Hot Chili kicks off 40,000 metres drilling program at the Cortadera copper-gold porphyry discovery in Chile

Hot Chili Ltd (ASX:HCH) (OTCMKTS:HHLKF) has commenced a 40,000 metres drilling program at the Cortadera copper-gold porphyry discovery, part of its Costa Fuego coastal range copper development in Chile.  Its fully-funded 2021 work programme aims to continue building Costa Fuego toward a tier-one copper project with more than 5 million tonnes copper from its current contained metal resource base of 2.9 million tonnes copper and 2.7 million ounces gold.  Drilling has been significantly accelerated from last year with two drill rigs currently in operation and a third rig expected to commence shortly in February.  New results from drilling designed to expand the main high-grade core at Cortadera have returned another set of strong intersections. CRP0046D Two wide zones of strongly mineralised porphyry recorded in current diamond drill hole CRP0046D, from 250 metres to 350 metres (100 metres zone) and 550 metres and 720 metres (170 metres zone) downhole depth. CRP0046D is currently at 1,000 metres depth in porphyry mineralisation and is planned to extend to 1,200 metres. Reverse circulation (RC) drilling is advancing across several growth targets at Cuerpo 1 and Cuerpo 4 while clearing at Cortadera North is on-track and drilling is expected to commence in February. Acceleration of drilling A major drilling campaign at Cortadera commenced on 11 January 2021, initially with two drill rigs, with a third set to arrive in February. Each drill rig will focus on key growth areas within the Cortadera discovery window as well as other large satellite growth opportunities: Diamond drill rig 1 (in operation) Focus on Cuerpo 3 resource addition: bulk expansion and high-grade growth; and Currently drilling CRP0046D, a further eight holes planned. Diamond drill rig 2 (planned to start in February) Focus on large growth potential within the Cortadera discovery window outside of Cuerpo 3; and Three deep pre-collar holes complete and ready to test Cuerpo 2 and gap zone, a further five holes planned. RC drill rig 1 (in operation) Focus on Cuerpo 1 and Cuerpo 4 open pit targets, pre-collar drilling and new large growth opportunities (Cortadera North etc); and Currently drilling at Cortadera and planned to move to Cortadera North in February.