Aftermath Silver Ltd (TSX-V:AAG, OTCQX:AAGFF, FRA:FLM1) earlier this week reported additional drill results from its Berenguela Project in Peru, with chief executive Ralph Rushton saying the latest work continues to strengthen confidence in the project’s near-term development plans and long-term copper potential.
Speaking with Proactive, Rushton said the latest drilling campaign focused on the proposed starter pit area, where the company intends to begin future mining operations. The program was designed to confirm and better define high-grade silver and copper zones while supporting ongoing engineering work tied to the project’s pre-feasibility study.
Rushton said the company is aiming to improve confidence in the existing resource estimate by upgrading inferred material into indicated and measured categories. He noted that the drilling program has already surpassed 15,000 metres, with a further 15 to 20 holes still awaiting assay results.
The company has now shifted part of its focus toward geotechnical drilling, which Rushton described as a key component of engineering work required for the pre-feasibility study. Final engineering results are expected toward the end of 2026 or in the first quarter of 2027.
Beyond the current resource area, Aftermath Silver is also preparing to test two high-priority copper targets that could significantly expand the scale and economics of the Berenguela project.
Rushton highlighted the Southwest Copper target as a particularly promising area, with surface copper mineralization extending for up to two kilometres approximately three miles from the main resource. The company is awaiting final drill permits before testing begins.
The Far East Copper target also remains a priority after previous drilling intersected high-grade copper mineralization over intervals of up to 120 metres. Road construction is currently underway to support future drill access.
Rushton said the company remains highly optimistic about copper fundamentals, arguing that the industry is failing to replace declining global copper reserves.
“We believe in the long term thesis for copper,” Rushton said. “The industry is simply not replacing the amount of copper we're depleting from the existing mines.”
In addition to Berenguela, Aftermath Silver plans to advance exploration drilling at its Challacollo project in Chile while continuing to seek joint venture partners for the Cachinal project.
With multiple drill programs, engineering milestones and potential exploration catalysts ahead, the company appears positioned for a busy second half of the year.