Zacatecas Silver Corp. has intersected multiple silver and base metal intervals in its phase two diamond drilling program at the El Cristo vein system, returning a peak intercept of 0.51 metres grading 2,337 grams per tonne silver equivalent from 40.79 metres downhole in hole CRI-2026-043.

The phase two campaign comprised 20 diamond drill holes totaling 2,144 metres, testing the near-surface depth and strike extensions of intermediate sulphidation epithermal veins across a 1.5-kilometre strike length within a 250-metre-wide corridor. Mineralization was encountered in 11 of the 20 holes drilled. The broader mineralized dilational zone at El Cristo spans at least 3 kilometres in length and 650 metres in width.

The drilling confirmed structural continuity between previous phase one holes with shallow intercepts generally less than 75 metres downhole. Almost all mineralized intercepts in the second phase were extensively oxidized, displaying common iron oxides and low zinc and lead base metal tenors. The deepest intercept reached 129.63 metres downhole in hole CRI-2026-046, returning 0.28 metres at 114 grams per tonne silver equivalent. Additional drilling is required to determine true widths because all holes intersected veins at an oblique angle.

“We are very encouraged by what this near-surface program has shown us at El Cristo. Phase 2 intersected the veins where we expected them, with silver mineralization from surface and base metals strengthening in our deepest holes. The system remains open at depth, and we are looking to expand on it. This is a tremendous time for the Company. We are advancing our Sonora properties toward drilling at Oso Negro and Cumaro, Esperanza is progressing toward a Preliminary Economic Assessment, and we have just completed a financing to help pursue all of it.”

— Eric Vanderleeuw, CEO and Director

El Cristo represents the northwest strike extension of the Veta Grande vein system within the Zacatecas Silver Project, which has reported historical production of 200 million ounces of silver equivalent. Intermediate sulphidation epithermal systems in Mexico typically feature vertical mineralized depth extensions of 500 to 800 metres, leaving the El Cristo system largely untested below 75 vertical metres where unoxidized, base metal-rich veins are expected. Zacatecas Silver plans to expand exploration on the El Cristo system at depth below 75 vertical metres.

Read the full announcement: Zacatecas Silver Announces Multiple Silver Assays from El Cristo Drill Program