Ronin Resources Strengthens Porphyry Target with High-Grade Au-Ag-Cu-W at La Punilla
Ronin Resources reports elevated gold, silver, copper, and tungsten values from rock-chip sampling at its La Punilla Project in Argentina, supported by a drone aeromagnetic survey revealing a coincident magnetic source. Follow-up fieldwork is underway to expand and validate these early-stage porphyry copper-gold exploration targets.
- Rock-chip samples show up to 3.04 g/t gold and 13.75 g/t silver
- Aeromagnetic survey detects magnetic source beneath Quebrada Palca anomaly
- Anomalous gold at Target 3 suggests mineralisation extends across property
- Follow-up campaign initiated to extend sampling and ground-truth anomalies
- Results consistent with shallow-level porphyry copper-gold system
High-Grade Rock Chips Revive La Punilla Prospects
Ronin Resources Limited (ASX:RON) has unveiled compelling new geochemical data from its 100%-owned La Punilla Project in Argentina, with rock-chip samples returning gold grades as high as 3.04 g/t and silver up to 13.75 g/t. These values notably exceed previous outcrop sampling reported earlier this year, underscoring the potential of the Quebrada Palca colour anomaly as a significant porphyry copper-gold target.
The samples also revealed elevated copper concentrations reaching 1,055 ppm and tungsten levels up to 2,110 ppm, the latter indicative of a granitoid intrusive affinity. This suite of anomalous metals aligns with mineralisation styles typically associated with porphyry-related hydrothermal systems, suggesting that the project is situated at a relatively shallow erosion level.
Drone Aeromagnetic Survey Pinpoints Magnetic Source
Complementing the geochemical findings, a drone-based high-resolution aeromagnetic survey conducted by DAMS SRL identified a discrete magnetic source directly beneath the Quebrada Palca anomaly. The surveyed area spans approximately 1 km by 500 m, dimensions consistent with magnetite-bearing potassic alteration zones characteristic of porphyry copper deposits.
This geophysical signature, combined with the geochemical data, provides a strengthened vector towards the core mineralised system. The survey’s analytical signal processing removed regional gradients, enhancing the spatial accuracy of magnetic source positioning and enabling targeted follow-up exploration.
Gold Anomalies Extend Beyond Main Anomaly
Beyond Quebrada Palca, reconnaissance sampling at Target 3, situated about 6 km west-southwest, yielded anomalous gold values up to 0.16 g/t. The presence of ammonium illite alteration here, previously reported, suggests that mineralising processes may be more widespread across the property than initially thought. This broad distribution of alteration and anomalous metals invites a more comprehensive exploration approach to delineate additional zones of interest.
Satellite imagery enhanced by MTMF processing has proven effective in highlighting alteration anomalies at Target 3, guiding further fieldwork and refining sampling priorities. This approach builds on the company’s earlier surface sampling and tenement expansion efforts reported in January 2026, which laid the groundwork for the current exploration phase.
Follow-Up Field Campaign Underway
Ronin has commenced a follow-up field campaign focusing on extending sampling at remaining targets, including Target 4 and Target 5; the latter located on an adjacent property to the north. The program also aims to ground-truth magnetic anomalies identified in the recent drone survey, integrating geological, geochemical, and geophysical data to prioritise targets for potential trenching and drilling.
This methodical progression from reconnaissance sampling to detailed geophysical interpretation and expanded surface work reflects a cautious but deliberate strategy to validate and advance the La Punilla Project. The company’s cash position of nearly $2.9 million as of March 2026 underpins these ongoing exploration activities.
Early-Stage Exploration with Promising Signs
While no drilling has been conducted yet, the combination of elevated multi-element assays and coincident magnetic anomalies positions La Punilla as a noteworthy early-stage porphyry copper-gold exploration asset. The geological setting within the Precordillera province, featuring Devonian–Paleozoic sandstones and shales deformed by Andean tectonics, provides a plausible host environment for such mineralisation.
Ronin’s approach, integrating satellite imagery, drone surveys, and targeted rock-chip sampling, exemplifies modern exploration techniques applied to underexplored ground. The results invite cautious optimism but remain subject to the inherent uncertainties of early-stage exploration, including the need for drilling to confirm continuity and economic viability.
These developments follow Ronin’s earlier expansion of the La Punilla Project area and exploration plans outlined in January 2026, marking steady progress in the company’s Argentine portfolio despite broader challenges in other jurisdictions. The evolving dataset will be critical in shaping the next phases of exploration and potential resource definition.
Bottom Line?
Ronin’s latest geochemical and geophysical data bolster La Punilla’s porphyry potential, but the absence of drilling means the project’s true scale and value remain untested.
Questions in the middle?
- Will follow-up sampling confirm the extent of mineralisation beyond current anomalies?
- How will the magnetic source correlate with subsurface geology once drilling begins?
- What timeline and budget will Ronin allocate to transition from surface work to drilling?
