A drill rig has arrived at Soma Gold's project in Antioquia, Colombia, starting the maiden drill to determine the extent of gold mineralistion beyond the current footprint of the small-scale Escondida mine.
The first campaign, which will see 21 holes drilled totalling 2790m, will test the continuity of the zone near known mine workings with 50m step-outs along strike and down-dip.
Subsequent drill holes will test the extent of the vein along strike up to 500m northeast of the mine workings. The deepest drill holes will test the extent of the Escondida vein 250m below the deepest mine level, about 425m down from the surface exposure of the vein.
If Phase 1 drilling confirms the continuity of the vein, its associated clay alteration, and gold mineralisation, a Phase 2 drill will be initiated for an additional 3165m.
Chris Buchanan, Soma's VP exploration, said: "Initiating the maiden drill at Escondida is a significant milestone for our 2026 exploration programme. The vein geometry, grade of known gold mineralisation, and scale of the existing mine workings are all encouraging indicators of a robust vein and alteration system. We are eager to define the full extent of the Escondida vein and look forward to testing the five additional veins on the property that to date have only ever been worked at surface."
The combined phase 1 and 2 drill campaigns planned for 2026 are expected to rapidly define the strike and down-dip extent of the vein and establish mineral resource beyond the current mine footprint. The Escondida vein is one of at least six identified on the property through illegal surface workings and prospecting.
The Escondida mine is a formally permitted small-scale operation, holding a PTO, environmental permit, and explosives permit. The property is accessible via a gravel road from Zaragosa or Cáceres, Colombia, is suitable for truck traffic, and is 1.5 hours from the El Limón Mill in Zaragosa.
In addition to the Escondida drill, the company has two surface drill rigs at its Cordero deposit, testing exploration targets down-dip of the Cordero, Atenas, and Cordero Viejo zones. Two underground drill rigs are also being used at the Cordero mine for infill drilling to support mine planning and operations.
Regional exploration teams are also conducting surface geochemistry sampling at the El Bagre and Machuca projects.
