Orla Mining has announced the first underground mineral resource estimate for its Camino Rojo deposit in Zacatecas, Mexico, revealing significant gold, silver and zinc content.
The estimate reveals a substantial down plunge extension from the oxide open pit, indicating a promising future for underground operations.
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The measured and indicated mineral resource is reported at 50.1 million tonnes (mt) with an average grade of 2.58 grams per tonne (g/t) gold equivalent, while the inferred mineral resource stands at 5.6mt at 2.33 g/t gold equivalent.
The new underground resource, which includes the Camino Rojo Sulphides and Zone 22, extends from the base of the oxide pit to approximately 1,200m below the surface.
Of the total 50.1mt, with contained metal amounts to 3.95 million ounces (moz) of gold, 17.05moz of silver and 278 million pounds (mlb) of zinc, equating to 4.16moz of gold equivalent.
The inferred mineral resource is 5.6mt, with 400,000oz of gold, 1.95moz of silver and 26mlb of zinc, resulting in a total of 420,000oz of gold equivalent.
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By GlobalDataOrla Mining president and CEO Jason Simpson “Over the past few years, our efforts have focused on drilling the sulphide zone, improving the geological model and extending mineralisation down plunge in the newly discovered Zone 22.
“We have now delivered a significant initial underground resource, a key milestone that will inform an upcoming Preliminary Economic Assessment and establish the foundation for potential long-term production at Camino Rojo. The deposit remains open down plunge and at depth, and we remain committed to continued exploration and unlocking the full potential of Camino Rojo.”
The underground resource spans up to 1km along strike and 200–400m in width. Zone 22, which accounts for a minor portion of the current resource, remains open at depth and down plunge, with drilling ongoing to incorporate 2025 results in future updates.
The mineral resource is divided into three zones, each with specific processing options, and initial metallurgical testing indicates that material from Zone 22 is amenable to both cyanide leaching and flotation.
Orla’s development strategy includes additional exploration, development planning for an exploration drift, flowsheet design, further metallurgical testing, engineering studies and permitting activities.
The company has submitted permit applications for an underground portal and exploration drift, with the aim of commencing construction as early as 2026.
The Camino Rojo deposit comprises three zones: the oxide deposit, the sulphide deposit and Zone 22. The deposit’s geological controls and metallurgical test work have been extensively studied, with the latter informing the recovery model assumptions. Orla’s ongoing exploration continues to refine the geological understanding and define additional mineralisation.
