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Highlights:
- Permits secured for diamond drilling at Cerro Negro, part of the Especularita project in Chile.
- Initial campaign targets high-grade copper-silver-gold mineralisation at the Mostaza mine.
- Scout drilling at Viuda prospect seeks porphyry-style mineralisation, with analysis underway.
Great Southern Copper PLC (LSE:GSCU) has announced the finalisation of permitting and authorisation for its upcoming diamond drilling campaign at the Cerro Negro prospect within the Especularita project in Chile. With preparations complete and a contractor appointed, drilling is scheduled to commence in two weeks.
The initial campaign at Cerro Negro will include up to 10 diamond and reverse circulation (RC) drill holes, targeting high-grade copper-silver-gold (Cu-Ag-Au) mineralisation at the historic Mostaza mine. The planned drilling will cover a total of 500 to 1,000 meters.
Focus on High-Grade Mineralisation
The company’s exploration strategy prioritizes confirming and expanding known high-grade mineralisation at the Mostaza mine. According to Chief Executive Sam Garrett, the initial phase will focus on delineating mineralisation at the mine before extending exploration along the southern trend. Recent surface exploration in this area has shown promising evidence of similar mineralisation.
Cerro Negro is part of the broader Especularita project, which benefits from excellent access to national infrastructure. Located 170 kilometers from the port city of Coquimbo and 130 kilometers from the Los Villos copper concentrate port, the site is well-positioned for future development.
Scout Drilling at Viuda Prospect
In parallel, scout RC drilling is underway at the Viuda prospect, which aims to uncover porphyry-type mineralisation. To date, five holes totaling 714 meters have been completed, with initial samples sent to ALS Laboratories in Santiago for analysis.
“The commencement of drilling at Cerro Negro marks a significant milestone for the team in Chile,” Garrett said. “We are excited to advance our exploration program and evaluate the resource potential of these high-grade targets.”
Resource Expansion Potential
Previous exploration at the Mostaza mine identified a non-JORC mineral resource of 190,600 tonnes with grades of 1.2% Cu, 80 g/t Ag, and 0.45 g/t Au. Great Southern Copper’s review has highlighted that high-grade mineralisation remains open in all directions, presenting substantial opportunities for resource expansion.
With drilling about to commence and analysis ongoing, the Especularita project represents a cornerstone of Great Southern Copper’s exploration efforts, aligning with its vision to uncover high-value mineral resources in Chile’s copper-rich regions.
