The Peruvian government has granted AusQuest Ltd.’s Cangallo porphyry copper-gold discovery the status of “Proyecto de Interes Nacional” (Project of National Interest – PIN).
The designation makes Cangallo the first advanced exploration project in Peru to receive the prestigious PIN status.
The declaration provides high-level legal protection for surface rights across the deposit area while establishing a secure, streamlined regulatory pathway for ongoing project development over the next four years.
“This is a major milestone for the company as it provides a high level of protection for surface rights over the project, as well as providing a secure pathway for project development over the next four years,” said AusQuest Managing Director Graeme Drew.
“The approval of the PIN for Cangallo also signifies the new Peruvian government’s pro-active support for investments in exploration and new mining ventures in Peru.”
The regulatory designation follows recent approval for AusQuest’s Stage 4 drilling program at the southern Peruvian project.
The campaign includes 20 drill pads engineered to test potential extensions of copper-gold mineralisation up to one kilometre south of existing drill footprints.
Surface rock-chip sampling and recent geophysical surveying suggest the mineralised zone could extend over a strike length exceeding 1.5 kilometres.
Building on the government’s supportive policy framework, AusQuest is actively applying for permits for an additional 20 drill pads under a fast-tracked government initiative.
The accelerated approval framework is expected to shorten lead times, allowing the company to execute expanded drilling programs during the first half of 2027 to assess the true scale of the Cangallo copper-gold system.
