Northwire Canada EditionThursday, July 23, 2026
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VZZ 0.180 +2.9% BMR 0.145 +3.6% NVO 0.055 −8.3% PMET 4.47 +2.0% CTG 0.125 +13.6% AVU 0.040 +0.0% SGML 14.32 −3.1% WRLG 0.720 +1.4% CAN 0.065 +8.3% ABRA 15.63 +1.6% LSTR 0.060 +0.0% OLA 13.10 +2.5% EQX 13.15 +2.7% SRA 0.780 +0.0% UTWO 0.390 −13.3% IVN 10.64 −1.2% VZZ 0.180 +2.9% BMR 0.145 +3.6% NVO 0.055 −8.3% PMET 4.47 +2.0% CTG 0.125 +13.6% AVU 0.040 +0.0% SGML 14.32 −3.1% WRLG 0.720 +1.4% CAN 0.065 +8.3% ABRA 15.63 +1.6% LSTR 0.060 +0.0% OLA 13.10 +2.5% EQX 13.15 +2.7% SRA 0.780 +0.0% UTWO 0.390 −13.3% IVN 10.64 −1.2%
Drill Results

First Andes identifies "zone alteration cell" at Santas

By The Northwire Desk — AI Analysis Jan 15, 2026 · 18:38 FAS · 0.16 First Andes Silver Ltd.
FAS · Price

Executive Summary

  • First Andes Silver Ltd. has identified a 1.3 km by 2.0 km zoned alteration center at its 100%-owned Santas Gloria project in Peru using high-resolution WorldView-3 (WV-3) short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) spectral data.
  • The alteration assemblage is consistent with a well-developed intermediate-sulphidation epithermal (ISE) system, featuring a sericite-dominant core with hematite-rich zones, surrounded by clay halos and distal propylitic alteration.
  • This discovery coincides with mapped but undrilled vein systems totaling over 5 km of strike length, providing a high-resolution targeting layer for immediate follow-up exploration.

Key Details

  • Alteration Footprint: Defined a 1.3 km x 2.0 km zoned alteration cell.
  • Mineral Assemblage:
    • Inner core: Sericite-dominant with localized argillic overprint (kaolinite).
    • Core features: Hematite-rich iron-oxide zones nested within the sericite core, interpreted as oxidation of sulphide-bearing structures.
    • Halo: Broad, lower-temperature clay halo (montmorillonite) expanding outward.
    • Distal: Chlorite-epidote plus or minus calcite alteration (propylitic wall-rock alteration).
  • Structural Context: The alteration cell is structurally controlled, forming an elongate corridor with clustered pods, consistent with fault/fracture-focused fluid flow typical of ISE vein systems.
  • Coincidence with Veins: The alteration cell coincides with mapped but fully undrilled vein systems with a collective strike length of greater than 5 km.
  • Spectral Similarity: The core hosts a comparable spectral alteration mineral assemblage to the exposed high-grade San Jorge and Tembladera vein systems.
  • Data Source: Property-wide (50-square-kilometre) WV-3 multispectral and SWIR imagery captured in December 2025.
  • Next Steps / Phase 2 Soil Sampling:
    • Commencing in March.
    • Planned 1,430 samples over the southern half of the project (including the alteration cell).
    • Assays from Phase 1 (1,037 soils) anticipated in two to three weeks.
  • Additional Work: Immediate follow-up includes field validation of alteration zonation, targeted rock chip/channel sampling, and integration with soil results to refine drill-ready targets.
  • Metallurgical Work: Ongoing metallurgical test work to validate silver leachability in oxide domains.

Notable Quotes

  • "This is a key step forward for First Andes Silver. WorldView-3 interpretation has defined a large, kilometre-scale, zoned alteration cell that is coincident with known epithermal vein occurrences and no prior drilling... With this new targeting tool in hand, First Andes is moving quickly into systematic field validation and soil geochemistry to define targets." — Colin Smith, Chief Executive Officer
  • "WorldView-3 SWIR mapping has defined a 1.3 by 2.0 km zoned alteration cell at Santas Gloria that directly overlaps multiple mapped but undrilled vein systems with a cumulative strike length of greater than five km... This provides a high-resolution targeting layer that helps define the potential core of the broader Santas Gloria epithermal district." — Dr. Christopher Wilson, Chief Geologist
Read the original news release →

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