Spin-Out from Aldebaran: Centauri Minerals Announces Approval of Drilling Permit for the Rio Grande Gold-Copper Project and Team Additions

Executive Summary

• Centauri Minerals has received a drilling permit from the Government of Salta Province for its Rio Grande gold-copper project, authorizing the first drilling program at the site since 2013.
• The company has commenced exploration targeting programs, camp remobilization, and a modern magnetotellurics (MT) geophysical survey expected to commence in Q3 2026 to identify and prioritize new drill targets.
• Centauri has expanded its leadership team with new management and independent board directors to support upcoming exploration, metallurgical studies, and engineering evaluations ahead of planned 2026 drilling activities.

Key Details

• Drilling Permit Approval: Granted by the Government of Salta Province (Secretariat of Mining) following review of an environmental social impact report and permit application; enables immediate camp remobilization and targeting programs ahead of drilling.
• Exploration Timeline & Targets: First drill holes at Rio Grande targeted for the second half of 2026; immediate focus on Rio Grande, followed by evaluation of Aguas Calientes (Jujuy) and four other portfolio projects with prospective historical samples.
• Geophysical Program: Reviewing 2011 and older geophysical data; proposing a larger, higher-power magnetotellurics (MT) survey for Q3 2026; plans to deploy audio-magnetotellurics (AMT) and other methods at Aguas Calientes to trace high-grade gold-silver float boulders across a 6-km span.
• Metallurgical Review: Engaging consulting metallurgists to consolidate historical test work from previous owners, identify gaps, and form recommendations for future drilling/testing; includes high-level evaluations of processing routes and potential synergies with regional mine-mill complexes.
• Geochemical & Structural Surveys: Ongoing internal and external discussions on work scope and timing for Rio Grande, Aguas Calientes, and other projects; includes established university partnerships in Argentina (e.g., two PhD students currently engaged).
• Management Additions: Ignacio Butler appointed Development & Sustainability Manager (15+ years experience, based in Salta, focuses on government/community liaison and remote sensing/logistics); Dario Gonzalez appointed Exploration Manager (15+ years geology/exploration experience, previously head of exploration at Providencia mine, skilled in 3D modeling and geochemical analysis).
• Board Additions: Amalia Sáenz appointed Independent Director (30+ years in energy/mining law, based in Buenos Aires, former Senior VP & Country Manager Argentina at Lake Resources NL); Christopher Stackhouse appointed Independent Director (20+ years in finance/capital markets, former CFO of SolGold plc, based in Toronto).
• Company Context: Centauri holds 100% interest in ~40,000 hectares across Salta, Jujuy, and Catamarca provinces; majority-owned by Aldebaran Resources Inc. and plans to become a public company in 2026.