Latin Metals reported acquiring a 100% interest in the Yanba copper exploration project in the Coastal Copper Belt of Peru. The 4,000-hectare Yanba project is situated near the Company’s Lacsha copper project, where current exploration has identified wide-ranging copper mineralization at surface and where the Company anticipates to conclude drill targets by the end of the year.
Map showing the newly acquired Yanba copper project together with the extents of the regional stream sediment survey, which identified the target area. The map also shows the location of the Company’s Lacsha copper project as well as land positions controlled by Newmont, Hochschild, and others. Image Credit: Latin Metals
The Yanba acquisition was accomplished following the conclusion of a widespread regional stream sediment survey, screening about 200 km2. The area was designated for staking because of reliable copper anomalies and geological similarities to the neighboring Lacsha project.
We are delighted to expand our land position in this key portion of Peru’s Coastal Copper Belt. We acquired the Lacsha copper project in 2020 following completion of a stream sediment survey in the area, and subsequent work there has resulted in the discovery of significant copper mineralization at surface.
Keith Henderson, President and CEO, Latin Metals
“At Yanba, we have not deviated from this methodology — we screened 200 km2 with geochemistry and the results pointed to a core area of copper anomalies, which we have now acquired,” Henderson added.
We are using these regional screening tools to identify areas that we can acquire 100% through low-cost claim staking and we will continue to stake new projects when the results of regional exploration are positive. In doing so we maintain a healthy pipeline of projects on which we can complete initial exploration before seeking joint venture partners.
Keith Henderson, President and CEO, Latin Metals
Yanba Stream Sediment Survey
The Company has finished a stream sediment survey encompassing 200 km2 with 35 samples. Copper values range from 28 ppm to 139 ppm, with anomalies spanning 7 contiguous catchments and anomalous zones being three times higher than the background. This geochemical anomalism triggered the prioritization of this area, along with geological similarities to Lacsha.
Next Steps
Latin Metals is presently in talks with the single local community that possess the surface rights, after which the Company anticipates starting systematic surface exploration. Similar to Lacsha, a talus survey program will be the first pass to detect the highest priority targets.
Coastal Copper Belt
Peru’s Coastal Copper Belt is a Cretaceous belt hosting a range of deposit types such as VMS, Epithermal, Porphyry and IOCG. Latin Metals’ 100%-owned Yanba copper-molybdenum, Lacsha copper-molybdenum and Auquis copper-gold projects are all situated in the northern Lima-Ica portion of the coastal belt.
QA/QC
This stream sediment survey was prepared and administered by Eduardo Leon, the Company's Exploration Manager, who is in charge of all phases of the work, including the quality assurance/quality control program.
On-site workers at the project thoroughly accumulate and track samples which are then security sealed and transported to the ALS laboratory in Lima. Samples used for the results illustrated here are prepared and examined by multi-element analysis using an inductively coupled mass spectrometer in agreement with industry standards.
Qualified Person
The technical content of this article has been permitted for disclosure by Keith J. Henderson P.Geo, a Qualified Person as stipulated by NI 43-101 and the Company’s CEO. Mr. Henderson is not autonomous of the Company, as he is an employee of the Company and holds securities of the Company.