Los Andes Copper Ltd (TSX-V:LA) has updated on its progress advancing the development of its Vizcachitas copper project in central Chile.
The company said it is working on both technical and community engagement efforts to advance the project amid growing industry focus on sustainable mining practices.
A recent UAV magnetic survey targeted unexplored areas around the Vizcachitas property. The results confirmed early-stage geological findings, identifying potential project extensions to the west and northeast, expanding on preliminary insights from the project’s pre-feasibility study and drilling announcements.
"The magnetic work carried out over the summer has provided us with valuable information on exploration targets in the north of the property, as well as on the extensions of the project to the west and north-east,” Los Andes CEO Santiago Mott told investors.
On the community engagement front, Los Andes reported notable success in its Female Entrepreneurs program, a key initiative aimed at empowering local women in mining-related fields. The second iteration of the program attracted 318 applicants, with 41 selected to participate.
Additionally, the company renewed its partnership with Chilean organizations, Fundación Chile and CCM-Eleva, to support mining skills development in local high schools and universities.
Los Andes has also strengthened its community ties through direct engagement with residents in Putaendo County, conducting outreach to 1,930 residents to foster dialogue and trust. The company signed two community agreements in October, working with local landowners to explore environmental offset options for the Vizcachitas project. This year, Los Andes also entered its first collaboration with a local water association in Putaendo Valley.
“We are very pleased with the response and look forward to continuing to work closely with the community to highlight the benefits Vizcachitas will bring,” Mott added, highlighting the conceptual development of the environmental offset project that the CEO said could “benefit community properties which have remained underused as a consequence of drought and climate change."
Environmental consulting firm ERM will provide technical support for the biodiversity study, collaborating with local stakeholders to assess options for potential environmental offsets.