# NewPeak Metals Begins Phase 2 Drilling at Las Opeñas, Targeting Higher-Grade Gold Core > NewPeak Metals has started a fully funded 1,000-metre Phase 2 diamond drilling program at its Las Opeñas gold project in Argentina. - Published: 2026-10-19T09:59:43+00:00 - Section: Expansion - Author: News Desk - URL: https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-10-19/newpeak-metals-phase-2-drilling-las-openas - Source: [EIN Presswire](https://www.einnews.com/article/950666571/live) ## Key takeaways - NewPeak Metals began Phase 2 diamond drilling at its 100%-owned Las Opeñas Gold Project in Argentina, with about 1,000 metres planned across roughly three holes. - Phase 1 drilling comprised 2,464 metres across six diamond holes and confirmed a large-scale gold-zinc-silver mineralised system open to the west-southwest. - NewPeak holds permitting for up to 7,500 metres of Phase 2 drilling during 2026, and the current program is expected to take around two weeks. NewPeak Metals Ltd has started Phase 2 diamond drilling at its 100%-owned Las Opeñas Gold Project in Argentina, targeting what the company believes could be a higher-grade, gold-dominant core of the large mineralised system identified earlier this year. The fully funded program will comprise around 1,000 metres of diamond drilling across approximately three holes, with scope to extend, [EIN Presswire](https://www.einnews.com/article/950666571/live) reported on October 19, 2026. ## NewPeak Metals Targets Western Gold Vector Drilling is focused west of the Phase 1 holes and toward the Belleza Breccia volcanic centre, where NewPeak's geological interpretation suggests the source of the gold mineralisation may be located. The first hole, LODH-029, is testing a structural feature extending from discovery hole LODH-023, which returned mineralisation over its full 663-metre length from surface at 0.42 g/t gold equivalent. That result included 84 metres at 0.72 g/t gold equivalent from 20 metres, 283 metres at 0.67 g/t from 7 metres and 465 metres at 0.50 g/t from surface. Phase 1 drilling comprised 2,464 metres across six diamond holes and confirmed a large-scale gold-zinc-silver mineralised system that remains open in several directions, particularly to the west-southwest. NewPeak said gold grades increased in the two westernmost Phase 1 holes, supporting the interpretation that mineralisation strengthens toward the Belleza Breccia volcanic centre. Only two holes across the project have so far been drilled deeper than 500 metres, leaving the system largely untested at depth. Managing director Mark Purcell said Phase 1 had demonstrated the scale of the mineralised system while providing a clearer indication of where higher-grade gold may be concentrated. "It is great to be drilling again at Las Opeñas. Phase 1 delivered a genuine discovery, with two holes intersecting more than 650 metres of mineralisation from surface and confirming a large-scale gold- zinc-silver system," Purcell said. "Phase 2 is designed to go directly after what we believe is the higher-grade, gold-dominant core of this system, and we are excited to be back in the field testing one of the most compelling targets in our portfolio." ## Earlier NewPeak Metals Milestones NewPeak Metals announced a major gold-zinc-silver discovery from the first hole of its 2026 drilling program at Las Opeñas in San Juan Province, Argentina, with the company's stock surging over 100% intraday to A$0.031, Yahoo reported in July 2026. The company requested a trading halt in July 2026 pending an announcement regarding a proposed material capital raising, without disclosing the size or structure of the planned raise, AInvest reported. ## Drilling Activity Across Gold Peers Total Metals Corp. Began drilling at its High Lake gold project in Northwestern Ontario, with one hole completed to 416 metres intersecting quartz veins and a second hole expected to finish on October 19, 2026, [GlobeNewswire](https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/10/19/3383051/0/en/total-metals-commences-drilling-at-its-high-grade-high-lake-gold-project-northwestern-ontario.html) reported. Freegold reported a 213-metre interval grading 1.24 grams gold per tonne at its Golden Summit project in Alaska and is advancing to a prefeasibility study in 2027, [Northernminer](https://www.northernminer.com/news/freegolds-213m-at-1-2g-t-gold-outlines-faster-alaska-plan/1003895816/) reported. Visible Gold Mines is exploring over 700 square kilometres of prospective ground in Quebec, [Aktien](https://www.wallstreet-online.de/nachricht/21537982-video-ceo-clips-visible-gold-mines-searching-for-quebec-s-next-major-gold-discovery) reported. ## Las Opeñas Assay Timeline NewPeak has permitting in place for up to 7,500 metres of Phase 2 drilling during 2026, giving it flexibility to expand the current campaign if results and observations warrant further work. The current program is expected to take around two weeks, although the timetable could be extended depending on additional metres, drilling rates and weather conditions. Drill core will be logged and sawn locally before samples are transported to ALS in Mendoza for assay. ## Companies in this story - NewPeak Metals · website: http://www.newpeak.com.au --- News for Agent · https://newsforagent.com/llms.txt