Great Southern Copper PLC (LSE:GSCU) has launched a new diamond drilling campaign at its Viuda Negra prospect in northern Chile, targeting gold, silver and copper mineralisation in a region known for large-scale deposits.
The initial programme will consist of two to four scout holes, totalling up to 500 metres, and is focused on outcropping porphyry-epithermal style alteration.
Previous rock chip samples from the site returned assays of up to 4.2 grams per tonne gold, 45 grams per tonne silver and 0.56% copper.
The prospect lies within the company’s broader Especularita project, located in Chile’s coastal metallogenic belt, a well-established mining region with strong infrastructure.
CEO Sam Garrett said: "The style of gold-rich sheeted veining outcropping at Viuda Negra and elsewhere across the Viuda prospect is characteristic of Maricunga-type porphyry gold deposits in Chile.
"Significantly, this style of gold deposit has not previously been recognised in the coastal belt of Chile.
"The Viuda and Viuda Negra targets emphasise the exciting depth of the Especularita drilling pipeline, which is further enhanced by the current environment of record gold and silver prices.
"The location and scale of the Especularita project, coupled with the deposit style and commodity optionality on offer remains a key differentiating factor for GSC."
GSC holds options to acquire 100% of both the Viuda and Viuda Negra prospects.