Episode Details

Vicuña Corp CEO Ron Hochstein says the newly combined Jose Maria and Filo del Sol deposits position the Vicuña district as one of the world’s largest and most advanced undeveloped copper projects, with a staged path toward a final investment decision by the end of 2026. Speaking with Kitco Mining at the 35th BMO Global Metals, Mining & Critical Minerals Conference, Hochstein said the recently released preliminary economic assessment outlines a $7.1 billion first-stage development centered on the fully permitted Jose Maria deposit, with total staged capital rising to roughly $11 billion. If built, the project would represent the largest private investment in Argentina’s history.

The district hosts combined resources of 38 million tonnes of copper, 81 million ounces of gold, and 1.4 billion ounces of silver, with a projected mine life exceeding 70 years. Hochstein said the immediate priorities are advancing engineering to a Class 2 capital estimate, finalizing provincial agreements in San Juan, and progressing Argentina’s RIGI investment framework as financing options are evaluated. “See this project through now to successful first copper,” he said, describing his mandate as delivering construction while optimizing future phases across the broader Vicuña district.

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01:40 - PEA Outlines $7.1B Stage One Development
02:07 - Why Jose Maria Is Ready for FID
03:32 - Staged Approach Reduces Risk and Optimizes Philo
04:41 - Argentina Government Backing and $7B Investment Impact
06:56 - Permitting, Engineering, and San Juan Provincial Agreement
08:14 - Chile Argentina Binational Treaty and Cross-Border Mining
10:17 - Copper M&A Wave and Industry Consolidation
11:57 - Silver Streaming and Project Financing Options
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Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this podcast do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.