The project is located in San Juan province, along the El Indio gold belt, which host deposits like Veladero and Pascua Lama. The company targets a drill program, targeting first half of 2026.
By Panorama Minero
Highlights include:
-
NewPeak recently announced the acquisition of the remaining 49% not already owned by NewPeak subsidiaries of Las Opeñas Metals S.A. for US$500,000 cash, increasing NewPeak’s ownership of the Las Opeñas gold exploration permits (Las Opeñas) to 100%
-
800m x 600m breccia zone reinterpreted as rhyolite dome and phreatic breccia complex, now NewPeak’s primary target given potential for economic scale and multiple mineralisation phases
-
Historic breccia zone intercepts include 115m @ 0.58g/t Au (gold), 3.5g/t Ag (silver), 0.24% Pb (lead) and 0.65% Zn (zinc) from 18m to end of drill hole
-
Las Opeñas drilling application to be submitted in October 2025, targeting Q1/Q2 2026 drilling
About Las Opeñas
Las Opeñas is located in the mining friendly province of San Juan. The permit covers 1,462ha at an elevation of ~3,000m. Las Opeñas lies on the same structural trends of the Indio Belt which hosts several large deposits including the multi-million-ounce gold deposits of Barrick Gold’s Veladero and Pascua Lama.
Teck Resources Limited (Teck) originally completed first-pass mapping and rock chip sampling between 2005 and 2009. Genesis Minerals Limited (Genesis) subsequently agreed to acquire Las Opeñas in 2011.
The breccia area was subsequently drilled in 2012-2014, achieving intercepts including 115m @ 0.58g/t Au, 3.5g/t Ag, 0.24% Pb and 0.65% Zn from 18m to end of drill hole, within which was 47.1m @ 0.84g/t Au, 3.5g/t Ag, 0.21% Pb and 1.1% Zn from 65m (hole LODH-003).
Geological Review
NewPeak recently engaged two senior geologists to complete a site visit and review of historic drill core of one hole from the 2012 diamond drill program. The objectives of the program were to:
-
reassess the economic potential of the project;
-
evaluate the distribution and controls on previously identified mineralisation styles;
-
reconcile field observations with earlier technical reports; and
-
assist in the prioritisation of future exploration programs.
The work program consisted of reconnaissance-level geological traverses and selective core review. The outcomes have been integrated into an updated geological model for the project.
Key Findings
-
The main breccia zone, drilled by Teck and Genesis between 2012 and 2014, has been confirmed as the principal target for follow-up exploration.
-
Vein systems drilled by NewPeak in 2019 are now considered secondary targets in terms of tonnage potential.
-
The breccia zone is interpreted to form part of a previously unrecognised rhyolitic dome complex associated with phreatic breccias and strong argillic alteration.
-
Two mineralisation phases have been identified:
-
Phase I – Broad, silver-dominated mineralisation pervasive in phreatic breccias.
-
Phase II – Gold-silver-polymetallic mineralisation hosted in discrete hydrothermal breccias, which appear to strengthen downhole.
The Phase II hydrothermal breccias are interpreted to be comparable in style and composition to high-grade chutes observed in vein zones up to one kilometre from the intrusive centre. This suggests potential for a common mineralising source yet to be fully defined.
Conclusions
The review supports the interpretation of Las Opeñas as a structurally controlled, multi-phase epithermal system with potential to host both bulk-tonnage silver mineralisation and high-grade gold-silver-polymetallic mineralisation. The updated geological model provides a sound basis for ongoing exploration targeting.
Exploration Plan
NewPeak is advancing preparations for a multiphase exploration program which will include:
- Selective relogging of historic diamond drill core from the 2012 and 2014 campaigns.
-1:10,000 scale geological mapping of the breccia zone.
-
Detailed reinterpretation of historic geochemical data, including potential reanalysis of pulps using enhanced methods.
-
Design and implementation of a staged diamond drill program, commencing with broad targeting at depth, followed by targeted drilling of mineralised zones.
The Company intends to submit a drilling application to the San Juan provincial authorities in October 2025. Subject to approvals (anticipated within 3–6 months), NewPeak will prioritise drilling of the breccia target.
