Cinto Copper Project Drilling Permits Secured; 2,500 Metres Planned

Strategic Location and Permit Approval

Solis Minerals Limited (ASX – SLM) has reached a significant milestone with the granting of drilling permits for its 100%-owned Cinto Copper Project in southern Peru. This approval from Peru’s Ministry of Energy & Mines paves the way for the company’s maiden diamond drilling campaign, anticipated to commence in December 2025. The project’s proximity to two of the world’s largest copper mines, Southern Copper’s Toquepala mine just 15 kilometres away and Anglo American’s Quellaveco mine 38 kilometres distant, underscores its strategic importance within a globally significant copper-producing region.

Exploration Foundations and Target Identification

The Cinto project sits along the Incapuquio Fault Zone, a major geological structure associated with world-class porphyry copper deposits. Solis Minerals has conducted extensive preparatory work, including drone and ground magnetometry surveys, surface grab and channel sampling, and an induced polarization (IP) geophysical survey. These efforts have identified three high-priority drill targets characterized by coincident geochemical anomalies and geophysical signatures indicative of copper mineralisation. Notably, surface samples have returned assays as high as 7.14% copper, highlighting the potential richness of the mineralisation at surface.

Drilling Campaign and Forward Plans

The initial drilling program is budgeted for approximately 2,500 metres, expected to be completed over about five diamond drill holes. Seventeen drill pads have been permitted to provide flexibility in targeting and responding to results as the campaign progresses. The company is awaiting final approval of a water permit, anticipated by mid-December, which is critical to supporting drilling operations. Alongside Cinto, Solis Minerals also expects to release assay results imminently from its Ilo Este and Chancho al Palo projects, further contributing to the company’s exploration momentum.

Positioning in a Copper-Rich Region

With a leadership team experienced in South American mining, Solis Minerals is positioning itself to capitalise on the growing demand for copper, a metal essential to the global energy transition. The company’s focus on the Coastal Belt of Peru, a prolific copper province, aligns with broader market trends favouring copper exploration and development. The Cinto project’s geological setting, marked by structurally controlled copper oxide mineralisation and promising geophysical anomalies, offers a compelling exploration story that could unlock significant value if drilling confirms the presence of a substantial resource.

Looking Ahead

As Solis Minerals embarks on its first drilling campaign at Cinto, the market will be watching closely for assay results that could validate the project’s potential. The company’s staged exploration approach, including subsequent resource definition and economic studies, reflects a disciplined strategy to advance the project while managing risk. Success at Cinto could enhance Solis Minerals’ profile in the copper sector and contribute to the supply pipeline in one of the world’s most important copper-producing regions.