Australian Critical Minerals Limited (ACM) has unveiled detailed exploration plans for its Peru projects, highlighting the Flint Project’s compelling high-grade gold and silver targets with drilling scheduled for early 2026.
- Flint Project hosts multiple high-priority High Sulphidation Epithermal (HSE) gold-silver targets
- Advanced geophysical and geochemical surveys underpin drill hole planning
- Drilling of five holes totalling approximately 2200 metres planned for Q1 2026
- Project shares geological similarities with world-class Salares Norte gold-silver deposit
- Additional Peru projects include Riqueza, Cerro Rayas, and Blanca with significant base and precious metal potential
Exploration Ambitions in Peru’s Premier Mineral Belt
Australian Critical Minerals Limited (ASX – ACM) has released a comprehensive investor presentation outlining its exploration strategy across several high-potential mineral projects in Peru. Central to the company’s plans is the Flint Project, a large-scale gold-silver opportunity characterised by extensive hydrothermal alteration and robust geophysical anomalies indicative of a High Sulphidation Epithermal (HSE) system.
The Flint Project’s claims cover nearly 20 square kilometres in a world-class metallogenic belt near Trujillo, a city with a population exceeding one million. The project benefits from excellent road access and established social license agreements, positioning it well for exploration advancement.
Geophysical and Geochemical Foundations for Drilling
ACM’s recent geophysical surveys, including Natural Source Audio-frequency Magnetotellurics (NSAMT) and Induced Polarisation (IP), have identified multiple resistive and chargeability anomalies consistent with the presence of mineralised breccia pipes and quartz-alunite alteration zones. These features are typical of HSE gold-silver systems, which often host significant precious metal deposits.
Complementing the geophysics, detailed surface geochemistry has revealed strong arsenic, antimony, tellurium, and mercury anomalies extending over 2.5 kilometres, alongside gold rock chip samples reaching up to 53 parts per billion. These pathfinder elements are key indicators of underlying mineralisation and have helped define multiple drill targets.
Drilling Plans and Project Comparisons
ACM plans to commence drilling in the first quarter of 2026, targeting five holes totalling approximately 2200 metres focused on the northern HSE target cluster. The company draws parallels between Flint and the nearby Salares Norte deposit, a world-class gold-silver mine with over 4 million ounces of gold equivalent resources. Notably, Salares Norte’s discovery was initially guided by gold anomalies similar in magnitude to those observed at Flint.
Beyond Flint, ACM’s portfolio includes the Riqueza Project, featuring high-grade copper, silver, zinc, and lead mineralisation; the Cerro Rayas Project with historic high-grade zinc-lead-silver workings; and the Blanca Project, an epithermal gold target with promising historical drill results. Together, these projects underscore ACM’s strategic focus on multi-commodity exploration in a prolific region.
Experienced Leadership and Strategic Positioning
The company’s leadership team brings extensive expertise in Latin American exploration and capital markets. Executive Chairman Dean De Largie, with over 30 years’ experience, has been instrumental in identifying ACM’s project opportunities. Non-executive directors Paul Niardone and Allister Caird add complementary skills in business growth and critical minerals development, respectively.
While the presentation does not disclose new exploration results, it consolidates historical and recent data to build a compelling case for imminent drilling. Investors will be watching closely for assay results that could validate ACM’s geological model and unlock significant value.
Bottom Line?
As ACM prepares to drill, the market awaits confirmation that Peru’s next major gold-silver discovery is within reach.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the upcoming drill results at Flint confirm the presence of economically viable gold-silver mineralisation?
- How will ACM prioritise its multiple Peru projects if early drilling yields positive results?
- What are the potential timelines and capital requirements for advancing these projects beyond exploration?