Interview with Alex Black, Executive Chairman of Rio2 Ltd. Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/rio2-tsxrio-approaching-january-2026-production-targeting-20000tpd-ramp-up-7959 Recording date: 23rd December 2025 Rio2 Limited (TSX:RIO) represents a compelling investment opportunity at the critical inflection point between development and production, with first gold pour from its Fenix heap leach project in Chile scheduled for January 2026 whilst the recently acquired Condestable underground copper mine in Peru contributes immediate substantial cash generation. The dual-asset strategy directly addresses the binary risk inherent in single-asset junior companies whilst providing diversified exposure to both precious and base metals during favourable pricing environments characterised by gold exceeding $4,500 per ounce and copper benefiting from structural supply constraints. Management delivered the Fenix project on time and on budget at $150-160 million total capital expenditure, representing modest capital intensity for a gold operation of this scale. The operation targets 60-70,000 ounces during the 2026 ramp-up year before reaching steady-state production of 100,000 ounces annually by 2027 at nameplate throughput capacity of 20,000 tonnes per day. Critically, the starter project represents only 1.7 million ounces of the property's 5 million ounce resource base, which was defined using $1,800 per ounce gold price pit shells, creating significant reserve expansion potential in the current $2,600+ pricing environment. Systematic exploration drilling commencing in 2026 targets resource growth potentially reaching 5-7 million ounces by the late 2027 feasibility study for phase two expansion. The December acquisition of Condestable fundamentally altered Rio2's financial trajectory and risk profile. The transaction added 10 years of proven and probable reserves, unusual longevity for any producing operation that eliminates near-term reserve replacement pressures. The mine produces 27,000 tonnes of copper equivalent annually (60 million pounds copper) at current throughput rates of 8,400 tonnes per day, generating clean concentrate grading 80% copper and 20% precious metals. At current metal prices, Condestable generates over $100 million in annual free cash flow after taxes with sustaining capital requirements below $10 million per year, creating an 8% annual cash yield on Rio2's $1.2 billion market capitalisation before considering Fenix's contribution. The combined operations project to generate $150-175 million annual free cash flow once Fenix reaches steady-state production, providing capital to fund organic expansion at both properties without equity dilution. Condestable offers clear expansion pathway from 8,400 to 12,000 tonnes per day throughput (40% increase) with study underway, whilst the underexplored 45,000-hectare land package surrounding the mine provides blue-sky resource growth potential that previous private equity owners neglected in favour of cash flow extraction. Management's 25-year Peru operating history and successful prior mine development through Minera IRL validates capability to navigate Latin American permitting, community relations, and operational challenges. The successful $205 million financing with $800 million total demand (4x oversubscription) demonstrates institutional confidence in the execution track record and strategic vision. Rio2 currently trades at approximately 2x EBITDA on Condestable alone, before attributing value to Fenix production or substantial organic expansion potential at either asset. Comparable producers in the 100,000+ ounce gold and 50+ million pound copper production range typically trade at 4-6x EBITDA multiples, suggesting significant valuation convergence opportunity as quarterly production reports validate operational performance through 2026-2027. Management explicitly positions Rio2 as an active consolidator building toward eventual corporate transaction within 3-5 years rather than perpetual operator, with Executive Chairman Alex Black noting "we're not building a company for the next 20 years" but rather "taking advantage of the situation, the time, the metal prices and building something up that is very very valuable." G Mining's $8.5 billion valuation whilst operating two assets provides reference point for Rio2's potential valuation trajectory, representing 7x current market capitalisation as the production platform matures and demonstrates consistent operational execution across both jurisdictions. View Rio2's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/rio2-limited Sign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com
