Orestone Mining Advances Exploration at Tom East and Kelly Gold Zones on Francisca Property in Argentina

7 min read | July 20, 2026 08:00 AM EDT | By Aakashdeep

Orestone Mining Corp. (TSXV:ORS) has initiated follow-up exploration activities at the newly identified Tom East and Kelly gold zones situated along the Francisca Gold Trend in Salta Province, northwestern Argentina. The company aims to expand the mineralized area and pinpoint high-priority drill targets in preparation for an upcoming drilling campaign. Recent hand trench sampling at Tom East revealed 4.45 g/t gold over 21 metres, bolstering management’s confidence in the property’s potential as a developing gold-silver system.

Key Points

  • Orestone Mining Corp. (TSXV:ORS) is conducting follow-up exploration at Tom East and Kelly gold zones on its Francisca Gold-Silver Property in Salta Province, Argentina
  • Phase I hand trench sampling at Tom East returned 4.45 g/t gold over 21 metres in soft clay altered colluvium mixed with chalcedonic quartz
  • The Francisca Gold Trend now spans a northwest strike length of 1,500 metres with multiple oxide gold-silver zones identified at surface
  • Induced polarization (IP) chargeability anomalies reaching up to 20 mV/V indicate the potential for larger buried sulphide mineralized gold porphyry systems
  • A detailed soil sampling program is underway at Tom East; additional mapping and sampling are in progress at the Kelly Gold Zone

Tom East Gold Discovery and Trench Results

During the Phase I exploration, Orestone completed hand trench sampling at Tom East that produced notable results. Trench 6B, dug to 1.3 metres depth in soft clay altered colluvium mixed with chalcedonic quartz, returned 4.45 g/t gold over 21 metres. This discovery is located about 120 metres northeast of the South Gold Zone and is believed to represent a potential epithermal vein system adjacent to the Francisca Porphyry along a parallel northwest-trending structure.

To better define this target, Orestone has launched a detailed soil sampling program covering a 200-metre by 200-metre grid. Sampling is conducted in half-metre deep pits spaced 20 by 20 metres, designed to deliver detailed geological data to support drill targeting. Positioned just east of the Francisca IP chargeability high, the Tom East zone is a key focus area in the company’s exploration strategy.

Francisca Gold Trend Mineralized Footprint

The Francisca Gold Trend now extends over a northwest strike length of 1,500 metres, with an oxide gold-silver system visible at surface across multiple outcropping zones. Four main zones have been identified: North Gold Zone, South Gold Zone, Kelly Gold Zone, and Tom East Gold Zone, each featuring stockwork, vein, breccia, and epithermal vein systems. These zones lie within a 500 to 1,000 metre wide belt of strongly hornfels-altered sediments.

Mineralization is further characterized by a 1,700 metre long by 500 to 700 metre wide induced polarization (IP) chargeability anomaly measuring 7.9 mV/V, associated with gold-silver mineralization. The oxide gold quartz-limonite stockwork trend correlates with quartz feldspar porphyry intrusive dykes and intense sericite clay alteration along a northwest-trending fault system. Several large, strong IP chargeability anomalies reaching up to 20 mV/V suggest the presence of a larger buried sulphide mineralized gold porphyry system beneath the surface oxide zones.

Kelly Gold Zone Extension and Sampling Results

Further mapping and sampling are underway at the Kelly Gold Zone, located 250 metres along strike from the South Gold Zone and considered an extension of it. Reconnaissance geological mapping and widely spaced rock chip sampling have delineated an east-west trending quartz-limonite vein stockwork zone within strongly sericite altered hornfels sediments. This zone spans 50 metres in width and returned grades of 0.37 g/t gold and 2.15 g/t silver.

The Kelly Gold Zone remains open to the north, south, and west, indicating potential for further expansion. The stockwork system is linked to northwest-trending silicified and sericite altered porphyry dykes mapped over a 500 metre strike length. Underlying this mineralized zone is a 600 metre wide induced polarization (IP) chargeability anomaly exceeding 7.9 mV/V, highlighting deeper exploration potential.

Geophysical Evidence and Porphyry Potential

Induced polarization (IP) chargeability data is central to Orestone’s exploration methodology at Francisca. Several large, strong IP chargeability anomalies up to 20 mV/V have been identified, indicating the potential for a substantial buried sulphide mineralized gold porphyry system. These anomalies align with surface mineralization across multiple zones, suggesting a coherent underlying porphyry center.

The geophysical signature, combined with geological mapping revealing quartz feldspar porphyry intrusions and intense sericite clay alteration, supports the interpretation that Francisca hosts a significant porphyry gold system. The deep anomalies provide promising drill targets to test for higher-grade mineralization beneath the oxide surface expression. This integrated geophysical and geological approach enables efficient prioritization of drilling locations.

Property Location and Accessibility

The 23 square kilometre Francisca Gold-Silver Project is situated in Salta Province, northwestern Argentina, approximately 80 kilometres northwest of the city of Salta. Access is provided by gravel roads branching from the paved National Highway RTE 51, ensuring year-round accessibility for exploration activities. This road access is a notable advantage for ongoing fieldwork and future development.

Orestone highlights that the project’s location in a mountainous region with established infrastructure supports sustained exploration throughout the year. Proximity to the regional highway network reduces logistical challenges compared to more remote sites.

Management Commentary and Exploration Strategy

David Hottman, Chairman and CEO of Orestone Mining Corp., commented: "Exploration at the Francisca Gold-Silver Project continues to reveal the scale and growth potential of this emerging mineralized system. The Tom East discovery, with trench results of 4.45 g/t gold over 21 metres, strengthens our conviction that Francisca hosts a robust and extensive gold system extending along a 1.5-kilometre trend. By integrating modern geological mapping, geochemistry, and geophysics, we are effectively identifying high-quality drill targets while maintaining a disciplined, low-cost exploration approach. Francisca and our other projects are well suited for year-round exploration."

The company’s strategy involves leveraging multiple data sources—geological mapping, geochemistry, and geophysics—to systematically identify and prioritize drill targets. Management emphasizes cost discipline while advancing what it describes as an emerging mineralized system with significant growth potential.

Technical Review and Qualified Person Approval

The technical information disclosed has been reviewed and approved by Gary Nordin, P.Geo, a Director of Orestone Mining Corp. Nordin is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, the Canadian standard for mineral disclosure. This review assures investors that the geological and geochemical data have undergone professional evaluation.

Engagement of a qualified person for technical disclosure review is a regulatory requirement in Canada for public mineral exploration companies. Mentioning Nordin’s credentials confirms compliance with NI 43-101 standards.

Orestone's Broader Project Portfolio

Orestone Mining Corp. is a well-funded Canadian company with an internationally experienced management team. The Board and management have extensive expertise across all mining business aspects, with involvement in numerous corporate and project successes.

Beyond Francisca, Orestone’s portfolio includes gold, silver, and copper projects in Canada and Argentina. The company’s 100% owned Captain Gold-Copper Project in British Columbia hosts a large gold-dominant porphyry system permitted for 79 drill locations. Both Francisca and Captain projects are road-accessible and suitable for year-round exploration.

Near-Term Objectives and Drill Program Preparation

Orestone’s near-term goal at the Francisca Gold Project is to delineate an oxide gold deposit amenable to open-pit mining. This aligns with ongoing soil sampling and geological mapping designed to generate drill-ready targets. The detailed soil sampling at Tom East, with a fine 20 by 20 metre grid, aims to provide geological resolution necessary for effective drilling.

While the announcement does not specify the timing of the upcoming drill program, it notes that current efforts focus on expanding the mineralized footprint and defining high-priority drill targets ahead of drilling. This indicates drilling is planned, with surface work continuing to optimize drill hole positioning and depth.


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