Canadian mining company Vortex Metals’ ACAGOLD unit has secured authorisation from the Santiago Astata Agrarian Community in Oaxaca, Mexico, to commence mineral exploration activities.

ACAGOLD owns two copper volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) properties, Riqueza Marina and Zaachila, in addition to a gold property El Rescate in Mexico.

With community approval in place, the Mexican company will now carry out geological reconnaissance, mapping, trenching, sampling, and geophysical studies, as well as the installation of 25 drilling platforms.

The authorisation marks a significant milestone for Vortex, particularly for the Zaachila project, which already has drill-ready targets in place.

Vortex was required to complete an environmental impact assessment (EIA), which has been done, as well as secure community approval to get drilling permits.

The company is now poised to submit its drill permit application to the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT).

In addition, Vortex pledged to establish an environmental monitoring committee along with community members to manage the exploration programme and ensure that environmental protection measures are strictly adhered to.

Vortex CEO Vikas Ranjan said: “This authorisation reflects our commitment to transparent communication, environmental stewardship, and fostering mutually beneficial relationships with local communities.

“We are determined to advancing the exploration and potential discovery of an entirely new copper-gold volcanogenic massive sulphide belt in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico.”

Last June, Vortex entered a non-binding letter of intent with SCM Ventana Minerals Group to acquire up to an 80% stake in the Illapel copper project in Commune of Illapel, in Chile’s Choapa province