Hot Chili (ASX:HCH) has provided its first 2026 drilling update from the La Verde copper-gold discovery, 30km south of the company’s Costa Fuego Copper-Gold Project planned processing hub in the Atacama region in Chile.
Diamond drilling from hole DKD033 is the third result released from phase two drilling, extending the original reverse circulation (RC) drillhole, which showcased 495m grading 0.38% copper and 0.10 grams per tonne gold from 3m depth, including 37m grading 0.51% copper and 0.13g/t gold from 202m, including 123m grading 0.50% copper and 0.13g/t gold from 289m.
These results indicate a 102m downhole extension to the original intercept
Diamond drilling from hole DKD034 returned an intersection of 426m grading 0.37% copper and 0.08g/t gold from 194m depth, including 107m grading 0.46% copper and 0.1g/t gold from 426m, including 52m grading 0.5% copper and 0.08g/t gold from 566m. This drillhole ended in mineralisation at 35m grading 0.27% copper and 0.06g/t gold from 679m.
Managing Director Christian Easterday says that Hot Chili is encouraged by these “compelling results” and that more are expected soon.
“Against a strong backdrop of record copper and gold prices, the reporting of wide, near-surface, copper-gold intercepts from a new major discovery underscores the strategic significance of La Verde to Hot Chili,” Easterday says.
“These latest La Verde drill results further amplify Hot Chili’s leverage to rising commodity prices.”
The company is reviewing the results and assessing potential re-entry to these two drillholes in the future. Results are still outstanding for six diamond drillholes.
Hot Chili is advancing its copper-gold projects in Chile.
Write to Amy Rotman at Mining.com.au
Images: Hot Chili
