Rio Silver Highlights High-Grade Silver up to 6.26 g/t Au and 991 g/t Ag (28.9 oz per metric tonne) over 0.70 metres at Maria Norte and Advances a Clear Near-Term Development Path in Peru
Rio Silver validates high-grade core at Maria Norte as it pivots from exploration to a fast-track development model in Peru.
The news release dated January 6, 2026, provides high-grade silver and gold results from independent National Instrument 43-101 verification sampling at the Maria Norte Project in Peru. Key results include sample 9626, which returned 991 g/t Ag (28.9 oz/t) and 6.26 g/t Au over a 0.7-meter chip sample from an outcrop. Another sample (9624) returned 869 g/t Ag, 1.68 g/t Au, and significant base metals (17.3% Lead, 10.1% Zinc) over 0.5 meters. CEO Chris Verrico emphasized that these results confirm the presence of a robust mineralized system with favorable metallurgy and infrastructure, supporting a "clear near-term development path."
- Verification of Historical Data: These results are material because they independently verify historical high-grade data, a prerequisite for updating technical reports and advancing the project toward a production decision.
- Grade Quality: The silver grades (approaching 1 kg/tonne) and associated gold/base metal values are high for the Huachocolpa district, suggesting strong economics if the system shows continuity.
- Path to Production: The news confirms the company’s strategic shift from a pure-play explorer to a potential near-term producer. This transition is supported by the proximity (within 11 km) of multiple existing processing plants (Kolpa and SilverX).
- Infrastructure Advantage: Confirmation of outcrop mineralization suggests lower initial capital expenditures for access compared to deep-seated deposits.
Rio Silver is a Canadian resource company focused on high-grade silver and gold projects in Peru. Its flagship project is the Maria Norte Project in the Huachocolpa mining district, acquired 100% in late 2025. The project features narrow, high-grade polymetallic veins. The company also holds the Santa Rita project (Peru), a royalty on the Palta Dorada project, a royalty on the Ninobamba project (optioned to Magma Silver), and the Gerow Lake project in Ontario.