Vortex Metals Confirms Copper, Silver and Gold Mineralization From Initial Drilling at Illapel Project in Chile
Vortex Metals Confirms Copper, Silver and
Gold Mineralization From Initial Drilling at
Illapel Project in Chile
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 10, 2025) -
Vortex Metals Inc.
(TSXV: VMS) (FSE:
DM8) (OTCQB: VMSSF) ("Vortex" or the "Company") is pleased to announce results from its Phase 1
diamond drilling program at the Illapel Copper Project in Chile.
Phase 1 drilling confirms copper-silver and gold-copper mineralization; geophysics and geology
support
manto-style
and
IOCG
(Iron Oxide Copper Gold) potential:
DVM-08:
1.0 m at
1.56% Cu and 19 g/t Ag
, within 17.9 m at 0.20% Cu
DVM-02:
2.7 m at
0.30% Cu
, near historic Rio 27 Mine
DVM-06:
0.8 m at
1.99 g/t Au
and 1.7 m at
1.18 g/t
Au in quartz vein-hosted zones
Geophysics:
Downhole EM suggests off-hole sulphide mineralization; 6 new targets identified
IOCG Potential:
Iron-oxide-copper-gold mineralization observed; same host rocks as 150Mt El
Espino deposit
Next Steps:
Vector drilling toward Rio 27 lens, advance IOCG targeting, and expanding gold-
copper zone testing
"The initial program has validated the geological model and will help us to vector towards the core of the
mineralized system,"
said
Vikas Ranjan
, President & CEO
. "With multiple surface expressions of
copper, a growing list of geophysical targets, and indications of IOCG and gold-bearing vein systems,
we believe Illapel holds significant discovery potential. We're particularly pleased with the early gold
results in the southwest zone, and we plan to expand exploration across both the copper-silver and gold-
copper targets in the next phase of work."
Partial assay results have been received for six of the eight completed drill holes, confirming the
presence of both copper-silver and gold-copper mineralization across two priority zones. Holes DVM-
02, DVM-03, and DVM-08 targeted the copper-silver zone near the historic Rio 27 Mine and intersected
strong alteration and sulphide mineralization. Holes DVM-04, DVM-05, and DVM-06 were drilled in the
gold-copper vein system located in the southwestern portion of the property and have returned partial
assay results to date. Results from holes DVM-01, DVM-05 (remaining intervals), and DVM-07 are
pending.
Drilling Highlights Manto and IOCG Opportunity
Initial drilling at Illapel has yielded encouraging results, providing strong geological evidence of a
mineralized system that warrants further investigation. To date, only three fully completed holes (DVM-02,
03, and 08) have tested the north-northeast trend of high-grade, manto-style copper-silver mineralization
extending from the historic Rio 27 Mine. All holes intersected hydrothermal alteration and sulphide
mineralization-including disseminated pyrite, chalcopyrite, chalcocite, and bornite-indicating the
presence of a potentially extensive mineralized structure.
Hole DVM-08, in particular, returned compelling results with high-grade mineralization that may
represent the margin of a larger manto-style lens. This interpretation is supported by a downhole
geophysical survey, which revealed a broad zone of low resistivity—coincident with the sulphide-bearing
interval—and consistent with off-hole extensions. Geophysics contractor GEODATOS has now identified
six additional conductive targets near DVM-08, providing encouragement for follow-up drilling.
IOCG-Style Mineralization Uncovered
In addition to the manto-style copper system, the company also observed
Iron Oxide Copper Gold
(IOCG) mineralization
in multiple holes, including DVM-08. This mineralization—characterized by iron
oxides and disseminated sulphides—occurs within a sequence of volcanic and sedimentary rocks,
similar to the setting of the
El Espino deposit
(150 Mt @ 0.55% Cu, 0.22 g/t Au), located just 13 km to
the west-northwest. The Company has also initiated geological sampling and geophysics approximately
4 km northeast of current drilling to refine targets within this IOCG corridor.
Figure 1.
Drill hole locations from the Phase 1 program at the Illapel Copper Project, central Chile.
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Phase 1 Drilling Summary
The eight-hole, 2,025-meter
Phase 1 drilling campaign
tested two priority zones:
The
copper-silver trend
near the historic
Rio 27 Mine
, targeting manto-style mineralization
A
gold-copper vein system
in the
southwestern concession
Six of the eight holes have received assays. Holes DVM-01, the remainder of DVM-05, and DVM-
07 are pending
1.
Copper-Silver Zone:
Located near the historic Rio 27 Mine, holes DVM-01, 02, and 08 were designed to test the north-
northeast extension of known manto-style copper-silver mineralization. All three holes intersected
visible copper mineralization near historical workings. Notably,
DVM-08 returned high-grade
chalcocite and bornite
, potentially on the edge of a larger mineralized lens.
A down-hole geophysical survey conducted on DVM-08 (See Fig. 3) recorded strong resistivity
lows between 64.0-72.0 m and 110.0-122.0 m, with a broad anomaly extending from 55.0-122.0
m. These readings suggest the presence of additional off-hole sulphide mineralization adjacent to
the drill-hole.
Tables 1 and 2 summarize the most significant core intercepts from the Phase 1 program, with all
assays completed by ALS Laboratories in Santiago, Chile.
Table 1.
Main intercepts in the Copper-Silver zone near Mina Rio 27.
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Plate 1.
DVM-02, 2.7 m at 0.30% Cu.
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Plate 2.
DVM-08, 1 m. with 1.56% Cu and 19 gr Ag, within a larger thickness of 17.9m at 0.20% Cu.
Note strong iron-oxides associated with mineralization in Plate 2, perhaps reflecting a genetic
relationship with
IOCG-style
mineralization.
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Figure 2:
East-west section looking north through drill holes DVM-01,02 and 08.
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Figure 3:
Geophysical bore-hole log of DVM-08 showing low resistivity at 55.0 to 122.0m co-incident
with the sulphide zone and suggesting off-hole mineralization.
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2.
Gold-Copper Zone:
Holes DVM-04, 05, and 06 targeted a zone of surface-exposed quartz veins containing visible
copper and gold mineralization. Drilling intersected significant gold values in both veins and host
rocks, with DVM-06 confirming gold-bearing structures at shallow depths. The area hosts multiple
surface outcrops of gold-copper-bearing quartz veins and exhibits geological characteristics
similar to the Farellon Sánchez district, located just west of the Illapel Project.
Table 2.
Main intercepts in the Gold-Copper Zone.
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Plate 3.
DVM-06, 0.8 m of intercept 1.99 gr Au.
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Plate 4.
DVM-06, 1.7 m. 1.18 gr Au.
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Figure 4:
Generally east-west section looking north through drill holes DVM-06 and 07.
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These initial results from Illapel mark an important milestone for Vortex Metals, confirming the presence
of copper-silver and gold-copper mineralization across multiple zones and validating the Company's
geological model. With geophysics identifying sulphide targets and IOCG-style mineralization that could
expand project's potential, Vortex is well-positioned to advance exploration through follow-up drilling and
target refinement. The Company looks forward to building on this momentum as it works to unlock the full
value of the Illapel Copper Project.
Qualified Person / Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QAQC)
Juan Carlos Fernández, P. Geo., is a qualified person ("QP") as defined by NI 43-101 and has reviewed
and approved the technical content of this press release.
About Vortex Metals Inc.
Vortex Metals Inc. is a copper focused exploration and development company with a diversified portfolio
of exploration projects in Chile and Mexico. Vortex holds an option to acquire up to 80% interest in the
brownfield Illapel Copper Project in Chile and through its Mexican subsidiary Empresa Minera Acagold,
S.A. de C.V., it owns 100% interest in two drill-ready high-potential copper-gold volcanogenic massive
sulfide (VMS) properties, Riqueza Marina and Zaachila in Oaxaca, Mexico. The company emphasizes
responsible exploration, community engagement, and environmental stewardship to meet the rising
global demand for copper sustainably.
For further information regarding this press release, contact:
Vikas Ranjan,
Chief Executive Officer and Director
Email:
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward looking statements that are made as of the date hereof and are
based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions which involve risks and uncertainties
associated with our business including permitting approvals, any private placement financings, the
uncertainty as to whether further exploration will result in the target(s) being delineated as a mineral
resource, capital expenditures, operating costs, mineral resources, recovery rates, grades and prices,
estimated goals, expansion and growth of the business and operations, plans and references to the
Company's future successes with its business and the economic environment in which the business
operates. All such statements are made pursuant to the 'safe harbour' provisions of, and are intended to
be forward-looking statements under, applicable Canadian securities legislation. Any statements
contained herein that are statements of historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking
statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements require us to make assumptions and are subject
to inherent risks and uncertainties. We caution readers of this news release not to place undue reliance
on our forward-looking statements as several factors could cause actual results or conditions to differ
materially from current expectations. Please refer to the risks set forth in the Company's most recent
annual MD&A and the Company's continuous disclosure documents that can be found on SEDAR+ at
www.sedarplus.ca
. The Company does not intend, and disclaims any obligation, except as required by
law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future
events or otherwise.
The Company cautions that mineralization on, or production from, neighbouring properties is no
guarantee of the existence of similar mineralization or a guarantee of future production from the Illapel
Project.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the
policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this
release.
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