New Pacific Metals Reports Major Advancements in Bolivia's Carangas and Silver Sand Projects

New Pacific Metals Corp. has made significant strides in its Carangas silver-gold and Silver Sand silver projects in Bolivia, two of the largest undeveloped open-pit silver projects globally. The developments reported mark a hopeful turn for the mining company as it strategically positions itself for production by 2026.

Proactive Steps Forward

In 2025, New Pacific adopted a more proactive stance, enhancing its collaboration with local communities, regional mining associations, and both local and federal governmental bodies. This shift is commendable in the context of the Bolivian government's encouragement of foreign investment in the mining industry, indicating a promising future for the region and a supportive atmosphere for mining endeavors.

Carangas Silver-Gold Project Update

The Carangas Project achieved a crucial milestone in 2024 with the completion of a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA). As the company focused on advancing the project in 2025, it initiated the conversion of exploration licenses to Administrative Mining Contracts (AMCs) and worked towards a framework agreement with the Carangas community. This involved submitting applications for necessary permits and engaging in productive consultations with the local population.

Community Engagement
In August 2025, the Carangas community expressed its approval of the company's ongoing activities and the continuation of prior consultation processes. Building on this success, New Pacific presented a draft long-term framework agreement, outlining benefits for the community from the project's permitting stage through to its conclusion. Negotiations are still underway to finalize this agreement, and the company enjoys a positive relationship with the government of Oruro department, enhancing the likelihood of successful permit applications.

Upon completing these negotiations, the company will petition the Bolivian National Assembly to finalize the AMC conversion. The acquisition of such contracts will allow New Pacific to proceed with the Environmental Impact Assessment (EEIA) for Carangas, paving the way for more extensive exploration activities.

Drilling and Resource Development
From 2021 to 2023, New Pacific conducted extensive drilling campaigns at Carangas, amounting to 81,145 meters across 189 holes. This effort led to the project's inaugural mineral resource estimate and completion of the PEA in September 2024. The company is set to kick off a feasibility study, including infill drilling to enhance known resources, alongside targeting new areas of interest in 30,000 meters of upcoming drilling.

Silver Sand Silver Project Progress

The Silver Sand Project similarly moved forward with critical developments, receiving environmental categorization in May 2023 which initially set the stage for the EEIA process. However, this progress faced setbacks due to illegal mining conducted by local artisanal miners, which disrupted the project until mid-2025 when New Pacific successfully managed to cease these activities.

Legal and Community Stabilization
After regaining access and establishing a robust security presence at the site, the project witnessed a positive shift with the local government's judicial backing, which provided legal protection against further encroachments. Following this, New Pacific focused on rebuilding goodwill within the community, directly engaging residents to restore trust. Efforts involve discussions about the project's potential benefits for the area, yielding encouraging responses from community members.

In the latter part of 2025 and early 2026, the goal is to finalize framework and resettlement agreements with impacted communities. This will allow the company to renew environmental categorization and EEIA processes while also conducting necessary technical drilling for feasibility studies.

Looking Ahead

As New Pacific anticipates a fruitful 2026, it emphasizes the importance of collaboration with the Bolivian government and local communities, ensuring that both the Carangas and Silver Sand projects can progress toward becoming major contributors to the global silver mining sector. The outlook remains strong, driven by enhanced community relations and a clearer trajectory for production.

In summary, New Pacific Metals Corp.'s proactive strategies and focused community engagement are key factors in its successful advancement in Bolivia’s promising mining landscape, setting the stage for significant achievements in 2026 and beyond.