Hot Chili Limited (ASX: HCH) has reported new drilling results from its La Verde copper-gold porphyry discovery in Chile, as the company works to integrate the asset into its broader coastal range operations. Located 30 km from the central processing hub of the Costa Fuego project, La Verde is increasingly viewed as a potential cornerstone component of the company’s development strategy.

Recent reverse circulation and diamond drilling programs have returned significant intersections, highlighting the continuity of mineralization near the surface. Notably, hole DKP053 recorded 250 metres grading 0.50% copper equivalent, including a 36-metre interval at 0.72% copper equivalent. These results are strengthening the case for a potential high-grade starter pit, a feature management believes could enhance the overall project’s development profile. Deeper diamond drilling, including hole DKD049, has simultaneously confirmed bulk tonnage extensions on the deposit’s eastern flank.

The company is currently prioritizing technical workstreams—covering hydrogeological, geotechnical, and metallurgical studies—to support the upcoming integration of the discovery into the Costa Fuego production hub. These efforts are part of a structured development timeline as the company prepares to transition from exploration toward more formal project definition.

Investors can expect a steady stream of information in the coming months as operations ramp up. The company has noted that it recently improved its assay processing capacity, which should accelerate the reporting of pending data from 21 outstanding drill holes. This progress is essential for the technical teams as they finalize the project's next major milestones.

"The Directors look forward to increased news flow following debottlenecking of assay turnaround times and remedial works, following recent heavy rain events in the Atacama region. Next drill results from La Verde are expected shortly."

— Christian Easterday, Managing Director & CEO - Hot Chili

Looking ahead, the development timeline is clearly defined. The company expects to release a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate for La Verde later in 2026. This data will be critical for a revised Pre-Feasibility Study for the Costa Fuego project, which is scheduled to follow the resource update. These technical advancements are ultimately aimed at supporting the formal submission of an Environmental Impact Assessment for the project, which is currently targeted for the second quarter of 2027. 

Read the full announcement: La Verde Emerging as Cornerstone Asset for Hot Chili