Solis Minerals Unlocks High-Priority Drill Targets at Peru's Cucho Copper Project
Solis Minerals Limited (ASX:SLM) has delivered compelling new insights from its Cucho Copper Project in Peru, with advanced 3D geophysical modelling identifying multiple high-priority drill targets within what appears to be a substantial porphyry copper-molybdenum system. The results provide a clear roadmap for the company's planned 2026 diamond drilling programme and reinforce Cucho's potential as a significant discovery in one of the world's premier copper regions.
New Geophysical Modelling Reveals "Eastern Chargeable Body"
The standout discovery from Solis's comprehensive reprocessing of historical magnetic and induced polarisation (IP) data is the identification of a deeply-rooted, strongly chargeable body extending beyond 500-600 metres depth. This feature, dubbed the "Eastern Chargeable Body," represents a hundreds-of-metres-scale anomaly that remains open at both ends and to depth.
Key characteristics of the primary target include:
• Elevated chargeability and conductivity signatures consistent with sulphidic mineralisation
• Surface geochemical support through elevated total sulphur readings
• Structural separation from historically drilled areas, suggesting preserved higher-grade zones
• Scale comparable to operating mines across the Andean copper belt
"We are excited by the results of new geophysical modelling at Cucho, which supports a number of highly prospective targets, defined by combinations of demagnetisation, elevated chargeability and conductivity, with elevated surface geochemistry." – Mitch Thomas, CEO
Historical Drilling Demonstrates Consistent Mineralisation
Previous exploration drilling at Solis Minerals' Cucho Copper Project has delivered encouraging results across all seven completed holes, with grades matching those of operating regional mines. Furthermore, these results come from just 2,000 metres of historical drilling covering only 7% of the known mineralisation footprint—a 3 x 1.8 kilometre anomaly that remains largely untested.
| Drill Hole | Intercept Length | Copper Grade | Molybdenum Grade | Silver Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COP14-01 | 169.7m | 0.24% Cu | 0.012% Mo | 1.0 g/t Ag |
| COP14-02 | 178.7m | 0.23% Cu | 0.022% Mo | 0.9 g/t Ag |
| COP14-05 | 96.7m | 0.28% Cu | 0.018% Mo | 1.4 g/t Ag |
| COP14-06 | 175.4m | 0.28% Cu | 0.012% Mo | 1.3 g/t Ag |
| COP14-07 | 269.1m | 0.25% Cu | 0.011% Mo | 1.1 g/t Ag |
Notably, these results demonstrate remarkably consistent mineralisation across all tested holes. For instance, intercepts ranging from 96.7 metres to 269.1 metres showcase the substantial scale of the mineralised system.
Understanding Porphyry Copper Systems: Why Size and Depth Matter
Porphyry copper deposits represent some of the world's largest and most economically significant mining operations. These systems form when copper-rich magma intrudes into surrounding rock, creating extensive networks of mineralised veins and disseminated copper throughout large volumes of rock.
The key characteristics that make porphyry systems attractive to investors include:
Scale: Often measuring kilometres in extent with hundreds of metres of thickness, providing substantial resource potential for long-term mining operations.
Consistency: Typically feature predictable, bulk-tonnage mineralisation suitable for large-scale, low-cost mining methods such as open-pit operations.
Longevity: Many porphyry operations maintain decades-long mine lives due to their substantial size and consistent grade distribution.
Infrastructure: Often located in established mining regions with existing infrastructure, reducing development costs and operational complexity.
Cucho's geological setting, alteration assemblages, and scale directly compare to major regional projects including Hudbay's Mason and Constancia operations, Teck's Zafranal project, and Newmont's Illari copper-gold development.
Strategic Positioning in Peru's Copper Coast
Solis Minerals holds the right to earn up to 75% interest in Cucho, with a seven-year option to acquire 100% of the project. The 3,600-hectare land package sits within Peru's prolific Coastal Belt, a region that hosts some of South America's most significant copper discoveries.
In addition, the company's broader Peruvian portfolio positions it strategically within this mineral-rich corridor, providing multiple exploration opportunities and potential for discovery consolidation.
Advanced 3D Geophysical Modelling Results
Solis recently commissioned Deep Sounding Exploration Geophysics of Lima, Peru to reprocess and model historical ground magnetic and induced polarisation data from the project. The results of geophysical modelling were subsequently integrated with historical geology and geochemistry datasets to provide a robust interpretation of the porphyry mineralisation environment.
Key structural findings include:
• Major discontinuities striking NW-SE, NE-SW and N-S directions, suggesting significant vertical displacements that may preserve different levels of the porphyry system
• Pronounced magnetic reduction from east to west across major structural breaks, combined with increased chargeability indicating more intense hydrothermal alteration in western areas
• Highly conductive material concentrated near surface, consistent with weathering processes over a kilometre-scale sulphidic mineral system
The Eastern Chargeable Body emerges as the highest priority target, separated from historically drilled areas by prominent structural features that may have preserved higher-grade mineralisation at depth.
2026 Drilling Programme and Near-Term Catalysts
The company has outlined clear near-term activities leading to exploration drilling at Solis Minerals' Cucho Copper Project:
December 2025:
• Drone-borne magnetic survey to map structures and magnetic features
• Expanded surface geochemistry sampling programme commencement
Q2 2026:
• Diamond drilling programme targeting the Eastern Chargeable Body
• Testing of additional high-priority targets identified through modelling
Ongoing:
• Community approvals already secured
• Drill permitting process recently commenced
• New geological mapping and rock chip sampling
However, the company must balance technical objectives with community engagement and environmental considerations to maintain project momentum.
Investment Thesis: Underexplored System with Proven Mineralisation
Solis Minerals presents a compelling investment opportunity through Cucho based on several key factors:
Proven Mineralisation: Historical drilling has confirmed consistent copper-molybdenum grades across a large footprint, with all seven holes intersecting significant mineralisation.
Exploration Upside: The 93% of the mineralised system that remains undrilled represents substantial discovery potential, particularly given the identification of the Eastern Chargeable Body through advanced geophysical techniques.
Technical Validation: Advanced 3D geophysical modelling provides scientific support for targeting decisions, reducing exploration risk while identifying high-priority zones for future exploration drilling at Solis Minerals' Cucho Copper Project.
Regional Context: Location within Peru's established copper corridor provides infrastructure advantages and validates the geological prospectivity of the broader region.
Financial Structure: The earn-in agreement structure allows Solis to advance the project while maintaining capital efficiency and limiting dilution risk.
Technical Integration and Geological Interpretation
The integration of magnetic, chargeability, and resistivity data with geological and geochemical information confirms the existence of widespread hydrothermal alteration associated with a kilometre-scale copper-molybdenum porphyry system.
Inferred vertical displacement on syn- to post-mineral fault structures has potentially preserved economic copper-molybdenum zones in certain structural blocks. Moreover, the Eastern Chargeable Body represents the most compelling target beneath this deeply-rooted, hundreds-of-metres-scale chargeable anomaly.
Multiple highly prospective targets have been identified through combinations of demagnetisation, elevated chargeability and conductivity, and elevated surface geochemistry in porphyry pathfinder elements.
Why Investors Should Monitor Solis Minerals
The combination of proven mineralisation, advanced targeting technology, and substantial untested potential positions Cucho as a standout exploration opportunity in South America's copper sector. With community approvals secured and exploration drilling at Solis Minerals' Cucho Copper Project planned for Q2 2026, Solis offers investors clear catalysts and measurable milestones ahead.
The company's technical team, led by qualified persons with extensive South American experience, provides additional confidence in execution capabilities. Furthermore, as global copper supply constraints continue to support strong commodity fundamentals, projects like Cucho with demonstrated mineralisation and expansion potential deserve investor attention.
The geological setting, alteration assemblages, and scale of the mineralised system are directly comparable to large porphyry copper projects including Hudbay's Mason and Constancia operations, Teck's Zafranal project, Element 29's Elida project, and Newmont's Illari copper-gold project.
"Solis Minerals has positioned itself as an emerging player in Peru's copper sector, with Cucho offering significant exploration upside backed by historical drilling results and advanced geophysical targeting. With drilling scheduled for Q2 2026 and multiple near-term catalysts, investors should monitor developments closely as the company works to confirm the full potential of this substantial porphyry system."
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