TriMetals Mining Inc.'s Subsidiary, South American Silver, Announces Conclusion of Oral Hearing in Its Arbitration Against Bolivia

VANCOUVER, BC --(Marketwired - July 25, 2016) - TriMetals Mining Inc. (TSX: TMI) (TSX: TMI.B) (OTCQX: TMIAF) (OTCQX: TMIBF), (the "Company"), reports that the oral hearing (the "Hearing") in South American Silver Limited's international arbitration against the Plurinational State of Bolivia ("Bolivia") for the expropriation of the Malku Khota project, held at the World Bank's premises in Washington, D.C., USA under the administrative authority of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, concluded, after nine hearing days, on Thursday, July 21, 2016.

The Hearing, presided over by a three-member arbitral tribunal, focused on the evidentiary record in the case and counsel for both South American Silver and Bolivia addressed the issues of jurisdiction, merits and quantum. The Hearing presented an opportunity for the arbitral tribunal to hear testimony from fact witnesses and expert witnesses, as well as to address questions to the witnesses.

South American Silver seeks full reparation for Bolivia's breaches of the UK-Bolivia Bilateral Investment Treaty and international law, plus pre-award interest and post-award interest until full payment is made. South American Silver also requests reimbursement for all fees and costs incurred in connection with the arbitration proceeding.

South American Silver has presented evidence to support its claim in which it seeks compensation for damages in the amount of US$385.7 million, which includes US$ 307.2 million for all of its losses caused by Bolivia's breaches of the UK-Bolivia Bilateral Investment Treaty, plus US$78.5 million in pre-award interest, but excludes fees and costs incurred in connection with the arbitration proceeding and post-award interest.

Ralph Fitch, President and CEO stated, "The Hearing was the culmination of an extensive effort by South American Silver's counsel, technical, legal and financial experts, as well as our employees, to present South American Silver's case to the Tribunal. Upon review of the entire record of evidence, we continue to believe that South American Silver's claims are very strong. South American Silver had worked in Bolivia for nearly 20 years and it would have delivered meaningful social and economic benefits to their communities through the development of the Malku Khota project into a large and modern mine. We worked hard for years to build the trust and support of local indigenous communities, and we were proud of the fact that the vast majority recognized the social and economic benefits this project would bring to their families and their communities. The protests by outside activists and groups associated with illegal artisanal mining, acted against the stated wishes and best interests of the local indigenous communities, and the Government's response to the protests by expropriating the Malku-Khota mining concessions was illegal and unnecessary."