Aztec Minerals (TSX-V: AZT / WKN A2DRF0) continues to make progress with its ongoing drilling program at the Tombstone gold and silver project in southeastern Arizona. The Tombstone Joint Venture, in which Aztec holds 85%, has now significantly increased the originally planned scope and intends to drill at least 8,500 meters – promising!
The work, according to the company, is expected to continue into the first quarter of 2026. Currently, analysis data is not yet available for a large part of the drill holes, so news from the promising project is expected on an ongoing basis.
Aztec Minerals: Extensive RC and core drilling program at Tombstone
According to company information, Aztec Minerals has so far completed 34 reverse circulation (RC) drill holes on the Tombstone project. A total of 5,960 meters of RC drilling and 495 meters of core drilling have been completed to date. Results have already been published for 13 drill holes – with partly spectacular grades!
The analyses for a further 21 RC drill holes are still pending. The samples were handed over to the Bureau Veritas laboratory, which is responsible for the evaluation. Accordingly, Aztec is expected to present further drilling results from Tombstone in the coming weeks.
The project is located in the historic Tombstone gold-silver district in Arizona, where Aztec Minerals is systematically exploring for near-surface mineralization (RC drilling) on the one hand and deeper mineralization (diamond core drilling) on the other.
Drilling program expanded to 8,500 meters and extended in time
The Joint Venture Management Committee of the Tombstone property recently reviewed the current program and decided to expand it. Instead of the originally planned 7,500 meters, at least 8,500 meters are now to be drilled, which we consider a positive signal.
The expanded program of Aztec Minerals then comprises a total of 7,000 meters of RC drilling and at least 1,500 meters of diamond drilling. This expansion shifts the planned end of the campaign to the first quarter of 2026. The goal remains to further test the known structures on the Tombstone project and to define potential extensions of the mineralization.
In parallel, Aztec Minerals was informed by the laboratory examining the Tombstone samples that the processing time of the samples should improve. The background to this is additional staff capacity and the repair of analysis equipment at Bureau Veritas. The company therefore expects to be able to publish further drilling results from the Tombstone project in the coming weeks.
Diamond drilling tests deeper targets below the Bisbee Formation
In addition to the RC drilling, Aztec Minerals is also pushing ahead with diamond drilling at Tombstone. The current drill hole TC25-03 (target TR24-13) has now been progressed to a depth of 465 meters; previously the progress was 282 meters.
The diamond drilling not only provides for a better geological interpretation, but also to test deeper targets. Aztec Minerals plans to re-open existing core boreholes in order to examine a previously identified geophysical target – the so-called AMT target – below the Bisbee Formation in thick carbonate rock units in more detail.
This target is based on results of natural audio frequency magnetotelluric surveys (NSAMT), in which several large, highly conductive bodies were detected below the historic gold-silver district. The ongoing and planned diamond drill holes are intended to clarify whether these conductivity anomalies are related to sulfide-mineralized zones or other potentially mineralized structures on Aztec Minerals’ Tombstone project.
Outlook: Further results from the Tombstone project expected
With the expansion of the program, the progress in core drilling and the announced acceleration of laboratory analyses, Aztec Minerals is in an active exploration phase on the Tombstone project. While geological details and possible resource statements can only be evaluated after the complete analysis data is available, the increase in the drilling meter contingent underlines that the joint venture intends to continue the current work in Arizona intensively. Investors should expect further drilling reports and updates on the development of Aztec Minerals’ Tombstone project in the coming months.
