#Chile #Hot Chili #La Verde #Atacama #Copper Gold

Major Copper Discovery in Chile: First Diamond Drillhole Results Exceed Expectations

Hot Chili Limited, an Australian mining company, has announced a significant development in its La Verde copper-gold project located along the picturesque coastal region of Chile. The first diamond drillhole, designated DKD032, has yielded exceptional results that promise to reshape the company’s operational landscape and mineral resource base.

Key Findings

The initial assay from the diamond drillhole DKD032 revealed a remarkable intersection of 529 meters grading 0.41% Copper (Cu) and 0.21 grams per tonne (g/t) Gold (Au) starting from a depth of 41 meters all the way to the end of the hole. Within this extensive interval, there were notable subsections:

• - 148 meters grading 0.60% Cu and 0.30 g/t Au starting at 70 meters up to 218 meters.
• - 66 meters with 0.45% Cu and 0.31 g/t Au extending from 295 to 361 meters.
• - The bottom of the hole concluded with 14 meters grading 0.35% Cu and 0.12 g/t Au.

This strong performance not only exceeds initial expectations but also significantly extends the previously recorded results from an earlier drillhole, DKP002, which had recorded 308 meters at 0.5% Cu and 0.3 g/t Au starting from 46 meters. The newly recorded data illustrates a promising upward trend in the quality and quantity of mineralization.

Geological Implications

The results from drillhole DKD032 affirm that the higher-grade copper-gold mineralization is concentrated at depth, hinting at potential converging centers of high-grade material within the La Verde porphyry system. With further exploration, the now expanded mineralization footprint expected to grow both laterally and vertically enhances the prospect for additional geological resource discoveries in this rich copper-gold belt.

Ongoing Drilling Program

Following the initial encouraging results, Hot Chili wasted no time in expanding its drilling campaign, which officially began on September 22, 2025. The second phase includes a rigorous schedule designed to extend the defined mineralized footprint an additional 750 meters laterally and aiming for depths reaching 400 meters. As of now, a total of 2,700 meters of drilling has been completed, with results pending for another five diamond drillholes, all of which have reportedly intersected extensive sections of porphyry-style copper mineralization.

Future Prospects

These promising drilling outcomes create a favorable outlook for Hot Chili’s operational plans, particularly regarding its Costa Fuego project and its proposed processing center strategically located approximately 30 km from La Verde. The company anticipates that these results will enrich the pre-feasibility studies currently in progress for Costa Fuego, leading to enhanced resource estimates and operational scales.

Assay results and ongoing analyses will continue to be crucial as the company navigates through its drilling activities in La Verde over the forthcoming weeks. The demand for copper, especially as sustainability becomes a focal aspect of global market developments, underscores the project’s relevance in future energy transitions toward greener technologies.

The company maintains optimism about unraveling more discoveries as laboratory processes catch up with high seasonal sample volumes in Chile. Investors and stakeholders will be keenly awaiting updates as Hot Chili progresses through what could be a pivotal chapter in the company’s growth narrative.

Conclusion

In summary, Hot Chili Limited has positioned itself at the forefront of exciting developments in the copper-gold mining landscape in Chile, with the La Verde discovery showcasing substantial potential. With further drilling, the company looks poised to confirm and expand upon these discoveries, potentially driving its market position forward in a highly competitive sector. Stakeholders are encouraged to stay attuned to future reports for more information on this flourishing venture.