
NGEx Minerals Ltd. (TSX: NGEX) (OTCQX: NGXXF) is pleased to announce additional drill results from its 100% owned Lunahuasi high-grade copper-gold-silver project in San Juan, Argentina. Assay results from four of the remaining twelve drill holes are presented below.
Highlights:
Wojtek Wodzicki, President and CEO, commented, “Today’s results continue to highlight the size and grade of the Lunahuasi system while also providing important context and input for the development of its geological model. Drilling to date has yet to locate the boundaries of the system, and hole 38 from today’s results extends high-grade mineralization to the north.
With drilling now concluded these and the remaining results will contribute to the development of a deposit model and help with planning for our Phase 4 program. While we wait for the final assays from Phase 3 to be received, we have already begun to shift our focus to planning and preparing for Phase 4, which is anticipated to commence in October, as we seek to follow up on the exploration success of the past program.”
Table 1: Significant Intersections |
||||||||
Hole ID | From | To | Length (m) | Estimated True Width (m) |
Cu % | Au g/t | Ag g/t | CuEq % |
DPDH036 | 170.00 | 173.00 | 3.00 | 1.7 | 1.48 | 4.17 | 138.0 | 5.73 |
plus | 467.00 | 524.00 | 57.00 | 37 | 1.47 | 0.67 | 31.5 | 2.23 |
incl | 496.20 | 503.80 | 7.60 | 4.9 | 4.21 | 1.65 | 87.4 | 6.18 |
and incl | 511.00 | 513.20 | 2.20 | 1.4 | 3.53 | 1.61 | 87.1 | 5.46 |
and incl | 522.00 | 524.00 | 2.00 | 1.3 | 6.71 | 2.83 | 82.5 | 9.50 |
plus | 546.00 | 548.00 | 2.00 | 1.3 | 2.62 | 1.67 | 134.0 | 5.02 |
plus | 615.50 | 621.20 | 5.70 | 3.7 | 1.88 | 1.54 | 57.0 | 3.50 |
plus | 671.00 | 681.10 | 10.10 | 6.2 | 1.28 | 5.63 | 50.7 | 5.84 |
plus | 788.90 | 866.00 | 77.10 | 45 | 1.55 | 0.40 | 11.5 | 1.94 |
incl | 857.00 | 866.00 | 9.00 | 5.0 | 3.98 | 0.96 | 24.7 | 4.90 |
plus | 943.15 | 954.00 | 10.85 | 6.0 | 1.23 | 0.37 | 77.9 | 2.19 |
plus | 1072.20 | 1075.30 | 3.10 | 1.7 | 3.01 | 0.49 | 24.4 | 3.59 |
DPDH037 | 521.40 | 538.50 | 17.10 | 9.1 | 0.69 | 5.99 | 83.4 | 5.80 |
incl | 521.40 | 524.40 | 3.00 | 1.6 | 0.16 | 19.13 | 135.3 | 15.30 |
plus | 566.30 | 572.85 | 6.55 | 3.5 | 1.71 | 0.90 | 48.5 | 2.79 |
plus | 639.00 | 670.00 | 31.00 | 17 | 1.22 | 0.82 | 32.2 | 2.10 |
plus | 731.50 | 819.30 | 87.80 | 53 | 2.00 | 0.69 | 28.9 | 2.75 |
incl | 751.00 | 758.30 | 7.30 | 4.4 | 6.02 | 1.44 | 70.5 | 7.69 |
and incl | 774.60 | 819.30 | 44.70 | 27 | 2.67 | 0.88 | 42.5 | 3.69 |
incl | 774.60 | 792.00 | 17.40 | 10 | 3.72 | 1.02 | 68.9 | 5.07 |
plus | 869.00 | 886.70 | 17.70 | 12 | 2.42 | 0.68 | 20.8 | 3.10 |
plus | 917.20 | 941.65 | 24.45 | 18 | 3.04 | 0.84 | 21.2 | 3.84 |
DPDH038 | 146.00 | 188.40 | 42.40 | 27 | 4.11 | 2.35 | 35.7 | 6.14 |
plus | 166.90 | 183.25 | 16.35 | 11 | 9.15 | 4.31 | 77.1 | 12.97 |
incl | 172.00 | 178.40 | 6.40 | 4.1 | 17.74 | 6.73 | 145.2 | 23.93 |
plus | 212.90 | 222.00 | 9.10 | 5.8 | 1.69 | 0.72 | 24.7 | 2.43 |
plus | 269.00 | 273.90 | 4.90 | 3.1 | 1.66 | 1.41 | 20.1 | 2.86 |
plus | 301.90 | 305.20 | 3.30 | 2.1 | 2.58 | 0.55 | 28.3 | 3.23 |
plus | 422.00 | 427.00 | 5.00 | 3.2 | 1.36 | 1.53 | 26.2 | 2.71 |
plus | 436.60 | 439.30 | 2.70 | 1.7 | 1.78 | 2.58 | 68.1 | 4.26 |
plus | 552.90 | 582.00 | 29.10 | 19 | 3.03 | 2.12 | 25.1 | 4.79 |
incl | 559.30 | 561.00 | 1.70 | 1.1 | 15.78 | 12.92 | 258.5 | 27.48 |
and incl | 575.50 | 577.50 | 2.00 | 1.3 | 10.82 | 6.27 | 47.0 | 15.80 |
plus | 608.60 | 626.60 | 18.00 | 12 | 3.71 | 2.71 | 29.7 | 5.94 |
incl | 620.00 | 626.60 | 6.60 | 4.2 | 7.30 | 5.66 | 50.3 | 11.87 |
plus | 667.20 | 669.25 | 2.05 | 1.3 | 6.59 | 0.78 | 25.0 | 7.38 |
plus | 772.20 | 775.20 | 3.00 | 1.9 | 5.03 | 1.69 | 154.4 | 7.62 |
DPDH039 | 298.00 | 311.00 | 13.00 | 8.8 | 3.17 | 1.34 | 35.0 | 4.45 |
incl | 308.00 | 311.00 | 3.00 | 2.0 | 7.37 | 3.51 | 90.0 | 10.72 |
plus | 499.00 | 607.35 | 108.35 | 74 | 1.48 | 1.27 | 36.2 | 2.73 |
incl | 499.00 | 506.00 | 7.00 | 4.8 | 1.60 | 2.50 | 162.1 | 4.85 |
plus | 537.00 | 540.00 | 3.00 | 2.1 | 9.76 | 4.60 | 319.7 | 15.92 |
plus | 554.80 | 558.50 | 3.70 | 2.6 | 4.69 | 1.89 | 32.9 | 6.35 |
plus | 567.00 | 576.00 | 9.00 | 6.4 | 1.60 | 4.18 | 67.3 | 5.24 |
plus | 596.70 | 607.35 | 10.65 | 7.6 | 4.01 | 2.66 | 30.6 | 6.22 |
plus | 709.25 | 711.30 | 2.05 | 1.5 | 1.51 | 2.40 | 18.1 | 3.42 |
plus | 736.90 | 1137.30 | 400.40 | 400 | 1.18 | 0.44 | 25.9 | 1.72 |
incl | 758.00 | 760.00 | 2.00 | 1.4 | 8.34 | 0.79 | 97.0 | 9.77 |
and incl | 817.00 | 829.55 | 12.55 | 9.4 | 0.58 | 2.17 | 241.5 | 4.29 |
and incl | 842.00 | 855.00 | 13.00 | 9.8 | 6.16 | 2.90 | 191.1 | 9.96 |
and incl | 913.70 | 921.70 | 8.00 | 6.0 | 2.92 | 0.68 | 67.3 | 4.01 |
and incl | 970.40 | 989.60 | 19.20 | 15 | 5.22 | 0.85 | 45.2 | 6.24 |
and incl | 1012.45 | 1014.40 | 1.95 | 1.5 | 9.81 | 1.07 | 48.6 | 11.01 |
and incl | 1127.00 | 1137.30 | 10.30 | 8.0 | 3.54 | 0.94 | 27.0 | 4.47 |
Copper equivalent (CuEq) for drill intersections is calculated based on US$3.00/lb Cu, US$1,500/oz Au and US$18/oz Ag, with 80% metallurgical recoveries assumed for all metals. The formula is: CuEq % = Cu % + (0.7292 * Au g/t) + (0.0088 * Ag g/t).
Estimated true widths are rounded to the nearest metre for widths over 10m and to the nearest 0.1m for widths less than 10m, as this better reflects the precision of the estimates. True widths should be regarded as approximate as these are derived from an estimation that uses a preliminary interpretation of the geological model and are subject to change as more information becomes available. Intervals greater than 300m are interpreted as bulk disseminated and stockwork mineralization and drilled width is equal to estimated true width.
DPDH036 was collared on one of the highest elevation platforms and angled to the west with a dip of -55o to explore the up-dip extension of the vein system. Several mineralized zones were intersected as shown in Table 1, all of which extend the deeper zones upwards and remain open to surface.
DPDH037 was collared from the same platform as DPDH027 and DPDH029 and drilled in between these holes, towards the west at a dip of -51o. An important result of this hole was the intersection of 87.80m at 2.75% CuEq from 731.50m which lies along an interpreted consistent zone as described in the news release from April 24, 2025. This hole intersected the zone in between holes DPDH027 (53.30m at 2.22% CuEq from 536.00m) and DPDH029 (101.20m at 2.83% CuEq from 807.50m), 220m from the former and 190m from the latter. The fact that DPDH037 intersected this zone where predicted improves our confidence in its orientation and continuity.
DPDH038 was drilled from the same platform as DPDH025 and DPDH033, the northernmost platform, and angled to the northwest at an azimuth of 302o and a dip of -49o to test for a northern extension to the mineralization in those holes. A high-grade intersection of 16.35m at 12.97% CuEq from 166.90m confirms the extension of the zone described in the news release dated March 13, 2025. This intersection extends the zone by 30m, giving it a strike length of at least 120m from hole DPDH032, and it remains open to the north beyond DPDH038. The hole went on to intersect several additional high-grade zones before ending at 785m. This hole clearly demonstrates that the entire system remains completely open to the north.
DPDH039 was drilled roughly in the middle of the known deposit and angled to the west at a dip of -45o to fill a large gap in the drill pattern at this location. Several zones were intersected, ranging from 400.40m at 1.72% CuEq to 1.95m at 11.01% CuEq, representing the variety of mineralized widths and grades within the deposit. These zones correlate well with nearby holes, helping to define geometries and continuity as we build out the deposit model.
Discussion
With assay results now back from 16 of the 24 holes drilled this season, we have significantly increased our understanding of the size and geometry of the Lunahuasi vein deposit, as well as confirmed that it is only one part of a much larger porphyry / high-sulphidation epithermal system.
We are starting to define at least three discreet zones of contiguous high-grade mineralization and beginning to understand the structural patterns and geometry of the deposit. Two of these zones were described in the March 13, 2025 and April 24, 2025 news releases. Drillholes DPDH037 and DPDH038, discussed above, are significant in that they intersected these zones as predicted, helping to confirm our interpretation and improve our understanding of the deposit. All three of these zones, along with the entirety of the Lunahuasi deposit, remain open to expansion in all directions and we have yet to define any of the limits of the deposit.
In addition to these three zones, we have numerous isolated drill intersections which we are confident will develop into additional zones with more drilling.
The Phase 3 drill program was completed on May 8, 2025, with a total of 25,003m drilled in 24 holes. All field activities have now been concluded, and we are focused on advancing our geological interpretation and building out the deposit model during the austral winter season before finalizing and announcing our Phase 4 program plans in the upcoming months. Full assays for the final 8 holes of the Phase 3 program representing 6,082m of drill core are pending.
Table 2: Assay Intervals by News Release Date |
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Hole ID | Dec. 18 2024 |
Jan. 21 2025 |
Feb.19 2025 | Mar. 13 2025 |
Apr 24 2025 | May 21 2025 | June 18 2025 |
Pending |
DPDH024 | 0-394.0 | 394.0-757.0 | 757.0-968 | – | – | – | None | |
DPDH025 | 0-271.0 | 271.0-652.0 | 652.0-1303.8 | – | – | – | None | |
DPDH026 | 0-553.0 | 553.0-1261.2 | – | – | – | None | ||
DPDH027 | 0-459.0 | 459.0-1075.1 | – | – | 1015.1-2005.0 | None | ||
DPDH028 | 0-588.0 | 588.0-1530.7 | – | – | – | None | ||
DPDH029 | 0-1060.0 | – | – | 1060.0-1600.0 | None | |||
DPDH030 | 0-502.9 | – | – | None | ||||
DPDH031 | 0-860.0 | – | – | None | ||||
DPDH032 | 0-573.0 | 573.0-896.1 | – | None | ||||
DPDH033 | 0-475.8 | 475.8-1235.0 | – | None | ||||
DPDH034 | 0-353.3 | 353.3-1329.7 | – | None | ||||
DPDH035 | 0-273.5 | 273.5-1073.0 | – | None | ||||
DPDH036 | 0-1105.2 | None | ||||||
DPDH037 | 0-1196.1 | None | ||||||
DPDH038 | 0-785.0 | None | ||||||
DPDH039 | 0-1200.8 | None | ||||||
DPDH040 | All | |||||||
DPDH041 | All | |||||||
DPDH042 | All | |||||||
DPDH043 | All | |||||||
DPDH044 | All | |||||||
DPDH045 | All | |||||||
DPDH046 | All | |||||||
DPDH047 | All |
Qualified Persons and Technical Notes
The scientific and technical disclosure included in this news release have been reviewed and approved by Bob Carmichael, B.A.Sc., P.Eng. who is the Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. Mr. Carmichael is Vice President, Exploration for the Company.
Samples were cut at NGEx’s operations base in San Juan, Argentina by Company personnel. Diamond drill core was sawed and then sampled in maximum 2-meter intervals, stopping at geological boundaries. Core diameter is a mix of PQ, HQ and NQ depending on the depth of the drill hole. Samples were bagged, tagged and packaged for shipment by truck to the ALS preparation laboratory in Mendoza, Argentina where they were crushed and a 500g split was pulverized to 85% passing 200 mesh. The prepared sample splits were sent to the ALS assay laboratory in Lima, Peru for copper, gold and silver assays, and multi-element ICP. ALS is an accredited laboratory which is independent of the Company. Gold assays were by fire assay fusion with AAS finish on a 30g sample. Copper and silver were assayed by atomic absorption following a 4-acid digestion. Samples were also analyzed for a suite of 48 elements with ME-MS61 plus mercury and a sequential copper leach analysis was completed on each sample with copper greater than 500ppm (0.05%). Sequential copper analysis involves the sequential leaching of the sample by acid, followed by a cyanide solution. It can be used to differentiate copper speciation, with copper oxide minerals leachable with acid and secondary copper minerals (enargite, chalcocite, covellite) leachable by cyanide. The residual copper remaining following the sequential leaches it typically contained in chalcopyrite and bornite. Copper and gold standards as well as blanks and duplicates (field, preparation, and analysis) were randomly inserted into the sampling sequence for Quality Control. On average, 9% of the submitted samples are Quality Control samples. No data quality problems were indicated by the QA/QC program.
About NGEx Minerals
NGEx Minerals is a copper and gold exploration company based in Canada, focused on exploration of the Lunahuasi copper-gold-silver project in San Juan Province, Argentina, and the nearby Los Helados copper-gold project located approximately nine kilometres to the northeast in Chile’s Region III. Both projects are located within the Vicuña District, which includes the Caserones mine, and the Josemaria and Filo del Sol deposits.
NGEx owns 100% of Lunahuasi and is the majority partner and operator for the Los Helados project, subject to a Joint Exploration Agreement with Nippon Caserones Resources LLC, which is the indirect 30% owner of the operating Caserones open pit copper mine located approximately 17 kilometres north of Los Helados. Lundin Mining Corporation holds the remaining 70% stake in Caserones.
Lunahuasi Geology Drill Plan 2025 June (CNW Group/NGEx Minerals Ltd.)
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