Mercado conducts mapping, sampling at Copalito

Executive Summary

• Mercado Minerals Ltd. provided an exploration update on its flagship Copalito project in Mexico, highlighting significant progress in mapping, surveying, and the discovery of new vein systems ahead of its inaugural 3,000-metre diamond drill program.
• Three new areas of vein mineralization were identified in previously unexplored zones, including potential extensions of the 5 Senores, Cobriza, and El Pilar veins, as well as a new discovery outside the known Copalito graben.
• Technical surveys, including drone-based airborne magnetic and lidar mapping, have been completed, revealing potential vein extensions and structural insights that correlate with known mineralization.

Key Details

• New Vein Discoveries:
  • Three newly identified areas of vein mineralization found in outcrop, consisting of quartz to quartz-carbonate veins, vein breccias, and stockworks ranging from 0.5m to 1.5m in width.
  • Vein 1: Interpreted as an extension of the 5 Senores vein, located ~1km northwest of the last known location. Traced intermittently over ~100m strike length in two large outcrops.
  • Vein 2: Located near a historical float sample (460 g/t Ag, 0.31 g/t Au, 0.17% Pb, 0.16% Zn). Appears to be an extension of either the Cobriza or El Pilar veins. Traced intermittently in four outcrops over 200m strike length.
  • Vein 3: Located ~500m southwest of the 5 Senores vein in an area with no previously documented mineralization. Features silicification and quartz stockwork in andesite, hosting galena sulphides and potentially silver-bearing sulphosalts. Potentially located outside the Copalito graben.
  • All new veins have been sampled and are ready for shipment/analysis; results pending.
• Survey Progress:
  • Mapping/Prospecting: 40% complete, aiming to comprehensively cover unmapped areas.
  • Drone Airborne Magnetic Survey: Completed. Preliminary data shows magnetic lineaments correlating with known structures and new signatures away from known veins, supporting new discoveries.
  • Drone Lidar Survey: Completed. Processing underway to identify subtle topographic features, historic mine workings, and new target areas.
  • Soil Sampling: 25% complete. Covers the known vein system and the potential northwest extension to fingerprint geochemical signatures.
• Drilling Plans: Preparations are advancing for an inaugural 3,000-metre diamond drill program.

Notable Quotes

• "Our team is firing on all cylinders as we advance Copalito toward our first drill program. Prospecting in underexplored areas is already proving highly rewarding, and I'm eager to see the assay results from the newly discovered veins." — Daniel Rodriguez, CEO