NGEx Minerals has reported additional high-grade drilling results from the Lunahuasi copper-gold-silver project in San Juan, Argentina, adding further definition to mineralisation at the project in the Vicuña district.
The latest results include DPDH077, which intersected 57.75 metres grading 9.41 per cent copper-equivalent. Within that interval, 19 metres graded 25.84 per cent copper-equivalent, while a higher-grade section of 8 metres returned 37.38 per cent copper-equivalent. Further drilling continued to demonstrate broad mineralised intervals. Hole DPDH071 returned 573.4 metres at 2.17 per cent copper-equivalent, including several higher-grade zones. Hole DPDH072 intersected 207 metres grading 2.37 per cent copper-equivalent, including 3.5 metres at 30.49 per cent.
Broad mineralisation and high-grade zones
The drilling has identified both extensive mineralised envelopes and narrower zones carrying exceptionally high copper-equivalent grades. The distribution of these zones provides the basis for continued evaluation of the Lunahuasi system. The project’s development characteristics remain dependent on its geological and engineering definition. The geometry of the mineralisation, geotechnical conditions and potential dilution associated with mining have not yet been sufficiently established to support a mine plan.
NGEx has secured environmental approval for an exploration adit and is targeting the fourth quarter of 2026 to begin underground development, subject to the remaining permits.
Underground access planned for 2026
The planned adit is intended to provide year-round access for further drilling, bulk metallurgical sampling and direct observation of geological and geotechnical conditions. This would expand the information available beyond conventional surface drilling. Underground access will also allow NGEx to investigate development parameters that cannot be fully established from drill-core assays. These include recoveries for copper, gold and silver, concentrate specifications, the management of deleterious elements and practical mining widths around irregular high-grade veins.
The latest drilling results add to the geological definition of Lunahuasi, but they do not establish a mineral reserve or constitute an economic study. Further underground, metallurgical, structural and engineering work is required to advance the project toward a development concept.
