Unico Silver Limited reports outstanding high-grade silver-gold assay results from 21 drill holes at its Joaquin Project in Argentina, confirming the district-scale potential of this emerging silver-gold system.
- Exceptional high-grade silver-gold intercepts at La Morocha, La Negra SE, and La Morocha SE
- Mineralisation defined over extensive strike lengths and vertical extents, remaining open for expansion
- Ongoing 30,000m drill program advancing resource delineation and development plans
- Updated JORC Mineral Resource Estimate expected later in 2025
- Potential for early, near-surface ounces supports open-pit development strategy
District-Scale Silver-Gold Potential Confirmed
Unico Silver Limited has delivered a compelling update from its 100%-owned Joaquin Project in Santa Cruz, Argentina, with assay results from 21 drill holes underscoring the project's significant silver-gold mineralisation. The latest drilling campaign has revealed exceptional high-grade intercepts at three key prospects, La Morocha, La Negra SE, and La Morocha SE, reinforcing Joaquin as a district-scale system with robust exploration upside.
The standout intercept at La Morocha; 42.4 metres grading 437 grams per tonne silver equivalent (AgEq), including a bonanza-grade 1.85 metres at 8,335 gpt AgEq; highlights the potential for early, near-surface ounces that could underpin open-pit mining. Meanwhile, La Negra SE drilling has extended mineralisation by 200 metres to the southeast, with broad zones of silver-gold mineralisation intercepted close to surface and at depth, including intervals such as 43 metres at 256 gpt AgEq and 71 metres at 131 gpt AgEq.
Expanding Mineralised Footprint and Resource Confidence
La Morocha SE, a newly confirmed discovery, has also returned significant assay results, including 20 metres at 160 gpt AgEq, demonstrating continuity and scale across the district. Mineralisation at these prospects is now defined over strike lengths of up to 725 metres and vertical extents exceeding 175 metres, with true thicknesses ranging from 10 to 75 metres and increasing at structural intersections.
These results form part of an ongoing, fully funded 30,000-metre diamond drilling program aimed at both regional exploration and resource delineation. The program is designed to upgrade high-confidence, pit-constrained, free-milling silver ounces at Joaquin, with an updated JORC Mineral Resource Estimate anticipated before year-end. This will provide a more definitive picture of the project's economic potential and support Unico Silver's PLUS 150 and BEYOND 300 growth strategies.
Geological Context and Strategic Positioning
Joaquin sits within the Deseado Massif geological province, a prolific silver-gold region in southern Argentina. The project benefits from a rich exploration history, including previous mining by Pan American Silver and extensive drilling campaigns by Coeur D’Alene Mines Corporation. Unico Silver's current drilling builds on this foundation, leveraging modern techniques and a systematic approach to expand and upgrade the resource base.
Managing Director Todd Williams emphasised the significance of the results, noting the confirmation of bonanza-grade mineralisation near surface and the extension of mineralised zones at La Negra SE. Visible gold observed in recent holes further underscores the project's robust scale and continuity. The company is also progressing geotechnical drilling to support open-pit mine design, reflecting a clear pathway toward development.
Looking Ahead
With assay results still pending for some holes and the upcoming Mineral Resource update, investors and analysts will be watching closely. The project's extensive mineralised footprint and high-grade intercepts position Unico Silver well to advance its development ambitions. However, the Foreign Estimate resource remains to be fully validated under JORC standards, and economic viability will depend on further exploration and market conditions.
Bottom Line?
As Unico Silver advances drilling and resource updates, Joaquin’s evolving scale and grade promise to reshape its silver-gold prospects.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the pending assay results impact the upcoming JORC Mineral Resource Estimate?
- What are the timelines and key milestones for advancing Joaquin toward production?
- How might royalties and exploration costs affect the project's economic feasibility?