iron horse inn

Altiplano Plans Exploration Program at the Pastillas Gold-Copper Project in the Maricunga Belt of Chile

Altiplano Metals Inc. (TSXV: APN) (WKN: A2JNFG) ("Altiplano" or the "Company") plans Phase 1 of an initial surface work program at the Company's newly acquired Pastillas gold exploration project (the "Property"), located within the prolific Maricunga Gold Belt in the Atacama region of northern Chile.

Planned work activities include bedrock lithology and alteration mapping and an extensive short-wave infrared spectroscopy (SWIR) program over the southern portion of the property to target epithermal and porphyry related alteration and mineralization. Initial review of historical data suggests that older, altered rocks exposed within late volcanics in the southern portion of the property represent a high-level expression of potential epithermal and/or porphyry mineralization.

Alastair McIntyre, President and CEO, comments, "The Maricunga Gold Belt is one the most identifiable gold districts in Chile, and we are very excited to begin our exploration program at Pastillias. Our work at Pastillas dovetails with the Company's strategy of developing near term cash flowing assets while also focusing on large scale exploration projects with the potential of identifying significant mineral resources."

The mapping and SWIR programs will enhance Altiplano's understanding of the alteration systems identified in historical ASTER data and help characterize the alteration footprint. This work will assist with defining drill targets for Phase 2 of the exploration program. The planned exploration work involves:

SWIR

  • SWIR is used to identify important alteration minerals associated with specific temperature and pH environments, making it an ideal exploration tool for vectoring in epithermal and porphyry deposit exploration.
  • The Company has planned a high-density SWIR grid (up to 4,000 sample sites) covering approximately 6 km2 of the 30 km2 project area over two historical ASTER anomalies (Figure 1).

Mapping

  • Altiplano will complete extensive alteration and bedrock lithology mapping over the southern portion of the property that will follow up on limited historical work that identified evidence of advanced argillic and steam-heated type alteration (Figure 2), indicative of epithermal and porphyry systems.

Cannot view this image? Visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4303/104119_51e0d0b374f09be7_001.jpg

Figure 1: Proposed SWIR and mapping program area at Pastillas.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:
https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4303/104119_51e0d0b374f09be7_001full.jpg

Cannot view this image? Visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4303/104119_51e0d0b374f09be7_002.jpg

Figure 2: Annotated photo showing areas of alteration below post-mineral cover. Looking east.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:
https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4303/104119_51e0d0b374f09be7_002full.jpg

Altiplano has generated greater than US$7.2 million from the recovery and sale of approximately 3.6 million pounds of copper with an average grade of 1.74% Cu (2018 Q1-2021 Q3). Cash flow has been re-invested into equipment, underground drilling, expanding underground development, enhancing ventilation to increase productivity and capacity, and the commencement of the permitted El Peñón fit-for-purpose mill and flotation plant located 15 km from the Farellon site.

About Altiplano

Altiplano Metals is a growing gold, silver, and copper company focused on the Americas. The Company has a diversified portfolio of assets that include an operating copper/gold/iron mine, development near term producing gold/copper projects, and exploration land packages with district-scale potential. Altiplano is focused on creating long-term stakeholder value through developing safe and sustainable production, reinvesting into exploration, and pursuing acquisition opportunities to complement its existing portfolio. Management has a substantial record of success in capitalizing on opportunity, overcoming challenges and building shareholder value. Altiplano trades on the Toronto Venture Exchange trading under the symbol APN and the Frankfurt Exchange under the symbol A2JNFG.

John Williamson, B.Sc., P.Geol., a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, has reviewed, and approved the technical contents of this document.

www.metalsgroup.com

Altiplano is part of the Metals Group of companies, managed by an award-winning team of professionals who stand for technical excellence, painstaking project selection and uncompromising corporate governance, with a proven ability to capitalize on investment opportunities and deliver shareholder returns.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

/s/ "John Williamson"
Chairman

For further information, please contact:
Alastair McIntyre, CEO
alastairm@apnmentals.com
Tel: (416) 434 3799

Jeremy Yaseniuk, Director
jeremyy@apnmetals.com
Tel: (604) 773-1467

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the (TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address exploration drilling, exploitation activities and events or developments that the Company expects are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, continuity of mineralization, uncertainties related to the ability to obtain necessary permits, licenses and title and delays due to third party opposition, changes in government policies regarding mining and natural resource exploration and exploitation, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions, including the impact of COVID-19, as well as its resulting quarantine measures and travel restrictions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on the Company, investors should review the Company's continuous disclosure filings that are available at www.sedar.com.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/104119

News Provided by Newsfile via QuoteMedia

The Conversation (0)
Spools of copper wire.

Top 5 Junior Copper Stocks on the TSXV in 2025

The copper price climbed to a record high of US$5.64 per pound on the COMEX during the second quarter of 2025.

The price rise comes on the back of escalating trade tensions and economic chaos from the United States’ new tariff policy.

While copper was initially spared from tariffs at the start of the year, US President Donald Trump announced the US would be imposing a 50 percent tariff on all copper products entering the US. The announcement sparked speculative buying by US metals traders, who sought to position themselves ahead of the yet-to-be-announced tariff deadline.

How has this affected small-cap copper-focused companies on the TSX Venture Exchange? Read on to learn about the five best-performing junior copper stocks since the start of 2025.

Data for this article was gathered on July 17, 2025, using TradingView's stock screener, and copper companies with market caps of over C$10 million at that time were considered.

Keep reading...Show less
Pile of raw copper nuggets on a dark background.

Barrick Backs Hercules in Leviathan-Linked Copper Expansion

Hercules Metals (TSXV:BIG,OTCQB:BADEF) has entered into a transformative agreement with Barrick Mining (TSX:ABX,NYSE:B) to acquire a vast package of unpatented copper claims surrounding its Leviathan discovery in western Idaho.

Hercules will have the option to acquire a 100 percent interest in more than 74,000 acres of claims, collectively known as the Olympus belt, that flank both sides of the company’s existing Hercules property.

If exercised, the deal would expand Hercules’ total land position from 26,000 acres to over 100,000 acres, granting it control over a 73 kilometer stretch of highly prospective terrain.

The transaction is structured as an option agreement through Hercules’ US subsidiary, Anglo-Bomarc, with Barrick Gold Exploration, a wholly owned subsidiary of Barrick Mining.

Keep reading...Show less
Rows of fine copper bars with text that reads '5 Top Canadian Mining Stocks This Week.'

Top 5 Canadian Mining Stocks This Week: St. Augustine Gains 67 Percent

Welcome to the Investing News Network's weekly look at the best-performing Canadian mining stocks on the TSX, TSXV and CSE, starting with a round-up of Canadian and US news impacting the resource sector.

Statistics Canada released its monthly mineral production report for May 2025 on Monday (July 21). The data shows that the production of both copper and silver increased from April. Copper output rose to 36.3 million kilograms from 35.85 million in April, and silver increased to 26,502 kilograms from 25,412. Meanwhile, gold production decreased marginally to 16,518 kilograms from 16,640 the previous month.

However, shipments were up across the board. Copper shipments rose to 34.34 million kilograms compared to 30.01 million kilograms in April. Silver increased to 26,376 kilograms, up considerably from 22,106 kilograms a month earlier. Gold shipments saw a slighter gain, rising to 14,858 kilograms from 14,660 kilograms in April.

Keep reading...Show less
Silhouetted miners work in a dimly lit tunnel; "Weekly Editor's Picks" text overlay.

Editor's Picks: Miners Rescued, US Mine Waste Strategy, Ontario Expands CIMF

Here's a quick recap of some of the most impactful resource sector news items for the week.

The period saw three miners rescued after 60 hours underground at the Red Chris mine in BC, the US announce a mine waste recovery strategy and the Ontario government add C$7 million to boost critical minerals innovation.

Keep reading...Show less
Traffic light with green signal against a blue sky.

Teck Greenlights Highland Valley Expansion After Beating Q2 Profit Estimates

Teck Resources (TSX:TECK.A,TSX:TECK.B,NYSE:TECK) has secured board approval for a multi-billion-dollar life extension of its Highland Valley copper mine in British Columbia, setting the stage for a two-decade boost in copper output.

The Vancouver-based miner said Thursday (July 24) that construction on the Highland Valley Copper Mine Life Extension Project (HVC MLE) will begin in August, following receipt of environmental and permitting approvals in June.

Keep reading...Show less
Blackstone Minerals

Blackstone Minerals


Keep reading...Show less

Latest Press Releases

Related News

×