Tristar seeks dismissal of Castelo civil public action

Executive Summary

• Tristar Gold provided an update on the civil public action initiated by the Brazilian federal prosecutor's office (MPF) regarding the environmental licensing of its Castelo de Sonhos gold project.
• The MPF and FUNAI argue that the State of Para's licensing process failed to include an indigenous component study (ECI) and formal free, prior, and informed consultation (FPIC) for the Kayapo communities.
• Tristar contests these claims, asserting the environmental impact assessment was comprehensive, showed no impact on indigenous territories, and that the preliminary license (LP) remains in place with no restrictions.

Key Details

• Legal Action: Federal civil action in Brazil initiated by the MPF concerning the environmental licensing of the Castelo de Sonhos project.
• Opposing Claims: The MPF and National Foundation for Indigenous Peoples (FUNAI) argue the licensing process lacked proper assessment of impacts on the Bau and Menkragnoti indigenous territories and failed to include an ECI or FPIC.
• Company Defense: Tristar asserts the EIA/RIMA was comprehensive, reviewed for over two years by state regulator SEMAS, and prepared by independent specialists.
• Technical Findings: Technical studies indicate no direct or indirect impacts on indigenous territories; hydrological, geological, archeological, and social assessments show no pathways of impact.
• Safety Standards: The tailings facility design meets stringent safety standards, with worst-case-scenario dam-break modeling showing no risk to indigenous territories.
• Regulatory Status: The preliminary license (licenca previa or LP) for Castelo de Sonhos remains in place with no restrictions while the legal action continues.
• Company Request: Tristar has requested dismissal of the lawsuit or, alternatively, a limited technical review that respects procedural rules.
• Procedural Status: Formal response filed; matter has entered the next procedural stage before the federal court.

Notable Quotes

• "We have now filed our formal response in the proceedings initiated by the federal public prosecutor's office. The matter has entered the next procedural stage before the federal court, and we believe the technical record clearly supports the integrity of the environmental licensing process. We remain confident in the strength of our position and will continue to engage constructively with the authorities to ensure full transparency and regulatory certainty for the project." — Nick Appleyard, President and CEO
• "Management remains focused on ensuring regulatory clarity for the project while working toward a timely and constructive resolution of the matters raised in the proceedings." — Nick Appleyard, President and CEO