he Mining Directorate carried out a geological inspection in the department of Malargüe, conducting field verification activities. The operation was performed in accordance with Law 9529/24, as established by the Mining Procedure Code.

“The regulation authorizes the mining authority to conduct geological and mining inspections, verify compliance with legal and technical obligations, and require access to work sites along with the cooperation of concession holders,” explained Mining Director Jerónimo Shantal.

The work took place in the main mountain range area, at an iron oxide and sulfide discovery claim known as Cerro Franke. The objective was to verify on site the existence of the declared mineralization as part of the validation process required by the regulation.

The inspection was carried out by geologists Lara Dardanelli and Mariana Raviolo from the Geology Department of the Mining Directorate. The team began the journey from the Márquez outpost, accessed via National Route 40, and continued along a trail associated with the PCR Cerro del Medio oil area. The final section was completed on horseback over approximately two and a half hours until reaching the outcrop located near the Chacay stream.

At the site, it was verified that the area’s geology is associated with intrusive dioritic bodies containing iron-bearing skarn mineralization, classified by SEGEMAR as metasomatic deposits. Minerals such as pyrrhotite, hematite and pyrite were identified, distributed within irregular mineralized bodies.

During the inspection, representative samples were also collected for laboratory analysis in order to advance the characterization of the deposit.

These inspections mark the return of direct geological field control, a necessary tool to validate information, improve the quality of records and ensure compliance with mining regulations.

Through these actions, the Mining Directorate is reestablishing its territorial presence and strengthening oversight mechanisms over mining activity through concrete field verifications and the systematic application of technical criteria.