ATEX Announces Additional High-Grade Assays from the B2B Zone Significantly Increasing Size of Previously Announced Interval
Valeriano continues to deliver world-class copper intercepts as B2B Zone dimensions expand significantly at depth.
The news release dated January 13, 2026, provides a significant update on the Phase VI drilling program at the Valeriano Copper-Gold Project in Chile. Specifically, it reports additional assay results for drill hole ATXD26B. The interval previously reported in December 2025 has been expanded. The hole returned 448 meters grading 1.50% Copper Equivalent (CuEq), which includes a high-grade core of 186 meters at 2.13% CuEq and 88 meters at 2.70% CuEq. This mineralization is located within the B2B Zone, a high-grade breccia unit. The company also confirmed that Phase VI is roughly 50% complete with 12,500 meters drilled out of a planned 25,000 meters, using six active rigs. Approximately 400 meters of assays for hole ATXD26B remain outstanding.
The impact is material and positive for the following reasons: - Grade Superiority: The reported 1.50% CuEq over 448 meters is nearly double the average grade of the current Indicated Resource (0.88% CuEq). This suggests a high-grade "sweet spot" that could significantly enhance the project's overall economics and potentially lower future payback periods. - Continuity and Scale: Management now estimates the B2B Zone dimensions at 400m strike, 200m width, and a vertical extent of up to 600m. This confirms the zone is not a localized pocket but a substantial body of mineralization. - Operational Execution: The company is maintaining a high pace with six rigs and has successfully used directional drilling to save costs and time. - Validation of High-Grade Focus: This result validates the shift in strategy toward defining high-grade breccia targets (B2B, B3B, etc.) rather than just the broader, lower-grade porphyry halo.
ATEX Resources is a Canadian explorer focused on the Valeriano Copper-Gold Project in the Atacama Region, Chile. The project is located in the "Link Belt" between the Maricunga and El Indio belts. - Flagship Project: Valeriano Project. - Resource: 475 Mt at 0.88% CuEq (Indicated) and 1.5 Bt at 0.75% CuEq (Inferred). - Mineralization Style: Large-scale copper-gold porphyry with high-grade hydrothermal breccia zones (B2B). - Stage: Advanced exploration/Resource definition.