PRESS RELEASE:
Gold Reserve Inc has reviewed several news reports related to remarks by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez concerning the Venezuelan government plans to jointly develop the Las Cristinas deposit and Gold Reserve's Brisas deposit. We understand President Chavez also referred to the formation of VENRUS CA, a joint venture between Rusoro Mining Ltd.'s (Rusoro) and the Venezuelan government, to develop and exploit these deposits.
Gold Reserve has had no communication from the government of Venezuela with respect to this matter. Gold Reserve also notes that there has been no disclosure concerning the formation of such a joint venture by Rusoro in its public filings.
Gold Reserve has invested US $230 million in proprietary work in Brisas including amongst other things, drilling and assaying, metallurgical, geotechnical, environmental and comprehensive feasibility studies, equipment and detailed engineering for the project.
In the event that the government of Venezuela decides to proceed in this manner, Gold Reserve believes that it has alternatives to realize considerable value related to its Brisas investment. Gold Reserve could entertain an offer from the Venezuelan government or its joint venture partner to purchase the Company's assets and proprietary work. If the purchase amount is adequate then this would be beneficial in the near term to Gold Reserve and save the purchaser several years of time in duplicating our work.
If a mutually agreeable purchase price could not be determined or other satisfactory resolution is not found then Gold Reserve has remedies to protect its investment in Brisas under Venezuela's domestic legal system, or under bilateral investment treaties to which Venezuela is a party. In the case of accessing bilateral investment treaties, Gold Reserve would seek the recovery of its US $230 million investment, plus potential lost profits of several US $ billion.
The value of Rusoro's proposed take-over is substantially less than the value of the Company's net cash, equipment and Brisas investment. In its Directors' Circular and Schedule 14D-9, the Gold Reserve Board strongly recommends that all Gold Reserve shareholders reject the Rusoro Offer and not tender their shares. Shareholders are encouraged to read the Company's Directors' Circular and Schedule 14D-9, which are available at www.sedar.com or www.sec.gov respectively, to carefully consider the reasons for the Board's recommendation.
No comments:
Post a Comment