# South Pacific Metals Adds Second Drill Rig to Ontenu Campaign Canonical Atlas analysis: https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/south-pacific-metals-adds-second-drill-rig-to-ontenu-campaign--e48a1c99-85c9-40d3-b1ed-3908f9c57f62 Original source: https://money.tmx.com/en/quote/SPMC/news/6107410513467020/south-pacific-metals-adds-second-drill-rig-to-ontenu-campaign Publisher: tmx Original announcement: 2026-02-18T12:00:00.000Z Analysis by Minestarters Atlas Atlas analysis published: Unknown date Atlas analysis updated: Unknown date - Company: South Pacific Metals Corp. - Ticker: SPMC - Exchange: TSX - Region: Papua New Guinea - Primary commodity: Gold - Secondary commodities: Copper, Silver - Document categories: Drill results, Other - Extracted: 2026-09-19 00:12:21 UTC Narrative sentiment: 0.40 · Bullish ## Minestarters Atlas summary South Pacific Metals Corp. is adding a second drill rig to its Ontenu Project in Papua New Guinea to accelerate exploration targeting high-grade epithermal structures. The company noted high-grade surface rock chip samples including up to 21.2% Cu and 310 g/t Ag at the Onki Fault area. Reasoning: The announcement is a corporate update regarding exploration activity acceleration \(adding a rig\) and mentions high-grade surface samples, but contains no new drill assay results. - Positive factor: Addition of second drill rig to accelerate testing - Positive factor: High-grade surface rock chip samples reported - Positive factor: Proximity to K92 Mining's Kainantu Gold Mine Facts used in scoring: 13 ## Classification and evidence **Nearology Play** Polarity: neutral Story-specific tag Definition: Value premise rests on proximity to a known deposit rather than own results. Why it applies: The project is described as being adjacent to and flanking K92 Mining's active gold producing operations. Evidence · text > Immediately flanking K92 Mining's active drilling and gold producing operations ## Extracted facts Stored fact records: 12. Some facts used in scoring do not have a stored record. ## Drill Results (12) ### Fact 1 [Link to this fact](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/south-pacific-metals-adds-second-drill-rig-to-ontenu-campaign--e48a1c99-85c9-40d3-b1ed-3908f9c57f62#fact-drill-facts-1) copper #### Identity - Commodity: copper - Region: png - Reported Region: png - Ticker: SPMC #### Geometry - Grade: 21.2 - Grade Unit: % #### Classification - Sample Type: surface #### Location - Location: Onki Fault area - Loc. Source: document #### QA/QC - QP Signed: Yes - QA/QC Methods: standards #### Review - Needs Review: No - Interp. Status: scored - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2026-02-18T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: Surface rock chip samples show very high grades, though these are not drill intercepts. - Positive factor: Exceptional copper and silver grades in surface samples Evidence · text > 21.2% Cu #### Tags used in scoring **No QA/QC Disclosure** Polarity: negative Definition: Release does not disclose QA/QC — lab certification, CP/QP sign-off and assay protocols cannot be checked from this document. Why it applies: qaqc\_disclosed is not true **Cut-off Undisclosed** Polarity: negative Definition: High-grade interval reported without stating the cut-off grade used for compositing. Why it applies: no cutoff\_grade was stated **Nearology Play** Polarity: neutral Definition: Value premise rests on proximity to a known deposit rather than own results. Why it applies: proximity is offered as the value premise: "Ontenu NE Project area showing rock chips and key target corridors To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please v" ### Fact 2 [Link to this fact](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/south-pacific-metals-adds-second-drill-rig-to-ontenu-campaign--e48a1c99-85c9-40d3-b1ed-3908f9c57f62#fact-drill-facts-2) silver #### Identity - Commodity: silver - Region: png - Reported Region: png - Ticker: SPMC #### Geometry - Grade: 214 - Grade Unit: g/t #### Classification - Sample Type: surface #### Location - Location: Onki Fault area - Loc. Source: document #### QA/QC - QP Signed: Yes - QA/QC Methods: standards #### Review - Needs Review: No - Interp. Status: scored - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2026-02-18T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: Surface rock chip samples show high silver grades. - Positive factor: High silver grades Evidence · text > 214 g/t Ag #### Tags used in scoring **No QA/QC Disclosure** Polarity: negative Definition: Release does not disclose QA/QC — lab certification, CP/QP sign-off and assay protocols cannot be checked from this document. Why it applies: qaqc\_disclosed is not true **Cut-off Undisclosed** Polarity: negative Definition: High-grade interval reported without stating the cut-off grade used for compositing. Why it applies: no cutoff\_grade was stated **Nearology Play** Polarity: neutral Definition: Value premise rests on proximity to a known deposit rather than own results. Why it applies: proximity is offered as the value premise: "Ontenu NE Project area showing rock chips and key target corridors To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please v" ### Fact 3 [Link to this fact](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/south-pacific-metals-adds-second-drill-rig-to-ontenu-campaign--e48a1c99-85c9-40d3-b1ed-3908f9c57f62#fact-drill-facts-3) gold #### Identity - Commodity: gold - Region: png - Reported Region: png - Ticker: SPMC #### Geometry - Grade: 0.41 - Grade Unit: g/t #### Classification - Sample Type: surface #### Location - Location: Onki Fault area - Loc. Source: document #### QA/QC - QP Signed: Yes - QA/QC Methods: standards #### Review - Needs Review: No - Interp. Status: scored - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2026-02-18T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: Surface rock chip samples show gold presence. - Positive factor: Gold present in surface samples Evidence · text > 0.41 g/t Au #### Tags used in scoring **No QA/QC Disclosure** Polarity: negative Definition: Release does not disclose QA/QC — lab certification, CP/QP sign-off and assay protocols cannot be checked from this document. Why it applies: qaqc\_disclosed is not true **Cut-off Undisclosed** Polarity: negative Definition: High-grade interval reported without stating the cut-off grade used for compositing. Why it applies: no cutoff\_grade was stated **Nearology Play** Polarity: neutral Definition: Value premise rests on proximity to a known deposit rather than own results. Why it applies: proximity is offered as the value premise: "Ontenu NE Project area showing rock chips and key target corridors To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please v" ### Fact 4 [Link to this fact](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/south-pacific-metals-adds-second-drill-rig-to-ontenu-campaign--e48a1c99-85c9-40d3-b1ed-3908f9c57f62#fact-drill-facts-4) copper #### Identity - Commodity: copper - Region: png - Reported Region: png - Ticker: SPMC #### Geometry - Grade: 18.1 - Grade Unit: % #### Classification - Sample Type: surface #### Location - Location: Onki Fault area - Loc. Source: document #### QA/QC - QP Signed: Yes - QA/QC Methods: standards #### Review - Needs Review: No - Interp. Status: scored - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2026-02-18T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: Surface rock chip samples show high copper and silver grades. - Positive factor: High copper and silver grades Evidence · text > 18.1% Cu #### Tags used in scoring **No QA/QC Disclosure** Polarity: negative Definition: Release does not disclose QA/QC — lab certification, CP/QP sign-off and assay protocols cannot be checked from this document. Why it applies: qaqc\_disclosed is not true **Cut-off Undisclosed** Polarity: negative Definition: High-grade interval reported without stating the cut-off grade used for compositing. Why it applies: no cutoff\_grade was stated **Nearology Play** Polarity: neutral Definition: Value premise rests on proximity to a known deposit rather than own results. Why it applies: proximity is offered as the value premise: "Ontenu NE Project area showing rock chips and key target corridors To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please v" ### Fact 5 [Link to this fact](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/south-pacific-metals-adds-second-drill-rig-to-ontenu-campaign--e48a1c99-85c9-40d3-b1ed-3908f9c57f62#fact-drill-facts-5) silver #### Identity - Commodity: silver - Region: png - Reported Region: png - Ticker: SPMC #### Geometry - Grade: 310 - Grade Unit: g/t #### Classification - Sample Type: surface #### Location - Location: Onki Fault area - Loc. Source: document #### QA/QC - QP Signed: Yes - QA/QC Methods: standards #### Review - Needs Review: No - Interp. Status: scored - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2026-02-18T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: Surface rock chip samples show high silver grades. - Positive factor: High silver grades Evidence · text > 310 g/t Ag #### Tags used in scoring **No QA/QC Disclosure** Polarity: negative Definition: Release does not disclose QA/QC — lab certification, CP/QP sign-off and assay protocols cannot be checked from this document. Why it applies: qaqc\_disclosed is not true **Cut-off Undisclosed** Polarity: negative Definition: High-grade interval reported without stating the cut-off grade used for compositing. Why it applies: no cutoff\_grade was stated **Nearology Play** Polarity: neutral Definition: Value premise rests on proximity to a known deposit rather than own results. Why it applies: proximity is offered as the value premise: "Ontenu NE Project area showing rock chips and key target corridors To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please v" ### Fact 6 [Link to this fact](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/south-pacific-metals-adds-second-drill-rig-to-ontenu-campaign--e48a1c99-85c9-40d3-b1ed-3908f9c57f62#fact-drill-facts-6) gold #### Identity - Commodity: gold - Region: png - Reported Region: png - Ticker: SPMC #### Geometry - Grade: 0.32 - Grade Unit: g/t #### Classification - Sample Type: surface #### Location - Location: Onki Fault area - Loc. Source: document #### QA/QC - QP Signed: Yes - QA/QC Methods: standards #### Review - Needs Review: No - Interp. Status: scored - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2026-02-18T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: Surface rock chip samples show gold presence. - Positive factor: Gold present in surface samples Evidence · text > 0.32 g/t Au #### Tags used in scoring **No QA/QC Disclosure** Polarity: negative Definition: Release does not disclose QA/QC — lab certification, CP/QP sign-off and assay protocols cannot be checked from this document. Why it applies: qaqc\_disclosed is not true **Cut-off Undisclosed** Polarity: negative Definition: High-grade interval reported without stating the cut-off grade used for compositing. Why it applies: no cutoff\_grade was stated **Nearology Play** Polarity: neutral Definition: Value premise rests on proximity to a known deposit rather than own results. Why it applies: proximity is offered as the value premise: "Ontenu NE Project area showing rock chips and key target corridors To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please v" ### Fact 7 [Link to this fact](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/south-pacific-metals-adds-second-drill-rig-to-ontenu-campaign--e48a1c99-85c9-40d3-b1ed-3908f9c57f62#fact-drill-facts-7) copper #### Identity - Commodity: copper - Region: png - Reported Region: png - Ticker: SPMC #### Geometry - Grade: 12.4 - Grade Unit: % #### Classification - Sample Type: surface #### Location - Location: Onki Fault area - Loc. Source: document #### QA/QC - QP Signed: Yes - QA/QC Methods: standards #### Review - Needs Review: No - Interp. Status: scored - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2026-02-18T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: Surface rock chip samples show high copper and silver grades. - Positive factor: High copper and silver grades Evidence · text > 12.4% Cu #### Tags used in scoring **No QA/QC Disclosure** Polarity: negative Definition: Release does not disclose QA/QC — lab certification, CP/QP sign-off and assay protocols cannot be checked from this document. Why it applies: qaqc\_disclosed is not true **Cut-off Undisclosed** Polarity: negative Definition: High-grade interval reported without stating the cut-off grade used for compositing. Why it applies: no cutoff\_grade was stated **Nearology Play** Polarity: neutral Definition: Value premise rests on proximity to a known deposit rather than own results. Why it applies: proximity is offered as the value premise: "Ontenu NE Project area showing rock chips and key target corridors To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please v" ### Fact 8 [Link to this fact](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/south-pacific-metals-adds-second-drill-rig-to-ontenu-campaign--e48a1c99-85c9-40d3-b1ed-3908f9c57f62#fact-drill-facts-8) silver #### Identity - Commodity: silver - Region: png - Reported Region: png - Ticker: SPMC #### Geometry - Grade: 131 - Grade Unit: g/t #### Classification - Sample Type: surface #### Location - Location: Onki Fault area - Loc. Source: document #### QA/QC - QP Signed: Yes - QA/QC Methods: standards #### Review - Needs Review: No - Interp. Status: scored - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2026-02-18T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: Surface rock chip samples show high silver grades. - Positive factor: High silver grades Evidence · text > 131 g/t Ag #### Tags used in scoring **No QA/QC Disclosure** Polarity: negative Definition: Release does not disclose QA/QC — lab certification, CP/QP sign-off and assay protocols cannot be checked from this document. Why it applies: qaqc\_disclosed is not true **Cut-off Undisclosed** Polarity: negative Definition: High-grade interval reported without stating the cut-off grade used for compositing. Why it applies: no cutoff\_grade was stated **Nearology Play** Polarity: neutral Definition: Value premise rests on proximity to a known deposit rather than own results. Why it applies: proximity is offered as the value premise: "Ontenu NE Project area showing rock chips and key target corridors To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please v" ### Fact 9 [Link to this fact](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/south-pacific-metals-adds-second-drill-rig-to-ontenu-campaign--e48a1c99-85c9-40d3-b1ed-3908f9c57f62#fact-drill-facts-9) gold #### Identity - Commodity: gold - Region: png - Reported Region: png - Ticker: SPMC #### Geometry - Grade: 1.21 - Grade Unit: g/t #### Classification - Sample Type: surface #### Location - Location: Onki Fault area - Loc. Source: document #### QA/QC - QP Signed: Yes - QA/QC Methods: standards #### Review - Needs Review: No - Interp. Status: scored - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2026-02-18T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: Surface rock chip samples show gold presence. - Positive factor: Gold present in surface samples Evidence · text > 1.21 g/t Au #### Tags used in scoring **No QA/QC Disclosure** Polarity: negative Definition: Release does not disclose QA/QC — lab certification, CP/QP sign-off and assay protocols cannot be checked from this document. Why it applies: qaqc\_disclosed is not true **Cut-off Undisclosed** Polarity: negative Definition: High-grade interval reported without stating the cut-off grade used for compositing. Why it applies: no cutoff\_grade was stated **Nearology Play** Polarity: neutral Definition: Value premise rests on proximity to a known deposit rather than own results. Why it applies: proximity is offered as the value premise: "Ontenu NE Project area showing rock chips and key target corridors To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please v" ### Fact 10 [Link to this fact](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/south-pacific-metals-adds-second-drill-rig-to-ontenu-campaign--e48a1c99-85c9-40d3-b1ed-3908f9c57f62#fact-drill-facts-10) copper #### Identity - Commodity: copper - Region: png - Reported Region: png - Ticker: SPMC #### Geometry - Grade: 0.2 - Grade Unit: % #### Classification - Sample Type: surface #### Location - Location: Onki Fault area - Loc. Source: document #### QA/QC - QP Signed: Yes - QA/QC Methods: standards #### Review - Needs Review: No - Interp. Status: scored - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2026-02-18T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: Surface rock chip samples show copper and silver presence. - Positive factor: Copper and silver present in surface samples Evidence · text > 0.2% Cu #### Tags used in scoring **No QA/QC Disclosure** Polarity: negative Definition: Release does not disclose QA/QC — lab certification, CP/QP sign-off and assay protocols cannot be checked from this document. Why it applies: qaqc\_disclosed is not true **Cut-off Undisclosed** Polarity: negative Definition: High-grade interval reported without stating the cut-off grade used for compositing. Why it applies: no cutoff\_grade was stated **Nearology Play** Polarity: neutral Definition: Value premise rests on proximity to a known deposit rather than own results. Why it applies: proximity is offered as the value premise: "Ontenu NE Project area showing rock chips and key target corridors To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please v" ### Fact 11 [Link to this fact](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/south-pacific-metals-adds-second-drill-rig-to-ontenu-campaign--e48a1c99-85c9-40d3-b1ed-3908f9c57f62#fact-drill-facts-11) silver #### Identity - Commodity: silver - Region: png - Reported Region: png - Ticker: SPMC #### Geometry - Grade: 32 - Grade Unit: g/t #### Classification - Sample Type: surface #### Location - Location: Onki Fault area - Loc. Source: document #### QA/QC - QP Signed: Yes - QA/QC Methods: standards #### Review - Needs Review: No - Interp. Status: scored - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2026-02-18T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: Surface rock chip samples show silver presence. - Positive factor: Silver present in surface samples Evidence · text > 32 g/t Ag #### Tags used in scoring **No QA/QC Disclosure** Polarity: negative Definition: Release does not disclose QA/QC — lab certification, CP/QP sign-off and assay protocols cannot be checked from this document. Why it applies: qaqc\_disclosed is not true **Cut-off Undisclosed** Polarity: negative Definition: High-grade interval reported without stating the cut-off grade used for compositing. Why it applies: no cutoff\_grade was stated **Nearology Play** Polarity: neutral Definition: Value premise rests on proximity to a known deposit rather than own results. Why it applies: proximity is offered as the value premise: "Ontenu NE Project area showing rock chips and key target corridors To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please v" ### Fact 12 [Link to this fact](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/south-pacific-metals-adds-second-drill-rig-to-ontenu-campaign--e48a1c99-85c9-40d3-b1ed-3908f9c57f62#fact-drill-facts-12) gold #### Identity - Commodity: gold - Region: png - Reported Region: png - Ticker: SPMC #### Geometry - Grade: 8.6 - Grade Unit: g/t #### Classification - Sample Type: surface #### Location - Location: Onki Fault area - Loc. Source: document #### QA/QC - QP Signed: Yes - QA/QC Methods: standards #### Review - Needs Review: No - Interp. Status: scored - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2026-02-18T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: Surface rock chip samples show gold presence. - Positive factor: Gold present in surface samples Evidence · text > 8.6 g/t Au #### Tags used in scoring **No QA/QC Disclosure** Polarity: negative Definition: Release does not disclose QA/QC — lab certification, CP/QP sign-off and assay protocols cannot be checked from this document. Why it applies: qaqc\_disclosed is not true **Cut-off Undisclosed** Polarity: negative Definition: High-grade interval reported without stating the cut-off grade used for compositing. Why it applies: no cutoff\_grade was stated **Nearology Play** Polarity: neutral Definition: Value premise rests on proximity to a known deposit rather than own results. Why it applies: proximity is offered as the value premise: "Ontenu NE Project area showing rock chips and key target corridors To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please v" ## How Atlas produces this analysis Minestarters Atlas uses automated extraction to summarize mining announcements, identify reported measurements, and classify supporting evidence. Sentiment reflects the extracted narrative and classification rules; it is an interpretation, not a reported measurement. Evidence quotes and context are provided where available. Missing data, low-confidence results, and review flags indicate limitations. Check the original publisher announcement before relying on an interpretation.