At the Cervantes project, Aztec Minerals (TSXV: AZT, FSE: AZ3, WKN: A2DRF0) recently completed the first phase of a surface exploration program. It focused on the California East, California North, and Brasil target zones. Additional work was also carried out in the adjacent parts of the project. The samples taken from the ground contained up to 15.6 g/t gold and 177.3 g/t silver, and Aztec Minerals successfully identified several promising new exploration targets through successful sampling.
The 3,649-hectare Cervantes project, located in the Mexican state of Sonora, already has several promising exploration targets. With this year’s exploration program, Aztec Minerals aims to increase their number and identify the most interesting targets for later drilling. This year, the company will focus on the California East, California North, and Brasil target zones, as the data collected so far indicates three priority target areas with attractive gold mineralization.
The first phase of the program was carried out in May and June 2025. Field teams mapped the terrain and took a total of 151 samples from outcrops and the ground. This successfully identified and confirmed new mineralization and alteration zones around the California zone.
Aztec Minerals Significantly Expands Mineralized Zones
This success allowed the known extent of the “California” porphyry gold-copper system to be extended by another 500 meters to the east. New occurrences with porphyritic mineralization were discovered and confirmed, with results of up to 15.6 g/t gold, 177.3 g/t silver, and 8,062 ppm copper. Samples with positive results were taken from the California deposit itself and in the adjacent target areas of Brasil, Estrella, California East, California North, and Purisima East.
A common feature of the new discoveries is that the prospects show strong mineralization in hydrothermal breccias, porphyritic and sedimentary rocks. However, the steep mountain slopes of the target areas are almost completely covered with dense scrub on extensive scree and debris deposits, which limits the outcrops.
In addition to the already mentioned extension of the target zone by 500 meters to the east, the mineralization could also be extended by 100 to 300 meters to the north. Aztec Minerals’ geologists currently assume that the new finds are related to the previous ones.
The California Oxide Cap Remains a Priority Target for Future Open Pit Heap Leaching
The initial surface exploration mapping and sampling program found numerous outcrops of mineralized hydrothermal breccias, quartz-feldspar porphyries, and siliciclastic host rock, as well as associated mineralized structures with strong gold and copper values beyond the exposed California gold-copper porphyry.
One of the main goals of the program is to further define the potential of the porphyry oxide cap at the California deposit for open-pit mining and gold heap leaching. At the same time, the down-dip extensions of the phyllic alteration in the Qfp intrusion are to be investigated for deeper porphyry copper-gold sulfide mineralization beneath the oxide cap. Furthermore, the intention was to gain further insights into the mineralization in the adjacent target areas, California North, California East, Estrella, and Brasil.
A Follow-Up Program could Start after the End of the Rainy Season
Depending on the necessary permits, market conditions, and available funding, Aztec Minerals plans to start a potential follow-up drilling program and additional fieldwork after the end of the regional rainy season, which runs from July to October.
The follow-up drilling will likely be aimed at expanding the mineralized California deposit. Initial drilling may also be carried out in the mineralized hydrothermal breccias and quartz-feldspar porphyries in the California North, Brasil, and Estrella target areas.
