Ann: San Jose Permitting Update, page-21

A ruling confirms the granting of the "Expansion of Valdeflorez" investigation permit and reinforces the processing provided by Extremadura New EnergiesExtremadura New Energies appreciates the judgment of the Administrative Court number 1 of Cáceres in which the correct granting of the investigation permit "Amtension of Valdeflorez" and the authorization of the corresponding restoration plan is ratified. The resolution, which gives the reason to the Industrial, Energy and Mining Management Service of the Junta de Extremadura and the company, refers to the area that was not included in the Valdeflorez Research Permit, in which the site extends and in which industrial and auxiliary facilities for the underground exploitation of Valdeflórez will be located. The judgment makes it clear in its foundations that "the granting of the research permit is not incompatible with urban planning regulations," contrary to what the appellant defended, as well as that the economic, financial and technical solvency of the company is perfectly accredited. Finally, the court emphasizes that there is no evidence to support possible conditions with the groundwater of the area. The legal services of Extremadura New Energies emphasize that this favorable judgment to the company reinforces the new procedure planned by the company and announced several weeks ago. In this way, the next step will consist of the granting of the requested Exploration Permit prior to the Direct Granting of the deposit. The CEO of Extremadura New Energies, Ramón Jiménez, stressed that "the resolution of the Cáceres court ratifies the urban compatibility of the work in the Expansion area of Valdeflórez and supports the option chosen for the Application Concession of exploitation," which is an important support for the process in which the company has been working in recent weeks.