Tinka Resources has begun its inaugural drilling programme at its wholly owned Silvia gold-copper project in central Peru.
Acquired from BHP in 2021, the exploration initiative aims to discover high-grade gold and copper deposits within the skarn and porphyry-hosted mineralisation.
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The initial phase will include the drilling of four diamond holes, each extending to depths of up to 400m.
The primary target is Area A, where outcrops of high-grade gold-copper skarn mineralisation have been identified.
Tinka Resources president and CEO Graham Carman said: “I am thrilled to announce that a drill rig is now turning for the very first time to test the high-grade gold and copper discovery at our 100%-owned Silvia gold-copper project in central Peru.
“The drill rig will be operating 24-7 until late December. Our team, with the assistance of local stakeholders, have done a fantastic job to prepare the site for the drill programme on time and on budget.
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By GlobalData“Silvia is a highly compelling, untested target in a world-class gold, copper and base metal belt, the notable example being the giant Antamina copper-zinc skarn deposit some 100km along trend to the north. It is also noteworthy there are two other areas of high prospectivity for gold and copper at Silvia outside of Area A. Areas B and C will be assessed at a later stage in the exploration programme.”
Recent third-party sampling has confirmed the existence of high-grade gold and copper, with the most notable sample yielding 28.5 grams per tonne (g/t) gold and 1.2% copper over a 0.6m stretch.
The geological setting of the Silvia project is characterised by gold and copper mineralisation and is believed to be influenced by a ‘dilational pull-apart’ scenario between two regional north-north-east-trending faults.
Carman added: “The gold and copper mineralisation at Silvia is associated with stocks and dikes of monzonite porphyry, which have intruded a thick limestone unit (Jumasha Formation). Gold – copper mineralisation occurs both within the intrusions and the limestone, forming ‘skarn’ with additional quartz stockwork veining.
“The skarn at Area A occurs in sporadic outcrops in the core of a high-altitude valley, with colluvial cover material or ‘scree’ in between. The presence of altered limestones in the periphery indicates a potentially large system. This initial drill programme will be an excellent first test of the grade and extent of the mineralisation.”
Tinka Resources expects to report the initial results from this drilling programme by the end of 2025, with additional findings expected to follow in early 2026.
Area A represents one of several prospective sites along a 4km north-east-trending axis at the Silvia project.
Carman further stated: “Silvia has returned some impressive high-grade surface samples especially for gold, with sampling by Tinka returning up to 18g/t gold and 12% copper, while a continuous trench returned 46m at 1.9g/t gold and 0.8% copper, including 6m at 12.8g/t gold and 2.7% copper.
“The tenor of these results was recently confirmed by a third party, where the validation channel samples graded up to 28g/t gold and 1.9% copper. We look forward to reporting results for the first hole once assays are received and interpreted.”
Tinka Resources specialises in the exploration and development of base and precious metal ventures in Peru.
Its primary asset, the Ayawilca zinc-silver-tin project, boasts mineral resources including zinc (including silver-lead credits) and tin in distinct zones.
