El Perdido project has become the first initiative within the Malargüe Western Mining District—an exploration framework developed by Impulsa Mendoza to promote responsible mining in southern Mendoza—to begin drilling operations. This milestone marks a new chapter for copper development in the province and reinforces a model built on technical planning, international investment, and the participation of local talent.
Developed by Kobrea Exploraciones Argentina, El Perdido is the first project in the district to move into the drilling phase, signaling a turning point for metalliferous exploration in Mendoza and the start of a new stage for the province’s mining sector.
The launch of this operational phase follows more than a year of technical, administrative, and territorial work. The project underwent multiple layers of environmental, water, heritage, cultural, and social evaluation, in addition to securing the required authorizations from the Municipality of Malargüe and the provincial mining authority.
Company representatives emphasized that the start of drilling not only represents a technical milestone, but also a broader inflection point for mining in Mendoza. Kobrea is the first foreign-capital company to initiate this type of work in the province after several years, opening a new cycle of investment, geological data generation, and productive development.
Kobrea Exploraciones Argentina is a locally incorporated company whose shares are held by Kobrea Exploraciones Corp., a Canada-based mining firm. The company selected Mendoza as its first investment destination in Argentina and has concentrated all of its projects in the Malargüe department, where it identified strong geological potential for copper systems.
To access the drilling site, the company built a 15-kilometer access road, with the corresponding authorizations from both the surface landowner and the provincial mining authority. While the area’s geographic and climatic conditions posed logistical challenges that extended initial timelines, the equipment is now fully installed and drilling activities have formally begun.
The strategic potential of the Malargüe Western Mining District
In parallel, Kobrea is advancing technical and environmental studies on other projects in Malargüe, including El Destino, as well as additional areas where it holds exploration rights. The company noted that it has the logistical capacity, human resources, and financial backing to develop multiple projects simultaneously, always subject to the permits granted by regulatory authorities.
The launch of this drilling campaign further positions the Malargüe Western Mining District as a strategic platform for the exploration of critical minerals such as copper, while strengthening Mendoza’s profile as an attractive destination for investments that combine economic development, high technical standards, and sustainability criteria.
Technical background
As part of its early-stage exploration work, Kobrea completed its first geophysical campaign at the El Perdido property in June of this year. This phase was carried out by the Mendoza-based company Geoenergía, using state-of-the-art technology, specialized personnel, and fully local logistics.
The campaign stood out for the quality of the data collected and the efficiency of its aerial operations, which met technical objectives despite the area’s demanding geographic conditions. The work was supported by the Los Molles airstrip, certified as a Declared Suitable Site by Argentina’s National Civil Aviation Administration (ANAC). This facility is becoming a strategic asset for mining, health, tourism, and logistics activities in southern Mendoza.
This geophysical stage was instrumental in defining the priority targets that are now being evaluated through drilling, consolidating an exploration approach based on careful planning, high-quality technical information, and the integration of local expertise.