Southern Silver Exploration Corp. (TSXV: SSV) (the “Company” or “Southern Silver”) reports today that crews have mobilized in preparation for drilling on the newly acquired Puro Corazon claim, contiguous to its 100% owned Cerro Las Minitas project, Durango Mexico.
The exploration program, which is the first step in the integration of the nine hectare Puro Corazon claim into the much larger Cerro Las Minitas project, will include up to 12,000 metres of core drilling utilizing three drill rigs, the compilation of existing underground geological data, new sampling in the historic underground workings to tie the remaining mineralization in the upper part of the claim into the larger resource model and a Lidar survey of the historic workings designed to better understand the full extent of underground mining.
The Puro Corazon mine, which is operated privately, is currently mining approximately sixty tonnes of ore per day and produces a silver-lead concentrate and a zinc concentrate. Current development at the mine extends for approximately 200 metres laterally and to 250 metres below surface. Drilling will test the further projections of the mined mineralization both laterally for an additional 200 metres and to depths of up to 450 metres below surface where the mineralization then transitions across the claim boundary and into the modelled Skarn Front deposit. Drilling will also target the projection of up to six hangingwall structures identified outboard of the main mineralized Skarn Front zone which was previously identified in both historic drilling within the Puro Corazon claim and in Southern Silver’s own drilling outside the claim boundary. Historically, mining has focused on only three mineralized zones within the projection of the Skarn Front deposit, which is the largest single deposit within the Cerro Las Minitas project accounting for over 50% of the known mineral resources.
Drill results from the upcoming program will be incorporated into the current modelling of the Cerro Las Minitas project in preparation for an updated Technical Report and Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”) in accordance with the provisions of National Instrument 43-101, scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2026.
The acquisition of the Puro Corazon claim represents a significant milestone toward the development of the Cerro Las Minitas project with the potential to unlock significant capital and operating synergies between the two projects.
Key synergies include:
Strong Potential for Near-term Resource Growth: infill drilling program to support incremental resource additions for the consolidated Cerro Las Minitas project.
Capital Efficiency Gains: opportunity to improve capital efficiency through faster access to higher value mineralization, while avoiding development around the Puro Corazon mining claim.
Enhanced Mine Plan Sequencing: incorporating Puro Corazon material early in the mine plan, given its near-surface and high-grade characteristic, is anticipated to strengthen project economics.
Improved Project Economics: combination of capital efficiencies, optimized sequencing and potential throughput increases resulting in potential improvements to NPV and IRR.
Additional Benefits: potential synergies and efficiencies across permitting, environmental management, safety and data collection.
Figure 1: Location of Puro Corazon Claim Location Relative to Existing Cerro Las Minitas Deposits
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