Corcel Exploration Steps Closer To Copper-Gold Strike With Us Blm Approval For Arizona Project
Corcel Exploration Secures US BLM Approval for Yuma King Project, Paving the Way for Copper-Gold …
13. May 2026

Great Southern Copper Initiates Drilling Operations at Artemisa North, a Key Target in its Especularita Project in Chile
In a significant development for the mining industry, Great Southern Copper has commenced scout reverse circulation (RC) drilling at the Artemisa North porphyry copper target within the Especularita Project in Chile 1.
Located on the western margin of the La Colorada lithocap, Artemisa North is situated just 1.5 kilometers south of the nearby Piedras Blancas site 2, a location that has recently yielded promising results. The area’s geology is characterized by a complex interplay of tectonic forces and volcanic activity, which has created a fertile ground for copper deposits to form.
The drilling program at Artemisa North is designed to explore a phyllic alteration system 3, a type of geological phenomenon that can be indicative of porphyry copper systems. These systems are characterized by the formation of copper-rich magmas beneath the Earth’s surface, which can produce significant economic deposits over time 4. The presence of this type of alteration system at Artemisa North has been confirmed through rock chip geochemistry, with samples recording grades up to 1.21% copper 5, alongside 0.6 grams per tonne gold and 201 parts per million molybdenum traces.
This latest drilling operation is part of a larger exploration program aimed at identifying new targets for mineralization within the Especularita Project 6. The company has already made significant progress in this regard, with recent results from the Piedras Blancas site confirming the presence of a strong porphyry copper-style alteration system 4. This discovery has significant implications for the company’s exploration strategy, as it suggests that the La Colorada lithocap may hold more mineralization than previously anticipated.
The Artemisa North prospect is located within a region that has seen significant mining activity in the past 7, with several major copper deposits located along the trend of this area 8. The location also offers access to existing infrastructure, which can reduce the costs associated with development and bring these resources online more quickly.
Great Southern Copper’s CEO, Sam Garrett 9, has expressed his enthusiasm for the company’s exploration efforts, stating that Artemisa North is “the second of four targets to be tested with scout RC drilling in the current porphyry exploration programme 10”. He noted that this program is focused on identifying targets with geological, geochemical, and spectral features characteristic of porphyry copper systems 4.
Garrett highlighted the significance of the phyllic alteration system at Artemisa North, which he believes may represent the “phyllic” alteration zone enveloping a copper-gold porphyry system 3. This theory is supported by the presence of leached and oxidized quartz-sericite-pyrite alteration mapped at surface, which can be indicative of this type of geological phenomenon 4.
The success of Great Southern Copper’s exploration efforts will depend on the results of future drilling operations and other testing programs 10. The company has several projects in the pipeline, including geophysical surveys at Cerro Negro 11 and the La Colorada lithocap 12, which are expected to start in May 2026 13. These studies will provide further insights into the geology of these areas and help to identify potential targets for mineralization.
The Especularita Project 6 is a key component of Great Southern Copper’s strategy, with the company aiming to unlock the significant mineral resources that exist within its portfolio 14. The project has been subject to extensive exploration and development activities, which have yielded promising results in recent years.
In conclusion, the commencement of drilling operations at Artemisa North represents an important milestone for Great Southern Copper 15. The company’s exploration efforts are expected to yield significant rewards, as the presence of porphyry copper systems is often a key indicator of economic mineral deposits 4. With its strong track record and significant resources, Great Southern Copper is well-positioned to deliver value for investors in the years ahead.
Key Points: