Wedoany.com Report-Oct. 30, Tinka Resources has commenced its first-ever drilling programme at the wholly owned Silvia gold-copper project in central Peru. The exploration initiative, acquired from BHP in 2021, aims to identify high-grade gold and copper deposits within skarn and porphyry-hosted mineralisation zones.

Tinka Resources expects to report the initial results from this drilling programme by the end of December 2025.

The initial phase will consist of four diamond drill holes, each reaching depths of up to 400m. Drilling will primarily target Area A, where surface outcrops have revealed promising high-grade gold and copper mineralisation.

Tinka Resources president and CEO Graham Carman stated: “I am thrilled to announce that a drill rig is now turning for the very first time to test the high-grade gold and copper discovery at our 100%-owned Silvia gold-copper project in central Peru. The drill rig will be operating 24-7 until late December. Our team, with the assistance of local stakeholders, have done a fantastic job to prepare the site for the drill programme on time and on budget. Silvia is a highly compelling, untested target in a world-class gold, copper and base metal belt, the notable example being the giant Antamina copper-zinc skarn deposit some 100km along trend to the north. It is also noteworthy there are two other areas of high prospectivity for gold and copper at Silvia outside of Area A. Areas B and C will be assessed at a later stage in the exploration programme.”

Recent third-party sampling has confirmed the presence of high-grade mineralisation, including one notable sample returning 28.5 grams per tonne (g/t) gold and 1.2% copper over a 0.6m section. Geological studies indicate that the Silvia project’s mineralisation is influenced by a “dilational pull-apart” structure between two regional north-northeast-trending faults.

Carman added: “The gold and copper mineralisation at Silvia is associated with stocks and dikes of monzonite porphyry, which have intruded a thick limestone unit (Jumasha Formation). Gold – copper mineralisation occurs both within the intrusions and the limestone, forming ‘skarn’ with additional quartz stockwork veining. The skarn at Area A occurs in sporadic outcrops in the core of a high-altitude valley, with colluvial cover material or ‘scree’ in between. The presence of altered limestones in the periphery indicates a potentially large system. This initial drill programme will be an excellent first test of the grade and extent of the mineralisation.”

Area A is one of several prospective sites along a 4km northeast-trending corridor within the Silvia project. The company expects to release preliminary drilling results by the end of 2025, with further updates anticipated in early 2026.

Carman further noted: “Silvia has returned some impressive high-grade surface samples especially for gold, with sampling by Tinka returning up to 18g/t gold and 12% copper, while a continuous trench returned 46m at 1.9g/t gold and 0.8% copper, including 6m at 12.8g/t gold and 2.7% copper. The tenor of these results was recently confirmed by a third party, where the validation channel samples graded up to 28g/t gold and 1.9% copper. We look forward to reporting results for the first hole once assays are received and interpreted.”

Tinka Resources focuses on exploring and developing base and precious metal assets in Peru. Its main property, the Ayawilca zinc-silver-tin project, contains substantial mineral resources across multiple zones.