Challenger Exploration

Initial Mineral Resource Estimate Of 4.5 Moz Gold-Equivalent At CEL's 100% Owned El Guayabo Project, Ecuador And Completion Of $10 Million Placement

Challenger Exploration (ASX: CEL) (“CEL” the “Company”) is pleased to announce a first Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) which is reported according to JORC (2012) for the Company's El Guayabo Gold Copper Project, in El Oro Province, Ecuador.


Highlights

  • Initial Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) of 270 mt at 0.52 g/t AuEq1 for 4.5 Moz AuEq1 at CEL's 100% owned El Guayabo Project in Ecuador (refer Table 1).
  • The 4.5 Moz1 MRE contains a significant higher-grade core of mineralisation (refer Table 2):
    • 1.45 Moz at 1.0 g/t AuEq1 (0.65 g/t AuEq cut-off) including;
    • 1.01 Moz at 1.2 g/t AuEq1 (0.8 g/t AuEq cut-off) including;
    • 0.63 Moz at 1.5 g/t AuEq1 (1.0 g/t AuEq cut-off).
  • The MRE is predominantly based on drilling at the GY-A and GY-B anomalies and is constrained by drilling with mineralisation remaining open in both directions along strike and at depth.
  • MRE does not include drill holes GYDD-23-039 (805.3m at 0.6 g/t AuEq) or GYDD-23-040 to 043 (assays pending) and will be updated upon the receipt of assays for these final five holes.
  • Discovery Cost of approximately US$1.202 per ounce.
  • Transforms CEL into a two-project company with gold equivalent resources of 2.8 Moz4 in Hualilan and 4.5 Moz1 in Ecuador, both of which remain open.
  • Firm commitments received to raise $10 million by way of an institutional placement, with strong support received from domestic and offshore institutional investors
  • Funds from the capital raising to be primarily applied to:
    • Completion of a Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) at CEL's Flagship Hualilan Gold Project;
    • Regional exploration activities and drilling at Hualilan.

1Reported as Gold Equivalent (AuEq) values – for requirements under the JORC Code see page 2
2Discovery cost includes cost of drilling, assaying and all GA associated with the MRE

Commenting on the resource, CEL Managing Director, Mr Kris Knauer, said

“I would like to congratulate our Exploration team in Ecuador for this outstanding start. An initial resource of 4.5 million ounces1, particularly given its higher-grade core of 1.5 Moz at 1.0 g/t AuEq, is a great start and has significant value in its own right.

It is, however, only our starting point. This resource is focused on 2 of the 7 targets at El Guayabo that have produced mineralised intercepts greater than 500 metres. Mineralisation on these two targets remains open in all directions along strike and at depth with the resource limited by a lack of drilling. Additionally, the final five holes in the program are yet to be included in the estimate which will be updated when assays for these holes are received."

This 4.5 Moz gold-equivalent1 MRE is based on 34 drill holes, for 22,572 metres, from the Company's Phase 1 and 2 diamond core drill program at its 100% owned El Guayabo concession. The final five holes in the program, including GYDD-23-039 (805.3m at 0.6 g/t AuEq including 546.7m at 0.8 g/t AuEq) and GYDD-23-040, GYDD-23-041, GYDD-23-042 and GYDD-23-043 (all assays pending) have not been included in the MRE. Accordingly, it should be regarded as an interim resource estimate which will be updated upon the receipt of assays for the final 5 holes which comprise 3,423 metres.

This initial resource drilling program, and resultant MRE, focused primarily on the GY-A and GY-B anomalies on the Company's 100% owned El Guayabo concession. Mineralisation remains open in both directions along strike and at depth at both GY-A and GY-B and there is clear potential for the MRE to grow significantly via additional drilling on these two anomalies.


Click here for the full ASX Release

This article includes content from Challenger Exploration, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.

CEL:AU
The Conversation (0)
US flag, gold bars.

Editor's Picks: Gold Price Passes US$2,950, Trump Promises Fort Knox Audit

Another week, another gold price record.

The yellow metal rose to a new high once again on Thursday (February 20), moving past the US$2,950 per ounce level for the first time ever.

It's becoming increasingly clear that gold is being pushed higher by a strong base of underlying drivers, as well as day-to-day events.

Keep reading...Show less
TSX and TSXV website on phone screen.

6 Mining and Energy Stocks Make Top 10 on 2025 TSX Venture 50 List

The TSX Venture Exchange has released its annual TSX Venture 50 ranking, recognizing the top-performing companies based on share price appreciation, market capitalization growth and Canadian trading value.

Among this year’s top 10 are six companies from the mining and oil and gas sectors.

Read on to learn about the companies and their assets.

Keep reading...Show less
Three gold bars on price chart with magnifying glass.

What Was the Highest Price for Gold?

Gold has long been considered a store of wealth, and the price of gold all time high often makes its biggest gains during turbulent times as investors look for cover in this safe-haven asset.

The 21st century has so far been heavily marked by episodes of economic and sociopolitical upheaval. Uncertainty has pushed the precious metal to record highs as market participants seek its perceived security. And each time the gold price rises, there are calls for even higher record-breaking levels.

Gold market gurus from Lynette Zang to Chris Blasi to Jordan Roy-Byrne have shared eye-popping predictions on the gold price that would intrigue any investor — gold bug or not.

Keep reading...Show less
Gold coin stacks with up arrow.

Gold Price Hits New Record, Breaking US$2,950 for First Time

The gold price reached yet another record high on Thursday (February 20), breaking US$2,950 per ounce.

The yellow metal rose as high as US$2,954.72 before pulling back to the US$2,935 level, pushed upward by ever-increasing global turmoil, including tariff talks and ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine.

Keep reading...Show less
Businessmen shaking hands.

Barrick Gold and Mali Reach Settlement, Ending Two Year Mining Dispute

Barrick Gold (TSX:ABX,NYSE:GOLD) has reportedly reached an agreement with the Malian government after nearly two years of issues, resolving a prolonged conflict over its Loulo-Gounkoto mining complex.

According to Reuters, the deal, which is pending formal approval by Mali’s government, includes financial compensation and regulatory commitments. It will lift gold export restrictions and allow Barrick to resume full operations.

Keep reading...Show less
Aurum Resources (ASX:AUE)

Aurum Resources


Keep reading...Show less

Latest Press Releases

Related News

×