TSX-V: SLMN
ASX: SLM
FSE: 08W
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Mostazal Copper Project, Chile
OVERVIEW
Solis has a 100% option on the Mostazal Copper Project in Northern Chile. Mostazal hosts an undrilled classic copper porphyry target along with significant high-grade copper-silver mineralisation at surface. The company plans to prioritise the porphyry target but will also advance the identified stratabound mantos-style mineralisation, which is reported as a historical drill-indicated resource. Recent pilot production of 120,000 tons grading 1.8% Cu was reported by a prior operator.*
LOCATION
Mostazal is located in the Atacama region of Chile, 80 kilometres northeast of Copiapo. The Atacama Desert is among the richest copper regions on earth, hosting some of the world’s most significant porphyry copper deposits. The property is situated within the 500-kilometre long, north-south trending Domeyko Fault System, the major structural control for the majority of Chile’s largest copper mines including Escondida (BHP, Rio Tinto), Chuquicamata and the El Salvador mine (Codelco). The El Salvador porphyry deposit is 40-kilometres north of Mostazal, at a similar elevation and longitude.
MINERALISATION
Mostazal presents at surface as a copper and silver stratified system in porphyritic andesites with lenses of mineralisation or mantos. The mantos mineralisation is interpreted to be the shallow expression of a hidden, deeper porphyry system interpreted by geophysics with a characteristic chargeability-high coincident with a magnetic-low.
EXPLORATION HISTORY
An exploration program was undertaken in 2012 and 2013 by a previous operator. This work included detailed geological surveys, mapping, Induced Polarisation (IP), ground magnetics surveys, and surface sampling of outcropped mineralisation. In addition to the surface work, a drill program of 60 shallow diamond drill holes was completed over the two years for a total of 11,379 metres, targeting the extensions of the surficial mineralisation indicated by the geophysical surveys. Summary work as follows:
- Induced polarization (IP) and ground magnetic surveys conducted with east-west lines spaced every 50 metres, for a total of 218 kilometers covering a grid of approximately 2.5 km by 5 km.
- Semi systematic geochemical survey oriented to the outcropping mineralisation sectors and / or alteration, for a total of 123 samples.
- A 200 m x 200 m geochemical grid, covering a 2,500 ha area
- The collection of 550 chip and rock samples
- Drilling campaign of 60 diamond drill holes, totaling 11,379 m of drilling, which resulted in the collection of 6,283 samples for laboratory analysis
- Detailed geological mapping at 1:1000 scale in the Mostazal prospect area. This included identifying lithological units, mineralisation, and structures at the surface.
- Topographic survey of 1,400 hectares surface area covering the area of interest, with equidistant level curves of 5 to 1 m.
* HISTORICAL MANTOS RESOURCE ESTIMATE
In 2015, APGC Corp Chile SpA of Chile generated a resource estimate for Mostazal based on the 60-hole database and related geological information. They estimated an Indicated resource of 10 million tons grading 0.95% Cu and 8 g/t Ag, with a cut-off grade of 0.5% Cu and constrained to lenses more than 2 metres thick and less than 150 metres from surface.
It is unknown if the historical Indicated APGC estimate uses the current resource categories as defined by CIM; the differences to the CIM categories are not known. To upgrade and verify the historical Indicated estimate the Company would need to verify the historical drilling and engage the services of a professional resource estimator. The qualified person, Derrick Strickland, P. Geo. has not done sufficient work to classify the historical Indicated estimate as a current mineral resource. The Company is not treating any of the historical estimates as a current mineral resource.
