Three Blind Copper-Gold Targets Identified Adjacent to La Verde Discovery
Hot Chili Limited has identified multiple new porphyry copper-gold targets adjacent to its La Verde discovery in Chile, signaling a potential district-scale mineral system. The company plans to advance exploration with phase-two drilling targeting these promising blind deposits.
- Emerging district-scale porphyry copper-gold cluster near La Verde
- Three priority blind exploration targets identified via integrated geochemical and geophysical modelling
- Phase-two drilling planned to test new targets with regulatory approval expected by September 2025
- Extensive historical and recent exploration data supports target generation
- Ongoing detailed mapping and soil sampling to refine exploration focus
Emerging District-Scale Potential
Hot Chili Limited (ASX: HCH) has announced a significant expansion of its exploration footprint around the La Verde copper-gold porphyry discovery in Chile’s Atacama region. The company’s latest work highlights the emergence of a broader district-scale porphyry cluster, with multiple look-alike magnetic features identified adjacent to the existing La Verde deposit. This suggests the potential for a substantial mineralised system beyond the current known footprint.
Integrated Target Generation
Through a combination of recent geochemical and geophysical surveys, including a comprehensive ground magnetic survey and 3D inversion modelling, Hot Chili has delineated three priority blind targets concealed beneath shallow gravel cover. These targets were independently confirmed by overlapping magnetic anomalies and geochemical probability models developed using spatial distribution algorithms inspired by the Yerington porphyry deposit in Nevada, USA. This integrated approach enhances confidence in the targets’ prospectivity.
Planned Drilling and Exploration Activities
Building on the encouraging results from initial drilling at La Verde, Hot Chili is preparing for a phase-two drilling campaign aimed at extending the known mineralisation both laterally and at depth. The upcoming program will also include first-pass drilling of the newly identified targets to test their potential. Regulatory approval for second-pass drilling pads is anticipated by September 2025, enabling the company to maintain momentum in its exploration efforts.
Historical Data and Ongoing Work
The Domeyko project area, encompassing La Verde, benefits from a rich history of exploration by previous operators, including geological mapping, soil sampling, and geophysical surveys. While some legacy data have limitations in quality and verification, Hot Chili has undertaken rigorous validation and quality control measures, including JORC-compliant sampling and assay protocols. Concurrently, detailed litho-structural mapping and infill soil geochemistry programs are underway to refine geological understanding and support future drilling.
Strategic Significance
La Verde’s location approximately 30 kilometres south of Hot Chili’s Costa Fuego project positions it strategically within a developing copper-gold hub in Chile’s coastal range. The potential discovery of a district-scale porphyry cluster could materially enhance the project’s scale and economic viability, aligning with Hot Chili’s vision of establishing a central processing hub in the region. Market watchers will be keenly observing the forthcoming drill results and regulatory developments as indicators of the project’s trajectory.
Bottom Line?
Hot Chili’s expanding porphyry targets near La Verde set the stage for a pivotal exploration phase with potential to reshape its Chilean copper-gold portfolio.
Questions in the middle?
- Will phase-two drilling confirm the extent and grade continuity of the new porphyry targets?
- How will regulatory timelines impact the pace of exploration and potential resource upgrades?
- What are the implications of integrating historical data with new geophysical models for future targeting accuracy?
