Aztec Drills 40 RC holes at Tombstone Project, Arizona in 2025, Continues to Expand Shallow Silver-Gold Mineralization
High-Grade Intercepts at Tombstone Validate Geologic Model as Aztec Transitions from Discovery to Delineation with $10M War Chest
The news release dated January 7, 2026, reports the completion of 40 Reverse Circulation (RC) drill holes (6,887 meters) at the Tombstone Project in Arizona. The primary highlight is hole TR25-17, which returned 5.16 g/t Gold (Au) and significantly higher silver content than preliminary reports over 57.8 meters. This drilling confirms the expansion of shallow, oxide silver-gold mineralization. Importantly, the company notes that mineralization remains open both laterally and at depth, with assays for 20 RC holes still pending. This release follows a corporate update on January 5, 2026, which summarized a "foundational year" including a $10M CAD financing and an increase in joint venture (JV) ownership of the Tombstone project to 85%.
The news is Material - Positive for several reasons: - Validation of High-Grade Model: Hole TR25-17 (5.16 g/t Au over 57.8m) is an exceptional intercept for a shallow oxide target, reinforcing the potential for a bulk-tonnage, heap-leach operation. - Expansion of Footprint: The 2025 program successfully expanded the Contention Zone mineralization, which remains open. - De-risked Balance Sheet: The $10 million bought deal closed in October 2025 provides the necessary runway to complete the expanded 8,500m program and move into 2026 without immediate dilution pressure. - Strategic Consolidation: Increasing the JV ownership to 85% at Tombstone ensures Aztec captures a larger share of the value created by recent drilling successes. - Pending Assays: With results for 50% of the 2025 RC holes still in the lab, there is a high probability of continued news flow momentum.
Aztec Minerals is a junior explorer focused on two main assets: - Tombstone Project (Arizona): Flagship project. A historic high-grade silver district. Aztec is targeting shallow, bulk-tonnage oxide Au-Ag and deeper CRD (lead-zinc-silver-copper-gold) mineralization. Aztec holds an 85% JV interest. - Cervantes Project (Mexico): 100% owned porphyry gold-copper discovery in Sonora. Highlights include intercepts like 137m @ 1.49 g/t Au.