Palamina Completes Mapping Sampling Program at the Cristel Copper Tin Project
Palamina pivots to Cristel project as sampling confirms high-grade copper potential near world-class San Rafael mine
The most recent news (February 24, 2026) announces the completion of a mapping and sampling program at the 100% owned Cristel Copper Tin Project in Peru. Key findings include a rock chip sample returning 4.43% copper and 0.61 g/t gold. The project is strategically located 40km north of the San Rafael mine (Minsur S.A.), the world's highest-grade tin mine. Geological mapping identified two significant vein systems (up to 15 meters wide) and a magmatic-hydrothermal system. This follows a period of administrative activity, including a routine stock option grant in January 2026 and the acquisition of the Esperanza project in December 2025.
The news is Routine - Positive. While the copper grades (4.43%) are high for surface rock chips, they are selective in nature and do not yet represent a discovery. However, the materiality lies in the diversification of Palamina’s portfolio. By advancing Cristel, the company is reducing its reliance on the Usicayos gold project, which has shown broad but lower-grade intercepts (e.g., 0.72 g/t Au over 52m). The proximity to San Rafael provides a strong geological analog for a potential tin deposit at depth, which is a high-value "critical metal" catalyst. The news confirms that Palamina is actively deploying the $2.7M raised in late 2025 across multiple high-potential targets.
Palamina Corp. is a Peru-focused explorer. Its flagship project has historically been the Usicayos Gold Project in the Puno Orogenic Gold Belt. Usicayos covers a 4.5km mineralized trend. Recent focus has shifted toward a "cluster" strategy in the Santa Lucia district, including the Galena (Silver-Copper-Manganese) and Cristel (Copper-Tin) projects. The company also holds a 2% NSR on the Gaban and Ica projects.