In early 2022, ATEX completed a deep penetrating magnetotelluric (“MT”) geophysical survey and a ground magnetic survey (“Mag”) over the entire Valeriano property. Both surveys were successful in establishing a clear association with previous surveys completed by third parties.
Modelling of the MT survey data down to 2,000 metres depth identified a zone of low resistivity, coincident with a subcircular chargeability and low-resistivity anomaly, three kilometres in diameter, outlined by a historical induced polarization (“IP”) survey that penetrated to a depth of 800 metres. The mineralization within the Valeriano Copper-Gold Deposit correlates well with the broad MT resistivity anomaly that extends significantly to depth and laterally, suggesting continuation of the porphyry mineralization in all directions.
High-grade corridors have been interpreted over the Magnetization Vector Inversion (MVI) image from the recent Mag survey. A western high-grade corridor concurs with the +1.0% CuEq zones of drill holes ATXD-171 and VALDD-142. An untested eastern corridor is suggested by the magnetic survey, below the collar of drill hole VALDD-162, not cut by this hole. The corridors have a N-S to NNE strike coincident with general attitude of outcropping intermineral porphyries and mineralization at El Encierro.
The copper-equivalent grade was calculated using a copper price of $2.60/lb, gold price of $1,450/oz and molybdenum price of $11.00/lb (all prices in US$). Metal recoveries were not considered. The formula for calculating the copper-equivalent is: CuEq% = ((Cu%/100 * Cu $/tonne) + (Au g/t * Au $/gr.) + (Mo%/100 * Mo $/tonne)) / Cu $/tonne.
1 For ATXD-17 results, procedures and QA/QC information, see press release from June 13, 2022.
2 For further information on historical drillholes and exploration, please see NI 43-101 technical report titled: “NI 43-101 Technical Report, Valeriano Project Inferred Resource Estimates, Atacama Region, Chile”, with an effective date of November 13, 2020, and available under the ATEX Resources SEDAR profile.