Altiplano Metals (TSXV: APN, FSE: 9AJ1, WKN: A2JNFG) processed mineralized ore from a bulk sample taken at the Santa Beatriz mine into a copper concentrate at its processing plant in El Peñón during the first quarter of 2025. The company generated revenue of $315,515 from the sale of the concentrate. An additional $124,016 flowed to Altiplano Metals from the sale of an iron concentrate.
The processing of bulk samples is part of the work leading up to the upcoming recommissioning of the historic Santa Beatriz mine in Chile. Its ore is to be processed at the El Peñón processing plant. This is located about 30 kilometers south of the city of La Serena and, like the mine, belongs to Altiplano Metals. Transporting the ore to El Peñón makes sense if the plant is compatible with the metallurgical requirements of the delivered ore and if the proceeds from the sale of the concentrate cover the costs of transporting and processing the ore, allowing Altiplano Metals to generate a consistent profit.
The company has come significantly closer to these goals this year, as the production results now published for the first quarter are encouraging and indicate that the company’s planning is realistic. In the first three months of the year, 1,259.40 tonnes with a grade of 1.38% copper were processed at the El Peñón plant. An additional 987.3 tonnes with an estimated copper content of 1.25% were shipped and stored at El Peñón for processing in May.
Altiplano Metals Produces both Copper-Gold and Iron Concentrates at El Peñó
In total, during the first three months of the year, 5,391 tonnes of copper and gold-bearing rock were processed into 142.5 tonnes of concentrate. The concentrate had an average copper content of 24.5% and 1.6 g/t gold. Altiplano Metals generated revenue of $315,515, or €279,005, from the sale of this concentrate.
In addition, 2,432 tonnes of iron were sold in the first quarter, generating revenue of $124,016 or €109,665. Altiplano Metals is currently unable to provide specific details about the gold contained in the concentrate, as these figures will only be available after the final accounting of the concentrate sales.
The processing plant at El Peñón is operated not only with the company’s own material from the Santa Beatriz mine and stockpiles but also with ore supplied by other mining companies. This allows the mill to operate even when no ore is available from the Santa Beatriz mine.
The Prospects for the Future are Promising
At Santa Beatriz, ore extraction is currently being evaluated. Initially, 3,000 tonnes per month can be mined there within six weeks after completion of the mining work. However, the plan is to increase production to up to 5,000 tonnes per month within six months.
Alastair McIntyre, President and CEO of Altiplano Metals, expressed satisfaction with the progress of the large-scale trial in light of these figures: “We are very pleased with the initial results of the bulk samples from Santa Beatriz. Combined with the recent drilling results, they reinforce our commitment to pursuing development opportunities. It is also encouraging that the plant is producing high-grade copper-gold and iron concentrates that support monthly revenue growth. Mineralized material from local third-party suppliers will continue to supplement our needs as we expand production capabilities from our operations in the coming months.”
Altiplano Metals Has What Many Explorers Wish For: A Source of Constant Revenue Generation
Between December 2018 and March 2025, Altiplano Metals generated a gross profit of over 23.8 million Canadian dollars (equivalent to 15.18 million euros) after processing costs through the extraction and sale of more than 8.2 million pounds of copper. This money was subsequently used to make acquisitions, purchase equipment, and advance exploration through drilling and underground development work.
Thanks to its state-of-the-art processing plant at El Peñón, Altiplano Metals is able to generate constant revenue with which it can finance the development of its copper, gold, and silver projects in North and South America. This is a valuable advantage, especially in times when access to the capital market is not the easiest, that many other development companies would love to have.
