VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - April 15, 2013) - Riverside Resources Inc. ("Riverside" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:RRI)(PINKSHEETS:RVSDF)(FRANKFURT:R99) is pleased to announce the signing of a three year, C$2.25M strategic exploration alliance (the "Alliance") with Hochschild Mining Holdings Limited ("Hochschild"), for generative exploration throughout the prolific Mega-shear Gold Belt in western Sonora, Mexico. The Alliance will focus on identifying potential new large precious metal deposits using Riverside's extensive technical knowledge and experience in Sonora. Hochschild will fund C$750,000 on an annual basis (C$2.25M over three years) for generative exploration and Riverside will be the operator for all exploration activities of the Alliance, while all decisions relating to the Alliance will be made jointly through a Technical Committee ("TC") comprising two (2) representatives from each of Riverside and Hochschild similar in structure to other exploration alliances that Riverside is currently operating in Canada and Mexico.
Properties that are identified and deemed to be of interest will become Designated Properties whereby Hochschild will have the opportunity to earn a 65% interest by completing a four year, C$5,000,000 work program per property. As per the Agreement, once earn-in on a Designated Property is completed, Hochschild would make a one-time payment to Riverside of C$3,000,000 and the property would then be advanced under a joint venture agreement.
Riverside's President and CEO, John-Mark Staude, stated, "Riverside has tremendous exploration and technical strength in Sonora, and this strategic partnership brings capital and operating experience to further strengthen and accelerate exploration efforts in the region." Staude added, "We are excited to get going with Hochschild and already have a number of high priority targets to pursue immediately. We look forward to building a solid relationship with Hochschild and are confident this partnership will add significant value to both organizations."
Hochschild's CEO, Ignacio Bustamante, commented, " 'We are looking forward to working with Riverside and are confident that the significant exploration and technical knowledge and experience their team brings to this strategic alliance will prove beneficial for both Companies ."
Key Alliance Terms:
The Alliance will focus on gold deposits but will include deposits that may have elements ancillary and in addition to gold, including but not limited to silver, copper, and molybdenum. Unless otherwise specified, Riverside will be the designated operator for all exploration activities of the Alliance. All property acquisitions will be in the name of Riverside until earn-in is completed.
Projects designated for further advancement will enter the earn-in phase of the Agreement. To complete the earn-in, Hochschild must spend a minimum of $5,000,000 in exploration expenses with respect to the property within four (4) years from the date the property becomes a Designated Project, with a minimum expenditure of $1,000,000 in each of the first year and the second year (collectively the "Milestone"). If Hochschild fails to meet the Milestone, Riverside would have the right but not the obligation to acquire 100% ownership of the Designated Project. At any time after the completion of the Milestone, Hochschild can elect to enter into a formal joint venture agreement with Riverside (incorporated or unincorporated), provided that it makes a one-time cash payment to Riverside of $3,000,000 and has completed the minimum work investment. If Riverside's interest in a Designated Project is reduced to 10% or less, its interest will be converted to a 2% NSR.
For further information on the Hochschild-Riverside Strategic Alliance, please contact our investor relations team at 778-327-6671 or toll-free in North America at 1-877-RIV-RES1. Further details on the Alliance can also be found on the Company website at www.rivres.com .
About Hochschild Mining plc:
Hochschild Mining plc is a leading precious metals company listed on the London Stock Exchange (HOCM.L / HOC LN) with a primary focus on the exploration, mining, processing and sale of silver and gold. Hochschild has almost fifty years' experience in the mining of precious metal epithermal vein deposits and currently operates four underground epithermal vein mines, three located in southern Peru and one in southern Argentina. Hochschild also has numerous long-term projects throughout the Americas.
About Riverside Resources Inc.:
Riverside is a well-funded prospect generation team of focused, proactive gold discoverers with the breadth of knowledge to dig much deeper. The Company currently has approximately $6,500,000 in the treasury and 37,000,000 shares outstanding. The Company's model of growth through partnerships and exploration looks to use the prospect generation business approach to own resources, while partners share in de-risking projects on route to discovery. Additional property information can be found on the Company's website at www.rivres.com .
ON BEHALF OF RIVERSIDE RESOURCES INC.
Dr. John-Mark Staude, President & CEO
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
