Western Metallica Resources Corp. (TSX-V:WMS) has shared promising initial findings from its ongoing sampling at the Turmalina project, a 2,747-hectare high-grade copper-molybdenum past-producing mine.
Recent rock chip sampling echoed historical results and aligned with the main breccia pipe's grade sections.
The sampling aimed to validate historical findings and assess the grade of mineralization within the main breccia pipe. Two levels, level 0 and level 5, were accessible for sampling.
At level 0, only one sample was collected, which exhibited copper (Cu) content of 0.1%, molybdenum (Mo) content surpassing 1%, and additional gold (Au) and silver (Ag) content of 1 grams per ton (g/t) and 37 g/t respectively.
On the other hand, more consistent sampling was possible at level 5, where six samples were collected. These samples returned an average copper value of 2.9%, peaking at 5.9%, and an average molybdenum value of 0.19%. Notably, one sample at level 5 showed molybdenum content exceeding 1%.
The sampling results indicate significant mineralization of copper and molybdenum within the main breccia pipe, particularly at level 5, suggesting the potential for substantial resource development.
Greg Duras, president and CEO of Western Metallica, expressed optimism, stating: "It is encouraging to see such high grades in an underexplored project in Peru."
Located in northern coastal Peru's Piura region, the Turmalina project sits at an elevation of 2,600 meters, near major projects like Rio Blanco and Canariaco.
A historical producing mine with five levels, Turmalina halted operations in the mid-1990s due to low commodity prices. The mine produced two to three million tonnes with grades of 2% Cu and 0.40% Mo before it was shuttered in the late 1990s.