Great Southern Copper Advances Chile Drilling Campaign

Highlights

• New drilling begins at Piedras Blancas

• Focus on porphyry copper system indicators

• Broader exploration pipeline progressing

Great Southern Copper has initiated fresh drilling activity in Chile, targeting a promising copper system while advancing exploration across multiple nearby prospects within a strategic mineral belt.

Great Southern Copper Expands Chile Exploration Drive

Great Southern Copper (LSE:GSCU) has commenced a new phase of drilling at the Piedras Blancas prospect in Chile, marking a significant step in its broader exploration efforts. The development aligns with ongoing activity in the LSE & FTSE stock market, where resource-focused companies continue to attract attention amid evolving demand for critical metals.

The latest campaign represents the first drill testing of a porphyry copper target within the Especularita project, highlighting a strategic push toward identifying mineral-rich zones beneath surface indications.

Drilling Programme Targets Key Geological Features

The current drilling programme is designed as an initial scout campaign, focusing on evaluating subsurface mineralisation. The work centres on altered rock formations that exhibit characteristics commonly associated with porphyry copper systems.

These geological features include silica-sericite-pyrite alteration and quartz-pyrite stockwork structures. Such formations often indicate the presence of deeper mineralised zones, guiding exploration teams toward areas with stronger copper enrichment.

By targeting these zones, the company aims to better understand the underlying system and refine its approach for future drilling phases.

Surface Results Strengthen Exploration Confidence

Prior to drilling, extensive surface sampling was carried out across the Piedras Blancas area. These early findings revealed encouraging geochemical signals, particularly through the presence of pathfinder elements often linked to copper systems.

The sampled area spans a wide zone and extends beneath surface cover, suggesting continuity of mineralisation beyond what is immediately visible. This broad footprint enhances the geological appeal of the prospect and supports further exploration.

Importantly, the area has not seen previous drilling activity, positioning it as a fresh opportunity within a well-established mining region.

Strategic Location in Chile’s Copper Belt

The Piedras Blancas prospect lies within Chile’s coastal metallogenic belt, a region known for hosting some of the world’s most significant copper deposits. This geological setting adds considerable weight to the exploration programme.

The project also benefits from favourable logistical factors, including relatively low elevation and access to infrastructure. These aspects can play a key role in supporting ongoing exploration and any future development scenarios.

Its location along a trend that includes major copper operations further reinforces its geological relevance, placing it within a corridor known for large-scale mineral systems.

Focus on Deeper Mineralisation Zones

A key objective of the drilling programme is to move beyond surface oxidation and investigate deeper geological layers. The aim is to confirm whether alteration patterns observed at the surface continue at depth.

Exploration efforts are particularly focused on identifying potassic zones, which are typically associated with higher copper concentrations in porphyry systems. Understanding the distribution and intensity of these zones is critical for assessing the overall scale and quality of mineralisation.

The findings from this phase are expected to guide future drilling strategies and help refine targeting across the broader project area.

Pipeline of Exploration Activities Continues

Following the completion of the current drilling campaign, exploration activities are set to continue across additional prospects within the project portfolio.

The drilling rig is expected to move to other nearby targets, including Artemisa and Victoria, where further testing is planned. These areas are part of a wider exploration strategy aimed at unlocking value across multiple sites.

In parallel, geophysical surveys are scheduled to begin at Cerro Negro and La Colorada. These surveys will provide additional data to support geological interpretation and assist in identifying new drilling targets.

Growing Interest in Resource Stocks

The progress of Great Southern Copper reflects broader trends seen across the FTSE 100 and FTSE 350, where resource exploration companies are gaining visibility. As global demand for metals evolves, exploration activity remains a key driver of long-term supply.

Companies operating in established mining regions often benefit from both geological knowledge and infrastructure advantages, positioning them to advance projects efficiently.

The continued development of exploration assets highlights the importance of early-stage drilling in shaping future resource opportunities.

What This Means for the Project

The initiation of drilling at Piedras Blancas marks an important milestone in the Especularita project’s evolution. Early-stage drilling plays a critical role in validating geological models and determining the direction of subsequent exploration.

With encouraging surface data and a favourable geological setting, the project is positioned for further evaluation as results from the current campaign become available.

The broader exploration pipeline also ensures continued momentum, with multiple prospects contributing to the overall development strategy.