Central America Nickel and its subsidiary Río Nickel, S.A. take human rights, environmental protection, and responsible business conduct very seriously. We appreciate the opportunity to respond to the questions raised in your email dated April 29, 2025, which refer to recent publications by Prensa Comunitaria. We welcome this opportunity to provide accurate information and clarify the facts regarding our presence and activities in the Livingston area:

1. Project Location Outside Protected Areas and Legal Basis for Exploration. The area in which our project is located does not fall within any officially designated protected area under the national conservation system (SIGAP). This has been verified by the Cadastre Department of the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM), as well as by the National Council of Protected Areas (CONAP) during the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process. For clarity, while the area is part of a Special Protection Area, this designation differs from a protected area under Guatemalan legislation. Such areas require specific environmental safeguards but allow regulated activities, including mining, subject to strict oversight. In this context, the project holds valid exploration rights and has obtained the corresponding approvals for its environmental instruments in compliance with Guatemala’s environmental and mining legislation, including specific provisions applicable to Special Protection Areas. From the outset, our actions have adhered strictly to national regulations, the applicable environmental frameworks, and the principles of transparency and respect for communities within the area of influence.
2. No Operational Activities to Date. Río Nickel, S.A. is currently in the exploration phase only, conducting environmental, technical, and regulatory studies. No extraction, construction, or operational activities have been carried out. These studies are being conducted with full respect for legal and regulatory requirements. Any suggestion of environmental harm or improper conduct is unfounded, as no operations have commenced. Should the project advance, we reaffirm our commitment to full compliance with Guatemalan law and international best practices...