Norsemont Mining says its Choquelimpie project in northern Chile shows a more complex, metal-rich system than previously understood. The company states that while the deposit has been associated with gold and silver mineralization, recent drilling confirms substantial copper, lead and zinc zones. Norsemont links the update to a broader polymetallic hydrothermal environment.
The company is integrating recent assay results from three Phase 3 drill holes, DD01, DD02 and DD03, into an evolving geological model. Norsemont says the new data is being used to refine the understanding of high-grade mineral distribution at depth and to improve targeting for upcoming drilling.
Phase 3 drilling targets down-dip extensions below open-pit resource
Exploration at Choquelimpie under the Phase 3 program focuses on defining down-dip extensions of higher-grade gold zones below the existing open-pit resource. Norsemont reports that seven diamond drill holes totaling approximately 1,650 meters have been completed so far. The company’s work is aimed at testing continuity of mineralization hosted in hydrothermal breccias.
Norsemont says the latest results include distinct base metal mineralization zones. These include silver-lead-zinc, lead-zinc and copper-bearing intervals identified within the drilling program. The company describes this as evidence that Choquelimpie is not limited to a single-metal system.
For sample analysis, Norsemont reports using ICP analysis for initial multi-element detection. The company then applies atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) for higher-grade intervals exceeding detection limits. It says the combined approach is providing a dataset for interpretation across the 2025 drilling program.
DD02, DD03 and DD01 intercepts show gold-equivalent and base metal variation
Norsemont reports that DD02 in the Vizcacha Zone returned a 29-meter intercept grading 1.89 g/t gold equivalent. The company states that base metal content is relatively low in the upper portion of the hole. Deeper intervals are reported to include clearly defined silver-lead-zinc and lead-zinc zones.
In DD03 from the Choque Zone, Norsemont reports 24 meters grading 0.95 g/t gold equivalent. The company also reports copper mineralization averaging 0.29% in this interval. Norsemont says copper occurs with the upper gold zone, while deeper sections contain multiple lead-zinc-rich intervals.
For DD01 in the Vizcacha Zone, Norsemont highlights a high-grade interval including 4 meters at 2.85 g/t gold equivalent. The same interval is reported to include 3.23% lead and 11.90% zinc. Norsemont adds that additional silver-lead-zinc mineralization occurs at depth, including a secondary gold-enriched zone between 165 and 169 meters.
Geological model updated using linked gold and base metal intervals
Norsemont says the new drilling data is improving its geological interpretation of Choquelimpie. The company reports that multiple overlapping mineralization styles are present within the system. It describes these as related phases in which gold, silver, copper, lead and zinc were deposited.
The company states it is linking base metal intervals with previously identified gold and silver zones to calculate updated gold-equivalent values (AuEq). Norsemont says this provides a more integrated view of the deposit’s economic potential. It also states that the evolving model supports understanding of how mineralizing fluids moved through the system.
Further work includes metallurgical studies on sulfide material
Norsemont says Phase 3 drilling is focused on down-dip continuation of high-grade gold mineralization hosted in hydrothermal breccias. The company reports that these zones exceed 1 g/t gold and are considered key targets for potential resource expansion. It also states that assay results highlight geochemical associations between gold and base metals at depth.
The company reports plans for further metallurgical studies in 2026 focused on sulfide material. Norsemont says this work will aim to better understand relationships between gold, silver, copper, lead and zinc within the ore system.
Porphyry-related system possibility discussed alongside target refinement
Norsemont says one implication of the new data is potential indication of a porphyry-related system at Choquelimpie. The company describes such systems as typically large and long-lived, with capacity to host multiple economic metals. It adds that continued drilling together with metallurgical and geophysical analysis will be used to define the three-dimensional structure of the deposit.
On development implications, Norsemont states that improved modelling and prediction of where higher-grade zones occur is a key outcome of Phase 3. Management notes that several newly identified gold-equivalent intervals exceed grades included in the existing sulfide resource estimate. With additional results expected in coming months, Norsemont says it is working toward a more detailed and predictive geological model for Choquelimpie’s full mineral potential.
