Early La Brea Results Signal Potential for Major Gold Discovery Risks
Tesoro Gold’s initial diamond drilling at the La Brea Target within Chile’s El Zorro Project reveals significant gold mineralisation, echoing the early signatures of the nearby 2 million ounce Ternera deposit. The results set the stage for expanded exploration across this highly prospective district.
- All five maiden drill holes at La Brea returned gold mineralisation
- Notable intercepts include 0.60m at 4.19g/t and 1.96m at 2.17g/t gold
- Geological features closely resemble early Ternera deposit drilling
- Ongoing 38,000m drilling campaign across El Zorro district
- Plans underway for follow-up drilling and expanded target testing
A Strong Start at La Brea
Tesoro Gold Limited has announced encouraging results from its maiden diamond drilling program at the La Brea Target, part of the El Zorro Gold Project in Chile. The five holes drilled, totaling over 1,100 meters, all intersected gold mineralisation, with assay results confirming the presence of a significant gold system. These findings are particularly notable given La Brea’s proximity; just 15 kilometers north; to the well-known Ternera Gold Deposit, which hosts an unconstrained resource of approximately 2 million ounces.
Echoes of Ternera’s Early Promise
The geological and mineralisation characteristics observed at La Brea closely mirror those seen in the earliest drilling at Ternera. Tesoro’s Managing Director, Zeff Reeves, highlighted that the wide alteration zones and anomalous gold intercepts, including discrete higher-grade veins, suggest the team is on the edge of a potentially large mineralised system. Noteworthy assay results include intercepts such as 0.60 meters at 4.19 grams per tonne gold and 1.96 meters at 2.17 grams per tonne, underscoring the prospect’s promise.
District-Scale Exploration Momentum
La Brea is just one of several targets within the El Zorro district currently under active exploration. Tesoro is executing a fully funded, multi-rig drilling campaign totaling approximately 38,000 meters. This includes infill drilling to support upcoming pre-feasibility studies, extensional drilling to expand known mineralisation at Ternera, and new discovery drilling targeting priority undrilled prospects such as Kitsune, Calderillas, and Toro Blanco. The company is also advancing detailed geological mapping, geochemical sampling, and geophysical surveys to refine targeting across the district.
Strategic Implications and Next Steps
The positive results at La Brea reinforce Tesoro’s view that the El Zorro Project has the geological endowment to host multiple gold deposits. The company plans follow-up drilling to delineate the extent of mineralisation at La Brea and to test other high-quality targets identified through ongoing exploration work. With a robust pipeline of prospects and a growing resource base, Tesoro is positioning itself to advance the project towards resource definition and eventual development.
Exploration in a Proven Gold Corridor
Located within Chile’s Coastal Cordillera, the El Zorro Project benefits from established mining infrastructure and a skilled workforce. The discovery of the first intrusive-related gold system in Chile by Tesoro at Ternera has already put the district on the map. La Brea’s structural setting along a northwest-trending corridor adjacent to the La Isla granodiorite intrusion further supports the potential for significant mineralisation. As exploration continues, the district could emerge as a key new gold province.
Bottom Line?
La Brea’s maiden drilling success marks a pivotal step in Tesoro’s quest to unlock multiple gold deposits within El Zorro’s richly endowed district.
Questions in the middle?
- How extensive is the gold mineralisation at La Brea beyond the initial 250m strike tested?
- What are the timelines and targets for resource estimation updates following ongoing drilling?
- How might Tesoro’s discoveries impact the broader gold exploration landscape in Chile’s Coastal Cordillera?
