Marimaca Copper Unveils Major Extension at Pampa Medina Norte Discovery
Marimaca Copper has confirmed significant copper mineralization extending the Pampa Medina Norte discovery, with high-grade oxide and new sulphide zones identified in deep drilling. Assays for deeper intervals are pending, hinting at a potentially large, stacked copper system.
- Diamond drill hole SMD-01 intersects 68m at 1.20% and 40m at 1.07% copper in oxide zones
- New sulphide mineralization with chalcopyrite and bornite identified at depth
- Extension located 400m north of previous Pampa Medina deposit limits
- Assays pending for deeper sections down to 950m
- Potential for a large, stacked manto-style copper system complementary to flagship MOD
Extending the Known Copper Frontier
Marimaca Copper Corp. has announced compelling results from its latest diamond drilling at Pampa Medina Norte, a recently discovered northern extension of the Pampa Medina copper deposit in Chile. The drill hole SMD-01, reaching a depth of 950 meters, has validated and expanded upon earlier reverse circulation drilling, confirming significant copper mineralization in oxide mantos and revealing a new sulphide zone at depth.
The upper portion of SMD-01 intersected 242 meters averaging 0.65% total copper, including standout intervals such as 68 meters at 1.20% copper and 40 meters at 1.07% copper. These oxide-rich mantos are consistent with the mineralization style of the main Pampa Medina deposit, reinforcing the continuity of this sediment-hosted system.
Discovery of Deep Sulphide Mineralization
Beyond the oxide zones, SMD-01 identified a new sulphide mineralized horizon dominated by chalcopyrite and bornite within interbedded sandstone and conglomerate units. This deeper mineralization, still awaiting assay results from 600 meters to the bottom of the hole, suggests the potential for stacked mantos, a feature that could significantly enhance the scale and value of the deposit.
Historical drilling at Pampa Medina was generally limited to depths of around 400 meters, potentially missing this deeper sulphide mineralization. The current findings imply that the productive sedimentary unit thickens northwards, opening new exploration avenues.
Broader Implications and Next Steps
Marimaca’s Vice President of Exploration, Sergio Rivera, highlighted the encouraging scale and intensity of mineralization, noting the polymetallic nature of mineralization intersected in another deep hole, SMD-02. This unexpected discovery of galena and sphalerite alongside copper minerals points to a more complex and potentially lucrative system than previously understood.
The company plans further drilling and geophysical surveys throughout 2025 to delineate the extent of mineralization and to integrate these findings with the flagship Marimaca Oxide Deposit (MOD). The ongoing Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) aims to evaluate the potential for combining oxide and sulphide resources, which could enhance project economics.
While true widths of mineralized zones remain to be determined and assays for deeper intervals are pending, these results mark a significant step forward in Marimaca Copper’s exploration campaign. The discovery of stacked mantos and polymetallic mineralization could position Pampa Medina as a major copper system within the Sierra de Medina project area.
Bottom Line?
Pending deeper assays and further drilling will be pivotal in defining the full potential of this expanding copper system.
Questions in the middle?
- What will the assays from 600m to 950m reveal about the sulphide mineralization’s grade and continuity?
- How might the polymetallic mineralization intersected in SMD-02 impact the project’s economic outlook?
- What are the implications of integrating Pampa Medina Norte with the Marimaca Oxide Deposit for future development?
