Solis Minerals Launches 5,000m Drill Program at Ilo Este Copper-Gold Project

Exploration Momentum Builds at Ilo Este

Solis Minerals Limited (ASX – SLM) has announced it will commence a substantial diamond drilling program at its flagship Ilo Este copper-gold project in southern Peru. The company has obtained all necessary permits, enabling a 5,000-metre drilling campaign expected to begin in August 2025. This initiative follows the nearing completion of drilling at the nearby Chancho al Palo project, signalling a concerted push to advance exploration across its Peruvian portfolio.

The Ilo Este project is strategically positioned within Peru’s prolific coastal copper belt, an area known for hosting several major international mining operations, including those by Southern Copper, Teck, and Anglo American. Sitting at elevations below 1,100 metres and close to critical infrastructure, the project offers logistical advantages that could facilitate future mining development.

Strong Technical Foundations Underpin Drilling Targets

The upcoming drilling program will consist of approximately 10 diamond drill holes designed to test targets identified through extensive geochemical sampling, geophysical surveys, and historical drilling data. Notably, a 2023 induced polarisation survey revealed a large, previously untested high chargeability anomaly extending 1,250 metres in length and reaching depths of 100 to 500 metres. This anomaly suggests the presence of a significant sulphide mineral system beneath the surface.

Historical drill holes in the area have intercepted geologically meaningful copper and gold mineralisation, but none have adequately tested the core of this geophysical anomaly. Solis Minerals has refined its geological model accordingly and is now poised to explore these promising targets with modern drilling techniques.

Strategic Outlook and Market Positioning

Chief Executive Officer Mitch Thomas highlighted the project’s attractiveness, citing the combination of surface mineralisation, robust geophysical signatures, and proximity to infrastructure as key factors. The company anticipates a steady flow of assay results and exploration updates throughout the latter half of 2025, which will be closely watched by investors and industry observers alike.

Solis Minerals is positioning itself as a significant player in Peru’s copper-gold exploration landscape, leveraging a highly experienced leadership team and a growing portfolio of projects in one of the world’s most established mining jurisdictions. The Ilo Este drilling campaign represents a critical step toward defining resources that could support large-scale mining operations in the future.