#Argentina #Orvana Minerals #Taguas Project #Evelina claims #San Juan Province

Orvana Minerals Corp. Expands Taguas Project

Orvana Minerals Corp., a noted player in the mining industry, has announced a significant expansion of its Taguas Project in San Juan Province, Argentina. The company has acquired adjacent Evelina claims from a subsidiary of Pan American Silver Corp. for a total consideration of $1.2 million. This acquisition strategically increases the land position of the Taguas Project by approximately 123%, enhancing its exploration footprint from 3,274 hectares to a significant 7,289 hectares.

Key Features of the Acquisition

The Evelina Property includes four claims that are strategically vital to the company’s operational outlook. These claims—Evelina I, Gabriela 1, Gabriela 2, and Gabriela 3—are located in the Iglesia Department and are associated with the Oligocene–Miocene metallogenic belt, a region known for its mineral production potential. The expansion into the Evelina claims not only enhances the geological footprint of the Taguas Project but also aligns with Orvana's long-term exploration strategy focused on epithermal gold and silver systems.

CEO Juan Gavidia expressed optimism about the acquisition, stating, "As we advance our understanding of the porphyry system at depth at Taguas, we are expanding our land position and strengthening our presence in the district. The Evelina Property acquisition consolidates a continuous land package alongside Taguas, enhancing our geological optionality and increasing flexibility for potential future development." This statement highlights Orvana's commitment to maximizing its exploration operations and mineral resource valuation within a promising geological setting.

Geological Context and Potential

The Evelina claims, measuring in total 4,015 hectares, not only bolster the existing land package but also reinforce the potential for discovering mineralization continuity between Evelina and the Taguas Project. Particularly, the Evelina East sector is seen as a potential southern extension of the existing mineralized corridor at Cerros Taguas. Past geological evidence indicating a hydrothermal system brings further confidence to the projected continuity of mineralization in the area, vital for the company's future exploration efforts.

Evelina West also presents exciting early-stage signs of a hydrothermal system but remains largely underexplored. Preliminary geological indications, including the presence of argillic alteration and alunite, are consistent with favorable conditions for high-sulfidation epithermal environments. The company plans to advance its geological and exploratory assessment of this area in the coming exploration phases.

Enhanced Exploration Efforts

The acquisition of the Evelina Property dovetails with Orvana’s broader strategy for the Taguas Project, signaling an intention to deepen exploration activities. The company has already expanded its geological evaluations beyond the near-surface oxidized gold-silver resources detailed in its 2021 Preliminary Economic Assessment. With the inclusion of sulfide mineralization and potential porphyry-style copper-gold deposits into their exploratory investments, Orvana is better positioned to pursue long-term success in mineral extraction.

Following a series of drill holes in the ongoing drilling campaign, the FY2026 exploration program has revealed promising geological structures, supported by investigation results from the first drill hole TADD-278. This hole uncovered a porphyritic texture typical of the hydrothermal systems Orvana is targeting. The ongoing evaluations demonstrate the diverse mineral wealth potential beneath the surface, suggesting that the Taguas Project could yield substantial economic benefits in the future.

Conclusion

Orvana’s investment through the Evelina Property acquisition is indicative of a strategic approach to expanding its mineral exploration and development footprint within the headquarters of gold and silver production in Argentina. This move is designed to not only bolster immediate geological knowledge and operational flexibility but also set Orvana up for prospective future growth as it continues to develop its Taguas Project in the expanding metallogenic landscape of San Juan Province. As the company moves forward, it will closely monitor developments from ongoing drilling and ingenious evaluations to uncover the promises this project holds.