Pioneer Minerals puts boots on the ground at San Francisco

• Initial reconnaissance inspected outcrops, historical workings and drill core
• Access to the San Francisco de los Andes breccia has been confirmed
• An expanded field team is due back next week, subject to access and field conditions

Special Report: Pioneer Minerals kicked off field exploration efforts at its San Francisco gold-copper-silver project in Argentina following an initial reconnaissance visit by the in-country technical team.

The first visit by Andes Exploration covered selected outcrops, exposed geological units and historical mine workings, and confirmed access to the San Francisco de los Andes breccia.

Pioneer Minerals (ASX:PMM) said its in-country team also inspected historical diamond drill core at the Villa Nueva warehouse and found it in good condition for systematic relogging.

Relogging selected core will help geologists assess breccia characteristics, alteration, structures and mineralisation events.

Some road improvements may be needed to support field operations at the principal breccia.

Access to other priority target areas remains to be confirmed.

Historical drilling offers a starting point

Historical drilling at San Francisco has returned broad gold-copper-silver intersections, including 109m at 4.94g/t gold, 109g/t silver and 1.13% copper from 12m.

Exploration is focused on assessing the extent and continuity of mineralisation within the known breccia pipe, including potential extensions at depth, and evaluating other breccia and vein systems across the project.

An expanded geological team is scheduled to return next week to assess priority targets identified through recent integrated geochemical and geological work, subject to access and field conditions.

“With a broader field program planned to commence next week, our immediate focus is on gathering the geological evidence needed to refine our understanding of the system and assess additional priority targets,” chief executive officer Michael Beven said.

Planned work includes relogging selected core, mapping priority geochemical targets and prospective breccia and vein systems, and integrating observations into the existing 3D geological model.

Field observations will also inform an assessment of potential geophysical surveys.

Andes has begun discussions with local service providers and advisers about environmental assessment requirements and preparatory work for a potential environmental impact assessment submission, with its scope, timing and regulatory requirements yet to be confirmed.

This article was developed in collaboration with Pioneer Minerals, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.

The post Pioneer Minerals puts boots on the ground at San Francisco appeared first on Stockhead.