Highlander Silver Kicks Off Corani Drilling, Eyes $60M Year-End Cash
Event summary
- Highlander Silver begins drilling at Corani, the world's largest fully permitted primary silver project, with four rigs targeting exploration and resource growth.
- Company forecasts $60M year-end cash balance after starting with $100M in March, with Mercedes mine contributing positive cash flow post-restructuring.
- Carlos Ojeda appointed VP & GM of Corani, bringing open-pit mining expertise from Anglo American's Quellaveco project.
- Orlando Chumpitaz named VP & GM of Mercedes mine, aiming to improve safety, production, and operating costs.
- Updated feasibility study for Corani expected by Q3 2026, focusing on staged development to optimize returns and mitigate risks.
The big picture
Highlander Silver is accelerating development across its silver portfolio following its combination with Bear Creek Mining. The focus on high-impact exploration and project optimization positions the company to capitalize on strong silver demand, while the Mercedes mine's turnaround highlights the strategic importance of operational efficiency. With major shareholders including the Lundin family and Eric Sprott, the company's ability to execute on its staged development approach will be critical to unlocking value.
What we're watching
- Exploration Results
- How early drilling results at Corani will impact resource estimates and project economics.
- Operational Turnaround
- Whether Mercedes mine can sustain improved safety and production metrics under new leadership.
- Capital Allocation
- The pace at which Highlander Silver scales up exploration programs while maintaining financial discipline.
Related topics