Culpeo Minerals Limited (ASX: CPO) (“Culpeo” or the “Company”) has commenced a large-scale Induced Polarisation (IP) survey across its highly prospective Fortuna Project in Chile, marking another significant milestone in its renewed exploration strategy. The survey is expected to strengthen drill targeting across multiple copper-gold prospects while complementing the Company’s ongoing diamond drilling campaign at El Quillay South.
Designed to provide high-resolution subsurface data, the TITAN DCIP survey will investigate approximately 24 line kilometres across four priority prospects: La Florida, El Quillay North, El Quillay South and Piedra Dura. The results will help identify concealed sulphide mineralisation beneath known copper-gold occurrences and generate new drill targets throughout the Project.
Figure 1: Location of Culpeo Minerals’ Fortuna Project in Chile. [Source: Culpeo Minerals]
IP Survey Targets Multiple High-Priority Copper-Gold Prospects
The newly launched TITAN DCIP survey consists of 10 survey lines spanning around 24 line kilometres across the Fortuna Project. The programme has been strategically designed to evaluate several priority exploration areas where previous surface sampling, trenching and drilling have already confirmed significant copper and gold mineralisation.
Rather than focusing on a single prospect, Culpeo has adopted a district-scale exploration approach. The survey will investigate chargeability and resistivity responses beneath and along strike from existing mineralised zones, providing a much clearer understanding of the Project’s subsurface geology.
The resulting geophysical dataset will allow the exploration team to identify sulphide-rich zones that may not be visible at the surface, significantly improving confidence in future drilling programmes.
Figure 2: Aerial map of the Fortuna Project highlighting the 10 planned TITAN DCIP survey lines across the four target prospects. [Source: Culpeo Minerals]
Advanced Geophysics to Improve Drill Targeting
The TITAN DCIP survey provides high-resolution imaging from surface to depths exceeding 500 metres, making it particularly effective for porphyry-style copper-gold exploration.
Induced Polarisation surveys measure how the ground stores electrical charge, allowing geologists to detect disseminated sulphide minerals such as chalcopyrite and bornite—key indicators of copper mineralisation. Meanwhile, resistivity measurements help map rock types, alteration systems, intrusive bodies and fault structures that commonly control mineral deposits.
Once complete, Culpeo will integrate the new IP data with its existing geological mapping, trenching, rock-chip sampling, magnetic surveys, structural interpretation and drilling results to refine and rank future exploration targets across the Fortuna Project.
Culpeo Enters a Busy Exploration Phase
Interim Executive Chair Geoff McNamara described the commencement of the survey as an important step in advancing the Company’s exploration pipeline.
“The commencement of the IP survey at Fortuna is a key progression in Culpeo’s renewed exploration across this highly prospective tenement package.”
He added that:
“The survey is designed to provide important sub-surface geophysical information across multiple high-priority target areas across Fortuna.”
McNamara also highlighted the broader exploration activity taking place across the Project.
“With drilling underway at El Quillay South and multiple exploration programmes now active across the broader Fortuna Project, Culpeo is entering a busy phase of on-ground activity that will deliver a steady flow of exciting results as we continue to advance a pipeline of copper-gold targets in Chile’s infrastructure-rich Coastal Cordillera.”
The combination of simultaneous drilling and geophysical surveying allows Culpeo to accelerate exploration while continuously refining its understanding of the Project’s mineral potential.
Figure 3: Culpeo Minerals’ Interim Executive Chairman Geoff McNamara [Source: Culpeo Minerals]
Technical Manager Highlights Strong Field Progress
Technical Manager Ed Turner recently provided an on-site update from the Fortuna Project, offering additional insight into the Company’s exploration progress.
According to Turner, the IP crew has already completed the first survey line at El Quillay South, with another nine lines planned further north, covering more than 20 kilometres of additional survey work. He indicated that the entire programme is expected to take approximately three weeks to complete.
Turner explained that induced polarisation is a widely used exploration tool in porphyry copper-gold systems because it detects chargeable sulphide minerals such as chalcopyrite, making it highly effective for future drill targeting.
He also noted that drilling continues alongside the geophysical programme, with one drill rig operating roughly 500 metres away while additional drill platforms are being prepared.
Summarising current activities, Turner said the Company is “making very good progress with the drilling as well,” reinforcing that both drilling and geophysical programmes are advancing simultaneously.
Figure 4: Technical Manager Ed Turner, while giving an on-site update from the Fortuna Project [Source: YouTube/Culpeo Minerals]
Next Steps Include Assays and Integrated Exploration Analysis
Following completion of field activities, Culpeo will process and interpret the survey data before integrating it with existing geological information. The combined dataset will be used to refine exploration priorities across La Florida, El Quillay North, El Quillay South, Piedra Dura and other prospective targets within the Fortuna Project.
Meanwhile, diamond drilling remains underway at El Quillay South, with the Company expecting initial laboratory assay results in early August 2026. These assays, together with the IP survey results, are expected to guide the next phase of drilling across the Project.
The Fortuna Project complements Culpeo’s broader Chilean copper portfolio, which also includes the Lana Corina Project. Both Projects are located within Chile’s infrastructure-rich Coastal Cordillera, benefiting from established roads, power infrastructure, water access and proximity to major mining operations.
Share Price Activity (ASX: CPO)
Culpeo Minerals‘ shares traded at $0.011, giving the Company a market capitalisation of approximately $8.73 million.
Recent share price performance includes:
The recent share price gains reflect growing investor interest as Culpeo advances multiple exploration programmes across its Chilean copper-gold portfolio.
Investors’ Outlook
Culpeo Minerals continues to build exploration momentum at the Fortuna Project through a combination of advanced geophysical surveys and active diamond drilling. The commencement of the TITAN DCIP programme represents an important step towards identifying concealed sulphide mineralisation and prioritising high-confidence drill targets across several promising copper-gold prospects.
With drilling already underway, IP survey completion expected within weeks and initial assay results scheduled for early August, investors can anticipate a steady pipeline of exploration news over the coming months. If the integrated geophysical and drilling data successfully identifies additional mineralised systems, Fortuna could become an increasingly significant contributor to Culpeo’s long-term copper exploration strategy in one of the world’s premier mining jurisdictions.
Disclaimer
This article has been prepared by Colitco in collaboration with Culpeo Minerals as part of a commercial content and investor communications arrangement. Colitco may receive compensation for the production and distribution of this content. This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial product advice, investment advice, or a recommendation to buy or sell any securities. The content reflects information available at the time of publication and may not be updated. All figures, data and statements have been sourced from Culpeo Minerals’ official ASX announcements and publicly available sources. Readers should conduct their own independent research and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decisions. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Exploration results are not a guarantee of future resource definition or commercial production.
Luke Carlino is a seasoned Copywriter, Content Strategist, and Social Media Manager specialising in Mining, Finance, and Business journalism. With more than a decade of industry experience, he brings rigorous editorial standards and commercial acuity to every project.
