Potrero Gold Project
High-Sulphidation Epithermal & Porphyry Gold Exploration | Maricunga Belt
Overview
Montero, through its wholly owned subsidiary Minera Joy SpA, has entered into an option agreement to acquire a 100% interest in the Potrero Gold Project, also located in Chile’s Maricunga Belt.
The project is road-accessible and situated approximately 170 km northeast of Copiapó at elevations of approximately 4,400 metres above sea level within a large, well-preserved Miocene stratovolcanic complex.
Potrero is considered prospective for exploration of high-sulphidation epithermal gold mineralization and possible underlying porphyry Au–(Cu) systems.
The Project was initially prioritised through the integration of multi-disciplinary datasets analysed using artificial intelligence and machine-learning assisted workflows in conjunction with geological interpretation. These methods supported the identification of exploration targets considered prospective for follow-up work. Such targets are conceptual in nature and have not been demonstrated to host mineral resources.
Option terms
Montero may acquire a 100% interest in the Potrero Project by making staged payments totalling US$7 million over six years according to the following schedule:
US$40,000 paid on receipt of TSX Venture Exchange approval, US$100,000 in 2026, US$150,000 in 2027, US$260,000 in 2028, US$400,000 in 2029, US$550,000 in 2030, and US$5,500,000 in 2031
The vendor retains a 2% Net Smelter Return (NSR) royalty. Montero has the option to repurchase 50% of the NSR for US$5 million within nine years of execution of the agreement.
Historical Exploration
Historical drilling at Potrero includes:
- 126 m @ 0.44 g/t Au
- Including 18 m @ 0.80 g/t Au (Caracal, 2009; Hochschild, 2011; Verde Resources Corporate Presentation, 2011)
The historical drill results referenced above were reported by previous operators and have not been independently verified by the Company. A Qualified Person has not completed sufficient work to verify these results, and they should not be relied upon as current mineral resources or mineral reserves.
These historical results are not necessarily indicative of mineralization on the property.
Exploration Plans
An initial exploration budget of approximately CAD$140,000 has been approved. Planned work includes: Remote sense mapping, Geological mapping, Geochemical sampling, and Geophysical surveys.
The program is designed to define and prioritise drill targets through systematic evaluation.
Exploration data generated will be analysed using AI-assisted and machine-learning supported workflows to assist in refining geological models and prioritising targets. These tools function as decision-support systems and do not predict or guarantee the discovery of mineral resources.
Exploration Strategy
Montero integrates historical drilling results, surface geochemistry, alteration mapping, and structural interpretation using AI-assisted analytical workflows to support target prioritisation and evaluation of both epithermal mineralization and potential underlying porphyry systems.
All interpretations and exploration decisions remain geology-led and are reviewed by experienced geologists and Qualified Persons in accordance with NI 43-101 and industry best practices.
Summary
The Potrero Project is considered prospective for further exploration within the Maricunga Belt. There has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource, and it is uncertain whether further exploration will result in the delineation of a mineral resource.
Fig 1. Location of Elvira and Potrero projects and major deposits in the Maricunga
Fig 2. Geological setting of the Potrero project