Wedoany.com Report-May 6, Vicuña, a joint venture between Lundin Mining and BHP, has announced a significant copper discovery at the Filo del Sol project in South America, marking it as the largest copper find in the past 30 years. The discovery, detailed in May 2025, elevates the project among the world’s top ten copper resources, according to Lundin Mining.

This development positions the project among the world’s top ten copper resources.

The Vicuña mineral resource, covering the Filo del Sol and Josemaria deposits, contains 13 million tonnes of copper in measured and indicated (M&I) categories, with an additional 25 million tonnes inferred. The resource also includes 32 million ounces of gold (M&I) and 49 million ounces inferred, alongside 659 million ounces of silver (M&I) and 808 million ounces inferred. The high-grade core at Filo del Sol holds 4.5 million tonnes of copper, 9.6 million ounces of gold, and 259 million ounces of silver, with M&I resources totaling 606 million tonnes at 1.14% copper equivalent.

The Josemaria deposit features a near-surface high-grade core with 978,000 tonnes of copper, 2.4 million ounces of gold, and 11 million ounces of silver, with M&I resources of 196 million tonnes at 0.73% copper equivalent. Additionally, the oxide cap at Filo del Sol, suitable for heap leach processing, comprises 434 million tonnes (M&I) with 1.5 million tonnes of copper, 3.9 million ounces of gold, and 35 million ounces of silver.

Jack Lundin, president and CEO of Lundin Mining, stated: “Filo del Sol has been one of the most significant greenfield discoveries in the last 30 years and an amazing journey for all those that have been involved. Congratulations to the Filo team for such a remarkable discovery and advancing the deposit to where it is today.” He added: “The initial Mineral Resource has highlighted the potential for one of the highest grade undeveloped open pit copper projects in the world and one of the largest gold and silver resources globally.”

Spanning a 10km² area with a 6.5km strike length, the Filo del Sol resource remains open at depth, with drilling at the Flamenco zone, 2km south, indicating further mineralization. The discovery boosts Lundin Mining’s M&I copper resources by 29% and inferred copper resources by 650%. A technical report integrating the project is set for completion in the first quarter of 2026.

In March 2025, Lundin Mining signed an exclusivity agreement with Talon Metals to explore an earn-in deal for up to a 70% interest in the Boulderdash and Roland nickel-copper properties, signaling further growth in its exploration portfolio.