Exploration Upside at Bramaderos Raises Stakes for Sunstone Metals
Sunstone Metals has revealed promising new high-grade gold-silver mineralisation at its Bramaderos Project in southern Ecuador, expanding the scope of its exploration targets and reinforcing the project's potential as a major gold-copper centre.
- Surface rock chip samples up to 14.4g/t gold identified
- Multiple high-grade epithermal corridors extend from Brama-Alba deposit
- Exploration targets at Bramaderos include significant porphyry and epithermal systems
- Expanded exploration program planned with multiple drill targets
- Strong infrastructure and community engagement support project development
Expanding High-Grade Gold Potential
Sunstone Metals Limited (ASX: STM) has announced robust assay results from recent geological mapping and rock chip sampling at its Bramaderos Project in southern Ecuador. The standout findings include surface samples grading as high as 14.4 grams per tonne (g/t) gold, highlighting new areas of epithermal gold-silver mineralisation beyond previously defined zones.
These results confirm the presence of multiple higher-grade epithermal mineralised corridors extending from the well-known Brama-Alba gold-copper porphyry deposit. The discovery of these additional corridors could significantly enhance the economic outlook of the Bramaderos Project, which already hosts a substantial Mineral Resource estimate of 2.7 million ounces of gold equivalent.
Strategic Exploration and Geological Insights
Sunstone’s Managing Director, Patrick Duffy, emphasized that the new data aligns with the company’s geological model and supports the expansion of higher-grade gold zones. The company plans to leverage these findings to define multiple new drill targets, particularly focusing on the Limon epithermal gold-silver deposit, which has shown promising grades in previous drilling campaigns.
The Bramaderos Project features a cluster of epithermal gold-silver systems adjacent to large porphyry gold-copper deposits, an ideal setting for a future mining centre. Geological mapping has identified alteration corridors and geochemical anomalies that are guiding ongoing exploration efforts, including the recently identified Copete target.
Robust Resource Base and Exploration Targets
Beyond the current Mineral Resource, Bramaderos holds exploration targets ranging from 3.3 to 8.6 million ounces of gold equivalent within 255 to 360 million tonnes of rock, at grades between 0.40 and 0.74 g/t AuEq. The Limon epithermal system itself has an exploration target of 0.9 to 1.7 million ounces AuEq within 30 to 44 million tonnes at higher grades of 0.9 to 1.2 g/t AuEq.
Sunstone also operates the El Palmar Project in northern Ecuador, with its own significant resource and exploration potential. Both projects benefit from excellent infrastructure, including proximity to power, roads, rail, and ports, which bodes well for future development.
Community Engagement and ESG Commitment
The company underscores its commitment to responsible development, having released its inaugural Sustainability Report in 2023. Sunstone prioritizes strong community relationships and adherence to high environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards, which are critical in maintaining social license to operate in Ecuador.
Looking ahead, Sunstone plans to continue its exploration programs over the next two years, subject to funding availability, aiming to convert exploration targets into defined resources and advance the project towards development.
Bottom Line?
Sunstone’s latest assays at Bramaderos reinforce its potential as a major gold-copper hub, setting the stage for an intensified exploration phase.
Questions in the middle?
- How will upcoming drilling programs refine the size and grade of the new high-grade corridors?
- What funding strategies will Sunstone pursue to support its expanded exploration plans?
- Could partnerships or joint ventures accelerate development at Bramaderos and El Palmar?