Solaris completes Warintza drilling campaign and advances key de-risking milestones ahead of major near-term value catalysts
Solaris Resources (NYSE: SLSR) has completed a major drilling campaign at its flagship Warintza Project in Ecuador, totaling 82,000 meters of infill drilling. The campaign aims to upgrade Inferred Resources to Measured and Indicated categories, with an updated Mineral Resource Estimate expected in Q3 2025.
The program included 15,000 meters of technical drilling and brings the total drilling at Warintza Central and East porphyry systems to over 200,000 meters. The company has completed 20 kilometers of internal road access and is advancing toward key milestones including:
- Environmental Impact Assessment technical approval targeted for mid-2025
- Pre-Feasibility Study completion expected in Q3 2025
- Final Investment Decision planned by year-end 2026
The project benefits from near-surface mineralization, which is expected to reduce initial capital requirements. Step-out exploration activities are ongoing across the company's 260 km² land package.
Solaris Resources (NYSE: SLSR) ha completato una importante campagna di perforazione presso il suo progetto principale Warintza in Ecuador, con un totale di 82.000 metri di perforazioni di riempimento. La campagna mira ad aggiornare le Risorse Inferite alle categorie Misurate e Indicate, con una stima aggiornata delle Risorse Minerarie prevista per il terzo trimestre del 2025.
Il programma ha incluso 15.000 metri di perforazioni tecniche, portando il totale delle perforazioni nei sistemi porfirici Warintza Central ed East a oltre 200.000 metri. L'azienda ha completato 20 chilometri di strade interne di accesso e sta avanzando verso traguardi chiave, tra cui:
- Approvazione tecnica della Valutazione d'Impatto Ambientale prevista per metà 2025
- Completamento dello Studio di Prefattibilità atteso nel terzo trimestre 2025
- Decisione finale di investimento pianificata entro la fine del 2026
Il progetto beneficia di mineralizzazione vicino alla superficie, che dovrebbe ridurre i costi iniziali di capitale. Le attività di esplorazione di espansione sono in corso su un’area di 260 km² di proprietà della società.
Solaris Resources (NYSE: SLSR) ha completado una importante campaña de perforación en su proyecto principal Warintza en Ecuador, con un total de 82,000 metros de perforación de relleno. La campaña tiene como objetivo actualizar los Recursos Inferidos a las categorías Medidos e Indicados, con una estimación actualizada de Recursos Minerales prevista para el tercer trimestre de 2025.
El programa incluyó 15,000 metros de perforación técnica, elevando el total de perforación en los sistemas pórfidos Warintza Central y Este a más de 200,000 metros. La compañía ha completado 20 kilómetros de caminos internos de acceso y avanza hacia hitos clave, entre ellos:
- Aprobación técnica de la Evaluación de Impacto Ambiental prevista para mediados de 2025
- Finalización del Estudio de Prefactibilidad esperada en el tercer trimestre de 2025
- Decisión final de inversión planificada para finales de 2026
El proyecto se beneficia de mineralización cercana a la superficie, lo que se espera reduzca los requerimientos iniciales de capital. Las actividades de exploración de expansión continúan en el terreno de 260 km² de la compañía.
Solaris Resources (NYSE: SLSR)는 에콰도르의 주력 사업인 Warintza 프로젝트에서 총 82,000미터의 충진 시추를 완료했습니다. 이번 캠페인은 추정 자원을 측정 및 표시 자원으로 업그레이드하는 것을 목표로 하며, 2025년 3분기에 업데이트된 광물 자원 추정치가 발표될 예정입니다.
프로그램에는 15,000미터의 기술 시추가 포함되었으며, Warintza Central 및 East 포피리 시스템에서 총 시추량은 20만 미터를 넘었습니다. 회사는 20km의 내부 도로 접근로를 완성했으며, 다음과 같은 주요 이정표를 향해 나아가고 있습니다:
- 2025년 중반 목표의 환경영향평가 기술 승인
- 2025년 3분기 완료 예정인 예비 타당성 조사
- 2026년 말까지 계획된 최종 투자 결정
이 프로젝트는 지표면 근처의 광물화 덕분에 초기 자본 요구 사항을 줄일 것으로 예상됩니다. 회사의 260 km² 토지 패키지 전반에 걸쳐 확장 탐사 활동이 진행 중입니다.
Solaris Resources (NYSE : SLSR) a achevé une importante campagne de forage sur son projet phare Warintza en Équateur, totalisant 82 000 mètres de forage de remplissage. Cette campagne vise à reclasser les ressources inférées en catégories mesurées et indiquées, avec une mise à jour de l’estimation des ressources minérales attendue au troisième trimestre 2025.
Le programme comprenait 15 000 mètres de forage technique, portant le total des forages sur les systèmes porphyriques Warintza Central et East à plus de 200 000 mètres. La société a réalisé 20 kilomètres de routes d’accès internes et progresse vers des étapes clés, notamment :
- Approbation technique de l’évaluation d’impact environnemental prévue pour mi-2025
- Achèvement de l’étude de préfaisabilité attendu au troisième trimestre 2025
- Décision finale d’investissement planifiée d’ici fin 2026
Le projet bénéficie d’une minéralisation proche de la surface, ce qui devrait réduire les besoins initiaux en capital. Les activités d’exploration d’extension se poursuivent sur le terrain de 260 km² détenu par la société.
Solaris Resources (NYSE: SLSR) hat eine umfangreiche Bohrkampagne bei seinem Flaggschiff-Projekt Warintza in Ecuador abgeschlossen, mit insgesamt 82.000 Metern Ergänzungsbohrungen. Ziel der Kampagne ist es, die Inferred Resources in die Kategorien Measured und Indicated aufzuwerten, mit einer aktualisierten Mineralressourcenschätzung, die im dritten Quartal 2025 erwartet wird.
Das Programm umfasste 15.000 Meter technische Bohrungen und erhöht die Gesamtbohrlänge bei den Porphyr-Systemen Warintza Central und East auf über 200.000 Meter. Das Unternehmen hat 20 Kilometer interne Straßen gebaut und arbeitet auf wichtige Meilensteine hin, darunter:
- Technische Genehmigung der Umweltverträglichkeitsprüfung, geplant für Mitte 2025
- Abschluss der Vorstudie voraussichtlich im dritten Quartal 2025
- Endgültige Investitionsentscheidung geplant bis Ende 2026
Das Projekt profitiert von einer oberflächennahen Mineralisierung, die die anfänglichen Kapitalanforderungen verringern dürfte. Erweiterungserkundungen laufen weiterhin auf dem 260 km² großen Grundstück des Unternehmens.
- Completion of 82,000 meters of infill drilling to upgrade resource classification
- Near-surface mineralization expected to reduce initial capital requirements
- 20 kilometers of internal road access completed, reducing future construction costs
- Favorable political environment following President Noboa's re-election
- 100% ownership of large 260 km² land package
- Final Investment Decision not expected until end of 2026
- Still awaiting Environmental Impact Assessment approval
- Pre-Feasibility Study results not available until Q3 2025
Insights
Solaris completes major 82,000m drilling campaign at Warintza, advancing toward resource upgrade and development milestones in favorable Ecuador mining environment.
Solaris Resources has reached a significant operational milestone with the completion of 82,000 metres of infill drilling at its Warintza copper project in Ecuador. This extensive drilling program positions the company to upgrade a substantial portion of its resource base from the Inferred to the higher-confidence Measured and Indicated categories in the upcoming resource update targeted for Q3 2025.
The company has now accumulated data from over 200,000 metres of drilling across the Warintza Central and East porphyry systems, providing substantial geological confidence. This extensive dataset underpins what management describes as a "highly flexible, staged mine plan" featuring near-surface mineralization, which typically translates to lower stripping ratios and reduced initial capital requirements - critical factors for project economics.
On the infrastructure front, the completion of 20 kilometres of internal road access represents tangible de-risking progress that should accelerate construction timelines and reduce associated costs during development. This advantage is particularly valuable for remote projects where infrastructure development can significantly impact project economics.
The article outlines three critical development milestones: Environmental Impact Assessment approval targeted for mid-2025, Pre-Feasibility Study completion in Q3 2025, and a Final Investment Decision by year-end 2026. These create measurable checkpoints for project advancement. The recent re-election of President Noboa provides political continuity in Ecuador, potentially reducing country risk for mining development.
For context, this progress update demonstrates systematic advancement of what could be a significant copper development project, though economic parameters remain to be determined in the upcoming technical studies. The focus on strategic de-risking suggests management is methodically addressing key development hurdles while maintaining a timeline that could align potential production with projected future copper market conditions.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Solaris completes significant drilling campaign at its flagship Warintza project
- 82,000 metres of infill drilling
- Updated Mineral Resource Estimate targeted for Q3 2025
- Step-out field exploration activities are ongoing
- Technical approval of the Environmental Impact Assessment on target for mid-2025
- Pre-Feasibility Study on target for publication in Q3 2025
- Re-election of President Daniel Noboa provides political stability, reinforcing the supportive policy environment
QUITO, Ecuador, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Solaris Resources Inc. (“Solaris” or the “Company”) (TSX: SLS; NYSE: SLSR) is pleased to announce the completion of a significant drilling campaign at its flagship Warintza Project in southeastern Ecuador, alongside key developments that continue to strategically de-risk and enhance the value of this globally significant copper asset.
Between January 2024 and February 2025, Solaris completed over 82,000 metres of infill drilling, positioning the Company to upgrade a substantial portion of Inferred Resources to the Measured and Indicated categories. An updated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE), targeted for Q3 2025, will incorporate this data, adding precision and confidence ahead of economic studies and advancing the Warintza Project toward development. The drilling campaign also included more than 15,000 metres of geotechnical, hydrogeological and metallurgical holes that will support the technical studies for the project.
To date, Solaris has drilled over 200,000 metres across the Warintza Central and East porphyry systems. This extensive dataset supports a highly flexible, staged mine plan underpinned by near-surface mineralization, which is expected to materially reduce initial capital requirements. In parallel, improved geological insights have provided an understanding of the highly competitive overburden to ore profiling over the mine life.
As Warintza evolves into a near term, tier-one, multigenerational copper project, Solaris is simultaneously unlocking value across its broader
On the infrastructure front, Solaris has now completed 20 kilometres of internal road access, enabling year-round vehicular reach to all project areas. This significantly accelerates the timelines and reduces cost during the construction phase, a key advantage as the Company transitions into development readiness.
The recent re-election of President Daniel Noboa provides political stability, reinforcing the supportive policy environment that has enabled Solaris to maintain progress on permitting and stakeholder engagement. The Company is advancing the technical review of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in collaboration with Ecuador’s Ministries of Environment and Mines, with approval on target for mid-2025.
In parallel, Solaris is advancing its Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS), led by Ausenco and Knight Piésold, with completion targeted for Q3 2025. Work will then transition into the Bankable Feasibility Study, further underpinning a fully optimized and financeable development plan.
Solaris remains committed to its participatory mining model, fostering strong local partnerships and social license while building long-term value for all stakeholders. With sustained progress across technical, environmental, and social fronts, the Company is on track to deliver a Final Investment Decision (FID) by year-end 2026, a pivotal milestone aligned with a robust global copper market outlook.
Matthew Rowlinson, President and CEO commented, “Ecuador’s future is filled with promise, and we look forward to working hand-in-hand with the new government to unlock the full potential of the Warintza Copper Project, a unique, global-scale, tier 1, multigenerational asset, for Ecuador, by Ecuador.
“Warintza stands as a symbol of what sustainable and responsible development can achieve. Our commitment to operating with integrity, empowering local communities, and creating lasting value for all stakeholders remains at the core of everything we do.
“We are excited for what lies ahead and proud to support Ecuador’s journey toward a bright and prosperous future.”
On behalf of the Board of Solaris Resources Inc.
“Matthew Rowlinson”
President & CEO, Director
For Further Information
Patrick Chambers, VP Investor Relations
Email: pchambers@solarisresources.com
About Solaris Resources Inc.
Solaris is a copper-gold exploration and development company, committed to a sustainable future by empowering communities and stakeholders through our dedication to participatory and responsible mining. The Warintza Project, a large copper-gold porphyry deposit, is a unique, global scale and multigenerational asset located in the low capital intensity district of southeast Ecuador. The Company also owns a series of grassroot exploration projects with discovery potential in Peru and Chile and a
Cautionary Notes and Forward-looking Statements
This document contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (collectively “forward-looking statements”). The use of the words “will” and “expected” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements include statements regarding the Company’s future growth or value, and expectations regarding the performance and focus of the new management team and Board of Directors; the terms of the private placement; the ability of the Company to satisfy regulatory, stock exchange and commercial closing conditions of the private placement; and the timing, benefits, structure and completion of the proposed emigration. Although Solaris believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements and/or information are reasonable, readers are cautioned that actual results may vary from the forward-looking statements. The Company has based these forward-looking statements and information on the Company’s current expectations and assumptions about future events including assumptions regarding the exploration and regional programs. These statements also involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements, including the risks, uncertainties and other factors identified in the Solaris Management’s Discussion and Analysis, for the year ended December 31, 2023 available at www.sedarplus.ca. Furthermore, the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as at the date of this news release and Solaris does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any of these forward-looking statements except as may be required by applicable securities laws.
FAQ
When will Solaris Resources (SLSR) complete its Pre-Feasibility Study for the Warintza Project?
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What is the timeline for SLSR's Environmental Impact Assessment approval?
When will SLSR make the Final Investment Decision for the Warintza Project?
How much land does SLSR control at the Warintza Project?
