Norsemont Mining has reported a significant technical breakthrough at its Choquelimpie project in northern Chile, revealing that the deposit is far more complex and metal-rich than previously understood. While the project has long been associated with gold and silver mineralization, new drilling results now confirm the presence of substantial copper, lead, and zinc zones, pointing to a broader polymetallic hydrothermal system.
Recent assay results from three Phase 3 drill holes—DD01, DD02, and DD03—are now being integrated into the company’s evolving geological model. According to Norsemont, the new data is helping refine the understanding of high-grade mineral distribution at depth and improving targeting for upcoming drilling campaigns.
Phase 3 drilling reveals stronger-than-expected polymetallic system
The latest exploration work at Choquelimpie is focused on defining the down-dip extensions of higher-grade gold zones beneath the existing open-pit resource. So far, seven diamond drill holes totaling approximately 1,650 meters have been completed in the Phase 3 program.
What makes the latest results particularly important is the identification of distinct base metal mineralization zones, including silver-lead-zinc, lead-zinc, and copper-bearing intervals. These findings suggest that Choquelimpie is not a single-metal system, but rather a complex hydrothermal environment where multiple metals were deposited through evolving geological processes.
The company used ICP analysis for initial multi-element detection, followed by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) for higher-grade intervals exceeding detection limits. This combined analytical approach has now provided a more complete dataset for interpretation across the 2025 drilling program.
Key drill results highlight strong gold-equivalent and base metal grades
Each of the three drill holes delivered important insights into the structure and metal distribution of the deposit:
DD02 (Vizcacha Zone) returned one of the strongest overall intercepts, with 29 meters grading 1.89 g/t gold equivalent. While the upper section showed relatively low base metal content, deeper intervals revealed clearly defined silver-lead-zinc and lead-zinc zones, indicating a shift in mineralization style at depth.
DD03 (Choque Zone) delivered 24 meters at 0.95 g/t gold equivalent, alongside notable copper mineralization averaging 0.29%. In this hole, copper is directly associated with the upper gold zone, while deeper sections contain multiple lead-zinc-rich intervals, reinforcing the polymetallic nature of the system.
DD01 (Vizcacha Zone) produced the standout high-grade interval, including 4 meters at 2.85 g/t gold equivalent, accompanied by exceptionally strong base metals of 3.23% lead and 11.90% zinc. Additional silver-lead-zinc mineralization was encountered at depth, including a secondary gold-enriched zone between 165 and 169 meters.
Together, these results confirm that mineralization at Choquelimpie is highly variable both vertically and laterally, with distinct metal associations appearing at different depths.
Geological model expanded as hydrothermal complexity becomes clearer
The new drilling data is significantly improving Norsemont’s geological interpretation of Choquelimpie. The presence of multiple overlapping mineralization styles suggests a dynamic hydrothermal system where gold, silver, copper, lead, and zinc were deposited in separate but related phases.
By linking base metal intervals with previously identified gold and silver zones, the company has been able to calculate updated gold-equivalent values (AuEq), providing a more integrated view of the deposit’s economic potential.
This evolving model is essential for understanding how mineralizing fluids moved through the system and how different metal zones were formed spatially and geologically.
Focus on deeper high-grade gold extensions in Phase 3
The primary objective of the ongoing Phase 3 drilling campaign is to test the down-dip continuation of high-grade gold mineralization hosted in hydrothermal breccias. These zones, which exceed 1 g/t gold, are considered key targets for potential resource expansion.
Norsemont emphasizes that the latest assay results not only confirm the presence of gold at depth but also highlight important geochemical associations with base metals. This strengthens the company’s ability to refine future drill targets with greater precision. Further metallurgical studies are planned for 2026, focusing on sulfide material to better understand the relationship between gold, silver, copper, lead, and zinc within the ore system.
Evidence of a larger porphyry-style system emerging
One of the most significant implications of the new data is the potential indication of a porphyry-related system, which could substantially increase the scale of mineralization at Choquelimpie. Such systems are typically large, long-lived, and capable of hosting multiple economic metals.
Norsemont believes that continued drilling, combined with metallurgical and geophysical analysis, will be key to fully defining the three-dimensional structure of the deposit and its economic potential.
Target refinement points to expanded resource upside
From a development perspective, the most important outcome of the Phase 3 program is not just the presence of higher-grade intervals, but the improved ability to model and predict where those zones occur. Management notes that several of the newly identified gold-equivalent intervals exceed the grades currently included in the existing sulfide resource estimate. This raises the possibility of both grade uplift and resource expansion as further drilling is completed. With additional results expected in the coming months, Norsemont is working toward a more detailed and predictive geological model that could significantly enhance the understanding of Choquelimpie’s full mineral potential.
