Andina Copper Corp. announced that the first two diamond drill holes testing the large, deep-seated low resistivity Magnetotelluric (MT) geophysical anomaly at the Piuquenes North target have confirmed the presence of a newly identified porphyry copper system. Holes PIU12 and PIU13 were completed to depths of 992.60m and 1,235m, respectively, and intersected multiple intrusive phases with porphyry-style copper sulphide mineralization.
Hole PIU13 intersected four porphyry intrusive phases, with the strongest visible copper sulphide mineralization observed between 848m and 1,045m downhole, hosted within an early mineral porphyry phase. Copper sulphide minerals, including chalcopyrite and bornite, were logged throughout the interval, occurring within quartz veins and as disseminations associated with potassic alteration. Hole PIU12 confirmed the lateral extent of the porphyry system, intersecting andesitic host rocks intruded by pre-mineral porphyry dykes containing chalcopyrite and minor bornite mineralization.
President and CEO Joseph van den Elsen stated: "Confirmation of a third mineralized porphyry system at Piuquenes North marks an important milestone for the project and further demonstrates the significant exploration potential of the Piuquenes property." The MT anomaly remains open to the north and at depth, where additional drilling will be required to further evaluate the extent of the system. During the off-season, the Company plans to undertake laboratory resistivity and chargeability measurements on representative core samples to refine the geophysical interpretation.
Assay results for both holes are pending. The Company will integrate assay results with updated geological logging into an updated geological model for Piuquenes North to refine targeting for follow-up drilling, expected to focus on down-dip and along-strike extensions of the newly intersected porphyry system.
For more information, view the Company's Corporate Presentation at Andina Copper Corporate Presentation.
