Meridian Mining has intersected multiple stacked layers of gold-copper-silver and zinc-lead volcanogenic massive sulphide mineralisation below the Santa Helena deposit in Mato Grosso, Brazil.

Drill hole CD-878 returned an upper interval of 11.3 metres grading 0.8 grams per tonne gold, 0.2% copper, 17.6 grams per tonne silver, 3.4% zinc and 0.6% lead from 199.8 metres downhole. The intercept included a 4.4-metre section grading 1.7 grams per tonne gold, 0.1% copper, 32.1 grams per tonne silver, 5.8% zinc and 1.4% lead, with visible gold identified in the core. Peak assays reached 7.3 grams per tonne gold and 71.7 grams per tonne silver.

The upper zone is interpreted as a 90-metre down-dip widening extension to the previously reported hole CD-869, which intersected 7.2 metres grading 1.4 grams per tonne gold, 0.1% copper, 24.3 grams per tonne silver, 2.3% zinc and 0.9% lead.

CD-878 also intercepted a second, lower layer of copper-dominant VMS stringer mineralisation located 13.6 metres below the main horizon, returning 1.7 metres grading 0.9% copper, 0.1 grams per tonne gold and 8.3 grams per tonne silver from 224.7 metres. This lower interval included a sample grading 1.6% copper over 0.6 metres.

“The quickest way to build further resource tonnes at Santa Helena is by drilling thick layers of mineralisation. CD-878, drilled below Santa Helena's existing resource, intercepted multiple stacked layers of Au-Cu-Ag & Zn-Pb VMS mineralisation that remain open in all directions. CD-878's upper layer hosts robust grades of gold and silver including a zone with visible gold. It shows a thickening to the up-dip mineralisation of CD-869, that also returned strong grades of gold and silver, and zones of visible gold, in a thinner 7.2m intercept. Excitingly, CD-878's second lower layer is copper-rich, grading up to 1.6% Cu.”

— Gilbert Clark, CEO

The mineralisation remains open in all directions, and exploratory drilling at Santa Helena continues alongside initial reconnaissance programmes across Meridian's 66,552-hectare Jauru and Araputanga exploration licence portfolio.

Meridian expects to publish the Definitive Feasibility Study for the Cabaçal project in the fourth quarter of 2026.

Read the full announcement: Meridian Drills Multiple, Stacked Layers of Gold-Copper-Silver and Zinc-Lead VMS Mineralisation Below Santa Helena