Early Assays at La Punilla Highlight Exploration Challenges Amid Promising Mineralisation
Ronin Resources has confirmed early-stage gold, silver, and copper mineralisation at its La Punilla Project in Argentina, sparking plans for intensified exploration.
- Initial surface sampling confirms epithermal quartz-sulphide veining
- Best rockchip assay, 0.27 g/t gold, 5.6 g/t silver, 0.13% copper
- Mineralisation within a 500m by 250m hematite-limonite alteration zone
- Results support a low-sulphidation epithermal system interpretation
- Follow-up mapping and geophysical surveys planned to refine targets
Early Signs of a Potential Epithermal System
Ronin Resources Ltd has released encouraging assay results from its initial surface sampling program at the La Punilla Project in San Juan Province, Argentina. The assays confirm the presence of epithermal quartz-sulphide veining associated with anomalous concentrations of gold, silver, and copper. The standout rockchip sample returned 0.27 grams per tonne (g/t) gold, 5.6 g/t silver, and 0.13% copper, indicating the potential for economically interesting mineralisation.
The mineralisation is hosted within Devonian sandstone units and is spatially associated with a hematite-limonite alteration zone measuring approximately 500 meters by 250 meters. This alteration zone, visible as a colour anomaly in the field, is typical of low-sulphidation epithermal systems, which are known to host significant precious metal deposits in the region.
Geological Context and Regional Significance
The La Punilla Project lies within the Precordillera belt, a geological province known for hosting epithermal gold-silver deposits, including the nearby operating Gualcamayo mine. The presence of quartz-sulphide veining, hematite-limonite alteration, and associated gold-silver-copper geochemistry at La Punilla aligns well with the characteristics of this mineralisation style. Minor enrichments in arsenic and bismuth detected in samples further support the interpretation of a low-sulphidation epithermal system.
While the initial sampling was limited to accessible outcrops along the northeastern margin of the alteration zone due to steep terrain, the anomalous results suggest that stronger mineralisation may exist towards the centre of the zone, which remains largely unexplored.
Next Steps in Exploration
Building on these promising early results, Ronin Resources plans to extend surface mapping and systematic sampling across the entire alteration zone to better understand the distribution and intensity of mineralisation. An aerial magnetometry survey is also planned to identify structural and alteration targets in areas currently inaccessible on foot.
The integration of geological and geophysical data will be crucial to prioritising targets for future trenching or drilling programs, which will be necessary to define the extent and grade of mineralisation more precisely. These steps mark an important progression from reconnaissance sampling towards resource definition.
Positioning Ronin Resources for Growth
Ronin Resources, which also holds projects in Colombia and Canada, is actively advancing its portfolio with the La Punilla Project representing a new frontier in Argentina. The company’s methodical approach to exploration, supported by independent geological expertise and certified assay laboratories, underscores its commitment to unlocking value for shareholders through disciplined project evaluation and development.
Bottom Line?
Ronin’s La Punilla results open a new chapter in its exploration journey, with upcoming surveys and drilling poised to reveal the project’s true potential.
Questions in the middle?
- Will follow-up geophysical surveys confirm stronger mineralisation at the alteration zone’s core?
- How will Ronin prioritise targets for drilling given the challenging terrain and limited access?
- What timeline can investors expect for the transition from surface sampling to resource estimation?
