Tesoro Gold Samples Up to 22.10 g/t Au Over 4km at La Brea Target
Tesoro Gold reveals a large new gold mineralised zone at its El Zorro Project in Chile, with surface sampling returning high-grade assays up to 22.10 g/t Au. The discovery sets the stage for upcoming drilling campaigns.
- Four major northwest mineralised trends identified, up to 4km long and 200m wide
- High-grade gold assays including 1m at 22.10 g/t Au from surface sampling
- La Brea target located 15km north of 1.5Moz Ternera Gold Deposit
- Detailed trenching underway to refine drill targets ahead of maiden drilling
- Geological similarities to Ternera Deposit suggest strong exploration potential
Emerging Gold Target at La Brea
Tesoro Gold Limited has announced promising exploration results from the La Brea target within its El Zorro Gold Project in Chile. Located approximately 15 kilometres north of the company’s flagship Ternera Gold Deposit, La Brea has revealed significant surface gold mineralisation through systematic channel sampling and geological mapping.
The recent work has delineated four major northwest trending mineralised zones, each extending up to 4 kilometres in length and 200 metres in width. These structural trends are associated with fault zones adjacent to the La Isla granodiorite intrusion, a geological feature believed to be closely linked to gold mineralisation in the region.
High-Grade Surface Assays Signal Potential
Surface sampling assays have returned impressive gold grades, with standout results including 1 metre at 22.10 grams per tonne (g/t) gold, alongside other significant intercepts such as 1 metre at 11.80 g/t and 4 metres at 4.85 g/t. Approximately 40% of the 317 samples collected exceeded 0.10 g/t gold, indicating widespread mineralisation across the target area.
These grades and the scale of mineralised trends suggest La Brea could represent a substantial new gold system, complementing the nearby Ternera Deposit, which holds an unconstrained resource of 1.5 million ounces of gold. The geological similarities between La Brea and Ternera further bolster the prospectivity of this emerging target.
Next Steps, Trenching and Drilling
Tesoro is advancing its exploration program with a detailed trenching campaign designed to better define the mineralised zones and optimize drill targeting. Access tracks are being established to facilitate upcoming drilling operations. Maiden drilling at La Brea is planned within the next few months, marking a critical phase in testing the subsurface extent and continuity of the gold mineralisation.
Managing Director Zeff Reeves expressed optimism about the discovery, highlighting the potential for a large-scale gold system and the strategic importance of La Brea among multiple high-quality targets at El Zorro. The company’s methodical approach, combining surface sampling, trenching, and drilling, aims to unlock further value from this district-scale project.
Context Within Tesoro’s Portfolio
El Zorro is situated in Chile’s Coastal Cordillera region, a prolific mining district with established infrastructure and a skilled workforce. Tesoro’s 95%-owned Chilean subsidiary controls nearly 94% of the El Zorro concessions, positioning the company well to advance exploration and development activities.
The announcement also reiterates the existing Mineral Resource Estimate for the Ternera Deposit, underscoring Tesoro’s foundation of a 1.3 million ounce gold resource. The unfolding story at La Brea could significantly enhance the project’s overall resource base and long-term value proposition.
Bottom Line?
La Brea’s surface results ignite anticipation for drilling that could redefine Tesoro’s gold potential in Chile.
Questions in the middle?
- Will maiden drilling confirm the scale and grade continuity suggested by surface sampling at La Brea?
- How might La Brea’s discovery impact Tesoro’s resource estimates and project valuation?
- What are the timelines and funding plans for advancing La Brea beyond initial drilling?
