
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Marimaca Copper Corp. ("Marimaca Copper" or the "Company") (TSX:MARI, ASX:MC2) is pleased to announce results of further drilling at Pampa Medina Norte, the recently discovered northern extension of the Pampa Medina Deposit.
The latest result from hole SMD-01, follows news of the discovery hole - SMR-01 on December 30, 2024, which identified this northern extension of the Pampa Medina deposit, located approximately 26km from the Company's flagship Marimaca Oxide Deposit ("MOD").
Hole SMD-01 is the first diamond drill hole targeting validation and depth-extension of the reverse circulation ("RC") drilling. SMD-01 was drilled to a final depth of 950m with assays pending from 600m to the bottom of the hole.
Highlights
- Hole SMR-01 and SMD-01 were drilled approximately 400m north of the known northern extent of the Pampa Medina deposit (see Figure 3)
- SMD-01 was drilled to a final depth of 950m to investigate the potential for repeating manto-mineralized units at depth in primary mineralization
- SMD-01 confirms the material extension of the sediment-hosted 'manto-style' mineralization
- Confirmation of high-grade, oxide manto in the upper part of the sedimentary horizon consistent with Pampa Medina deposit and SMR-01
- New zone of manto-style sulphide mineralization identified at depth containing dominantly chalcopyrite-bornite mineralization in deeper, interbedded sandstone and conglomerate units with variable intensity
- Assays pending for 600m-950m will be released to the market when received and validated
- Highlights from the upper section of SMD-01 are below:
- 242m at 0.65% CuT from 252m including:
- 68m at 1.20% CuT from 298m, including
- 20m at 2.25% CuT from 298m
- 32m at 1.03% CuT from 332m
- 74m at 0.84% CuT from 420m, including
- 40m at 1.07% CuT from 420m
- 68m at 1.20% CuT from 298m, including
- 242m at 0.65% CuT from 252m including:
- Results from the upper zone in SMD-01 validates the previous RC drilling in SMR-01
- Deviation of SMD-01 is approximately 25m north of SMR-01 in the upper oxide manto
- True widths cannot be determined at this time, however SMD-01 was orientated to target perpendicular intersections of the key manto-hosting lithological units
- Two additional deep diamond drill holes remain pending at Pampa Medina exploring the potential for extension of the system at depth (see Figures 2 and 3)
- SMD-02, drilled at Pampa Medina main 650m south of SMD-01, encountered visual copper mineralization in the Pampa Medina upper manto, and polymetallic mineralization at depth, in a lower metasedimentary unit, including galena and sphalerite
- Indicates the potential presence of other horizons prospective for mineralization and other mineralized bodies not previously considered
- Results will be released to the market when received and validated - sample preparation is underway
Sergio Rivera, VP Exploration of Marimaca Copper, commented:
"The scale and intensity of mineralization at Pampa Medina Norte continues to impress us. We now think the system has good potential for stacked mantos which, based on our review of historical drilling data, could be extensive across the broader Sierra De Medina project area.
We are encouraged by the continuation of mineralization at depth, especially the visual bornite and chalcopyrite, These findings also serve to further improve our understanding of the sulphide body which has the potential to be highly accretive to the high-quality overlying oxide leachable manto, where our PEA for the integration into the MOD is progressing.
SMD-02, for which we are currently preparing samples to be assayed, presented a surprise intersection of polymetallic mineralization, which we had not previously considered, but further supports our view that this system has significant ongoing exploration potential.
We are looking forward to updating the market in the near-term on the results from the assays at depth, as well as our additional deep drill holes at Pampa Medina main. Our view remains that we are still in the very early days of the Pampa Medina story and the consolidation of the area has allowed, for the first time, the development of our overall thesis that Pampa Medina and its surroundings represents a single, large scale mineralized system which could be highly complementary to the MOD."
Overview of Pampa Medina
Pampa Medina is a manto-style copper deposit dominantly hosted in Jurassic-Triassic sedimentary units (sandstones, conglomerates, tuffs and black shales) overlain by andesitic volcanics and underlaying by a Upper Paleozoic complex of metasediments and intrusions. Copper is found predominantly in oxide species dominated by atacamite, chrysocolla and both secondary and primary chalcocite. Primary sulphides encountered to date correspond to variable amounts of chalcopyrite and bornite.
Hole SMD-01 was drilled approximately 400m north of the northern margin of the known deposit at Pampa Medina. SMD01 was collared at Azimuth 270°, Dip -60° and drilled to a total depth of 950m. The collar was located 12m SE from SMR-01 but further deviated, reaching approximately 70m at the 650m depth. High grade copper oxide mineralization was intersected from 252m-494m downhole depth in an upper unit of sandstones and shales. Rhyolitic tuff, intruded by late dykes was intersected below the upper sediments from 492m to 564m and below that another more clastic rich unit extends up to the bottom of the hole. Metasediment basement was not reached at depth in hole SMD-01, meaning that the productive sedimentary unit increases in thickness towards the north. Mineralization transitioned to primary chalcopyrite and bornite mineralization at 550m, with increasing intensity of bornite content at depth. The hole was terminated at 950m.
SMD-01 confirms the sediment-hosted oxide mineralization encountered in SMR-01, which is largely interpreted as the extension of the sediment-hosted manto deposits of Pampa Medina main (see Figure 2). Historical drilling at Pampa Medina was generally limited to a depth of 400m, potentially too shallow to intersect the chalcopyrite-bornite dominant manto mineralization found in SMR-01, confirmed and potentially extended at depth by SMD-01.
Figure 1: Regional Map - Marimaca and Sierra de Medina
Figure 2 - Southern Sierra de Medina - Pampa Medina Deposit and Step-out Drilling Locations
Figure 3 - Long Section Looking West - Pampa Medina and Pampa Medina Norte
Figure 4 - Selected Core Photos from SMD-01 dominant mineralization types. Core size is HQ.
Hole | Total Depth (m) | From (m) | To (m) | Intersection (m) | % CuT | |
SMD-01 | 952 | 252 | 494 | 242 | 0.65 | |
Including | 298 | 366 | 68 | 1.20 | ||
Including | 298 | 318 | 20 | 2.25 | ||
And | 332 | 364 | 32 | 1.03 | ||
And | 420 | 494 | 74 | 0.84 | ||
Including | 420 | 460 | 40 | 1.07 | ||
Including | 420 | 452 | 32 | 1.32 | ||
And | 472 | 494 | 22 | 0.84 |
Table 1: Table of Intersections (Pampa Medina Norte)
Hole | Easting | Northing | Elevation | Azimuth | Inclination | Depth |
SMD-01 | 4070781.42 | 7441265.92 | 1270.04 | 270 | -60 | 950 |
Table 2: Drill Collar (Pampa Medina Norte)
Sampling and Assay Protocols
True widths cannot be determined with the information available at this time. DDH holes were sampled on a 2m continuous basis, halved by a conventional core splitter on site with one half sent to the Andes Analytical Assay preparation laboratory in Copiapó and the pulps then sent to the same company laboratory in Santiago for assaying. Samples were prepared using the following standard protocol: drying; crushing all sample to -1/4" and passing through a secondary crusher to better than 80% passing -10#; homogenizing; splitting; pulverizing a 400-600g subsample to 95% passing -150#; and a 125g split of this sent for assaying. All samples were assayed for %CuT (total copper); %CuS (acid soluble copper). A full QA/QC program, involving insertion of appropriate blanks, standards and duplicates was employed with acceptable results. Pulps and sample rejects are stored by Marimaca Copper for future reference
Qualified Person / Competent Person
The technical information in this news release, including the information that relates to geology, drilling and mineralization was prepared under the supervision of, or has been reviewed by Sergio Rivera, Vice President of Exploration, Marimaca Copper Corp, a geologist with more than 40 years of experience and a member of the Colegio de Geólogos de Chile and of the Institute of Mining Engineers of Chile, and who is the Qualified Person for the purposes of NI 43-101 responsible for the design and execution of the drilling program.
The information in this announcement which relates to exploration results for the Pampa Medina Project is based on, and fairly reflects, information and supporting documentation prepared by Sergio Rivera, VP Exploration of Marimaca, a Competent Person who is a member of the Comision Minera (Chilean Mining Commission), Colegio de Geólogos de Chile and of the Institute of Mining Engineers of Chile. Mr. Rivera has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and types of deposit under consideration and to the activity being undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the Joint Ore Reserves Committee Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves. Mr. Rivera consents to the inclusion in this announcement of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears.
Contact Information
For further information please visit www.marimaca.com or contact:
Tavistock
+44 (0) 207 920 3150
Emily Moss / Ruairi Millar
marimaca@tavistock.co.uk
Forward Looking Statements
This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under (without limitation) applicable Canadian securities legislation, including, without limitation, statements regarding the development of activities at Pampa Medina, the potential growth of Pampa Medina, and the discovery's potential to complement the MOD. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by Marimaca Copper, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: risks that the development activities at Pampa Medina will not progress as anticipated, or at all, risks related to share price and market conditions, the inherent risks involved in the mining, exploration and development of mineral properties, the uncertainties involved in interpreting drilling results and other geological data, fluctuating metal prices, the possibility of project delays or cost overruns or unanticipated excessive operating costs and expenses, uncertainties related to the necessity of financing, uncertainties relating to regulatory procedure and timing for permitting submissions and reviews, the availability of and costs of financing needed in the future as well as those factors disclosed in the annual information form of the Company dated March 27, 2025 and other filings made by the Company with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities (which may be viewed at www.sedar.com). Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Marimaca Copper undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements contained herein whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.
None of the TSX, ASX or the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
This announcement was authorised for release to the ASX by the Board of Directors of the Company.
Appendix 1 - JORC Code 2012 Table 1 (ASX Listing Rule 5.7.1)
Section 1 Sampling Techniques and Data
Criteria | JORC Code explanation | Commentary |
Sampling techniques |
| All current drilling conducted at Sierra Medina (including Pampa Medina, Pampa Norte Extension and Pampa West) was completed under the supervision of a registered professional geologist as a Competent Person/Qualified Person (QP) who is responsible and accountable for the planning, execution, and supervision of all exploration activity as well as the implementation of quality assurance programs and reporting.
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Drilling techniques |
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Drill sample recovery |
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Logging |
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Sub-sampling techniques and sample preparation |
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Quality of assay data and laboratory tests |
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Verification of sampling and assaying |
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Location of data points |
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Data spacing and distribution |
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Orientation of data in relation to geological structure |
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Sample security |
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Audits or reviews |
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Section 2: Reporting of Exploration Results
Criteria | JORC Code explanation | Commentary |
Mineral tenement and land tenure status |
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Exploration done by other parties |
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Geology |
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Drill hole Information |
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Data aggregation methods |
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Relationship between mineralisation widths and intercept lengths |
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Diagrams |
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Balanced reporting |
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Other substantive exploration data |
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Further work |
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Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4d2339d7-1057-474e-ac72-265fa7b41393
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/49ef59e1-de11-40e7-bff6-0ea3894f60e1
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a0e7c1bc-3c65-40e4-8686-17192f4a88f2
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ae78dd66-5703-46e2-a3da-8fba3b380729
