Annuncio • Jul 18
Montero Mining and Exploration Completes 625.25-Metre Drillhole At Elvira and Intersects Extensive Pyrite-Bearing High-Sulphidation Alteration System
Montero Mining and Exploration Ltd. completed drillhole MON-ELV-02 to a final depth of 625.25 metres at the Elvira Gold Project in northern Chile. MON-ELV-02 is the successful redrill of the original MON-ELV-01 target and represents the first completed hole of Montero's 2026 drill programme. The hole tested Montero's high-priority integrated exploration targets, defined through geological, geochemical, and geophysical interpretation, including geochemical vectoring work and Artificial Intelligence and machine-learning-assisted data integration. Preliminary core observations confirm the predicted volcanic sequence overlying a dacite porphyry intrusion and an extensive pyrite-bearing high-sulphidation alteration system. Geological logging and core sampling are continuing, and initial samples have been submitted to AAA Laboratory for analysis. Results will be reported once received, reviewed, and verified. Drilling of the next hole, MON-ELV-03, has now commenced. Preliminary geological observations review of the drill core indicates that MON-ELV-02 intersected strongly altered volcanic rocks from surface to 194.9 metres. Intersected a feldspar-quartz-amphibole porphyry from 194.9 metres to the end of the hole. Confirmed the interpreted volcanic-porphyry contact at approximately 195 metres. Intersected widespread quartz-alunite-pyrite alteration. Intersected extensive disseminated and vein-hosted pyrite throughout much of the porphyry. Identified the base of oxidation at approximately 253 metres, below which sulphides are better preserved. Intersected local vuggy silica, quartz-pyrite-alunite veinlets, chalcedonic veins, and hydrothermal crackle breccias. Recorded trace chalcopyrite and other possible sulphide phases requiring laboratory confirmation. The porphyry interval extends for more than 430 metres downhole and contains moderate to locally strong disseminated pyrite, coarser pyrite aggregates, and thin quartz-pyrite veinlets. MON-ELV-02 successfully tested the highest-priority exploration target and provided support for the integrated exploration model at Elvira. The drillhole intersected the predicted volcanic sequence, underlying porphyry and an extensive high-sulphidation alteration system with widespread pyrite corresponding to the interpreted IP chargeability anomaly. Laboratory assays will determine whether these geological features are associated with gold, silver, or copper mineralisation. The drilling confirms that the modelled IP chargeability response corresponds to an extensive pyrite-bearing sulphide system within the porphyry. The main sulphide-bearing interval begins below the base of oxidation at approximately 253 metres and continues through much of the remainder of the hole. This provides geological support for Montero's integrated targeting model, which combined geology, surface geochemistry, structural interpretation, IP chargeability and resistivity, geochemical vectoring, and three-dimensional geological modelling. Geochemical vectoring was applied to multi-element data to identify patterns interpreted to vector toward the hydrothermal system. These results were integrated with geological mapping, historical drilling, alteration, structural, and geophysical datasets. AI and machine-learning tools assisted in evaluating relationships within these datasets and in developing the geological model used to prioritise targets for the drill programme. Preliminary geological interpretation indicates that the porphyry intrusion was subsequently overprinted by a later high-sulphidation hydrothermal event. Quartz-alunite-pyrite alteration, local vuggy silica, and widespread sulphides show that hydrothermal fluids penetrated deeply into the intrusive host. These observations indicate that the high-sulphidation alteration system extends below the near-surface volcanic sequence and into the underlying porphyry. It remains uncertain whether the intersected porphyry was the source of the hydrothermal fluids or whether a separate, deeper mineralising intrusion is present. If the intersected porphyry was the source, the vertical overlap of porphyry-related and high-sulphidation alteration may indicate a telescoped hydrothermal system. Core logging, cutting, and sampling are continuing, and the initial sample batches have been submitted for laboratory analysis. Assay results will be used to evaluate whether gold, silver, copper, and other metals are associated with the pyrite-bearing intervals. The geochemical significance and distribution of the alteration and sulphide system. The relationship between the intersected porphyry and any deeper mineralising source. The geological information from MON-ELV-02 will be incorporated into Montero's three-dimensional geological model, together with the geochemical, geophysical, and structural datasets, to refine the location, orientation, and sequence of subsequent drillholes. The model will continue to be updated as geological logging, portable XRF screening and laboratory assay results become available. Drilling of MON-ELV-03 is now underway. The design and order of later drillholes may be refined as geological observations and laboratory assay results are received. The geological observations reported in this release are preliminary and are based on visual examination of drill core. Visual estimates of alteration, sulphide abundance, and mineralogy are inherently uncertain and should not be considered a substitute for laboratory assay results. The presence of pyrite, alteration or other sulphide minerals does not necessarily indicate the presence of economically significant gold, silver, or copper mineralisation. Assay results will be reported once received, reviewed, and verified by the Company. The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Marcial Vergara, B.Sc., an independent consulting geologist and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Vergara is independent of the Company.