Variscan Mines Limited (ASX:VAR) is set to commence a maiden diamond drilling campaign at its Guajaraz project in central Spain. The company aims to test several high-priority polymetallic targets identified through recent geological mapping, geochemical sampling, and a deep ground penetrating radar survey. The project, located southwest of Madrid, centres on the historical La Unión mine, a site previously active between 1945 and the mid-1980s.

The upcoming campaign consists of five diamond drill holes, totaling 1,430 metres. Variscan has designed these holes to intersect mineralised structures at depth while deliberately avoiding the submerged workings of the historical mine. The drilling is specifically focused on identifying potential carbonate-hosted replacement-type zinc mineralisation and exploring sub-parallel structures identified north of the main mine area. This initiative aims to define the broader potential of the polymetallic system, which is prospective for zinc, lead, silver, and copper.

"While surface and underground drilling campaigns continue to expand our mineralised footprint at Novales, this maiden drilling programme at Guajaraz represents an expansion of our regional exploration footprint. By deploying a targeted, diamond drilling campaign, we are testing the broader potential of this heavily mineralised, yet underexplored, polymetallic system and simultaneously securing our tenement standing heading into the final stretch of the year." — Tony Wehby, Chairman

Variscan maintains a multi-project portfolio strategy by balancing active development work at its flagship Novales-Udias zinc project with new exploration initiatives like Guajaraz. The company is actively preparing site infrastructure to ensure efficient execution of the programme following recent agricultural harvests.

Beyond the immediate exploration goals, this drilling activity serves a key operational purpose. The work satisfies the necessary requirements for the company to file for a three-year extension of the Guajaraz tenement in September 2026. With site preparation finalised and a contractor engaged, Variscan anticipates that this campaign will provide meaningful operational data as it continues to advance its broader base-metal assets across the Spanish landscape throughout the remainder of the year.

Read the full announcement: Maiden Drill Programme at Guajaraz Zinc Project