High-Grade Exploration at Copper Project in Argentina Shows Promise

- Aldebaran Resources, led by CEO John Black, specializes in the discovery and development of large copper deposits, currently focusing on the Altar project in Argentina.
- Recent drill results from the Altar project have been positive, with more results expected in the coming weeks. The company is gearing up for a more aggressive exploration season next year.
- Addressing concerns, the company has provided clarity on the arsenic content in the deposit, revealing it as a manageable challenge rather than a significant problem.
- Aldebaran has an agreement to earn up to an 80% interest in the Altar project from Sibanye Stillwater, with a target of completing $30 million in expenditures in five years; they're currently halfway through after two years.
- Doing business in Argentina has been stable for Aldebaran, with provinces like Santa Cruz, San Juan, and Salta being more favorable for mining investments.
Aldebaran Resources is a Canadian exploration company focused on discovering large copper deposits in Argentina. Their flagship project, Altar, shows strong potential for further high-grade discoveries that could support the development of a major copper mine. Recent drill results and an updated resource estimate have set the stage for an aggressive exploration program in 2023 that is likely to steadily add resource ounces and improve project economics. With copper prices at record highs, Altar offers investors excellent leverage to a strengthening copper market through a quality asset run by an experienced team.
Updated Resource Outlines Large, Higher Grade Deposit
A May 2022 updated resource estimate for Altar outlined a much larger deposit with improved grades compared to the previous estimate. The new technical report shifted 482 million tonnes into the Indicated category, nearly doubling this more confident portion of the resource. The overall resource grade also increased substantially, with the Indicated resource now at 0.30% copper and 0.09 g/t gold.
Importantly, this updated model provides a clearer picture of where arsenic levels are elevated within the deposit. Arsenic has been perceived as an issue for the project, but this new characterization confirms it is manageable. Lower arsenic zones can be prioritized in the early mining stages.
High-Grade Drill Results Confirm High Grade Zones
Initial drill results released by Aldebaran's field program validated the potential for higher-grade portions of the deposit. Highlights included an intercept of 758m grading 0.54% copper from the Central deposit, including a 402m interval of 0.70% copper. This hole confirmed the project’s potential to delineate zones of starter pit material averaging +0.70% copper.
A second hole at Central returned a 63m interval of 0.94% copper. This metallurgy is well suited to lower-cost heap leach extraction, providing an alternative to conventional milling.
Aggressive 2023 Exploration Planned
With C$30M raised earlier this year, Aldebaran is funded through the completion of their 60% earn-in expenditure at Altar in 2024. This puts the drill bit fully in Aldebaran's control. The company is planning an expanded, earlier-starting field program for the 2023 season. More rigs will be on-site drilling over a longer season, with a focus on expanding zones of higher-grade mineralization. Over half of the expenditures are expected to fund drilling costs directly.
Additional results from 2022 drilling expected in early July will help refine high-priority drill targets. Ongoing regional exploration at earlier-stage projects provides upside potential beyond Altar.
OTC Listing to Boost Visibility
Aldebaran also anticipates listing on the OTC exchange in the US soon. This will introduce the company and Altar’s copper potential to a broader investor audience. As copper demand intensifies with the energy transition, US investors are becoming increasingly aware of the looming supply gap. Altar offers good leverage to fulfill this growing copper demand.
Aldebaran’s seasoned management team includes extensive experience developing billion-dollar copper assets. Their systematic exploration approach at Altar has already outlined a deposit with impressive scale. Ongoing drilling is now vectored in on expanding higher grade zones to support low-cost, phased mine development. Argentina’s shift to encourage mining investment adds further tailwinds. With copper prices surging, Aldebaran offers a quality copper vehicle to ride strengthening market fundamentals.
The Investment Thesis for Aldebaran Resources
Leverage to Strengthening Copper Market
- Copper prices have hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to remain strong with surging demand from the energy transition. Aldebaran offers leverage to this strengthening market through its large, high-grade Altar copper project.
Quality Asset with Upside Potential
- Recent drilling and an updated resource model have outlined a much larger deposit at Altar with improved grades. Ongoing exploration has good potential to further expand higher grade zones, enhancing project economics.
Strong Management Team
- Aldebaran has an experienced management team with track records of developing billion-dollar copper projects. Their systematic approach at Altar has quickly advanced the project.
Funded for Aggressive Exploration
- With a recent C$30M financing, Aldebaran is fully funded through the expected completion of their 60% Altar earn-in by 2024. This allows for aggressive, expanded drilling focused on resource growth.
Argentina Supporting Mining Investment
- Aldebaran is well positioned to benefit from Argentina's shift to encourage mining investment, especially in mining-friendly provinces like San Juan.
Early Stage Optionality
- Ongoing regional exploration provides upside potential from Aldebaran's earlier-stage copper projects in Argentina.
Aldebaran Resources offers investors an attractive leverage play on strengthening copper market fundamentals, with a quality asset, proven team, aggressive exploration program, and jurisdictional support. These factors give Aldebaran excellent potential to create substantial value for shareholders through discoveries at Altar and beyond.
Analyst's Notes


