Andina Copper Corp. (TSX-V:ANDC) (FSE:FIR) (OTCQB:PMMCF) reported a significant copper-gold-silver intercept at its Piuquenes East project in San Juan Province, Argentina. Drill hole PIU09, the third hole at the target, returned 126 meters grading 0.46% copper, 0.53 g/t gold, and 2.14 g/t silver from 529 meters depth, within a broader 402-meter interval of 0.25% copper, 0.21 g/t gold, and 1.19 g/t silver from 253 meters. This intersection expands the vertical extent of the mineralized envelope and confirms increasing gold grades and porphyry stockwork veining laterally and at depth.
The mineralization is hosted within strongly veined dioritic porphyry exhibiting intense sericitic alteration overprinting potassic assemblages, indicating substantial telescoping of the system. Well-developed A-type veins coincident with chalcopyrite ± bornite mineralization were observed, with higher gold grades and increasing intensity of A and B-type veining at depth, consistent with proximity to the porphyry core. The company noted that bornite-rich potassic alteration with higher gold grades may be preserved beneath the sericitic overprint, suggesting potential for a gold-rich core at deeper levels.
Follow-up drilling is underway to evaluate the northern continuity of the Cu-Au mineralized porphyry system at Piuquenes East. Hole PIU11 is designed to intersect a geophysical chargeability anomaly defined by Induced Polarization (IP) surveying and a coincident conductive feature identified in Magnetotelluric (MT) data. This spatial relationship represents a priority target within the evolving geological model at Piuquenes East. Additionally, a second drill rig has commenced testing a strong, discrete geophysical MT anomaly at Piuquenes North, immediately adjacent to the Piuquenes Central deposit (refer 10 February 2026 News Release).
The PIU09 results significantly enhance the understanding of the Piuquenes-Altar cluster, confirming the presence of a new vertically extensive gold-rich porphyry Cu–Au–Ag system. The deeper mineralized interval remains open and is chalcopyrite-dominant with minor bornite, suggesting the potential for continued strengthening of the system at depth. CEO Joseph van den Elsen stated, “These results underscore the growing scale potential of Piuquenes East and its integration with the broader Piuquenes-Altar cluster.”
The company’s QA/QC program for PIU09 included the insertion of certified reference materials, blanks, and duplicates at regular intervals, confirming the reliability of the analytical data. Qualified Person Gustavo Zulliger, a consultant of Andina Copper and a Certified Professional Geologist (AIPG CPG-11165), has reviewed and approved the technical information in this release.
