First Andes Silver Ltd. (TSXV: FAS) (OTCQB: FASLF) (FSE: 9TZ0) has announced the commencement of a Phase 2 soil sampling program at its 100%-owned Santas Gloria Project, located approximately 55 kilometres east of Lima, Peru. The program comprises approximately 1,615 planned soil samples targeting the largely unexplored southern portion of the property, with a focus on a large WorldView-3 identified hydrothermal alteration footprint measuring 1.3 km by 2 km. The announcement builds on Phase 1 results that delineated six silver-in-soil anomalies and a gold-in-soil anomaly, and investors may be watching for geochemical data to support future drill target prioritisation.

Key Points

  • First Andes Silver Ltd. (TSXV: FAS) (OTCQB: FASLF) (FSE: 9TZ0)
  • Phase 2 soil sampling commenced at the Santas Gloria Project in Peru, covering the southern portion of the property
  • Approximately 1,615 soil samples planned; Phase 1 delivered six Ag-in-soil anomalies totalling 4.3 km aggregate strike length and a greater than 1.2-km-long Au-in-soil anomaly
  • Investors may watch for multi-element geochemical results and subsequent drill target rankings across the southern vein systems

Phase 2 Sampling Design and Southern Vein System Coverage

The Phase 2 program will follow north-south oriented sample lines spaced 100 metres apart, with individual samples collected at 25-metre intervals across the southern portion of Santas Gloria. The program is designed to provide systematic geochemical coverage over several intermediate-sulphidation epithermal vein systems, including Tembladera and San Jorge, as well as adjacent prospective structures. The release states these systems host mapped veins, historical workings and locally high-grade silver mineralisation but remain largely underexplored, making the southern area a logical extension of the company's geochemical survey approach.

WorldView-3 Hydrothermal Alteration Footprint Drives Target Selection

A central focus of Phase 2 is the approximately 1.3 km by 2 km zoned hydrothermal alteration system previously identified through WorldView-3 shortwave infrared spectral mapping. The release states the footprint exhibits spectral responses interpreted as kaolinite, dickite, sericite, montmorillonite, and chlorite-epidote, consistent with extensive hydrothermal alteration. The company intends to integrate Phase 2 geochemical data with this spectral alteration mapping, structural interpretation, and historical exploration data to identify prospective structural corridors and refine targets for potential concealed silver-gold mineralisation.

Phase 1 Anomalies Establish Geochemical Foundation for Expansion

Phase 1 comprised 1,037 soil samples across the northern portion of Santas Gloria and delineated six coherent silver-in-soil anomalies along the Maribel, Paquita, Rosario, Eulalia, and Kelly vein corridors, collectively spanning approximately 4.3 km of aggregate strike length, with individual values reaching 68.1 ppm Ag. Subsequent analysis identified a coherent gold-in-soil anomaly greater than 1.2 km in length along the Kelly-Eulalia structural corridor, with a higher-grade core exceeding 0.6 ppm Au. The company said the gold anomaly remains open along strike, supporting the case for extending systematic sampling southward.

Analytical Programme and Qualified Person Oversight at Santas Gloria

Samples will be submitted to ALS Peru S.A. in Lima for preparation and multi-element ICP analysis following four-acid digestion, covering silver and associated pathfinder elements. The technical disclosure was reviewed and approved by Dr. Christopher Wilson, Ph.D., FAusIMM (CP), a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101, who serves as Chief Geologist of First Andes Silver and holds securities in the company. The company stated it will report the complete multi-element dataset once final compilation and QA/QC review are complete. The immediate share price impact was not clear from available public information.