K92 Mining Announces Appointment of Robert Smillie as Vice President - Exploration

Rhea-AI Summary

K92 Mining (TSX: KNT; OTCQB: KNTNF) has appointed Robert Smillie as Vice President - Exploration, while Andrew Kohler will return to his role as Chief Geologist after serving as Interim VP Exploration.

Smillie brings over 35 years of mining industry experience, specializing in epithermal gold and copper-gold systems across the Asia Pacific region. His notable achievement includes leading the discovery of the Townsville project at Ok Tedi Mining in PNG, the most significant near-mine copper-gold discovery in over 30 years, featuring a zoned skarn breccia extending over 800 metres vertically. At Ok Tedi, he managed exploration programs with annual budgets up to AUD$25 million.

Smillie holds an MBA from Victoria University and geology degrees from Otago University. He is a Fellow of both the Society of Economic Geologists and Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.

Positive

• Appointment of highly experienced executive with 35+ years in mining industry
• Proven track record of major discovery at Ok Tedi Mining
• Extensive experience managing large exploration programs with budgets up to AUD$25M
• Deep understanding of PNG's geological environment and epithermal gold systems

Negative

• None.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- K92 Mining Inc. (“K92” or the “Company”) (TSX: KNT; OTCQB: KNTNF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Robert Smillie, as Vice President - Exploration. The Company also announces that Andrew Kohler will step down as Interim Vice President - Exploration and will resume the role as Chief Geologist.

Mr. Smillie is a highly experienced mineral exploration executive, with over 35 years in the mining industry, specializing in epithermal gold and copper-gold systems. He has held senior leadership roles throughout the Asia Pacific region, including Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea (“PNG”), Indonesia, the Philippines, South Korea, and Timor-Leste. Notably, while leading exploration at Ok Tedi Mining in PNG, Mr. Smillie’s team made a major discovery at the Townsville project, a zoned skarn breccia with over 800 metres of vertical extent, representing Ok Tedi’s most significant near-mine copper-gold discovery in over 30 years. While at Ok Tedi, Mr. Smillie led large exploration programs and teams, with a maximum annual budget of up to AUD$25 million. He brings extensive experience in both greenfield and brownfield exploration, as well as mine geology, at both junior and mid-tier mining companies, including OceanaGold, WMC Resources, and Calibre Mining, plus New Zealand’s Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences Limited. Mr. Smillie holds a Master of Business Administration from Victoria University, a Master of Science in Geology from Otago University, and a Bachelor of Science from Otago University, and he is a Fellow of both the Society of Economic Geologists (SEG) and Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM).

John Lewins, K92 Chief Executive Officer and Director, stated, “Robert’s deep understanding of PNG’s geological environment, plus his significant and diverse exploration experience including leading large exploration programs and teams, combined with Kainantu’s highly-prospective, world-class geological environment, well positions K92 to advance our exploration strategy.

“We are extremely delighted to have Robert join the team. We congratulate Robert on his appointment as Vice President - Exploration and we look forward to his future contributions as we pursue the exciting opportunities ahead.”

About K92

K92 Mining Inc. is engaged in the production of gold, copper and silver at the Kainantu Gold Mine in the Eastern Highlands province of Papua New Guinea, as well as exploration and development of mineral deposits in the immediate vicinity of the mine. The Company declared commercial production from Kainantu in February 2018, is in a strong financial position, and is working to become a Tier 1 mid-tier producer through ongoing plant expansions. A maiden resource estimate on the Blue Lake copper-gold porphyry project was completed in August 2022. K92 is operated by a team of mining company professionals with extensive international mine-building and operational experience.

On Behalf of the Company,

John Lewins, Chief Executive Officer and Director

For further information, please contact David Medilek, P.Eng., CFA, President and Chief Operating Officer at +1-604-416-4445

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release includes certain “forward-looking statements” under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation: (i) the results of the Kainantu Mine Definitive Feasibility Study, and the Kainantu Preliminary Economic Assessment, including the Stage 3 Expansion, a new standalone 1.2 mtpa process plant and supporting infrastructure; (ii) statements regarding the expansion of the mine and development of any of the deposits; (iii) the Kainantu Stage 4 Expansion, operating two standalone process plants, larger surface infrastructure and mining throughputs; and (iv) the potential extended life of the Kainantu Mine.

All statements in this news release that address events or developments that we expect to occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, although not always, identified by words such as “expect”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “project”, “target”, “potential”, “schedule”, “forecast”, “budget”, “estimate”, “intend” or “believe” and similar expressions or their negative connotations, or that events or conditions “will”, “would”, “may”, “could”, “should” or “might” occur. All such forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond our ability to control, that may cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, without limitation, Public Health Crises, including the COVID-19 virus; changes in the price of gold, silver, copper and other metals in the world markets; fluctuations in the price and availability of infrastructure and energy and other commodities; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; volatility in price of our common shares; inherent risks associated with the mining industry, including problems related to weather and climate in remote areas in which certain of the Company’s operations are located; failure to achieve production, cost and other estimates; risks and uncertainties associated with exploration and development; uncertainties relating to estimates of mineral resources including uncertainty that mineral resources may never be converted into mineral reserves; the Company’s ability to carry on current and future operations, including development and exploration activities at the Arakompa, Kora, Judd and other projects; the timing, extent, duration and economic viability of such operations, including any mineral resources or reserves identified thereby; the accuracy and reliability of estimates, projections, forecasts, studies and assessments; the Company’s ability to meet or achieve estimates, projections and forecasts; the availability and cost of inputs; the availability and costs of achieving the Stage 3 Expansion or the Stage 4 Expansion; the ability of the Company to achieve the inputs the price and market for outputs, including gold, silver and copper; failures of information systems or information security threats; political, economic and other risks associated with the Company’s foreign operations; geopolitical events and other uncertainties, such as the conflicts in Ukraine, Israel and Palestine; compliance with various laws and regulatory requirements to which the Company is subject to, including taxation; the ability to obtain timely financing on reasonable terms when required; the current and future social, economic and political conditions, including relationship with the communities in Papua New Guinea and other jurisdictions it operates; other assumptions and factors generally associated with the mining industry; and the risks, uncertainties and other factors referred to in the Company’s Annual Information Form under the heading “Risk Factors”.

Estimates of mineral resources are also forward-looking statements because they constitute projections, based on certain estimates and assumptions, regarding the amount of minerals that may be encountered in the future and/or the anticipated economics of production. The estimation of mineral resources and mineral reserves is inherently uncertain and involves subjective judgments about many relevant factors. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The accuracy of any such estimates is a function of the quantity and quality of available data, and of the assumptions made and judgments used in engineering and geological interpretation, Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance, and actual results and future events could materially differ from those anticipated in such statements. Although we have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actual results to differ materially from those that are anticipated, estimated, or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

FAQ

What major discovery did Robert Smillie lead at Ok Tedi Mining in PNG?

Smillie led the discovery of the Townsville project, a zoned skarn breccia extending over 800 metres vertically, representing Ok Tedi's largest near-mine copper-gold discovery in over 30 years.

What is the size of exploration budgets Robert Smillie managed at Ok Tedi?

At Ok Tedi Mining, Smillie managed large exploration programs with annual budgets reaching up to AUD$25 million.

What regions does Robert Smillie have exploration experience in for KNTNF?

Smillie has extensive experience across the Asia Pacific region, including Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, the Philippines, South Korea, and Timor-Leste.

What are Robert Smillie's educational qualifications for his role at KNTNF?

Smillie holds an MBA from Victoria University, a Master of Science in Geology and Bachelor of Science from Otago University, and is a Fellow of SEG and AusIMM.