Resource Upgrade Looms as Tesoro Confirms Continuity in Ternera Gold Deposit
Tesoro Gold reports strong assay results from its ongoing infill drilling at the Ternera Gold Deposit in Chile, reinforcing the deposit’s continuity ahead of a mid-year resource update. The company is also preparing to shift focus to a new discovery drilling campaign across the district.
- 20 new drill holes confirm multiple thick, high-grade gold intercepts
- Infill drilling approximately 85% complete, supporting resource classification upgrades
- Six diamond rigs operating 24/7 to advance Mineral Resource Estimate and feasibility studies
- Metallurgical drilling 90% complete; geotechnical drilling underway
- Transition planned to 14,000m new-discovery drilling program targeting district prospects
Strong Infill Drilling Validates Ternera Deposit
Tesoro Gold Limited has released assay results from an additional 20 diamond drill holes at its Ternera Gold Deposit, part of the El Zorro Gold Project in Chile. These results come from an extensive infill drilling program exceeding 20,000 metres, which is now about 85% complete. The new data continues to demonstrate the deposit’s remarkable continuity and predictability, with multiple thick, high-grade gold intercepts reported, including standout hits such as 2.94 metres at 17.74 grams per tonne gold and 26 metres at 2.27 grams per tonne.
Operational Momentum and Technical Progress
Currently, six diamond drill rigs operate around the clock at Ternera, advancing infill, metallurgical, and geotechnical drilling campaigns. Metallurgical drilling is nearing completion at 90%, while geotechnical drilling is about 30% done. These efforts are integral to updating the Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) and supporting the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS), both critical steps toward project development. The company anticipates delivering an updated and upgraded MRE by mid-2026.
Strategic Shift to New Discoveries
Following the completion of the infill drilling, Tesoro plans to reallocate three rigs to a 14,000-metre new-discovery drilling program targeting high-priority prospects across the El Zorro district. This strategic pivot underscores the company’s ambition to expand its resource base beyond Ternera, leveraging its extensive in-country network and expertise in the Coastal Cordillera region, a prolific mining area with established infrastructure.
Management Confidence and Next Steps
Managing Director Zeff Reeves highlighted the steady progress and improved assay turnaround times, reinforcing confidence in the deposit’s geological model. The reported drill holes predominantly targeted the shallow western margin of the deposit, confirming gold mineralisation at predicted locations and validating the existing block model. With assay results pending for 29 holes and the final 15% of the infill program scheduled for completion in April, the company remains focused on integrating these data into the upcoming resource update and feasibility studies.
Overall, Tesoro’s drilling results mark a significant milestone in advancing the Ternera Gold Deposit toward development, while the imminent new-discovery program promises to unlock further value within the El Zorro project district.
Bottom Line?
As Tesoro Gold nears completion of its infill drilling, the market awaits the mid-year resource update that could reshape the project’s valuation and development trajectory.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the pending assay results from 29 drill holes influence the updated Mineral Resource Estimate?
- What are the key targets and geological prospects for the upcoming 14,000m new-discovery drilling program?
- How might metallurgical and geotechnical findings impact the Definitive Feasibility Study and mine design?
