Great Southern Copper PLC (LSE:GSCU) has started Phase III diamond drilling at the Cerro Negro prospect in Chile.
The program will cover up to 2,000 metres and is designed to extend high-grade copper and silver mineralisation identified in earlier phases.
Initial holes will target extensions to discovery hole DD007, which intersected 33.00 metres at 1.96% copper and 60.6 grams per tonne silver from 87 metres.
Drilling will also test beneath shallow leached zones at Lenses 3, 4 and 5, as well as new geochemical and geophysical targets along strike to the south.
"We are very excited to commence the fully funded Phase III drilling at Cerro Negro, which is the next step towards extending the deposit beyond the existing Mostaza mine pit," said chief executive Sam Garrett.
"Our knowledge of the deposit is significantly improved as a result of the earlier drilling, particularly in regards to structure, geology and the oxidation and leaching processes acting on the mineralisation near to surface. Drilling beneath the oxidised 'leached' zone in the Lenses 2 to 5 area is a priority for this programme and, if successful, will confirm the wider potential of mineralisation in the area and will significantly expand the priority areas for follow up drilling."
Garrett added that the team is now evaluating whether to add a second rig to the campaign, to 'ensure momentum is maintained and to accelerate progress'. This would be subject to rig availability. he added.