Meridian Expands Upside Potential at Santa Helena With the Discovery of a Second Layer of Gold-Silver and Zinc-Lead VMS Mineralisation
Rhea-AI Summary
Meridian Mining (OTCQX:MRRDF) reported discovery of a second layer of Au-Ag and Zn-Pb VMS mineralisation at the Santa Helena project in Brazil.
Key hole CD-869 cut 7.2m grading 1.4 g/t Au, 24.3 g/t Ag, 2.3% Zn and 0.9% Pb from 177.6m, including visible gold.
The new layer lies below and east of the Santa Helena Central resource and is interpreted as a down-dip extension of the Santa Helena North IP anomaly. Mineralisation remains open, with follow-up drilling testing both open-pit and underground potential. Additional near-mine holes (CD-866, CD-861, CD-862) returned multi-metre Cu-Au-Ag-Zn intercepts, and permitting is in place for first-pass drilling at the Espigão Cu-Au targets.
Positive
- CD-869 intersected 7.2m @ 1.4 g/t Au, 24.3 g/t Ag, 2.3% Zn, 0.9% Pb from 177.6m
- New Au-Ag & Zn-Pb VMS layer discovered below and east of Santa Helena Central resource
- CD-869 interpreted as down-dip extension of Santa Helena North chargeability anomaly, expanding target envelope
- Additional Santa Helena holes returned up to 15.4m @ 0.7 g/t Au, 0.6% Cu, 29.1 g/t Ag & 5.1% Zn from 31.3m
- Company received environmental agency permission to start reconnaissance drilling at Espigão Cu-Au project
Negative
- Follow-up holes CD-857 and CD-867 returned multiple intersections of lower grade mineralisation near CD-869
- Local mafic intrusions may offset or displace the dip projection of CD-869, adding geological complexity
- Company will defer the next Santa Helena resource assessment until further drilling and metallurgical results are available
News Market Reaction – MRRDF
In the Jun 17 session, MRRDF declined 1.73%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
Highlights:
- Santa Helena expansion programme discovers a second Au-Ag & Zn-Pb system of VMS mineralisation;
- New VMS layer of Au-Ag & Zn-Pb mineralisation intercepted below and east of Santa Helena Central resource
— CD-869 returns 7.2m @ 1.4g/t Au,0.1% Cu, 24.3g/t Ag,2.3% Zn,0.9% Pb;
— First appearance of visible gold hosted within the Santa Helena area mineralisation;
— CD-869 interpreted as the down-dip extension of Santa Helena North IP anomaly;
— Mineralisation remains open; - Exploration drill programmes for further multiple stacked horizons hosted within the Santa Helena VMS system continue;
— Programme to test for both open pit and underground extensions to CD-869.
London, United Kingdom--(Newsfile Corp. - June 17, 2026) - Meridian Mining plc (LSE: MNO) (TSX: MNO) (FSE: N2E0) (Tradegate: N2E0) (OTCQX: MRRDF) ("Meridian" or the "Company") is pleased to report that its ongoing drill programme targeting the Santa Helena VMS system has intercepted a new VMS layer of strong precious and base metal mineralisation. CD-869 returned a 7m-wide zone of gold-silver and zinc-lead dominated mineralisation including an interval containing visible gold. This new layer of Au-Ag & Zn-Pb mineralisation is located below and east of the Santa Helena Central resource. The zone is interpreted to represent the down-dip projection of the Santa Helena North chargeability anomaly.
CD-869 returned 7.2m @ 1.4g/t Au,
Mr. Gilbert Clark, CEO, comments: "CD-869's discovery of a second layer of strong precious and base metal mineralisation at Santa Helena presents an exciting opportunity for Meridian's shareholders. The potential of further resource growth is enhanced as is the future installation of a second hub1 along the Cabaçal Belt. CD-869 and the recently reported CD-852 at Álamo2 both intercepted gold-rich mineralisation. CD-869's visible gold is an attribute rarely seen at Santa Helena, and this may signal an additional structural gold overprint or gold-enriched VMS mineralisation like that seen at Cabaçal3. Following the London IPO, our well-funded exploration programmes are delivering, with a high frequency of exceptionally encouraging results. This reflects the high prospectivity of what we see as South America's most prospective VMS belt."
Santa Helena Near-Mine Exploration
Ongoing exploratory drilling in the Santa Helena area continues to enhance the potential for defining stacked VMS horizons within the Cabaçal Project. Drill hole CD-869 has returned an interval of more than 7m of gold-silver and base metal mineralisation, north of and below the Santa Helena Central resource area ("Figure 1").
Figure 1: Location of CD-869, collared in eastern margin of Santa Helena Central resource area and drilled to the north of and below the resource envelope.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7354/301801_31247c4eb41678b4_002full.jpg
CD-869 was collared on the eastern margin of the Santa Helena Central resource area, and drilled northwards to test the down-dip projection of the Santa Helena North ("SHN") chargeability response (Figure 1). This SHN anomaly extends for approximately 1km and remains open to the west. Initial confirmation of mineralisation within this anomaly came from CD-607, which intersected VMS pathfinders and trace mineralisation4. In the current campaign, CD-859, drilled 390m WNW of CD-607, returned gold and base metal VMS horizons, including one sample grading 5.0g/t Au, 3.2g/t Ag,
The shallow-dipping stratigraphy provides access to a broad extent of prospective greenstone contact at explorable depths, and CD-869 was drilled approximately 270m to the south of the southern edge of the SHN chargeability anomaly.
CD-869 intersected an interval with a higher abundance of banded sulphides, returning:
- 7.2m @ 1.4g/t Au,
0.1% Cu, 24.3g/t Ag,2.3% Zn,0.9% Pb from 177.6m,- Including 6.2m @ 1.6g/t Au,
0.1% Cu, 26.6g/t Ag,2.6% Zn,1.0% Pb from 178.1m.
- Including 6.2m @ 1.6g/t Au,
The CD-869 position lies more than 330m down-dip from the shallower CD-859 gold intersection, underscoring the broad extent of prospective contact available for testing, and the potential for mineral zones to thicken. CD-869 was also collared approximately 390m west-north-west of the recently reported CD-852 Álamo gold intersection. In this early phase of the Santa Helena near-mine exploration programme, the results continue to indicate the potential of the surrounding areas to yield new positions prospective for resource extensions. CD-869 shows consistently elevated gold and silver grades ("Table 1"; "Table 2").
| Hole_ID | From | To | Interval | Sample ID | Cu % | Au ppm | Ag ppm | Zn % | Pb % | S % | ||
| CD-869 | 177.6 | 178.1 | 0.5 | CBDS129215 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 19.2 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 4.8 | ||
| CD-869 | 178.1 | 178.5 | 0.4 | CBDS129216 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 32.1 | 4.8 | 1.6 | 10.0 | ||
| CD-869 | 178.5 | 179.3 | 0.8 | CBDS129217 | 0.0 | 2.1 | 18.7 | 2.7 | 1.0 | 7.3 | ||
| CD-869 | 179.3 | 180.1 | 0.8 | CBDS129218 | 0.1 | 0.9 | 41.5 | 3.5 | 1.5 | 2.6 | ||
| CD-869 | 180.1 | 180.5 | 0.4 | CBDS129219 | 0.1 | 1.5 | 37.6 | 4.2 | 0.9 | 2.8 | ||
| CD-869 | 180.5 | 181.0 | 0.5 | CBDS129220 | 0.1 | 0.7 | 25.4 | 3.7 | 0.8 | 3.5 | ||
| CD-869 | 181.0 | 181.6 | 0.6 | CBDS129222 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 25.9 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 4.8 | ||
| CD-869 | 181.6 | 182.0 | 0.5 | CBDS129223 | 0.0 | 3.7 | 40.4 | 2.6 | 1.5 | 4.2 | ||
| CD-869 | 182.0 | 182.5 | 0.5 | CBDS129224 | 0.0 | 3.8 | 25.3 | 1.8 | 1.1 | 4.4 | ||
| CD-869 | 182.5 | 183.0 | 0.5 | CBDS129225 | 0.0 | 2.1 | 15.3 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 4.6 | ||
| CD-869 | 183.0 | 183.5 | 0.5 | CBDS129226 | 0.0 | 1.2 | 17.2 | 2.0 | 0.3 | 9.2 | ||
| CD-869 | 183.5 | 184.3 | 0.8 | CBDS129228 | 0.0 | 1.1 | 17.0 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 7.7 | ||
| CD-869 | 184.3 | 184.8 | 0.5 | CBDS129229 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 2.2 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.6 | ||
Table 1: CD-869 sulphide zone, visible gold observed in sample CBDS129223. Intervals and assays are rounded to one decimal place. Total composite for copper of
Peak grades in the CD-869 intersection included
Additional drilling is in progress. CD-857 tested approximately 80m down-dip from CD-869, and CD-867 was drilled ~117m obliquely up-dip. Both holes returned multiple intersections of lower grade mineralisation. The stratigraphic succession is locally disrupted by mafic intrusions, and the extent to which these intrusions offset or displace the dip projection of CD-869 is currently under review. Given the mound-like morphology of VMS systems and linear character of the known deposits in the belt, there remains ample space to project the emerging CD-869 and CD-852 mineralised zones.
Santa Helena Drill Results
The last of the drill results from the Santa Helena Central drill programme, gathering additional data in proximity to historical grade control and mine development, have been received ("Figure 2"; "Table 3"). Highlights include:
- CD-866: 15.4m @ 0.7g/t Au,
0.6% Cu, 29.1g/t Ag &5.1% Zn from 31.3m;- Including 8.6m @ 0.8g/t Au,
1.0% Cu, 42.7g/t Ag &8.6% Zn from 38.1m;
- Including 8.6m @ 0.8g/t Au,
- CD-861: 12.0m @ 0.8g/t Au,
0.6% Cu, 36.7g/t Ag &4.9% Zn from 29.7m;- Including 3.4m @ 1.0g/t Au,
1.3% Cu, 68.7g/t Ag &7.7% Zn from 30.1m;
- Including 3.4m @ 1.0g/t Au,
- CD-862: 11.1m @ 0.2g/t Au,
0.2% Cu, 15.2g/t Ag &2.1% Zn from 48.0m; and- 13.6m @ 0.3g/t Au,
0.2% Cu, 16.2g/t Ag &2.3% Zn from 61.9m.
- 13.6m @ 0.3g/t Au,
Large extents of the Santa Helena and neighbouring Álamo system remain untested. With the recognition of the CD-852 gold zone, the CD-869 gold-base metal zone, and the currently unconstrained strike projection of the resource area, the Company will await further drilling and metallurgical results before initiating the next resource assessment to properly optimise the development strategy.
Figure 2: Santa Helena Central resource drilling.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7354/301801_31247c4eb41678b4_003full.jpg
Espigão Exploration Programme
The Company has also commenced field evaluation of Espigão Cu-Au targets to plan logistics and access for a first phase of reconnaissance drilling to be executed in the coming months. The Company has obtained permission from the state environmental agency, SEDAM, to carry out the drilling programme in the Espigão project.
Qualified Person Statement
Mr. Erich Marques, B.Sc., FAIG, Chief Geologist of Meridian Mining and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed, verified and approved the technical information in this news release.
About Meridian
Meridian Mining is focused on:
- The development and exploration of the advanced-stage Cabaçal VMS gold‐copper project;
- Expanding the initial resource inventory at the Santa Helena area through extension of Santa Helena Central, and new discoveries;
- Regional-scale exploration of the Cabaçal VMS Belt to expand the Cabaçal Hub strategy; and
- Exploration in the Jauru & Araputanga Greenstone Belts (the above all located in the State of Mato Grosso, Brazil).
The Pre-feasibility Study technical report (the "PFS Technical Report") dated March 31, 2025, entitled: "Cabaçal Gold-Copper Project NI 43-101 Technical Report and Pre-feasibility Study" outlines a base case after-tax NPV5 of USD 984 million and
The Cabaçal Mineral Reserve estimate in the PFS consists of Proven and Probable reserves of 41.7 million tonnes at 0.63g/t gold,
Readers are encouraged to read the PFS Technical Report in its entirety. The PFS Technical Report may be found under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.meridianmining.co
The PFS Technical Report was prepared for the Company by Tommaso Roberto Raponi (P. Eng), Principal Metallurgist with Ausenco Engineering Canada ULC; Scott Elfen (P. E.), Global Lead Geotechnical and Civil Services with Ausenco Engineering Canada ULC; John Anthony McCartney, C.Geol., Ausenco Chile Ltda.; Porfirio Cabaleiro Rodriguez (Engineer Geologist FAIG), of GE21 Consultoria Mineral; Leonardo Soares (BSc Geo, MAIG), Senior Geological Consultant of GE21 Consultoria Mineral; Norman Lotter (Mineral Processing Engineer; P.Eng.), of Flowsheets Metallurgical Consulting Inc.; and, Juliano Felix de Lima (Engineer Geologist MAIG), of GE21 Consultoria Mineral.
On behalf of the Board of Directors of Meridian Mining plc
Mr. Gilbert Clark - CEO and Director
Meridian Mining plc
8th Floor, 4 More London Riverside
London SE1 2AU
United Kingdom
Email: info@meridianmining.co
Ph: +44 (0) 203 930 3145 (GMT)
Media Enquiries:
Gareth Tredway / Saskia Sizen
Tel: +44 (0) 207 920 3150
Email: meridianmining@tavistock.co.uk
Stay up to date by subscribing for news alerts here: https://meridianmining.co/contact/
Follow Meridian on X: https://X.com/MeridianMining
Further information can be found at: www.meridianmining.co
Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information
Some statements in this news release contain forward-looking information or forward-looking statements for the purposes of applicable securities laws. These statements address future events and conditions and so involve inherent risks and uncertainties, as disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" in Meridian's most recent Annual Information Form filed on www.sedarplus.ca. While these factors and assumptions are considered reasonable by Meridian, in light of management's experience and perception of current conditions and expected developments, Meridian can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, Meridian disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or results or otherwise.
Table 2: Assay Results - Álamo
| Hole-id | Dip | Azi | EOH (m) | Zone | Int. (m) | Au (g/t) | Cu (%) | Ag (g/t) | Zn (%) | Pb (%) | From (m) |
| CD-869 | -70 | 344 | 217.4 | Álamo | |||||||
| 1.6 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 8.3 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 20.8 | |||||
| 11.9 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 8.5 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 25.5 | |||||
| 10.0 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 3.2 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 157.5 | |||||
| 7.2 | 1.4 | 0.1 | 24.3 | 2.3 | 0.9 | 177.6 | |||||
| Including | 6.2 | 1.6 | 0.1 | 26.6 | 2.6 | 1.0 | 178.1 | ||||
| Including | 0.9 | 3.7 | 0.0 | 32.9 | 2.2 | 1.3 | 181.6 | ||||
| CD-867 | -45 | 029 | 200.7 | SHM/Álamo | |||||||
| SHM | 3.2 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 16.5 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 9.2 | ||||
| 8.7 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 2.6 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 15.8 | |||||
| 1.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 28.0 | |||||
| 0.5 | 5.4 | 0.1 | 26.4 | 4.3 | 1.2 | 59.2 | |||||
| Álamo | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 2.5 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 116.7 | ||||
| 6.7 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 8.6 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 135.1 | |||||
| CD-859 | -19 | 020 | 145.4 | Álamo | |||||||
| 10.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 3.4 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 30.8 | |||||
| 15.1 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 54.3 | |||||
| Including | 0.8 | 5.0 | 0.0 | 3.2 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 63.2 | ||||
| 5.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 73.9 | |||||
| 4.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 94.0 | |||||
| 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 106.3 | |||||
| CD-857 | -58 | 357 | 250.3 | Álamo | |||||||
| 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 11.1 | 2.0 | 0.3 | 19.4 | |||||
| 4.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 27.4 | |||||
| 2.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 9.5 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 44.4 | |||||
| 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 13.7 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 125.4 | |||||
| 1.1 | 1.7 | 0.1 | 25.8 | 1.7 | 0.6 | 149.0 | |||||
| 3.9 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 4.6 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 153.3 | |||||
| 7.4 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 2.4 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 166.8 | |||||
| 13.4 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 8.0 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 180.7 | |||||
| Including | 7.5 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 12.1 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 185.7 | ||||
Table 3: Assay Results - Santa Helena
| Hole-id | Dip | Azi | EOH (m) | Zone | Int. (m) | Au (g/t) | Cu (%) | Ag (g/t) | Zn (%) | Pb (%) | From (m) |
| CD-866 | -90 | 000 | 51.9 | SHM | |||||||
| 15.4 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 29.1 | 5.1 | 1.0 | 31.3 | |||||
| Including | 8.6 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 42.7 | 8.6 | 1.6 | 38.1 | ||||
| Including | 4.3 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 47.4 | 12.8 | 2.0 | 38.1 | ||||
| CD-862 | -78 | 192 | 80.8 | SHM | |||||||
| 1.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.6 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 29.7 | |||||
| 11.1 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 15.2 | 2.1 | 0.4 | 48.0 | |||||
| Including | 3.6 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 33.6 | 5.8 | 1.1 | 52.1 | ||||
| 13.6 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 16.2 | 2.3 | 0.4 | 61.9 | |||||
| Including | 2.7 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 51.4 | 8.0 | 1.4 | 62.3 | ||||
| Including | 1.0 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 90.4 | 20.2 | 3.0 | 64.0 | ||||
| Including | 1.0 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 45.9 | 6.0 | 0.8 | 71.9 | ||||
| CD-861 | -84 | 024 | 71.1 | SHM | |||||||
| 12.0 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 36.7 | 4.9 | 1.0 | 29.7 | |||||
| Including | 3.4 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 68.7 | 7.7 | 1.9 | 30.1 | ||||
| Including | 2.6 | 2.1 | 0.9 | 65.7 | 9.3 | 1.7 | 38.4 | ||||
| 7.2 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 16.4 | 2.6 | 0.6 | 47.6 |
1 Meridian Mining News Release of November 3, 2025.
2 Meridian Mining News Release of May 14, 2025.
3 Cabaçal Gold-Copper Project NI 43-101 Technical Report and Pre-feasibility Study, March 10, 2025
4 Meridian Mining News Release of July 9, 2025.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/301801