Hot Chili Ltd (ASX:HCH) has confirmed multiple large high-grade copper targets in recent mapping and sampling at the San Antonio area of its El Fuego project in Chile.
Surface rock chip results from the campaign south of the San Antonio mine have returned samples of 6.5% copper, 1.97 g/t gold and 24.3 g/t silver.
RC drilling across potential extensions
The large-scale copper trend discovered along the eastern flank of San Antonio is the largest target identified and comprises occurrences of porphyry copper mineralisation that extend over a strike length of at least 600 metres and width of around 100 metres.
A 5,000-metre reverse circulation drilling program which began in June is continuing with 18 holes for 2,280 metres already complete.
Initial drilling has been undertaken across potential extensions to the southern and central extents of the San Antonio mine area, with zones of chalcopyrite mineralisation identified in several holes.
READ: Hot Chili bags $4 million to advance copper opportunities in Chile
Potential extensions to the central and northern extents of San Antonio, just 5 kilometres south of the Valentina copper mine, are also being drill tested.
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An aerial view across the San Antonio mine area with drilling underway
A further five targets have been defined in an area extending over 3 kilometres south of San Antonio.
These are considered high priority based on structural setting, evidence of copper mineralisation, copper soil anomalism and visual alteration.
Infill soil geochemistry and detailed target mapping will be undertaken this year to assist with future drill planning and scheduling at El Fuego.
Proximity to high-grade mines
The San Antonio and Valentina high grade copper mines lie within 20 kilometres of Hot Chili’s large-scale Productora copper project, and both have seen little modern exploration or resource definition.
San Antonio has reportedly produced 2 million tonnes at 2% copper and 0.3 g/t gold from shallow depths and is the focus of Hot Chili’s initial drilling campaign.