Mineralization in the vicinity of the Property occurs as LS epithermal quartz veins, breccias and stockwork systems accompanying normal-sinistral faults striking 330° to 340° and conjugate dextral faults. Most of the known mineralization at the Property is hosted by the Jurassic Bajo Pobre and Chon Aike Formations.
Regional exploration has identified numerous vein targets, of which five, Huevos Verdes, Frea, Kospi, Ayelén and Odin have been extensively explored by surface diamond drilling and subsequently developed by underground mining.
After reviewing the various drilling programs, Colquhoun et al. (2007) concluded the Frea and Kospi Veins were the most significant zones in terms of grade and tonnage. The mineralized Frea has been traced over a 1,200 m strike length and to depths of up to 250 m, with an average width of up to 2.5 m (Colquhoun et al. 2007, Minera Andes News Release, September 2, 2008). The Kospi Vein has been traced for over 1,300 m strike length (Mach and Elliott 2009) and to depths of up to 230 m, with an average width of around 3.0 m.
Huevos Verdes
The Huevos Verdes vein system is one of the most important targets on the Property consisting of three to four discontinuous zones: Huevos Verdes Norte (“HVN”), Huevos Verdes Sur (“HVS”), Huevos Verdes Centro (“HVC”) and Huevos Verdes Ramal (“HVR”). The system is comprised of an array of sub-parallel veins striking 325° with dips ranging between 45° and 75° to the northeast ........
