Australian exploration company Norfolk Metals is gearing up for a significant year ahead at its Carmen copper project in Chile, with key environmental and development milestones now falling into place.
Permitting Progress Paves Way for Drilling Blitz
The company has successfully completed comprehensive baseline environmental surveys, a critical step in its application for an Environmental Impact Declaration (DIA). These studies covered flora, fauna, palaeontology, and archaeology across the project area. With no major issues identified, Norfolk remains confident it will lodge the DIA with Chilean regulators by early 2026.
Once approved, the resulting five-year permit will unlock a broad drilling campaign across the 46.6 square kilometre concession. This work will include follow-up from a high-impact diamond drilling program already underway.
Infrastructure and Studies Advance in Parallel
Alongside permitting, Norfolk has commissioned Chilean water specialists to evaluate supply options for a potential heap leach processing operation at Carmen. Desktop studies for this are in their final stages, examining both local sources and desalination alternatives.
On the ground, infrastructure development is progressing smoothly. Since finishing its recent reverse circulation (RC) drilling campaign, the company has established a fully operational base in the nearby township of Alto de Carmen. This facility includes core processing and storage capabilities.
The project benefits from its location in a mining-friendly region of Chile, with year-round access to the site via all-weather roads within an hour's drive from Carmen.
Positioned in a Copper-Rich District
The Carmen project is situated in Chile's prolific Huasco Province within the Atacama region. It lies just 16 kilometres from the massive Nueva Unión mine, a joint venture between mining giants Teck Resources and Newmont. That project hosts the immense Relincho-Fortuna deposit, containing billions of pounds of copper and millions of ounces of gold.
With the RC phase complete, permitting advancing, and water studies wrapping up, Norfolk is systematically ticking boxes to advance Carmen toward a defined oxide resource suited for low-cost production. Simultaneously, deeper drilling is testing for higher-grade sulphide potential beneath the oxide layer.
"We continue to work with stakeholders within the permitted and the surrounding areas in an effort to best prepare for success in the Company’s ambition to delineate a JORC-compliant resource at Carmen Copper Project," said Norfolk Metals executive chairman Ben Phillips. "Q1 2026 will see further geological news flow with results from the final holes of the RC program, along with the assays from historical mineralised core submitted for analysis."
The company anticipates more assay results early in the new year, with work continuing over the Christmas period. The strong year-end performance of copper provides a supportive backdrop for Norfolk's busy upcoming schedule of results and regulatory milestones.
