Tesoro Gold Uncovers New Gold Zones Beyond Ternera Boundary
Tesoro Gold has reported significant new gold mineralisation outside the current Ternera deposit boundary at its El Zorro project in Chile, reinforcing prospects for resource expansion. Ongoing drilling continues to delineate promising zones that could boost the upcoming Mineral Resource Estimate.
- New gold mineralisation confirmed beyond Ternera deposit boundary
- Hole ZDDH0377 intercepts 47.60m at 1.13g/t Au including higher-grade intervals
- Drilling campaign ongoing with two rigs targeting resource expansion
- Updated Mineral Resource Estimate targeting 1.5 million ounces
- Results support geological model and potential for further resource growth
Expanding the Ternera Gold Resource
Tesoro Gold Limited has announced compelling new assay results from its El Zorro Gold Project in Chile, revealing significant gold mineralisation extending beyond the previously defined boundary of the Ternera Gold Deposit. This discovery adds fresh momentum to the company’s ongoing drilling campaign aimed at expanding its Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE), currently pegged at 1.3 million ounces.
The standout result comes from diamond drill hole ZDDH0377, which intercepted 47.60 metres grading 1.13 grams per tonne gold starting at a depth of 402.60 metres. Within this interval, higher-grade sections include 20.40 metres at 2.05 grams per tonne and a notable 3.54 metres at 5.30 grams per tonne. These findings corroborate earlier results from hole ZDDH0356, which reported even wider mineralisation, underscoring the potential scale of the deposit.
Strategic Drilling and Resource Growth
The current drilling program is focused on both infill and extensional drilling to the north and south of the existing resource shell. Tesoro has deployed two drill rigs operating continuously to accelerate data collection, with one rig recently replaced to maintain operational efficiency. The company aims to achieve sufficient drill density to support an updated MRE, expected to be released in the coming months.
Additional intercepts from the northern extension zone include shallow gold mineralisation such as 20.90 metres at 1.05 grams per tonne and a high-grade 0.50 metre intercept at 25.70 grams per tonne. These results highlight the deposit’s open-ended nature and the potential for further discoveries.
Geological Context and Future Outlook
Ternera is classified as an intrusive-related gold system, a style known for sheeted vein deposits with relatively low sulphide content. Tesoro’s geological model is reinforced by the new drilling data, which continues to define multiple mineralised zones consistent with this deposit type. The project benefits from its location in Chile’s Coastal Cordillera, a region with established mining infrastructure and a skilled workforce.
Managing Director Zeff Reeves emphasised the company’s confidence in the ongoing exploration, noting that the new mineralised zones align well with their geological expectations. With over 15,000 metres drilled since the 2023 MRE, Tesoro is well positioned to deliver a meaningful resource update that could enhance the project’s valuation and development prospects.
Looking ahead, the company plans to continue drilling through July 2025, focusing on expanding the shallow northern and southern extensions of Ternera. The forthcoming MRE update will be a critical milestone, potentially reshaping market perceptions of the El Zorro project’s scale and economic potential.
Bottom Line?
Tesoro’s expanding gold zones at Ternera set the stage for a pivotal resource update that could redefine the project’s future.
Questions in the middle?
- How much will the updated Mineral Resource Estimate increase the total gold ounces at Ternera?
- What are the economic implications of the newly discovered mineralised zones beyond the current resource boundary?
- How will ongoing drilling results influence Tesoro’s development timeline and investment appeal?
