The Director of Mining, Jerónimo Shantal, together with technical teams, the Mining Environmental Police, and staff from the Directorate of Environmental Management and Enforcement, conducted an on-site inspection of the project, which has already recorded more than 250 meters of drilling and positive progress in its initial work program.
Authorities from the Ministry of Energy and Environment conducted an on-site inspection of the El Perdido project in Malargüe, where the first drilling activities are currently underway. The visit was led by Jerónimo Shantal, Director of Mining, together with technical teams, the Mining Environmental Police, and staff from the Directorate of Environmental Management and Enforcement. The project has already exceeded 250 meters of drilling and is showing positive progress in its initial exploration program.
Shantal, accompanied by geological and environmental technical teams, Mining Environmental Police officers, and personnel from the Directorate of Environmental Management and Enforcement, toured the El Perdido project, developed by Canadian company Kobrea, which launched its first drilling campaign this month within Malargüe Distrito Minero Occidental.
The purpose of the Ministry’s visit was to verify on site compliance with mining and environmental regulations and to assess operating conditions during this new exploratory phase. During the inspection, authorities reviewed facilities, access roads, the camp, and active work areas at a project that has already logged more than 250 meters of drilling and encouraging early results. The review included operational procedures, environmental management practices, safety measures, and labor conditions.
“With more than 250 meters drilled and positive results as work progresses, we were able to inspect all facilities and verify compliance with existing mining and environmental regulations. This is a project that required road construction, camp installation, and equipment transport, with the participation of professionals mostly from the Province of Mendoza and local service companies,” Shantal explained.
The inspection forms part of the technical oversight and support framework promoted by the Ministry of Energy and Environment to ensure that exploration projects are developed under clear criteria of legality, traceability, environmental responsibility, and continuous improvement of operational standards.
Ongoing oversight
In December, the Environmental Management Unit (UGA), the province’s participatory body for monitoring and oversight of mining projects, carried out a comprehensive technical inspection at the El Perdido project. The operation involved technical staff and authorities from the Directorate of Mining, the Directorate of Environmental Management and Enforcement, the Mining Environmental Police, and the Municipality of Malargüe.
During that inspection, technical teams verified compliance with the environmental commitments undertaken by the project owner, including waste management, control of erosive processes, and protection of environmentally sensitive areas. Oversight also covered operational safety aspects such as on-site signage, vehicle speed control, and the correct application of safety protocols established for field operations.
Another key focus of the inspection was the protection of archaeological heritage, in line with the provisions established in the updated Environmental Impact Report. Authorities also reviewed the technical criteria applied in the most recent submission of the Road Opening Management Plan, a critical document for organizing and regulating initial infrastructure works.
Technical background
El Perdido began its Phase 1 diamond drilling program this month, targeting a porphyry-type system. This stage represents a key milestone for validating the area’s mineral potential at depth.
According to James Halden, Chief Executive Officer of Kobrea, the drilling design is based on previous geological and alteration mapping, vein density analysis, rock chip sampling, and geophysical surveys. The integration of these datasets enabled a more precise definition of drilling targets.
Phase 1 includes three initial diamond drill holes of approximately 500 meters each, aimed at evaluating the interpreted core of the system beneath a leached cap.
Access works and infrastructure
Kobrea began construction of the access road for the first exploration phase at El Perdido in November, along with the installation of the camp and logistical preparation for the diamond drilling program. These access and infrastructure works are essential to ensure operations are carried out under appropriate conditions of safety, traceability, and regulatory control.
The launch of this stage represents a concrete indicator of progress, necessary to enable drilling activities and future support infrastructure. Should the porphyry system’s potential be confirmed, El Perdido could be incorporated into the portfolio of strategic projects that consolidate Malargüe’s role as an expanding mining district, with positive impacts on employment, specialized service contracting, and regional development.
Kobrea’s presence in Mendoza
Kobrea is a Canadian company focused on base metal exploration. In Mendoza, it holds exploration rights over seven projects covering more than 730 square kilometers, positioning the province as a relevant hub for mining activity linked to copper and associated metals.
Company representatives noted that work at El Perdido forms part of a long-term strategy to evaluate and develop mineral resources in the southwest of the province, an area with recognized potential and growing investment momentum.