Stunning 17m Visual Drill Intersection Extends High Grade Copper Zone by 120m at Valentina
Highlights
- Drilling has discovered a significant extension to the high grade Valentina copper deposit, part of the Company’s low-altitude, Costa Fuego senior copper development in Chile
- Diamond drill hole VALMET002 has intersected a shallow zone of copper sulphide and oxide mineralisation approximately 120m south of the Valentina underground mine workings
- VALMET002 recorded a strong visual drilling intersection (results pending) comprising:
- 17m visual estimate of 2-3% copper mineralisation from 22m depth
(malachite, copper clays, chalcopyrite, chalcocite and covellite) - Including 8m visual estimate of 4-5% copper mineralisation from 28m depth
(chalcocite, cuprite, chalcopyrite, covellite, malachite, copper clays) - Cuprite (88.8% Cu), covellite (66.5% Cu) and chalcocite (79.8% Cu) are all high grade copper ore minerals by molecular weight
- Results pending for ten drill holes at Valentina with a further eight drill holes planned
- Las Losas port access and services negotiation progressing well, proposal received
- Update on PFS workstreams and further development study drill results expected soon
- Strong cash position of approximately $24 million, two drill rigs in operation and fully funded until mid-2023
Hot Chili Limited (ASX: HCH) (TSXV: HCH) (OTCQX: HHLKF) (“Hot Chili” or “Company”) is pleased to report strong visual copper results from drilling at the high grade Valentina deposit, part of the Company’s Costa Fuego, coastal range, copper-gold hub in Chile.
Two drill rigs are in operation at the Valentina and San Antonio high grade copper deposits, located 5km east of the Cortadera copper porphyry discovery.
Drilling at Valentina has successfully discovered a significant shallow visual copper zone approximately 120m south of the existing underground mine development in diamond drill hole VALMET-002.
VALMET-002 recorded a 17m intersection with a visual estimate of 2-3% copper mineralisation from 22m depth, comprising both oxide and sulphide mineralisation (malachite, copper clays, chalcopyrite, chalcocite and covellite). The result includes a zone of 8m with a visual estimate at 4-5% copper mineralisation from 28m depth, comprising chalcocite, cuprite, chalcopyrite, covellite, malachite, copper clays.
Copper mineralisation in VALMET-002 is contained as fine dissemination and strong alteration in association with 1% to 4% vein abundance (quartz-pyrite-limonite). Visual estimates of sulphide and oxide minerals are not an accurate representation of final assay values and are provided for indicative purposes only.
Ten drill holes have been completed at Valentina and a further eight drill holes are planned. Drill results from VALMET-002 are expected to be released in the coming weeks.
Upon completion of drilling at Valentina and San Antonio, further drilling is planned to test several large growth targets including Santiago Z and extensional porphyry targets along strike from Cortadera.
Pre-feasibility studies (PFS) have been expanded to capture additional metallurgical testwork opportunities across all deposits at Costa Fuego and preliminary mine planning is being extended to allow the incorporation of new resource growth from drilling in 2022.
An update on the company’s Costa Fuego PFS as well as ongoing port negotiations is expected soon. Final development study drill results from Cortadera and Productora will be released once all results have been received.
Reported on a 100% Basis – combining Mineral Resource estimates for the Cortadera, Productora and San Antonio deposits. Figures are rounded, reported to appropriate significant figures, and reported in accordance with CIM and NI 43-101. Metal rounded to nearestthousand, or if less, to the nearest hundred. Total Resource reported at +0.21% CuEq for open pit and +0.30% CuEq for underground. Refer to Announcement “Hot Chili Delivers Next Level of Growth” (31st March 2022) for JORC Table 1 information related to the Costa Fuego Mineral Resource estimates.
*Copper Equivalent (CuEq) reported for the resource were calculated using the following formula: CuEq% = ((Cu% * Cu price 1% pertonne * Cu_recovery)+(Mo ppm * Mo price per g/t * Mo_recovery)+(Au ppm * Au price per g/t * Au_recovery)+ (Ag ppm * Ag price per g/t * Ag_recovery)) / (Cu price 1% per tonne). The Metal Prices applied in the calculation were: Cu=3.00 USD/lb, Au=1,700 USD/oz, Mo=14 USD/lb, andAg=20 USD/oz. For Cortadera and San Antonio (Inferred + Indicated), the average metallurgical recoveries were Cu=83%, Au=56%, Mo=82%, and Ag=37%. For Productora (Inferred + Indicated), the average metallurgical recoveries were Cu=83%, Au=43% and Mo=42%.For Costa Fuego (Inferred + Indicated), the average Metallurgical Recoveries were Cu=83%, Au=51%, Mo=67% and Ag=23%.
Results pending for VALMET-002. Visual estimates of sulphide and oxide minerals are not an accurate representation of final assay values and are provided for indicative purposes only.
Down-hole significant intercept widths are estimated to be at or around 70 per cent of true-widths of mineralisation
Reported on a 100% Basis – combining Mineral Resource estimates for the Cortadera, Productora and San Antonio deposits. Figures are rounded, reported to appropriate significant figures, and reported in accordance with CIM and NI 43-101. Metal rounded to nearest thousand, or if less, to the nearest hundred. Total Resource reported at +0.21% CuEq for open pit and +0.30% CuEq for underground. Referto Announcement “Hot Chili Delivers Next Level of Growth” (31st March 2022) for JORC Table 1 information related to the Costa Fuego Mineral Resource estimates.
Copper Equivalent (CuEq) reported for the resource were calculated using the following formula: CuEq% = ((Cu% * Cu price 1% per tonne * Cu_recovery)+(Mo ppm * Mo price per g/t * Mo_recovery)+(Au ppm * Au price per g/t * Au_recovery)+ (Ag ppm * Ag price per g/t * Ag_recovery)) / (Cu price 1% per tonne). The Metal Prices applied in the calculation were: Cu=3.00 USD/lb, Au=1,700 USD/oz, Mo=14USD/lb, and Ag=20 USD/oz. For Cortadera and San Antonio (Inferred + Indicated), the average Metallurgical Recoveries were: Cu=83%,Au=56%, Mo=82%, and Ag=37%. For Productora (Inferred + Indicated), the average Metallurgical Recoveries were: Cu=83%, Au=43% andMo=42%. For Costa Fuego (Inferred + Indicated), the average Metallurgical Recoveries were: Cu=83%, Au=51%, Mo=67% and Ag=23%.
** Note: Silver (Ag) is only present within the Cortadera Mineral Resource estimate
Competent Person’s Statement- Exploration Results
Exploration information in this Announcement is based upon work compiled by Mr Christian Easterday, the Managing Director and a full- time employee of Hot Chili Limited whom is a Member of the Australasian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG). Mr Easterday has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking toqualify as a ‘Competent Person’ as defined in the 2012 Edition of the ‘Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves’ (JORC Code). Mr Easterday consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters based on their information in the form and context in which it appears.
Competent Person’s Statement- Costa Fuego Mineral Resources
The information in this report that relates to Mineral Resources for Cortadera, Productora and San Antonio which constitute the combined Costa Fuego Project is based on information compiled by Ms Elizabeth Haren, a Competent Person who is a Member and Chartered Professional of The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists. Ms Haren is a full-time employee of Haren Consulting Pty Ltd and an independent consultant to Hot Chili. Ms Haren has sufficient experience, which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and types of deposits under consideration and to the activities undertaken, to qualify as a CompetentPerson as defined in the 2012 Edition of the ‘Australasian Code of Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves’.Ms Haren consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters based on her information in the form and context in which it appears. For further information on the Costa Fuego Project, refer to the technical report titled “Resource Report for the Costa Fuego Technical Report”, dated December 13, 2021, which is available for review under Hot Chili’s profile at www.sedar.com.
Reporting of Copper Equivalent
Copper Equivalent (CuEq) reported for the resource were calculated using the following formula: CuEq% = ((Cu% * Cu price 1% per tonne* Cu_recovery)+(Mo ppm * Mo price per g/t * Mo_recovery)+(Au ppm * Au price per g/t * Au_recovery)+ (Ag ppm * Ag price per g/t * Ag_recovery)) / (Cu price 1% per tonne). The Metal Prices applied in the calculation were: Cu=3.00 USD/lb, Au=1,700 USD/oz, Mo=14 USD/lb, and Ag=20 USD/oz. For Cortadera and San Antonio (Inferred + Indicated), the average Metallurgical Recoveries were: Cu=83%,Au=56%, Mo=82%, and Ag=37%. For Productora (Inferred + Indicated), the average Metallurgical Recoveries were: Cu=83%, Au=43% andMo=42%. For Costa Fuego (Inferred + Indicated), the average Metallurgical Recoveries were: Cu=83%, Au=51%, Mo=67% and Ag=23%.
Disclaimer
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release
For additional information please visit www.sedar.com
About Hot Chili
Hot Chili Limited is a mineral exploration company with assets in Chile. The Company’s flagship project, Costa Fuego, is the consolidation into a hub of the Cortadera porphyry copper-gold discovery and the Productora copper-gold deposit, set 14 km apart in an excellent location – low altitude, coastal range of Chile, infrastructure rich, low capital intensity. The Costa Fuego landholdings, contains an Indicated Resource of 725Mt grading 0.47% CuEq (copper equivalent), containing 2.8 Mt Cu, 2.6 Moz Au, 10.4 Moz Ag, and 67 kt Mo and an Inferred Resource of 202 Mt grading 0.36% CuEq containing 0.6Mt Cu, 0.4 Moz Au, 2.0 Moz Ag and 13 kt Mo, at a cut-off grade of +0.21% CuEq for open pit and +0.30% CuEq for underground. The Company is working to advance its Costa Fuego Project through a preliminary feasibility study (followed by a full FS and DTM), and test several high-priority exploration targets.
Certain statements contained in this news release, including information as to the future financial or operating performance of Hot Chili and its projects may include statements that are “forward-looking statements” which may include, amongst other things, statements regarding targets, estimates and assumptions in respect of mineral reserves and mineral resources and anticipated grades and recovery rates, production and prices, recovery costs and results, and capital expenditures and are or may be based on assumptions and estimates related to future technical, economic, market, political, social and other conditions.These forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Hot Chili, are inherently subject to significant technical, business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from estimated or anticipated events or results reflected in such forward-looking statements.
Hot Chili disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly or release any revisions to any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, circumstances or results or otherwise after the date of this news release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, other than as may be required by law. The words “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “indicate”, “contemplate”, “target”, “plan”, “intends”, “continue”, “budget”, “estimate”, “may”, “will”, “schedule” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.
All forward-looking statements made in this news release are qualified by the foregoing cautionary statements. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and accordingly investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
Contact Details
Investor Relations
Graham Farrell
+1 416-842-9003
Graham.Farrell@harbor-access.com
Investor Relations
Jonathan Paterson
+1 475-477-9401
Jonathan.Paterson@Harbor-Access.com
Managing Director
Christian Easterday
Company Website
https://www.hotchili.net.au/investors/