Pioneer Minerals (ASX:PMM) has commenced on-ground exploration activities at its San Francisco Gold-Copper-Silver Project in San Juan Province, Argentina, following an initial reconnaissance visit completed by its in-country exploration team, Andes Exploration, with an expanded field program scheduled to return to site the following week.

Key Points

  • Andes Exploration completed an initial reconnaissance visit at the San Francisco Project, inspecting outcrops, historical mine workings and existing drill core.
  • Historical diamond drill core at the Villa Nueva storage facility was inspected and found to be appropriately stored and in good condition, supporting a planned systematic relogging program.
  • Access to the San Francisco de los Andes breccia was confirmed during the visit, with some road improvements noted as potentially required for future field operations.
  • Historical drilling previously returned intervals including 109m @ 4.94 g/t Au, 109 g/t Ag and 1.13% Cu from 12m in hole SFDH-012.
  • Andes has commenced discussions with local service providers regarding environmental assessment requirements and preparatory work for a potential environmental impact assessment submission.

Initial Field Reconnaissance at San Francisco de los Andes Breccia

During the initial visit, Andes Exploration geologists inspected selected surface outcrops, exposed geological units and historical mine workings alongside existing drill core. Observations gathered are intended to inform ongoing assessment of breccia and vein systems, including possible structural and alteration controls on mineralisation. Site access to the San Francisco de los Andes breccia was confirmed, establishing a starting point for follow-up mapping and fieldwork. The filing noted that some road improvements may be required to support future field operations, while access to other priority target areas remains to be verified.

Historical Drill Core Results and Planned Relogging Program

Historical diamond drill core inspected at the Villa Nueva warehouse was found to be properly stored and in good condition. The filing disclosed historical drilling results from the San Francisco breccia, including hole SFDH-011 returning 83m at 4.40 g/t Au, 82 g/t Ag and 0.43% Cu from 25m; hole SFDH-005 returning 85m at 2.70 g/t Au, 87 g/t Ag and 0.56% Cu from 33m; and hole SFDH-003 returning 27m at 5.50 g/t Au, 97 g/t Ag and 3.30% Cu from 44m. A systematic relogging program is planned, with emphasis on identifying successive mineralisation events, breccia characteristics, alteration and structural relationships. No new assay results or drilling outcomes were reported in the filing.

Expanded Field Program and Environmental Planning Activities

Andes is preparing to remobilise geologists and field personnel to undertake assessment across the broader project, including areas highlighted by the company's recent integrated geochemical and geological targeting work. The planned program includes geological relogging of selected historical drill core, field verification and geological mapping of priority geochemical targets, assessment of access requirements, and integration of field observations with the existing 3D geological model. In parallel, Andes has commenced discussions with local service providers regarding environmental assessment requirements and preparatory work for a potential environmental impact assessment submission, with the scope, timing and regulatory requirements of any submission remaining subject to confirmation.