Assays Confirm Large Porphyry System at Southern Hemisphere Mining's Llahuin Project; Core Remains Untested

Broad Mineralised Envelope Confirms Large Porphyry System

Southern Hemisphere Mining (ASX:SUH) and joint venture partner FMR Resources (ASX:FMR) have delivered a compelling update from their Llahuin Project in Chile, revealing broad zones of gold-copper-molybdenum mineralisation across three recent diamond drillholes at the Southern Porphyry target. The assays confirm a vertically extensive hydrothermal system characterised by intense quartz-anhydrite veining, hydrothermal brecciation, and multiple phases of fertile dioritic intrusions.

While the drilling intersected broad mineralised envelopes, detailed petrographic and lithogeochemical analyses indicate these intercepts represent peripheral zones rather than the causative porphyry core. Elevated gold-to-copper ratios and strong molybdenum anomalism point to a higher-level position in the system, suggesting the main mineralised centre remains concealed and untested at depth.

Key Drill Intersections Highlight Peripheral Mineralisation

Drillhole 25LHDD071 returned a standout intersection of 124 metres at 0.31% copper equivalent (CuEq) from 258 metres, including 20 metres at 0.48% CuEq, dominated by gold with associated molybdenum and minor copper. Nearby holes 25LHDD070 and 26LHDD072 recorded 10 metres at 0.45% CuEq and 104 metres at 0.16% CuEq respectively, with the latter showing elevated molybdenum values indicative of proximity to the porphyry source.

These results align with a model of a telescoped porphyry system, where broad zones of anomalous mineralisation and intense alteration lie above and around a deeper, higher-grade core. The absence of a well-developed potassic alteration core in the current drillholes supports this interpretation.

Geophysical and Geochemical Integration Drives Targeting

FMR Resources is integrating the latest assay data with petrological, structural, magnetotelluric (MT), induced polarisation (IP), and downhole geophysical datasets to refine the geological model and vector towards the mineralised core. This approach mirrors successful exploration strategies seen at comparable Chilean projects, such as ATEX Resources’ Valeriano Project, where peripheral mineralisation has guided subsequent targeting of the main porphyry body.

Southern Hemisphere Mining’s Managing Director Oliver Kiddie emphasised the significance of the results, stating the team is confident they are positioned on the margins of a large and fertile mineralised system. He highlighted the strong gold component and molybdenum anomalism as encouraging signs ahead of Phase II drilling, which aims to test the interpreted porphyry core at depth and along strike.

This update follows recent FMR Resources Unveils Broad Mineralised Zones at Llahuin’s Target L, where extensive mineralised intersections were reported at Target L within the same project JV, underscoring the scale and potential of the Llahuin system.

Next Steps Focus on Core Testing and Resource Growth

The JV partners plan to complete outstanding petrographic and lithogeochemical analyses before finalising the Phase II drill program. This next stage will focus on more tightly targeted holes designed to intersect the concealed porphyry core, potentially unlocking higher-grade mineralisation zones. The integration of multi-disciplinary datasets is expected to sharpen drill targeting and improve the chances of a significant resource upgrade.

While metallurgical testwork remains preliminary, early results indicate good flotation characteristics with recoveries of copper averaging 84%, gold around 50%, and molybdenum approximately 40%. These factors will be critical to assessing the economic viability of any future resource expansion.