Maiden Drilling Program Underway at High-Grade Silver-Gold Project
Advance Metals Limited (ASX: AVM) has successfully completed its first diamond drill hole at the 100%-owned Yoquivo Silver-Gold Project in southwestern Chihuahua, Mexico. Hole YQ-25-001 reached a depth of 450.1 meters, marking the beginning of the company's ambitious drilling campaign targeting one of Mexico's promising high-grade silver districts.
The drilling program, expected to comprise up to 3,000 meters of diamond drilling, is strategically focused on expanding the existing Foreign Estimate footprint of 937,000 tonnes at 570 g/t silver equivalent for 17.23 million ounces AgEq. This estimate was defined by more than 16,500 meters of previous drilling conducted at the property.
"I am very happy our first hole has been successfully completed at the Yoquivo Project. Our team and our contractors have done a great job safely setting up the drill sites and commencing the program, with valued assistance from local Yoquivo community members," said Managing Director Dr. Adam McKinnon. "This milestone means we are now moving ever closer to seeing our first high-grade silver-gold assays returned from the project."
Drilling Strategy Targets Multiple High-Grade Veins
The current drilling strategy at Yoquivo demonstrates sophisticated planning, with each hole designed to intersect multiple vein systems:
- Hole YQ-25-001 was designed to test and potentially extend multiple high-grade zones
- Each planned hole passes through up to four modeled epithermal vein systems
- The second hole (YQ-25-002) has commenced further to the north-northeast
- Initial assay results from the first hole are expected by the second half of June 2025
The company's technical team is systematically logging, processing, and dispatching core samples from each hole progressively, establishing an efficient workflow that should provide a steady stream of results over the coming months.
Understanding Epithermal Vein Systems: Why They Matter for Silver Investors
Epithermal vein systems represent one of the most important geological formations for precious metals investors to understand, particularly in the context of silver-gold projects like Yoquivo.
What Are Epithermal Vein Systems?
Epithermal veins form relatively near the Earth's surface (typically within 1-2 km) in areas with volcanic activity. They develop when hot, mineral-rich fluids rise through cracks in the Earth's crust, cooling and depositing minerals as they approach the surface. These systems often produce narrow but exceptionally high-grade zones of precious metals.
In Mexico specifically, epithermal vein systems have been responsible for some of the world's richest silver deposits, with the country maintaining its position as the world's largest silver producer for centuries.
Why This Matters for Yoquivo Investors
What makes the Yoquivo project particularly interesting is the presence of multiple parallel vein systems. This geological setting provides several advantages:
- Multiple targets from single drill holes – As demonstrated in the current program, each drill hole can test several veins, making the exploration process more efficient
- Higher probability of success – With four potential mineralised structures per hole, the chances of intercepting high-grade material increase substantially
- Expansion potential – The presence of multiple veins suggests the possibility for resource growth beyond the current foreign estimate
The grade of 570 g/t AgEq reported in the foreign estimate places Yoquivo in the high-grade category of silver projects globally, making any expansion of this resource particularly valuable to the company.
Timeline and Next Steps
Advance Metals has outlined a clear path forward for the Yoquivo project:
| Milestone | Expected Timeline |
|---|---|
| Completion of first diamond hole (YQ-25-001) | May 2025 (Completed) |
| Initial assay results from first hole | Second half of June 2025 |
| Ongoing drilling program (up to 3,000m) | Throughout 2025 |
| Resource definition work | Following successful drill results |
The company's in-country team has established core processing facilities in the nearby town of Basaseachi, enabling efficient sample preparation and dispatch. This local presence also reinforces Advance's commitment to community engagement, with local Yoquivo community members participating in the program.
Investment Thesis: Why Yoquivo Stands Out
The Advance Metals Yoquivo drilling results represent a compelling investment opportunity in the precious metals sector for several reasons:
1. Exceptional Grade Profile
The current foreign estimate of 570 g/t AgEq places Yoquivo among the highest-grade undeveloped silver projects globally. To put this in perspective, many operating silver mines work with grades of 100-300 g/t silver equivalent, making Yoquivo's grade nearly double the industry average.
2. Established Mineralisation with Expansion Potential
With 17.23 million ounces AgEq already defined in the foreign estimate and a targeted drilling program underway, there is significant potential to expand this resource base. The historical drilling (over 16,500 meters) provides a solid foundation, while the current program aims to extend known high-grade zones.
3. Strategic Location in World-Class Mining Jurisdiction
Mexico remains one of the world's premier silver mining jurisdictions, with well-established mining codes, infrastructure, and skilled workforce. Chihuahua state specifically has a long history of successful mining operations and supportive local communities.
4. Experienced Technical Leadership
Under the guidance of Managing Director Dr. Adam McKinnon, a qualified geologist and Competent Person under JORC guidelines, the company brings technical expertise directly to the executive level. This technical leadership helps ensure that exploration activities follow best practices and maintain focus on value creation.
Why Silver Investors Should Pay Attention to Advance Metals
As global markets continue to face inflationary pressures and economic uncertainties, silver's dual role as both an industrial metal and monetary asset positions it uniquely among commodities. For investors seeking exposure to this sector, Advance Metals offers several compelling reasons to follow its progress:
- Pure high-grade silver-gold exposure through the Yoquivo project
- Near-term catalysts with assay results expected in June 2025
- Systematic exploration approach targeting multiple vein systems simultaneously
- Clear pathway to resource growth with the current 3,000-meter drill program
- Low market capitalisation relative to the potential resource size and grade
The company's focused approach—systematically drilling to expand an already established high-grade resource in a premier mining jurisdiction—represents a straightforward value proposition for investors interested in the precious metals space.
As drilling continues and assay results begin to arrive in the coming weeks, Advance Metals is positioned at a potential inflection point, where successful results could significantly enhance the value proposition of the Yoquivo project and the company's overall market position.
Key Takeaway:
Advance Metals has positioned itself to potentially expand a remarkably high-grade silver-gold resource at Yoquivo, with grades of 570 g/t AgEq already established. With drilling underway and first results expected in June 2025, investors have near-term catalysts to monitor while gaining exposure to a strategic silver asset in one of the world's premier mining jurisdictions.
Ready to Invest in High-Grade Silver Potential?
Discover why Advance Metals' Yoquivo Project could be your next significant investment opportunity. With drilling now underway targeting expansion of the 17.23 million ounces at 570 g/t silver equivalent resource, investors have a compelling entry point into this high-grade silver-gold story. Visit Advance Metals' investor page to learn more about this promising ASX-listed company and stay updated on the upcoming June 2025 assay results.
