Metminco has announced an update on the status of the grant of exploration licence applications at the Chuscal Gold Project in Colombia. Completion of the Audiencia Publica (socialisation of the proposed grant of title) occurred on 15 March 2019. This process was run by the Colombian Mining Authority (National Mining Authority or ANM) in the municipality of Quinchia and is the final step prior to preparation of the Exploration Licence (EL) contract. The Chuscal exploration licence applications, along with others, can now be granted by the ANM. This process is expected to take up to two months. The company and its joint venture partner AngloGold Ashanti (AngloGold) remain in regular correspondence with the ANM and shareholders will be updated of the EL granting progress. Following grant of the ELs, the Company expects to rapidly mobilise to undertake a maiden drilling program of approximately 2,500m of diamond drilling to test the large outcropping Chuscal porphyry gold target with epithermal gold overprint, which comprises a large coincident geochemical and geophysical anomaly above an artisanal mining operation. This program is due to occur shortly after, and subject to, the completion of the merger with Andes and associated financing, which the Company aims to complete on or around June 2019. The two larger licences are applications in the final stage of being awarded and are anticipated to be granted in second quarter of 2019. Drilling permits are currently being sought and drilling will be initiated soon after financing associated with the merger with Andes is completed and the grant of the Chuscal licences.