Solaris Resources (TSX:SLS) (NYSEAmerican:SLSR) has signed a landmark agreement with the Pueblo Shuar Arutam (PSHA), completing formal partnerships with every Indigenous organization surrounding its Warintza copper project in southeastern Ecuador.

The PSHA, representing nearly 10,000 people in 47 Shuar centers, approved a joint working group with Solaris in January 2025. A Letter of Intent followed in February, leading to the new formal agreement. Solaris already has an Impacts and Benefits Agreement with the Warints and Yawi Shuar Centres, signed in 2020 and updated in 2022 and 2024.

“This agreement reflects the strong collaboration between PSHA and Solaris, as well as our shared commitment to strengthening the communities and families of Morona Santiago. The agreement seeks to generate concrete and sustainable benefits, and we remain committed to ensuring that future generations enjoy the lasting advantages of responsible mining. We are confident that the next stages of this alliance will continue to demonstrate the broad and sustainable benefits that large-scale mining can deliver,” said Marcelo Unkuch, PSHA president.

Matthew Rowlinson, Solaris CEO and president, said, “With this signing, we have now established formal relationships with all Indigenous organisations surrounding Warintza, in addition to our ongoing collaboration with local authorities. These agreements generate strong momentum for the continued advancement of the project and reinforce our long-term commitment to inclusive, community-led development.”

The company said the PSHA deal adds to an earlier trilateral agreement with the Interprovincial Federation of Shuar Centers, Ecuador’s largest Shuar organization, and a partnership with the Alliance for Entrepreneurship and Innovation of Ecuador.

Regulatory and Technical Progress

Regulatory steps are also moving ahead. Solaris submitted a final Technical Environmental Impact Assessment in August 2024 and said it has addressed all government questions. The report is now under review by Ecuador’s Ministry of Environment and Energy.

In July 2025, ministry and Sub-Secretary of Mines officials visited the site and met Indigenous and local stakeholders to evaluate readiness for Ecuador’s Free, Prior and Informed Consultation process, which is required for large resource projects. Solaris expects the consultation to begin in the coming months.

“We are advancing every facet of project de-risking with discipline and determination.” added Matthew Rowlinson. “Warintza is a uniquely positioned asset, long-life, near-term, and aligned with the world’s future resource needs. We remain committed to delivering exceptional value for all stakeholders through responsible development.”

On the technical side, Solaris continues to work on a Pre-Feasibility Study with consultants Ausenco, Knight Piésold and AMC. The study will include an updated Mineral Resource Estimate incorporating Warintza West for the first time and is scheduled for completion in the second half of 2025.

The company said it is working toward a Final Investment Decision for the project. It also plans further exploration within the broader Warintza district and noted that a recent transaction with Royal Gold secures long-term liquidity.

Solaris described these steps; completing Indigenous agreements, advancing environmental review and pushing technical studies—as key milestones for Warintza’s development.

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