⚒️ Southern Hemisphere Mining Limited reports the progress on expansion of its Llahuin Copper-Gold-Moly Project in Region IV Coquimbo, Chile.
- 2024 RC drilling program totals 2,728m drilled in 26 holes
Includes new results of:- 24LHRC067 – 128m @ 0.41% CuEq from 16m to EOH, incl. 32m @ 0.57% CuEq from 66m
- 24LHRC068 – 30m @ 0.42% CuEq from surface, 26m @ 0.56% CuEq from 40m to EOH, incl. 8m @ 0.96% CuEq from 42m
- To add to results from same campaign recently reported:
- 24LHRC065 – 105m @ 0.64% CuEq from surface to EOH, incl. 16m @ 0.85% CuEq from surface and 26m @ 0.91% CuEq from 78m
- 24LHRC055 – 81m @ 0.49% CuEq from 2m to EOH, incl. 48m @ 0.58% CuEq from 30m
- 24LHRC058 – 132m @ 0.48% CuEq from surface incl. 60m @ 0.67% CuEq from surface
- 24LHRC048 – 122m @ 0.41% CuEq from 2m, incl. 48m @ 0.52% CuEq from 66m
- 24LHRC051 – 16m @ 0.51% CuEq from 102m
Many holes ended in mineralisation
- Diamond drilling testing potential depth extensions in Q1-Q2 2025
- Strike 15% extension of the Cerro-Ferro system by a further 300m to 2.2km, remains open
- Magneto-Telluric (MT) survey nearing completion
Chairman Mr Mark Stowell reported:
“Southern Hemisphere’s Llahuin Copper-Gold-Moly Project continues to deliver results in the Coquimbo area in Chile, which is becoming a focus for copper-gold discovery and development. The neighbouring El Espino mine is only 8km west of Llahuin and is in construction by Pucobre and Resource Capital Funds. .
Many of these RC holes intersected excellent porphyry style grades over large and wide zones and ended in copper-gold mineralisation, which are now ready for diamond tails to advance the depth and grade potential. The Board is pleased with progress noting that our longer-term exploration journey at Llahuin continues to show that the full potential of this flagship asset extends far beyond what has been published in JORC resources to date.”
⚒️ RC Drilling Program 2024
The 2024 RC drill program completed a total of 2,728m drilled in 26 holes, 24LHRC044 to 069, and from depths of 53m to 168m.
Results from 2024 RC Drilling campaign, 2,728m drilled in 26 holes, 24LHRC044 to 069 from depths of 53m to 168m, including:
- 105m @ 0.64% CuEq from surface to EOH, incl. 16m @ 0.85% CuEq from surface and 26m @ 0.91% CuEq from 78m – 24LHRC065
- 132m @ 0.48% CuEq from surface incl. 60m @ 0.67% CuEq from surface – 24LHRC058
- 81m @ 0.49% CuEq from 2m to EOH, incl. 48m @ 0.58% CuEq from 30m – 24LHRC055
- 128m @ 0.41% CuEq from 16m to EOH, incl. 32m @ 0.57% CuEq from 66m – 24LHRC067
- 30m @ 0.42% CuEq from surface, 26m @ 0.56% CuEq from 40m to EOH, incl. 8m @ 0.96% CuEq from 42m – 24LHRC068
- 120m @ 0.42% CuEq from 2m, incl. 58m @ 0.49% CuEq from 66m – 24LHRC048
- 16m @ 0.51% CuEq from 102m – 24LHRC051
These have resulted in the extension of the strike of the Cerro-Ferro system by a further 300m to 2.2km, and open potentially to the north and the south of Ferro.
These results further add to the results from the 2023 drilling campaign which included:
- 156m at 0.51% CuEq from surface in 23LHRD027, incl. 82m at 0.67% CuEq from 46m and 26m at 0.75% CuEq from 48m
- 136m at 0.47% CuEq from 42m in 23LHRD028, incl. 32m at 0.66% CuEq from 100m
Assays for the remaining drill holes to 24LHRC069 are in progress at the laboratory and results will be reported in due course.
As shown above, the drilling to date is all shallow, from surface with many large and wide mineralised zones, and over a large strike of 2.2km and open. This significantly advances the open pit potential of Llahuin, and validity of testing for longer term large underground mining scope.
Figure 1. Plan view showing the locations of drillholes reported in this announcement. Holes in white are 2023 drill collars.
⚒️ Water
All holes drilled in this campaign have intersected water at 40-60m, and a water test on hole 24LHRC053 demonstrated a flow rate of 40 litres per minute. Water test work indicates that it is fresh but not potable. This is positive for future development of Llahuin having water from the site that could be used in mine operations, potentially all sourced from the mine itself, but will be subject to further studies for confirmation at the appropriate stage.
Many of the RC holes ended in mineralisation and were stopped early due to water ingress to ensure all RC samples collected were kept dry. These holes will be extended by diamond tails Q1-2.
Figure 2. Cross section showing holes 24LHRC064 and 24LHRC065, which are both planned for diamond tails in the upcoming drilling campaign.
Figure 3. Cross section showing 24LHRC058, which will be extended by diamond drilling.
FIGURE 4
Figure 4. Cross Section showing RC 24LHRC068 which ended in mineralisation and ready for diamond drilling tail to depth.
Figure 5. Cross Section showing RC 24LHRC067, 48 and 60 which all ended in mineralisation and ready for diamond drilling tail to depth in a new extension zone south.
Figure 6. Cross section showing 24LHRC047 and 24LHRC048. This is a new area of mineralisation outside of the current Mineral Resource, potentially adding tonnage.
Figure 7. Cross section showing 24LHRC050 and 24LHRC051, and new mineralised zone outside of the current Mineral Resource.
Figure 8. Cross section showing 24LHRC053 and 24LHRC055. 24LHRC055 will be extended with a diamond tail.
Regional Context
Llahuin is located 8km east of the El Espino project, which is in construction. This project is owned by Pucobre (a Santiago listed copper producer) and Resource Capital Funds as minority partner. Annual planned production of 26,000t Cu and 13,000oz Au per annum is from a ~5mtpa throughput plant. The CAPEX is approximately US$490m. (www.pucobre.cl) – reinforcing the region’s significance for copper production.
Llahuin Project Highlights:
- Encouraging Drill Results
– Reverse circulation (RC) drilling has intersected strong copper-gold porphyry style grades.
– Many drill holes ended in mineralisation, indicating further potential for expansion. - Advancing Depth and Grade Potential
– Diamond drilling (diamond tails) will be utilised to assess deeper mineralisation and enhance the resource model.
– The current strike length is outlined at 2.2km and remains open, demonstrating the large resource expansion opportunity. - Favourable open-pit mining low strip ratio configuration potential.
- Proximity to Established and Developing Projects
– Regional infrastructure and investment in nearby projects highlight the area’s increasing importance.
The Llahuin Copper-Gold-Moly Project is well-positioned in a highly prospective mining district with ongoing drilling success and growing regional investment. Continued exploration and resource expansion efforts will be key to maximising its full potential and securing long-term value for shareholders with this unique independently 100% owned, rapidly advancing copper project of scale in an A international credit rated country.
Notable Copper Projects in the Coquimbo Region El Espino Project -as above. Arqueros Project – A US$200M project developing an underground copper mine.
Figure 9. Map showing the location of Llahuin and El Espino project locations.
Figure 10. 3D view looking northeast from Southern Porphyry (SP) to Central Porphyry, showing the scale of the Llahuin mineralising system with Ferro extension in yellow circle, and the newly identified East Porphyry zone in the green circle (colluvium covered up to 5m deep).
The Magneto-Telluric Deep Target Study
Magneto-telluric (MT) data acquisition at the site for refinement of deep large copper targets has been completed and the data is being processed and integrated with the Company’s existing MT data covering part of the Curiosity Target in the Southern Porphyry done some years ago.
The MT dataset will be integrated with and interrogated against the existing IP, aeromagnetic, and geochemical prospectivity mapping datasets.
Geological
The deeper targets emerging beneath Curiosity and Cerro/Ferro compare with the geometry and development stage of the Filo Del Sol deposit (Filo Mining-Argentina) in 2018. After 2018, deeper drilling was completed at Filo Del Sol, transforming the project.
Figure 11. Long section through Central Porphyry to Ferro, showing the conceptual fathom geochemical models, and implicit geochemical models based on existing drilling. Note the similar geometries of the following examples from the Filo Del Sol deposit below. (Filo Mining – TSX Presentation dated 2/2/2022).
Figure 12. Filo Del Sol as at 2018, at a similar scale to Figure 11 above.
Figure 13. Update on Figure 12 as of 2021.
Figure 14. A similar long section to Figure 1, this time showing from Southern Porphyry (Curiosity Target at depth) to Cerro, showing similar spatial relationships.
Strengthening copper prices amid global electrification, green energy trends, and the push for diversified supply chains, Llahuin’s continued exploration success will enhance its attractiveness to investors and potential partners for development. The Board remains committed to advancing towards mine study stage, believing the full potential of this flagship asset extends far beyond what has been published in the JORC resources to date for both large stand-alone open pit and deep underground exploitation.
Further results will be reported in due course.
The Full PDF is available below.
COMPETENT PERSON / QUALIFIED PERSON STATEMENT:
The information in this report that relates to copper and gold exploration results for the Company’s Projects is based on information compiled by Mr Adam Anderson, who is a Member of The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and The Australian Institute of Geoscientists. Mr Anderson has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration, and to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the “Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves”. Mr Anderson is a consultant for the Company.
News Release
Date: 10 February 2025 | ASX Code: SUH | Frankfurt Exchange: NK4
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Southern Hemisphere Mining Limited is an experienced minerals explorer in Chile, South America.
Chile is the world’s leading copper producing country and one of the most prospective regions of the world for major new copper discoveries. The Company’s projects include the Llahuin Porphyry Copper-Gold-Moly Project, the Lago Lithium Exploration Project, and the Los Pumas Manganese EV Battery Project, all of which were discovered by the Company.
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