# The Cheapest Way to Own a Copper Mine Is to Let Someone Else Build It Canonical Atlas analysis: https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/the-cheapest-way-to-own-a-copper-mine-is-to-let-someone-else-build-it--ea652cba-f91b-4adc-9a6c-e49d0fa107ea Original source: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-cheapest-way-to-own-a-copper-mine-is-to-let-someone-else-build-it-302872897.html Publisher: prnewswire Original announcement: 2026-09-11T23:58:40.185Z Analysis by Minestarters Atlas Atlas analysis published: Unknown date Atlas analysis updated: Unknown date - Company: Salazar Resources Limited - Ticker: SRLZF - Exchange: Unavailable - Region: Ecuador - Primary commodity: Gold - Secondary commodities: Silver, Copper, Lead, Zinc - Document categories: Resource update, Production - Extracted: 2026-09-12 00:23:34 UTC Narrative sentiment: 0.60 · Bullish ## Minestarters Atlas summary Salazar Resources Limited provided an update on the construction progress of the Curipamba-El Domo polymetallic project in Ecuador, where it holds a 25% carried interest. The project features proven and probable reserves of 7.13 Mt grading 2.55 g/t Au, 47.82 g/t Ag, 1.93% Cu, 0.26% Pb, and 2.63% Zn, with commissioning targeted for July 2027. Reasoning: The document provides a detailed update on the Curipamba-El Domo project, including specific reserve and resource figures, construction progress, and financing details for Salazar's 25% carried interest. - Positive factor: Strong reserve grades across multiple metals - Positive factor: High NPV and IRR for the project - Positive factor: Construction is fully funded - Positive factor: Significant margin between NSR and cut-off grade - Negative factor: Salazar is a minority holder \(25% carried interest\) and not the operator - Negative factor: Project is in Ecuador \(jurisdictional risk\) - Negative factor: Pre-revenue status until 2027 commissioning Facts used in scoring: 7 ## Classification and evidence No classification tags are available. ## Extracted facts Stored fact records: 7. Some facts used in scoring do not have a stored record. ## Resource Estimates (7) ### probable [Link to this fact](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/the-cheapest-way-to-own-a-copper-mine-is-to-let-someone-else-build-it--ea652cba-f91b-4adc-9a6c-e49d0fa107ea#fact-resource-facts-0) Curipamba-El Domo · gold #### Identity - Project: Curipamba-El Domo - Commodity: gold - Region: ecuador - Reported Region: Ecuador - Ticker: SRLZF #### Resource scope - Estimate type: reserve - Effective date: 2025-12-31T00:00:00.000Z - Reporting standards: ni\_43\_101 - QP Signed: Yes - Qualified person names: Yanfang Zhao, Falong Hu - Resource group id: resource:7631a7336ba2bef6d169 - Deposit or zone: Curipamba-El Domo - Mining method: open\_pit #### Resource Data - Category: probable - Tonnes: 7130000 - Grade: 2.55 - Grade Unit: g/t - Contained Metal: 584 - Contained Unit: koz #### Prior Estimate - Resource Date: 2025-12-31 #### Metal Equivalent - Assumptions Disclosed: Yes #### Review - Needs Review: No - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2026-09-11T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: High-grade gold component in a polymetallic reserve. - Positive factor: Strong grade for a polymetallic reserve Evidence · text > 7.13 million tonnes grading 2.55 g/t gold #### Tags used in scoring **Probable Reserve** Polarity: positive Definition: Indicated Resource with demonstrated economic viability after applying modifying factors. Why it applies: category is "probable" **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 **QP/CP Signed** Polarity: positive Definition: Qualified Person \(QP\) or Competent Person \(CP\) named and signed off — a member of a recognized professional association \(e.g., AusIMM, SME, AIG, P.Geo\) with relevant experience. Why it applies: qp\_signed is true **NI 43-101 Compliant** Polarity: positive Definition: Resource estimate prepared in compliance with NI 43-101 \(Canada\) — high reporting standard. Why it applies: reporting\_standards includes ni\_43\_101 **DFS-Supporting** Polarity: neutral Definition: Resource estimate prepared to support a Definitive Feasibility Study — requires high M&I confidence. Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports ### probable [Link to this fact](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/the-cheapest-way-to-own-a-copper-mine-is-to-let-someone-else-build-it--ea652cba-f91b-4adc-9a6c-e49d0fa107ea#fact-resource-facts-1) Curipamba-El Domo · silver #### Identity - Project: Curipamba-El Domo - Commodity: silver - Region: ecuador - Reported Region: Ecuador - Ticker: SRLZF #### Resource scope - Estimate type: reserve - Effective date: 2025-12-31T00:00:00.000Z - Reporting standards: ni\_43\_101 - QP Signed: Yes - Qualified person names: Yanfang Zhao, Falong Hu - Resource group id: resource:7631a7336ba2bef6d169 - Deposit or zone: Curipamba-El Domo - Mining method: open\_pit #### Resource Data - Category: probable - Tonnes: 7130000 - Grade: 47.82 - Grade Unit: g/t - Contained Metal: 11 - Contained Unit: moz #### Prior Estimate - Resource Date: 2025-12-31 #### Metal Equivalent - Assumptions Disclosed: Yes #### Review - Needs Review: No - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2026-09-11T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: High-grade silver component in a polymetallic reserve. - Positive factor: Strong silver grade Evidence · text > 47.82 g/t silver #### Tags used in scoring **Probable Reserve** Polarity: positive Definition: Indicated Resource with demonstrated economic viability after applying modifying factors. Why it applies: category is "probable" **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 **QP/CP Signed** Polarity: positive Definition: Qualified Person \(QP\) or Competent Person \(CP\) named and signed off — a member of a recognized professional association \(e.g., AusIMM, SME, AIG, P.Geo\) with relevant experience. Why it applies: qp\_signed is true **NI 43-101 Compliant** Polarity: positive Definition: Resource estimate prepared in compliance with NI 43-101 \(Canada\) — high reporting standard. Why it applies: reporting\_standards includes ni\_43\_101 **DFS-Supporting** Polarity: neutral Definition: Resource estimate prepared to support a Definitive Feasibility Study — requires high M&I confidence. Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports ### probable [Link to this fact](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/the-cheapest-way-to-own-a-copper-mine-is-to-let-someone-else-build-it--ea652cba-f91b-4adc-9a6c-e49d0fa107ea#fact-resource-facts-2) Curipamba-El Domo · copper #### Identity - Project: Curipamba-El Domo - Commodity: copper - Region: ecuador - Reported Region: Ecuador - Ticker: SRLZF #### Resource scope - Estimate type: reserve - Effective date: 2025-12-31T00:00:00.000Z - Reporting standards: ni\_43\_101 - QP Signed: Yes - Qualified person names: Yanfang Zhao, Falong Hu - Resource group id: resource:7631a7336ba2bef6d169 - Deposit or zone: Curipamba-El Domo - Mining method: open\_pit #### Resource Data - Category: probable - Tonnes: 7130000 - Grade: 1.93 - Grade Unit: % - Contained Metal: 137.7 - Contained Unit: kt #### Prior Estimate - Resource Date: 2025-12-31 #### Metal Equivalent - Assumptions Disclosed: Yes #### Review - Needs Review: No - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2026-09-11T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: High-grade copper component in a polymetallic reserve. - Positive factor: Strong copper grade for a polymetallic reserve Evidence · text > 1.93% copper #### Tags used in scoring **Probable Reserve** Polarity: positive Definition: Indicated Resource with demonstrated economic viability after applying modifying factors. Why it applies: category is "probable" **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 **QP/CP Signed** Polarity: positive Definition: Qualified Person \(QP\) or Competent Person \(CP\) named and signed off — a member of a recognized professional association \(e.g., AusIMM, SME, AIG, P.Geo\) with relevant experience. Why it applies: qp\_signed is true **NI 43-101 Compliant** Polarity: positive Definition: Resource estimate prepared in compliance with NI 43-101 \(Canada\) — high reporting standard. Why it applies: reporting\_standards includes ni\_43\_101 **DFS-Supporting** Polarity: neutral Definition: Resource estimate prepared to support a Definitive Feasibility Study — requires high M&I confidence. Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports ### probable [Link to this fact](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/the-cheapest-way-to-own-a-copper-mine-is-to-let-someone-else-build-it--ea652cba-f91b-4adc-9a6c-e49d0fa107ea#fact-resource-facts-3) Curipamba-El Domo · lead #### Identity - Project: Curipamba-El Domo - Commodity: lead - Region: ecuador - Reported Region: Ecuador - Ticker: SRLZF #### Resource scope - Estimate type: reserve - Effective date: 2025-12-31T00:00:00.000Z - Reporting standards: ni\_43\_101 - QP Signed: Yes - Qualified person names: Yanfang Zhao, Falong Hu - Resource group id: resource:7631a7336ba2bef6d169 - Deposit or zone: Curipamba-El Domo - Mining method: open\_pit #### Resource Data - Category: probable - Tonnes: 7130000 - Grade: 0.26 - Grade Unit: % - Contained Metal: 18.4 - Contained Unit: kt #### Prior Estimate - Resource Date: 2025-12-31 #### Metal Equivalent - Assumptions Disclosed: Yes #### Review - Needs Review: No - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2026-09-11T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: Lead component in polymetallic reserve. Evidence · text > 0.26% lead #### Tags used in scoring **Probable Reserve** Polarity: positive Definition: Indicated Resource with demonstrated economic viability after applying modifying factors. Why it applies: category is "probable" **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 **QP/CP Signed** Polarity: positive Definition: Qualified Person \(QP\) or Competent Person \(CP\) named and signed off — a member of a recognized professional association \(e.g., AusIMM, SME, AIG, P.Geo\) with relevant experience. Why it applies: qp\_signed is true **NI 43-101 Compliant** Polarity: positive Definition: Resource estimate prepared in compliance with NI 43-101 \(Canada\) — high reporting standard. Why it applies: reporting\_standards includes ni\_43\_101 **DFS-Supporting** Polarity: neutral Definition: Resource estimate prepared to support a Definitive Feasibility Study — requires high M&I confidence. Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports ### probable [Link to this fact](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/the-cheapest-way-to-own-a-copper-mine-is-to-let-someone-else-build-it--ea652cba-f91b-4adc-9a6c-e49d0fa107ea#fact-resource-facts-4) Curipamba-El Domo · zinc #### Identity - Project: Curipamba-El Domo - Commodity: zinc - Region: ecuador - Reported Region: Ecuador - Ticker: SRLZF #### Resource scope - Estimate type: reserve - Effective date: 2025-12-31T00:00:00.000Z - Reporting standards: ni\_43\_101 - QP Signed: Yes - Qualified person names: Yanfang Zhao, Falong Hu - Resource group id: resource:7631a7336ba2bef6d169 - Deposit or zone: Curipamba-El Domo - Mining method: open\_pit #### Resource Data - Category: probable - Tonnes: 7130000 - Grade: 2.63 - Grade Unit: % - Contained Metal: 187.7 - Contained Unit: kt #### Prior Estimate - Resource Date: 2025-12-31 #### Metal Equivalent - Assumptions Disclosed: Yes #### Review - Needs Review: No - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2026-09-11T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: High-grade zinc component in a polymetallic reserve. - Positive factor: Strong zinc grade Evidence · text > 2.63% zinc #### Tags used in scoring **Probable Reserve** Polarity: positive Definition: Indicated Resource with demonstrated economic viability after applying modifying factors. Why it applies: category is "probable" **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 **QP/CP Signed** Polarity: positive Definition: Qualified Person \(QP\) or Competent Person \(CP\) named and signed off — a member of a recognized professional association \(e.g., AusIMM, SME, AIG, P.Geo\) with relevant experience. Why it applies: qp\_signed is true **NI 43-101 Compliant** Polarity: positive Definition: Resource estimate prepared in compliance with NI 43-101 \(Canada\) — high reporting standard. Why it applies: reporting\_standards includes ni\_43\_101 **DFS-Supporting** Polarity: neutral Definition: Resource estimate prepared to support a Definitive Feasibility Study — requires high M&I confidence. Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports ### indicated [Link to this fact](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/the-cheapest-way-to-own-a-copper-mine-is-to-let-someone-else-build-it--ea652cba-f91b-4adc-9a6c-e49d0fa107ea#fact-resource-facts-5) Curipamba-El Domo · gold #### Identity - Project: Curipamba-El Domo - Commodity: gold - Region: ecuador - Reported Region: Ecuador - Ticker: SRLZF #### Resource scope - Estimate type: resource - Effective date: 2025-12-31T00:00:00.000Z - Reporting standards: ni\_43\_101 - QP Signed: Yes - Qualified person names: Yanfang Zhao, Falong Hu - Resource group id: resource:7e33d748e57f8de91f12 - Deposit or zone: Curipamba-El Domo - Mining method: open\_pit #### Resource Data - Category: indicated - Tonnes: 11400000 #### Prior Estimate - Resource Date: 2025-12-31 #### Metal Equivalent - Assumptions Disclosed: Yes #### Review - Needs Review: No - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2026-09-11T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: M&I resource component. Evidence · text > Measured and indicated resources stand at 11.4 million tonnes #### Tags used in scoring **Indicated Resource** Polarity: positive Definition: Reasonable geological confidence based on adequate drilling; continuity can be assumed. Basis for Probable Reserves. Why it applies: category is "indicated" **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 **QP/CP Signed** Polarity: positive Definition: Qualified Person \(QP\) or Competent Person \(CP\) named and signed off — a member of a recognized professional association \(e.g., AusIMM, SME, AIG, P.Geo\) with relevant experience. Why it applies: qp\_signed is true **NI 43-101 Compliant** Polarity: positive Definition: Resource estimate prepared in compliance with NI 43-101 \(Canada\) — high reporting standard. Why it applies: reporting\_standards includes ni\_43\_101 **No Contained Metal** Polarity: negative Definition: Tonnage and grade reported but contained metal not calculated or disclosed — incomplete reporting. Why it applies: contained\_metal was not reported **DFS-Supporting** Polarity: neutral Definition: Resource estimate prepared to support a Definitive Feasibility Study — requires high M&I confidence. Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports ### inferred [Link to this fact](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/the-cheapest-way-to-own-a-copper-mine-is-to-let-someone-else-build-it--ea652cba-f91b-4adc-9a6c-e49d0fa107ea#fact-resource-facts-6) Curipamba-El Domo · gold #### Identity - Project: Curipamba-El Domo - Commodity: gold - Region: ecuador - Reported Region: Ecuador - Ticker: SRLZF #### Resource scope - Estimate type: resource - Effective date: 2025-12-31T00:00:00.000Z - Reporting standards: ni\_43\_101 - QP Signed: Yes - Qualified person names: Yanfang Zhao, Falong Hu - Resource group id: resource:1e3c9abd952be7604b59 - Deposit or zone: Curipamba-El Domo - Mining method: open\_pit #### Resource Data - Category: inferred - Tonnes: 3800000 #### Prior Estimate - Resource Date: 2025-12-31 #### Metal Equivalent - Assumptions Disclosed: Yes #### Review - Needs Review: No - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2026-09-11T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: Inferred resource component. Evidence · text > 3.8 million tonnes inferred #### Tags used in scoring **Inferred Resource** Polarity: negative Definition: Speculative category — limited drilling, geological continuity assumed but not confirmed. Cannot support economic studies alone. Why it applies: category is "inferred" **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 **QP/CP Signed** Polarity: positive Definition: Qualified Person \(QP\) or Competent Person \(CP\) named and signed off — a member of a recognized professional association \(e.g., AusIMM, SME, AIG, P.Geo\) with relevant experience. Why it applies: qp\_signed is true **NI 43-101 Compliant** Polarity: positive Definition: Resource estimate prepared in compliance with NI 43-101 \(Canada\) — high reporting standard. Why it applies: reporting\_standards includes ni\_43\_101 **No Contained Metal** Polarity: negative Definition: Tonnage and grade reported but contained metal not calculated or disclosed — incomplete reporting. Why it applies: contained\_metal was not reported **DFS-Supporting** Polarity: neutral Definition: Resource estimate prepared to support a Definitive Feasibility Study — requires high M&I confidence. Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports ## 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.