How Far Will Unico Silver’s La Negra SE Discovery Grow After Latest Drilling?
Unico Silver reports strong assay results from step-out drilling at La Negra SE, expanding mineralisation 100 metres southeast and revealing visible native silver and gold. A third drill rig is being mobilised to accelerate resource definition ahead of a November update.
- Step-out drilling extends La Negra SE mineralisation 100m southeast
- Significant silver-gold grades with intervals up to 60.5m at 168gpt AgEq
- Visible native silver and electrum observed in deepest hole
- Mineralisation now defined over 525m strike and 125m vertical extent
- Third drill rig mobilised to expedite infill drilling and resource upgrade
Expanding the Footprint at La Negra SE
Unico Silver Limited has announced encouraging assay results from eight additional diamond drill holes at its La Negra SE discovery within the Joaquin Project in Santa Cruz, Argentina. These latest step-out holes have extended the known silver-gold mineralisation by approximately 100 metres to the southeast, confirming the continuity and scale of the deposit.
The standout intercepts include 60.5 metres grading 168 grams per tonne silver equivalent (AgEq) starting at just 21.5 metres downhole, with higher-grade zones such as 21.5 metres at 263gpt AgEq. These grades are supported by significant gold and silver values, underscoring the deposit’s potential economic viability.
Visible Native Silver and Gold Highlight Potential
Notably, the deepest hole drilled to date at La Negra SE revealed visible native silver and electrum (a natural silver-gold alloy) around 190 metres downhole. While assay results for this interval are pending, the presence of coarse native metals is a promising indicator of potentially high-grade mineralisation at depth, which could enhance the project’s resource profile.
Currently, mineralisation at La Negra SE is defined over a strike length of 525 metres and a vertical extent of 125 metres, with true thicknesses reaching up to 75 metres. The deposit remains open both to the southeast and at depth, suggesting further upside as drilling continues.
Accelerating Resource Definition and Regional Exploration
To accelerate progress, Unico Silver is mobilising a third drill rig to the site. This additional rig will focus on infill drilling aimed at upgrading the shallow oxide mineralisation into the Indicated resource category, a critical step towards advancing the project towards development.
Simultaneously, exploration continues at other promising targets within the Joaquin Project, including La Morocha SE and Brunilda, where initial drilling has also returned encouraging results. The company’s broader 20,000-metre drill program is fully funded and underway, targeting both resource definition and new discoveries across the district.
Looking Ahead to the November Resource Update
Unico Silver plans to deliver an updated JORC Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for the Joaquin Project in November 2025. This update will incorporate the recent drilling success at La Negra SE and is expected to provide a more comprehensive and higher-confidence resource base to underpin the company’s PLUS 150 and BEYOND 300 development milestones.
While some assay results remain pending, the current data reinforce the potential for a significant, pit-constrained, free-milling silver-gold resource. The company’s methodical approach to drilling, sampling, and assay quality control, combined with the geological setting in the prolific Deseado Massif, supports optimism about the project’s future.
Bottom Line?
With mineralisation expanding and a third rig mobilised, Unico Silver is poised to accelerate resource growth at La Negra SE ahead of a pivotal November update.
Questions in the middle?
- Will pending assay results confirm the high-grade potential indicated by visible native silver and gold?
- How quickly can infill drilling convert oxide mineralisation into an Indicated resource category?
- What impact will expanded drilling at La Morocha SE and Brunilda have on the overall Joaquin Project resource?
