--- title: "Ajax Resources nears approval for Argentina copper drilling" publisher: "Share Talk" author: "sharetalk" published: "2026-10-15T08:08:33+00:00" modified: "2026-10-15T08:08:33+00:00" date: 2026-10-15 canonical: "https://www.share-talk.com/ajax-resources-nears-approval-for-argentina-copper-drilling/" category: "Mining" categories: ["Mining"] tags: ["Ajax", "Ajax Resources Plc", "Alagoas State", "Argentina", "BRAZIL", "COPPER", "Eureka", "Euronext Growth", "Gold", "Ippolito Ingo Cattaneo", "Jujuy", "M.Sc.", "Mr. Elton L.S. Pereira", "Oslo", "Pereira Velho Exploração S.A.", "Pereira Velho Gold Project"] image: "https://i0.wp.com/www.share-talk.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/e36fa656-adc5-43e2-93ce-f64186dda0c3.png?fit=1726%2C911&quality=80&ssl=1" format: "news" language: "en-GB" --- # Ajax Resources nears approval for Argentina copper drilling **Published:** October 15, 2026 **Author:** sharetalk **Categories:** Mining **Tags:** Ajax, Ajax Resources Plc, Alagoas State, Argentina, BRAZIL, COPPER, Eureka, Euronext Growth, Gold, Ippolito Ingo Cattaneo, Jujuy, M.Sc., Mr. Elton L.S. Pereira, Oslo, Pereira Velho Exploração S.A., Pereira Velho Gold Project **Featured image:** ![](https://i0.wp.com/www.share-talk.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/e36fa656-adc5-43e2-93ce-f64186dda0c3.png?fit=1726%2C911&quality=80&ssl=1) --- [Ajax (AQUIS: AJAX)](https://www.investegate.co.uk/announcement/rns/ajax-resources--ajax/update-on-macacha-eia-new-exploration-permit/9824466) has reported significant progress towards securing environmental approval for its Macacha copper and silver project in Argentina, with authorisation for an initial 5,000-metre drilling programme expected before the end of October 2026. The natural resources investment company confirmed that the Provincial Environmental Department and the Provincial Water Resources Department have completed their technical reviews without observations, and have submitted their reports to the Provincial Mining Secretariat for final consideration. The company believes the completion of these reviews represents a major milestone in the approval process, although the final decision remains with the provincial authorities and the timing cannot be guaranteed. **Ajax has also appointed Andes Exploration to support its planned drilling programme**, with the consultancy’s Chief Executive, Leandro Sastre, taking responsibility as Qualified Person for the Macacha project. Sastre brings more than 23 years of international mineral exploration experience, including senior positions at Barrick Gold, where he oversaw exploration activities across Latin America and Asia-Pacific. He currently serves as Vice President of Exploration at GoldQuest Mining and has extensive experience evaluating copper and gold deposits throughout the Andes. **The initial phase of drilling will prioritise approximately 1,500 metres across eight holes at the El Cobre and El Plomo prospects**, with subsequent exploration guided by geological findings and assay results. Historical drilling at Macacha has returned encouraging copper intersections, including **49.18 metres grading 1.477% copper and 47.53 metres grading 1.082% copper**. According to Sastre, the project benefits from approximately **US$25 million of historical investment**, previous pilot-scale copper production and an extensive geological database. The forthcoming programme will focus on testing the continuity, geometry and potential extensions of known copper and silver mineralisation, with the longer-term objective of supporting a maiden mineral resource estimate. Additional exploration opportunities include potential near-surface copper oxide deposits and deeper sulphide mineralisation, although further drilling will be required to establish their extent and economic potential. **Ajax is also seeking to expand its exploration footprint through an application for the Macacha IV licence**, covering additional ground adjacent to its existing project. The application follows previous submissions for Macacha II and Macacha III, covering **2,004 hectares and 3,004 hectares respectively**, as the company works to consolidate a larger exploration position in Salta Province. The proposed Macacha IV licence could provide access to additional prospective geological structures and potential extensions of known mineralised zones, subject to approval by the provincial mining authorities. Alongside exploration preparations, **Ajax has signed a Letter of Intent with the Salta Ministry of Education and Culture and the Juan Carlos Dávalos Higher Education Institute** to explore cooperation on technical training, student placements and educational activities linked to the mining sector. The initiative aims to strengthen local skills development and community engagement as the company progresses towards field operations. **For investors, the expected environmental approval represents the next major milestone for Macacha**, potentially allowing Ajax to begin testing historically identified copper and silver targets. The combination of experienced technical leadership, encouraging historical drilling results and applications for additional exploration licences provides several potential catalysts as the company advances the project. **Attention will now turn to the final environmental decision, drilling mobilisation and subsequent assay results**, which will be important in determining whether Macacha can progress towards a maiden mineral resource estimate. --- **Original URL:** https://www.share-talk.com/ajax-resources-nears-approval-for-argentina-copper-drilling/ *Created by [WP Markdown Endpoint](https://wpmarkdownendpoint.com/)*