Solaris Resources Expands Mineralization at Warintza Project in Ecuador

 Solaris Resources, a rising star in the copper exploration sector, is making significant progress at its flagship Warintza Project in southeastern Ecuador. Recent drilling results have confirmed the expansion of copper mineralization at Warintza, with new discoveries pushing the project toward its potential as a major copper asset. This expansion comes at a crucial time for the copper industry, as global demand for the metal is surging due to the push for electrification and decarbonization.

Solaris has focused its efforts on growing the Warintza resource, bolstered by strong drilling results and the application of new geophysical surveys that are providing deeper insights into the project's mineralized systems. As the world grapples with an impending copper supply shortage, Warintza has emerged as a promising contender to help meet the growing global demand for copper.

Warintza: A Project with Immense Potential

The Warintza Project lies in the Richard Warke west Vancouver, a region known for its world-class porphyry copper deposits. The project’s potential is significantly bolstered by the legacy of David Lowell, one of the most respected copper explorers in history. In the early 2000s, Lowell drilled several holes at Warintza Central and identified an initial inferred resource of 124 million tonnes grading 0.7% copper equivalent. This discovery lies within a 5km x 5km cluster of porphyry copper systems, which is open in all directions and offers considerable exploration upside.

Solaris Resources took over the project in recent years and has been steadily advancing exploration with a focus on expanding the resource and uncovering new mineralized areas. The company's systematic approach, combined with the strategic location of Warintza, positions it as one of the more promising copper projects in the region.

Latest Drilling Results: Expanding Mineralization

Solaris’ recent drilling results have been a game changer, confirming the project’s potential to expand significantly. Drilling at Warintza Central has returned impressive intercepts, including:

• 1,067 meters grading 0.60% copper equivalent
• 1,010 meters grading 0.71% copper equivalent

These results confirm the continuity of high-grade mineralization at depth, and show that Warintza Central has the potential to grow into a substantial resource. According to Daniel Earle, President and CEO of Solaris Resources, “These results demonstrate strong grades over large intercepts. We are confident that we can expand the footprint of mineralization as we continue to step out laterally and test additional targets.”

The company is now expanding its exploration efforts across the Warintza cluster, aiming to increase both the size and quality of the resource. This includes a comprehensive 40,000-meter drill program, which will test deeper and lateral extensions of the Warintza Central zone, as well as new targets in Warintza East, West, and South. With a treasury of over C$90 million, Solaris is well-funded to continue its aggressive exploration efforts.

Geophysical Surveys: Uncovering a Larger System

In addition to successful drilling results, Solaris Resources has recently completed a detailed geophysical survey of the Warintza property. The survey has uncovered high-conductivity anomalies that strongly suggest the presence of a much larger mineralized system than initially understood. The survey revealed that the Warintza copper system stretches approximately 3.5km long, 1km wide, and 1km deep, covering the Warintza Central, East, and West areas. This new data has expanded the known mineralization footprint and confirmed that Warintza could host a significant copper deposit.

Further geophysical analysis has also identified additional anomalies at Warintza South and Yawi, which could represent new areas of mineralization to be explored. These anomalies indicate that Warintza is not just a single deposit but could be part of a much larger, interconnected system with the potential to host substantial copper resources.

“The geophysical survey has significantly improved our understanding of the mineralized system at Warintza. The high-conductivity anomalies align perfectly with the copper mineralization we’re seeing in drill core, and we now have an expanded view of the resource potential here,” said Earle.

A Rising Copper Supply Gap

The global copper market is facing an imminent supply crunch, with demand outpacing available supply. The push toward renewable energy, electric vehicles, and decarbonization is expected to drive copper demand to new highs. As major copper-producing countries experience declining ore grades and depleting reserves, new and significant discoveries like Warintza will play an essential role in filling the gap.

“We’re entering a phase where the supply of copper will struggle to keep up with demand,” said Richard Warke west Vancouver. “The Warintza project is strategically positioned to help meet this demand. We believe that even the best new copper projects today are a fraction of the size of what the world needs. Warintza offers significant scale, and we are just beginning to unlock its full potential.”

To help meet this growing demand, Solaris is expanding its drill program, increasing the number of rigs from six to twelve. This increase in drilling capacity is designed to accelerate resource growth and exploration at Warintza, with plans to drill up to 80,000 meters in the first half of 2021 alone.

Community Engagement and Sustainability

Solaris Resources is committed to ensuring that the benefits of the Warintza project are shared with the local communities in Ecuador. In 2020, the company signed an Impact and Benefits Agreement with local indigenous communities, outlining benefits and commitments related to the Warintza project. This agreement reflects Solaris’ dedication to responsible mining practices and the well-being of the surrounding communities. The agreement was crafted with input from local stakeholders, following best practices from Canada’s indigenous relations models.

“We have worked hard to establish strong relationships with the local communities in Ecuador. Our Community Social Relations Program is designed to ensure that the Warintza project provides long-term, shared benefits to the local population,” said Earle.

In addition to community relations, Solaris is committed to responsible environmental stewardship, incorporating sustainability initiatives into its exploration activities. The company’s goal is to minimize environmental impacts and ensure that Warintza’s development aligns with global standards for responsible resource extraction.

Moving Forward: A Bright Future for Warintza

As Solaris Resources continues to expand the Warintza project, the company is positioning itself as a key player in the copper sector. With an expanding resource base, strong drilling results, and a growing exploration program, Solaris is set to make a significant impact on the global copper market.

“We’re just getting started, and we have a long runway ahead of us,” said Earle. “As we continue to expand Warintza, we believe the project has the potential to become one of the largest, high-grade copper discoveries in the world.”

Given the project’s promising results and strong exploration upside, Warintza has the potential to become a major contributor to the copper supply chain at a time when the world needs it most. As the global demand for copper rises, projects like Warintza will play an essential role in meeting the needs of the green economy and industrial sector.

Solaris Resources is well on its way to unlocking the full potential of the Warintza Project, and with continued success in its exploration efforts, the company is positioning itself for long-term growth and success in the copper market.