Radius Gold Inc. (TSXV: RDU) has received authorization from Peru's Gerencia Regional de Energía y Minas (GREM) to commence exploration activities, including an initial drill program, at its Tierra Roja copper project in Arequipa, southern Peru. The clearance resolves a permitting delay caused by a coordinate observation from the Superintendencia Nacional de Bienes Estatales (SBN), which was appealed and upheld in the company's favour. With contracts being negotiated and site preparation underway, Radius is targeting drilling before year-end. Investors in junior exploration companies may be watching closely given the significance of first-drill milestones for project valuation.

Key Points

  • Radius Gold Inc. (TSXV: RDU) is a Vancouver-based mineral exploration company focused on project discovery in the Americas.
  • GREM has issued authorization to commence exploration activities, including drilling, on the Ferruginosa I-400 concession at Tierra Roja.
  • Environmental authorization was granted in 2025; provisional SBN surface access was granted in March 2026; GREM authorization has now been received.
  • Investors will be watching for a drilling commencement update and laboratory results from recently submitted rock-chip geochemical samples.

Multi-Stage Peru Permitting Process Now Cleared for Tierra Roja Drilling

Because Tierra Roja sits on unoccupied state land, Radius required three sequential approvals before work could begin: an environmental authorisation for drill platforms and access, provisional surface rights from the SBN, and GREM authorisation to initiate field activities. The environmental authorisation was secured in 2025. In January 2026, GREM approved the technical review for surface access, and in March 2026 the SBN granted provisional surface access. A subsequent SBN observation on project coordinates delayed the final GREM step, but the company appealed and the appeal was upheld, clearing the path for the current authorisation.

Radius Moving Quickly to Mobilise at the Tierra Roja Site

With the GREM authorisation now in hand, Radius states it is moving ahead with the initial drill program as quickly as possible. The company reports that contracts are being negotiated, access roads are being prepared, and a camp is being established. Radius has stated its aim to begin drilling before year-end and said it will provide a further update on timing as that work advances. President Luke Longridge, PhD, P.Geo — who also serves as the company's National Instrument 43-101 Qualified Person — expressed enthusiasm about finally reaching this stage following the SBN-related delay, according to the release.

Rock-Chip Sampling Extends Coverage Beyond Tierra Roja's Core Zone

In parallel with permitting, Radius completed additional rock-chip geochemical sampling across a broader area of the Tierra Roja property, beyond the core zone that has been the focus of work to date. Those samples have been submitted to a laboratory, and the company states results will be reported when received. Extensive caliche cover over much of the property prevented a systematic grid approach; the company notes it is evaluating additional strategies, including shallow percussion drilling or auger sampling, to collect material from below the caliche layer.