Introduction
The Candelaria project is located in the province of La Pampa (Argentina), in the south-central portion of the province.
The project is comprised of a mine and six exploration sites, covering approximately 58,000 hectares. The area is situated on a plain at an altitude of around 300 meters above sea level, in the south-central sector of the province. Infrastructure and access in the region are optimal.
Sampling has defined a broad zone with high zinc and silver grades, extending over an area of 3 by 1.5 km.
The geochemical target area is associated with a significant magnetic anomaly, interpreted as the result of a deep magmatic intrusion.
Drilling has been carried out using the Rotary (RC) and Diamond (DDH) methods, obtaining high values of zinc and silver, together with the presence of lead, copper, and gold.
The style of mineralization has not yet been fully determined. Studies carried out suggest characteristics compatible with epithermal/mesothermal systems as well as copper-gold porphyries or an IOCG-type deposit, similar to those at Olympic Dam (Ernest Henry).
Due to its location, the project has excellent infrastructure for its development: there is permanent water and the climate allows work all year round, good routes and access to the area, a very close electricity network, it is very close to the Atlantic ports, the area is not densely populated.
Background
Rock samples obtained from outcrops and slopes yielded anomalous values for silver, zinc, lead, gold, and copper, with the following notable results:
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Silver (Ag): 39 samples with values between 100 ppm and 8,425 ppm.
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Gold (Au): 6 samples with values between 1 g/t and 2 g/t.
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Zinc (Zn): 40 samples with concentrations between 1,000 ppm and 10,000 ppm.
CMG Exploration (1999-2000)
Between 1999 and 2000, CMG carried out several additional exploratory activities, including:
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Diamond drilling: 287 meters completed.
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Surface reconnaissance wells: 358 shallow holes (6 to 11 meters deep) on a grid with geochemical sampling.
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Detailed geological mapping.
Mineralization
Gold and copper mineralization is concentrated in quartz-magnetite veins and quartz veins with mesothermal textures, as well as late quartz-barite veins.
