Mercado Minerals Provides Exploration Update on Copalito; Reveals New Vein Discoveries

Executive Summary

• Mercado Minerals reports significant progress at the Copalito Project, including mapping (40% complete), drone‑based magnetic and LiDAR surveys (both completed), and soil sampling (25% complete).
• Three new vein occurrences have been discovered in previously unexplored areas, with strike lengths up to ~200 m and widths of 0.5–1.5 m; one extension is linked to a historic sample showing 460 g/t Ag.
• All newly sampled veins are ready for assay analysis, which will be released once results are received, supporting the upcoming 3,000‑m diamond drill program.

Key Details

• Mapping & Prospecting: 40% of the project area now mapped; aims to cover all unmapped zones before drilling.
• Drone Magnetic Survey: High‑resolution airborne magnetic data completed; early integration shows lineaments correlating with known structures and new signatures suggesting additional vein targets.
• Drone LiDAR Survey: Completed; processing underway to identify subtle topographic features, historic workings, and new sampling areas.
• Soil Sampling: Systematic grid 25% complete, designed to fingerprint geochemical signatures over known veins and extend toward the northwest.
• New Vein Discoveries:
• Vein 1 (5 Señores extension): ~1 km NW of last known location; intermittent outcrops over ~100 m strike.
• Vein 2 (Cobriza/El Pilar extension): Near historic float sample (460 g/t Ag, 0.31 g/t Au, 0.17% Pb, 0.16% Zn); traced intermittently in four outcrops over ~200 m strike.
• Vein 3: ~500 m SW of 5 Señores; silicified quartz stockwork with galena sulphides and potential silver‑bearing sulphosalts, located outside the known Copalito Graben.
• Sampling Status: All new vein material has been collected and is pending laboratory assay; results will be disclosed when available.
• Upcoming Drill Program: Preparations continue for an inaugural 3,000‑m diamond drill campaign targeting these newly identified veins and extensions.

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 & Director, Mercado Minerals Ltd.