AusQuest Maps 2.5km Cangallo Copper Zone With Two New Targets Still Undrilled
Key Takeaways
- A CSAMT survey by Quantec Geoscience outlines an interpreted porphyry footprint of at least ~2.5km x 1km at Cangallo, with large portions still untested by drilling.
- Low resistivities of 250 to 400 ohm-metres at depths of +500m at both the northern and southern ends point to possible untested porphyry centres.
- Target Areas 1 and 2, east and west of the known porphyry, raise the prospect of a porphyry cluster, though both remain undrilled.
- Diamond drilling is ongoing below the ~350m RC depth limit, with assay results expected over the coming weeks.
- No resource estimate or grade has been disclosed, and follow-up drilling of priority targets depends on Stage 4 permits expected shortly.
Cangallo CSAMT survey outlines interpreted 2.5km x 1km porphyry footprint
AusQuest (ASX: AQD) reported on 6 October 2026 that a CSAMT survey over the Cangallo Porphyry Copper Project in southern Peru outlines an interpreted footprint of at least ~2.5km x 1km. Large portions of that footprint remain untested by drilling.
CSAMT stands for Controlled Source Audio-frequency Magnetotelluric, a ground-based survey that maps how easily electricity passes through rock. The survey, completed by Quantec Geoscience, also identified two new target areas and deeper resistivity anomalies to the north and south of the interpreted footprint.
What this means for you: the data suggests drilling to date has tested only part of the system, which points to potential growth in the copper inventory at Cangallo. No resource estimate or grade has been disclosed.
Graeme Drew, Managing Director
“…the geophysics clearly shows drilling to date has only tested part of the broader porphyry system, leaving large areas still to be evaluated…”
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What the survey reveals about the scale of the system
The survey was designed to deliver high-resolution sub-surface resistivity information. That helps identify geological structures, lithological variations and alteration zones, and to outline the porphyry system and inform future drilling.
Low resistivity zone linked to copper mineralisation
One low resistivity zone appears to be closely associated with the copper mineralisation. AusQuest says it defines a contact zone probably caused by alteration (sericite, white mica, plus sulphides) associated with the porphyry system.
Surface mapping and rock-chip sampling support this interpretation. Anomalous copper values are dominantly confined to the area outlined by lower resistivities.
Higher resistivities inside the outline appear to relate to quartz diorite intrusions, both mineralised and unmineralised, that appear to occupy the central portion of the system.
Deeper targets north and south
Lower resistivities of 250 to 400 ohm-metres at depths of +500m were defined at both the northern and southern ends of the defined copper mineralisation. These are thought to reflect increased alteration possibly related to untested porphyry centres, and will be tested as part of future drilling programs.
Key survey specifications:
- 12 frequencies ranging from 2 to 4096 Hz
- Survey lines 200m to 400m apart
- Plan view images of resistivity at approximately 100m and 500m depth
New Target Areas 1 and 2 point to a potential porphyry cluster
Similar resistivity patterns were found east and west of the known mineralised porphyry, at both ~100m and ~500m depths. AusQuest says low resistivity zones due to potential alteration persist to depth.
Target Area 1 lies on the eastern side of a regional NNW trending fault and could reflect a new porphyry centre. Much of it is obscured by sedimentary and recent volcanic cover, but small outcrops of quartz diorite containing sulphides (pyrite) have been mapped through the cover.
Target Area 2 lies west of the mineralised porphyry. It features a thick zone (several hundred metres) of low resistivities that could reflect more intense alteration related to another possible porphyry system.
| Target | Location | Resistivity feature | Supporting evidence | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Target Area 1 | East side of a regional NNW trending fault | Similar resistivity signature to main system | Small outcrops of quartz diorite containing pyrite mapped through cover | Subject of future exploration programs |
| Target Area 2 | West of the mineralised porphyry | Thick zone (several hundred metres) of low resistivities | Could reflect more intense alteration | Subject of future exploration programs |
If successful, a cluster of porphyries would add exploration upside beyond the current system. For now, both areas remain untested.
Understanding CSAMT and porphyry targeting
CSAMT sends a controlled electrical signal into the ground and records how the rock responds. Rock that conducts electricity easily shows up as low resistivity, while tougher rock shows higher resistivity.
Alteration zones around porphyry copper systems often contain minerals such as sericite, white mica and sulphides, which is why AusQuest links low resistivity to the Cangallo mineralisation.
For investors, this helps prioritise drill targets and can reduce exploration risk. It does not confirm grade or tonnage, and only drilling can do that.
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Drilling underway and next steps
Diamond drilling at Cangallo is ongoing, testing for hypogene copper mineralisation below the current depth limit (~350m) of RC drilling. Further assay results are expected over the coming weeks.
Follow-up drilling of the priority targets is planned to commence upon receipt of the Stage 4 permits, which are expected shortly.
Upcoming catalysts to watch:
- Assay results from current diamond drilling
- Stage 4 permits
- Drilling of priority targets
- Future exploration of Target Areas 1 and 2
Recent newsflow includes the 3 September 2026 announcement that the first 2 diamond drill holes extended the Cangallo copper system +800m.
The first two diamond holes extended the Cangallo copper system well beyond the depth previously tested by RC drilling, which gives the geophysical interpretation of deeper alteration a useful drilling reference point.
AusQuest continues to evaluate the ultimate potential of the Cangallo copper discovery.
Ready To Learn More About The Cangallo Porphyry Copper Project?
AusQuest’s CSAMT survey outlines an interpreted porphyry footprint of at least ~2.5km x 1km at Cangallo, with large portions still untested by drilling. Two new target areas and deeper resistivity anomalies point to potential for a broader porphyry cluster in southern Peru.
Explore the AusQuest (ASX: AQD) company profile to see the latest news, drilling updates and upcoming catalysts. Find out how the Cangallo story could develop as diamond drilling continues and Stage 4 permits approach.