Wedoany.com Report on Feb 3rd, The mining department of Salta Province recently approved the Environmental Impact Report submitted by Mansfield Minerals through Resolution No. 008/26. This administrative permit provides the legal basis for the company to commence exploration activities at the Arizaro deposit.

As a subsidiary of Canada's Fortuna Mining, Mansfield Minerals will carry out exploration work at the Arizaro deposit, located only 2.8 kilometers from the existing Lindero mine. The Lindero mine is the first open-pit gold mine in Salta Province, and this exploration aims to extend the mine's operational life through the discovery of new resources.

According to the plan, Mansfield Minerals will invest $3.7 million in direct funding in 2026 to expand the drilling scope and deepen geological studies. The company's Institutional Relations Manager, Facundo Huidobro, stated in an interview: "It is common industry practice for producing mines to explore adjacent areas to increase reserves and extend lifespan. This will directly translate into more job opportunities; currently, over 700 families rely on this project for their livelihood."

The Arizaro deposit is located within the "Onyx" mining concession and, like the Lindero mine, belongs to a gold-copper porphyry geological system. Technical data indicates that the area has an inferred mineral resource of 32.4 million tons, with an average gold grade of 0.37 grams per ton, equivalent to approximately 389,000 ounces of gold. The 11,000-meter drilling program planned for 2026 will focus on evaluating extensions of the ore body.

By utilizing the existing infrastructure of the Lindero mine, the Arizaro project can achieve the efficiency advantages of "proximity mining." A detected geochemical anomaly extending 2.5 kilometers suggests that the mineralized system in the area may be more extensive than expected. The implementation of Resolution No. 008/26 marks new progress for Salta Province in balancing mineral development with environmental protection.