Highlights
La Verde Diamond Drilling Rapidly Expands Gold-Rich Major Copper Discovery
- Drillhole results released during the quarter confirmed significant expansion of La Verde’s high-grade core:
- DKD032 recorded 529 m grading 0.41% Cu and 0.21 g/t Au from 41m to end of hole, including 148 m grading 0.60% Cu and 0.30 g/t Au from 70 m depth
- DKD034 recorded 426 m grading 0.37% Cu and 0.08 g/t Au from 194 m depth, including 107 m grading 0.46 % Cu, 0.10 g/t Au from 426 m depth and including 52 m grading 0.50% Cu,
0.08 g/t Au from 566 m depth - DKD033, a diamond twin, recorded 495 m grading 0.38% Cu and 0.10 g/t Au from 3 m depth, including 123 m grading 0.50% Cu and 0.13 g/t Au from 289 m depth
- DKP005D, diamond tail recorded 47 m grading 0.57% Cu and 0.12 g/t Au from 247.5 m depth (original end of hole), including 28 m grading 0.49% Cu and 0.15 g/t Au from 316 m depth
- Diamond drill results expand an emerging, bulk-tonnage, high-grade core at the La Verde copper-gold (Cu-Au) porphyry discovery and confirm the convergence of the higher-grade mineralisation at depth.
- A total of 3,347 m was drilled across nine diamond drillholes during the quarter, with assays pending for six diamond drillholes, including results for drillholes targeting the up-dip potential of the high-grade core.
Higher-grade Copper-Gold Starter Pit for Costa Fuego Materialising
- Multiple wide, near-surface Cu-Au intercepts from La Verde highlight the opportunity to incorporate a high-grade starter pit to Costa Fuego, located only 30km south of the planned central processing hub at Productora.
- Impact modelling by Hot Chili indicates the potential to add significant additional open pit material to the front end of Costa Fuego’s 20-year mine schedule, delivering mine life growth and materially enhancing the financial metrics of Hot Chili’s March 2025 PFS.
- Regulatory approval1 was received in October, and drill pad clearing commenced in December, to expand drill coverage across La Verde and initiate first-pass drilling, to test adjacent look-alike targets with the potential for a district-scale copper porphyry cluster.
Strategic Partnering Process Advancing
- Additional parties have entered the Company’s asset-level, strategic partnering processes in relation to the Costa Fuego and Huasco Water Projects (together, the Projects). with several advancing through due diligence, including site visits. The Company has received further non-binding, indicative, incomplete and conditional proposals in relation to potential transactions for the Projects. The Company remains actively engaged in assessing these proposals.
EIA and Development Studies Advancing
A$4.6M Cash and A$2.8M in Returns Expected (VAT and JV recoup)
- $1.8M in VAT and JV recoup received in January 2026.
1 Regulatory approval refers to a Sectoral Permit, which is the appropriate regulatory authorisation for a project of this scale. A full DIA (Environmental Impact Declaration) would be processed in a next drilling stage following current regulations. Hot Chili remains fully committed to transparency and environmental responsibility in every stage of the project.
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Rapid Growth of High-Grade Core Continues at La Verde
Diamond drilling (DD) continued during the quarter at La Verde with nine drillholes completed – six from surface and three diamond tails – before the Christmas break on 21 Dec 2025. Phase two drilling aimed to significantly grow the initial porphyry discovery, using DD to verify, extend and expand the mineralisation footprint identified by reverse circulation (RC) drillholes, many of which ended in mineralisation.
Results from the first four diamond drillholes had a significant impact on expansion of the porphyry footprint. Particularly at depth where higher-grade centres converge, with the depth extent now reaching 600m from surface (Figure 1 and 2), as well as identifying a high gold to copper ratio in the north-eastern high-grade core.
The first diamond drillhole, DKD032, located in the north-eastern higher-grade centre, recorded:
- 529 m grading 0.41% Cu and 0.21 g/t Au from 41m to end of hole
- including 148 m grading 0.60% Cu and 0.30 g/t Au from 70 m depth
- and including 66 m grading 0.45% Cu and 0.31 g/t Au from 295 m depth
Twin drillhole DKD032 significantly extended the discovery drill result from DKP002, which previously recorded 308 m grading 0.5% Cu and 0.3g/t Au from 46m depth to end of hole. Mineralisation extended both laterally and vertically, with end of hole recording 14 m grading 0.35% Cu and 0.12 g/t Au.
The other drilling result released was from DKP005D, a 200 m diamond tail extension, recorded an additional:
- 47 m grading 0.57% Cu and 0.12 g/t Au from 247.5 m depth (original end of hole), and
- 28 m grading 0.49% Cu and 0.15 g/t Au from 316 m depth
DKP005D is located in the central higher-grade mineralisation centre, the tail extension of RC drillhole DKP005, and resulted in extension of the eastern flank of the discovery by approximately 60 m. Including the new diamond tail extension, DKP005 now records 317 m grading 0.38% Cu and 0.1 g/t Au from 32 m to 349 m depth including the non-mineralised dyke (previously DKP005 recorded 200 m grading 0.4% Cu and 0.1 g/t Au from 48 m to end-of-hole).
Diamond drillhole DKD033 (twin drillhole to DKP030) was the third result released (Figure 3) and extended the original RC drillhole, recording:
- 495 m grading 0.38% Cu and 0.10 g/t Au from 3 m depth
- including 37 m grading 0.51% Cu and 0.13g/t Au from 202 m
- and including 123 m grading 0.50% Cu and 0.13g/t Au from 289 m
This represents a 102 m downhole extension to the original intercept, which recorded 393 m grading 0.4% Cu and 0.1 g/t Au from 4 m depth. Mineralisation was also recorded to end-of-hole, with the last 22 m recording 0.18% Cu and 0.04 g/t Au from 521 m depth.
The fourth result, diamond drillhole DKD034, also located in the central high-grade centre (Figure 3), returned an intersection of:
- 426 m grading 0.37% Cu and 0.08g/t Au from 194 m depth
- including 107 m grading 0.46% Cu and 0.10g/t Au from 426 m
- and including 52 m grading 0.50% Cu and 0.08g/t Au from 566 m
Drillhole DKD034 also ended in mineralisation, returning 35 m grading 0.27% Cu and 0.06 g/t Au from 679 m.
The Company is reviewing these results and will consider potential re-entry of DKD033 and DKD034 in the future.
In addition, relogging and interpretation of multiple intrusive phases, derived from the diamond drilling campaign, have optimized drill target design and supported the development of an early 4D litho–structural model.
Figure 1. Plan view map of the La Verde porphyry system showing approved extensional collar locations (red points), planned (white traces) and completed DD drilling (black) compared with +0.2% copper (yellow), +0.3% copper (red), +0.4% copper (magenta) mineralisation interpolants. Conceptual open pit shells displayed for $US3.50/lb Cu (blue) and $US6.00/lb Cu (green) displayed as dashed lines. See announcement dated 20 January 2026 for JORC Table 1 additional technical information. (CNW Group/Hot Chili Limited)
Figure 2. NNW facing longitudinal section of the La Verde porphyry system showing +0.2% copper (yellow), +0.3% copper (red), +0.4% copper (magenta) mineralisation interpolants following Phase One drilling (top) and with the addition of the first four Phase two drillholes [DKD032, DKD033, DKD034, DKP005D] (bottom). (CNW Group/Hot Chili Limited)
Figure 3. North facing cross section (± 40m clipping) of the La Verde porphyry system showing +0.2% copper (yellow), +0.3% copper (red), +0.4% copper (magenta) mineralisation interpolants before (top) and after (bottom) returned diamond assay results from DKD033 and DKD034. Returned Cu grades shown on hole traces. Conceptual open pit shells1 displayed for $US3.50/lb Cu (blue) and $US6.00/lb Cu (green) displayed as dashed lines and are based on Phase one drilling only. (CNW Group/Hot Chili Limited)
Higher-grade Copper-Gold Starter Pit for Costa Fuego Materialising
Diamond drillholes completed from surface, aiming to test the potential for the higher-grade gold-rich copper mineralisation intersected by DKD032 to extend up to near surface, were also completed during the quarter (DKD035 and DKD036). Results are expected soon and the location of both drillholes in the northeastern high-grade centre, could have a material impact on the La Verde deposit.
Diamond drilling has been instrumental in development of an early “4D litho-structural model” with the interpretation of multiple intrusive phases optimising drill target design. Hot Chili geologists are applying the same targeting strategies that proved successful at the Company’s nearby Cortadera Cu-Au porphyry Resource and anticipate these methods will continue to drive growth at La Verde.
Impact modelling by Hot Chili indicates the potential to add significant additional open pit material to the front end of Costa Fuego’s 20-year mine schedule, delivering mine life growth and materially enhancing the financial metrics of Hot Chili’s March 2025 PFS.
Costa Fuego is significantly leveraged to both copper and gold price, both of which are materially higher than assumptions used in the Company’s PFS. Long-term consensus prices for both commodities sit at US$4.51/lb Cu and US$3,137/oz Au1, 5% and 38% higher, respectively. The addition of La Verde adds further leverage and scale.
Clearing of drill pad locations commenced at La Verde in December, in preparation for the expanded exploration drill program, which received regulatory approval in October.
Costa Fuego Combined Mineral Resource (Effective Date 26 February 2024) (CNW Group/Hot Chili Limited)
Costa Fuego Combined Ore Reserve (Effective Date 27 March 2025) (CNW Group/Hot Chili Limited)
Costa Fuego Project Optimisation Continues
Value Engineering development studies continued during the quarter, advancing several workstreams with global consulting company Ausenco, with focus on optimisation of the Company’s PFS, prior to inclusion in a planned Feasibility Study (FS).
The Company’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) also continued to advance during the quarter, on track for submission at the end of 2026.
1 See Page 23 of this announcement for detail on the US$3.50 Cu and US$6.00 Cu conceptual open pit shells (Exploration Targets). Any potential tonnage and grade of the Exploration Target shown is conceptual in nature. There has been insufficient exploration to estimate a Mineral Resource within the target area, and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the estimation of a Mineral Resource.
1 See Page 22 of this announcement for detail on the US$3.50 Cu and US$6.00 Cu conceptual open pit shells (Exploration Targets). Any potential tonnage and grade of the Exploration Target shown is conceptual in nature. There has been insufficient exploration to estimate a Mineral Resource within the target area, and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the estimation of a Mineral Resource.
Table 1. Drill Holes Completed for La Verde in Quarter 4, 2025
Table 2. Significant Drilling Intersections from La Verde in Quarter 4, 2025
SUMMARY OF CORPORATE ACTIVITIES
Strategic Partnering Process Advancing
Following completion of the Pre-feasibility Studies (PFS) for Costa Fuego and Huasco Water, Hot Chili initiated an asset-level strategic Partnering Process to introduce one or more qualified partners with the financial, technical and operational capability to assist in funding and delivering each project.
The Partnering Process continues to progress. During the quarter, additional parties have entered the Partnering Process, with several advancing through due diligence, including site visits. The Company has received further non-binding, indicative, incomplete and conditional proposals in relation to potential transactions for the Projects. The Company remains actively engaged in assessing these proposals.
The Partnering Process may result in a range of transactions for the projects. Investors are cautioned that there is no certainty the Partnering Process will result in a transaction or binding agreement.
BMO Capital Markets has been appointed as financial adviser in connection with the Partnering Process.
The Company will continue to update the market in accordance with its continuous disclosure obligations.
Cash Position
As of 31 December 2025, the Company had cash of A$4.6 million and no debt. The Company has approximately A$2.8 million in funds from VAT repayments and joint venture recoup from its partner CMP, with $1.8m of these funds being received in January 2026. The remaining $1m funds are expected to be received over the coming months.
The operating expenditure for quarter ended 31 December 2025 included payments for staff costs of A$0.6 million and administration and corporate costs of A$1.3 million.
The investing expenditure for quarter ended 31 December 2025 included payments for tenements of A$1.1 million relating to option payment for La Verde and payments for exploration and evaluation of A$6.1 million relating to exploration activities across the La Verde copper-gold porphyry discovery, value engineering works and EIA submission activities.
Capital Structure
The following summarises the Company’s securities on issue:
- 177,561,814 ordinary fully paid shares
- 1,914,000 options at AUD $1.50 expiring 24 July 2026
- 3,685,079 service and performance rights
Cautionary Statement – JORC Code (2012)
| The Costa Fuego Copper-Gold Project is currently at the Pre-Feasibility Study (“PFS”) stage. The production targets and forecast financial information contained in this report are based on technical and economic assessments that are preliminary in nature. While the PFS incorporates Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resources, there is a lower level of geological confidence associated with Inferred Mineral Resources, and no certainty that further exploration or development will result in the conversion of Inferred Mineral Resources to Indicated or Measured categories. The PFS is not a definitive study and is based on a number of assumptions, including commodity prices, capital and operating costs, metallurgical recoveries, permitting, and other factors, which are subject to change. The outcomes of the PFS should not be used as the basis for a final investment decision. Further work, including additional drilling, metallurgical testing, and detailed engineering, is required before the Company can make a decision to proceed to development. Of the Mineral Resources scheduled for extraction in the PFS production plan, more than 99% are classified as Indicated, with the remaining <1% as Inferred. The Company has concluded that it has reasonable grounds for disclosing a production target which includes a small amount of Inferred Mineral Resources, as permitted under the JORC Code. There is a low level of geological confidence associated with Inferred Mineral Resources and there is no certainty that further exploration work will result in the determination of Indicated Mineral Resources or that the production target itself will be realised. The viability of the development scenario envisaged in the PFS does not depend on the inclusion of Inferred Mineral Resources. However, it is reasonably expected that the majority of Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Measured or Indicated Mineral Resource with continued drilling. The Mineral Resources underpinning the production target in the PFS have been prepared by a Competent Person in accordance with the requirements of the JORC 2012. For full details on the Mineral Resource estimate, please refer to the ASX announcement of 27 March 2025. To achieve the outcomes indicated in the PFS, including reaching Definitive Feasibility Study (“DFS”), mine construction and production stages, funding in the order of US$1.27 Billion will be required, including pre-production and working capital and assumed financing charges. Investors should note that that there is no certainty that Hot Chili will be able to raise that amount of funding when needed. One of the key assumptions is that the funding for the Project will be available when required and on acceptable terms. It is also possible that such funding may only be available on terms that may be dilutive to, or otherwise affect the value of, Hot Chili’s existing shares. It is also possible that Hot Chili could pursue other value realisation strategies such as debt financing, a sale or partial sale of its interest in the Costa Fuego Copper Project and/or Huasco Water, sale of further royalties and/or streaming rights, sale of non-committed offtake rights, and sale of non-core assets. The Company cautions that there is no certainty that the results or estimates contained in the PFS will be realised. This Report contains forward-looking statements. Hot Chili has concluded that it has a reasonable basis for providing these forward-looking statements and believes it has a reasonable basis to expect it will be able to fund development of the Costa Fuego Copper Project. However, a number of factors could cause actual results or expectations to differ materially from the results expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Given the uncertainties involved, investors should not make any investment decisions based solely of the results of the PFS. |
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