ATERRA Announces Completion of Totora Phase I Drill Program

ATERRA Announces Completion of Totora Phase I Drill Program

ATERRA Metals Inc. (CSE: ATC) (OTCQB: CSSCF) ("ATERRA") is pleased to report that the Totora Cu-Au Project Phase I drill program has been finished with a total of 2,745.6 metres of drilling completed: 1,571.5 metres of reverse circulation and 1,174.1 metres of diamond drilling (Table 1). The Totora Cu-Au Project is located within the Dos Amigos Mining District, 60 kilometres south of the City of Vallenar, Region III, Chile, and 15 kilometres south of Tintina Mines' Domeyko Sulfuros Project (Figure 1).

The Phase I drilling program largely targeted the Totora and Algarrobilla Cu-Au porphyries with a single diamond drill collared into the Frontera Cu-Au deposit. The program comprised a combination of confirmational drilling in preparation for a resource estimate as well as exploration drilling to test the extensions of the known mineralized porphyries.

"The Phase I Totora drill program was safely completed on schedule," said Carl Hansen, CEO of ATERRA, "with drilling confirming the presence of pyrite and chalcopyrite mineralization at the Totora, Algarrobilla and Frontera porphyry systems. Unfortunately, due to a significant number of exploration and development programs currently underway in Chile, the assay laboratories are backed up and results are delayed 4 to 6 weeks. The delays should not impact our plans to have our first Totora Cu-Au Project resource estimate available during the third quarter of 2026."

Table 1 - Totora Cu/Au Project: Phase I Drill Program
Hole ID Porphyry
Target
RC Drilling
(metres)
Diamond Drilling
(metres)
Hole
Depth
(metres)
from to from to
ATOR01 Totora 0 208.0 - - 208.0
ATOR01A Totora 0 192.0 - - -
ATOR01AD Totora - - 192.0 450.0 450.0
ATOR02 Totora 0 323.3 - - 323.3
ATOR03 Totora 0 94.0 - - 94.0
ATOR03A Totora 0 306.0 - - 306.0
ATOR04 Totora 0 91.8 - - -
ATOR04D Totora - - 91.8 266.0 266.0
ATOR05 Totora 0 110.0 - - 110.0
ATOR06 Algarrobilla 0 144.4 - - -
ATOR06D Algarrobilla - - 144.4 236.2 236.2
ATOR07 Algarrobilla 0 102.0 - - 102.0
ATOR08 Totora - - 0 200.1 200.1
AFROD01 Frontera - - 0 450.0 450.0
Totals 1,571.5 1,174.1 2,745.6

 

Cannot view this image? Visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7721/300502_3b230dfbd49639c2_001.jpg

Figure 1 - Totora Cu-Au Project Location - Dos Amigos Mining District

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7721/300502_3b230dfbd49639c2_001full.jpg

Frontera Cu-Au Deposit

The Frontera Cu-Au Deposit hosts historic resources (Table 2) of 16 million indicated tonnes grading 0.56% copper equivalent ("CuEq") (0.38% copper and 0.22 grams per tonne gold) and 34 million inferred tonnes grading 0.54% CuEq (0.36% copper and 0.22 grams per tonne gold). The historical resource estimate was based on 16,175 metres of dominantly reverse circulation drilling, completed in 2013. ATERRA completed a single diamond drill hole into the Frontera to provide geological information and confirmatory assay data necessary for the preparation of a 43-101-compliant resource estimate. The diamond drill hole confirmed the presence of a mineralized quartz diorite porphyry (see figure 2).

Table 2 - Frontera Cu/Au Deposit: Historical Resource Estimate (March 2014)*

Classification Tonnes Cu Au CuEq Contained Metal
(millions) (%) (g/t) (%) Cu ('000 lbs) Au (ounces)
Indicated 16 0.38 0.22 0.56 134,400 116,000
Inferred 34 0.36 0.22 0.54 275,500 239,000
* See "NI 43-101 Disclosure" for details on "Historical Results" and "Copper Equivalent Estimation". This historical resource was prepared by Hot Chili Limited under "Australasian Code for Reporting on Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves" (The JORC Code, 2012 Edition) and published on March 11, 2014. The historical resource estimate is based on a cut-off grade of 0.25% Cu.

Cannot view this image? Visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7721/300502_aterrafig2_550.jpg

Figure 2 - Potassic-altered quartz diorite porphyry, Frontera Cu-Au Deposit, AFROD01

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7721/300502_aterrafig2.jpg

Cautionary Note: While chalcopyrite mineralization has been observed in the diamond drill core and reverse circulation chips from the Phase I drill program, there can be no assurance that economically viable quantities of any metals are present. Assaying is necessary to determine grade and no grades should be inferred from the disclosure made in this press release.

Research Capital Advisory Agreement

On March 26, 2026, ATERRA announced that it had engaged Research Capital Corporation ("RCC") as a financial advisor for a period of 3 months. In consideration of RCC's engagement, ATERRA will issue RCC a total of 5,750,000 common shares of ATERRA, to be paid in 3 monthly tranches. The second tranche of 1,916,666 shares was issued effective May 26, 2026. The securities were issued at a deemed price of $0.0327 per share for total deemed consideration of $62,674.97. The shares issued are subject to a statutory hold period of 4 months (until August 27, 2026). Upon issuance of the shares to RCC, ATERRA will have 351,874,466 issued and outstanding common shares.

NI 43-101 Disclosure

Qualified Person: As defined by National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") of the Canadian Securities Administrators, the "Qualified Person" for ATERRA Metals Inc. is Francisco Bravo, a resident of Santiago, Chile. As ATERRA's Chief Geologist, Mr. Bravo is considered "not independent" as the term is defined by NI 43-101. Mr. Bravo, a Public Registered Person for Reserves and Resources N° 515, in Chile, and registered in the Colegio de Geólogos de Chile under N° 725, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this press release.

Copper Equivalent Estimation: Copper equivalent ("CuEq") grades were estimated using a copper price of US$4.00 per pound and a gold price of US$3,500 per ounce (US$112.53 per gram). CuEq grades are estimated using the following formula: CuEq% = (((Au grade * 0.85 * 112.53) / 4.00 / 2,204.6) * 100) + (Cu grade * 0.85).

Regulatory requirements for disclosure of CuEq grades require an estimation of metallurgical recoveries in the situation where no metallurgical testwork has been completed. ATERRA estimates copper recoveries of 85% and gold recoveries of 85%. Note that the actual recoveries will likely vary from those used in the estimation of the CuEq grades.

Historical Results: ATERRA's Qualified Person has not done sufficient work to make the Frontera Deposit resource estimate current and ATERRA does not consider the historical resource a current 43-101-compliant resource estimate. The reader is cautioned against relying on the accuracy of the historical results presented herein. ATERRA considers all historical results relevant as those results will be used as a guide to plan future exploration programs: ATERRA considers the data to be reliable for these purposes.

About ATERRA Metals Inc.

ATERRA is a mineral exploration company focused on exploration opportunities in Chile. ATERRA's team of successful exploration professionals is dedicated to the discovery of mineral deposits that can be progressed into economically viable development projects, creating value for all stakeholders.

On behalf of ATERRA Metals Inc.,

Carl Hansen, CEO
Phone: 416-953-0258

For additional information, please contact us at: info@aterrametals.com.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains forward-looking statements, including predictions, projections and forecasts. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: plans for the evaluation of exploration properties; the success of evaluation plans; the success of exploration activities; mine development prospects; and, potential for future metals production. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "planning", "expects" or "does not expect", "focus is to", "continues", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "objectives", "intends", "potential", "anticipates", "does not anticipate", or describes a "goal", or variation of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, future events, conditions, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, prediction, projection, forecast, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others: changes in economic parameters and assumptions; all aspects related to the timing of exploration activities and receipt of exploration results including assays; the interpretation and actual results of current exploration activities; changes in project or exploration parameters as plans continue to be refined; the results of regulatory and permitting processes; future metals prices; possible variations in grade or recovery rates; variations in the recovery rates used in the calculation of equivalent grades; failure of equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; the results of economic and technical studies; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing or in the completion of exploration; as well as those factors disclosed in ATERRA's publicly filed documents.

Although ATERRA has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its regulation services provider has reviewed or accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/300502

News Provided by TMX Newsfile via QuoteMedia

ATC:CC
The Conversation (0)
Stock market graph over gold bars with text reading: "Weekly Editor’s Picks."

Editor's Picks: Gold, Silver Prices Take a Hit, Russia Makes Bold Gold Claim

Gold was shaping up to have a fairly calm week, but a stronger-than-expected US jobs report sent it well under US$4,400 per ounce as the period came to an end.Silver also took a hit, dropping below US$69 per ounce.The report, which shows that nonfarm payrolls rose by 172,000 in May, has further... Keep Reading...
Gold bars overlayed with a Russian flag and financial graphs in the background.

Russia Claims Record Gold Output as Production Estimates Diverge

Russia's natural resources minister surprised the mining industry this week with news that the country's gold output may have hit 485 metric tons in 2025, and should come in at 480 to 500 metric tons this year. The figures are in contrast to independent estimates — according to Metals Focus,... Keep Reading...
Chris Vermeulen, gold bars.

Chris Vermeulen: Gold, Silver Prices — My Upside and Downside Targets

Chris Vermeulen, chief market strategist at TheTechnicalTraders.com, shares his outlook for gold and silver, saying he believes the current cycle is only halfway through. However, he thinks prices for both metals could fall further before resuming their uptrend.Don’t forget to follow us... Keep Reading...
Wooden blocks with arrows and target symbols sit atop ascending stacks of gold coins on a wooden surface.

McFarlane Lake Shares Jump 25 Percent on Gentile Support

Shares of McFarlane Lake Mining (CSE:MLM,OTCQB:MLMLF) are up 25.64 percent this week after the Canadian junior secured a C$6.75 million private placement led by well-known mining investor Michael Gentile.Gentile is taking the bulk of the non-brokered placement, subscribing for up to C$6.35... Keep Reading...
Blue Jay Gold

Blue Jay Gold Details Fully Funded Exploration Program at Steller Gold Project in Yukon and Confirms Listing Date

Blue Jay Gold Corp. (TSXV: JAY) (“Blue Jay” or the “Company”), today outlines its fully funded 2026 exploration program at the Steller Gold Project ("Steller" or the "Project") in the Yukon Territory, ahead of the Company's expected listing on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") under the... Keep Reading...
Ronald-Peter Stoeferle, gold bars.

Ronald-Peter Stoeferle: Gold Price Hasn't Topped, on Track for US$8,900

Ronald-Peter Stoeferle of Incrementum shares takeaways from the latest "In Gold We Trust" report, emphasizing that gold is currently in a bull market consolidation phase.Overall he believes the yellow metal is in the midst of a "golden decade" that will ultimately take it to his price target of... Keep Reading...

Interactive Chart

Latest Press Releases

Related News