills in Southern Peru. Two composite samples were taken from various sacks and returned an average grade of 26.7 g/t Au, 23.76 oz/t Ag and 3.16% Cu. The samples taken were selected random grabs from hand sorted sacks and are not representative of the mineralization hosted on the property.

A third random composite sample of approximately 50 kilograms was taken from these sacks and used for metallurgical work. The work performed on this sample by Procesmin Ingenieros Laboratories head a head grade of 23.21 grams/MT Au, 29.04 oz/MT Ag and 4.95% Cu. Metallurgical work showed that two concentrates can be produced. The first and more valuable concentrate graded 125.59 grams Au/MT, 4,808 grams Ag/MT and 24.41% Cu. A second Au-pyrite concentrate was also produced graded 11.46 grams/MT Au, 565 grams Ag/MT and 2.90% Cu.

Artisanal workings on a second SEE-NWW structure north of the main working exposed strongly oxidized quartz veins ranging between 30 to 70 centimeters in width. Four composite samples taken from mineral sacks containing heavily oxidized material ready for shipment ranged from 8.65 g/t to 17.3 g/t averaging 12.4 g/t Au. The samples taken from the sacks were random grabs and are not representative of the mineralization hosted on the property. A bottle-roll metallurgical sample with a head grade of 13.0 g/t Au and 102 g/t Ag returned a 92.15% gold and 65% silver recoveries over 36 hours.

Peruvian Metals will act as the operator of the joint effort and will be responsible to obtain all the permits necessary to explore and extract a bulk sample and expects no permitting issues. An experienced underground contractor has agreed to start the mobilization of the compressors and equipment to the site to extract the bulk sample. The bulk sampling and exploration is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2020.

Chris Verrico, CEO of Rio Silver states: "We are very pleased to have accomplished these milestones, leveraging our joint resources and working together. The Palta Dorada property has several high-grade Au-Ag-Cu veins ready to be bulk sampled and processed at the Aguila Norte Plant. Oxide gold material can also be bulk sampled and treated at a number toll mills. Initial development and exploration will consist of drifting along the sulphide veins in this prominent structure, potentially identifying a minable resource which would only enhance our ability to explore our flagship Niñobamba project in a timely manner."

Jeffrey Reeder, P Geo, a qualified person as defined in National Instrument 43-101, has prepared, supervised the preparation or approved the scientific and technical disclosure contained in this news release.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release includes forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements within, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward looking. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not a guarantee of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such statements will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required by applicable laws

SOURCE Rio Silver

Christopher Verrico, President, CEO, Tel: [phone], Email: [email protected], Website: www.riosilverinc.com