Zacatecas Silver Announces Results from Rock Chip Sampling Program at El Cristo
Zacatecas Silver readies the bit at El Cristo as surface sampling confirms high-grade silver potential ahead of 4,000-meter campaign.
The most recent news (March 26, 2026) reports assay results from a 124-sample rock-chip program at the El Cristo target. Results confirmed high-grade silver and base metal mineralization in waste dumps from 11 historical shafts. Notable results include 29 samples exceeding 100 g/t AgEq, with a peak of 670 g/t AgEq. Crucially, the company announced that drill pads are complete and a diamond drill rig from Major Drilling is expected to commence the 2026 program immediately. This follows the March 16 announcement of receiving the SEMARNAT drill permit and the March 2 acquisition of a four-property portfolio from Heliostar Metals.
The news is Routine - Positive. While the rock chip grades are high (up to 670 g/t AgEq), they are "grab samples" from historical waste dumps—material previously discarded by miners. While this confirms the presence of a mineralized system and helps refine drill targeting, it does not represent in-situ resource grades. The material impact lies in the operational transition: the company has successfully moved from permitting and land access (Q4 2025/Q1 2026) to active drilling. This validates management's timeline provided in late 2025. The acquisition of the Heliostar assets (Cumaro, La Lola, Oso Negro, Ejutla) provides a secondary pipeline, but the immediate market focus remains on whether the 4,000m drill program can expand the existing 20.5 Moz AgEq inferred resource at Panuco and El Cristo.
Zacatecas Silver Corp. is focused on silver and gold exploration in Mexico. Its flagship Zacatecas Silver Project is located in the heart of the Zacatecas Silver Belt. The project holds an Inferred Mineral Resource of 20.5 million ounces AgEq (3.41 Mt @ 187 g/t AgEq). The project is divided into the Panuco deposit (where the resource is located) and the El Cristo vein system, which is considered the northwestern extension of the Veta Grande vein (historically >200 Moz Ag produced). The company also owns the Esperanza Gold Project, an advanced-stage oxide heap-leach project in Morelos State with 956,000 oz AuEq (M&I), currently on hold due to permitting headwinds.