Kuya Silver Expands Fully-Funded 2026 Drill Program at the Bethania Project to a Record 20,000 Metres Focused on Resource Expansion Opportunities
MWN-AI** Summary
Kuya Silver Corporation (CSE: KUYA) announced an ambitious expansion of its 2026 drill program at the Bethania Silver Project in Peru, increasing the total drilling effort to a record 20,000 metres. This initiative, which is fully funded, aims to explore and delineate historically underexplored silver vein systems in the region. The drill program consists of 10,000 metres of surface drilling and the same amount dedicated to underground drilling, making it the largest drilling campaign at Bethania to date.
The surface drilling will target areas linked to historical artisanal mining, identified in recent exploratory efforts, suggesting additional mineral opportunities that could enhance the district-scale mineralization potential. Meanwhile, the underground drilling program will focus on extending known mineralized structures from current mine levels to improve resource estimates and geological continuity.
With over $25 million in cash reserves and anticipated cash flow from ongoing operations, Kuya Silver is well-positioned to fund its aggressive exploration strategy. Initial drilling results from underground operations are expected by Q2 2026, with further updates projected throughout the year.
Highlighted targets include the Tito PH area, featuring multiple veins with promising sample grades, and Millococha Oeste, noted for its high-grade silver veins. The expansion reflects Kuya Silver's commitment to maximizing resource potential amid ongoing geological assessments and strategic planning to prioritize mining targets.
As stated by Kuya Silver's leadership, this larger drill program signifies an exciting phase of exploration intended to significantly bolster the company's resource base within the Bethania district, further supporting its growth-oriented vision in silver mining.
MWN-AI** Analysis
Kuya Silver Corporation’s recent announcement regarding the expansion of its fully-funded 2026 drill program at the Bethania Silver Project is a substantial development that highlights the company’s growth potential. The initiative to increase drilling to a record 20,000 meters underlines a strategic commitment to resource expansion, focusing on historically underexplored silver vein systems. With approximately $25 million in cash reserves and anticipated cash flow from operations, Kuya Silver is well-positioned to finance this ambitious program.
Investors should take note of the dual strategy combining both surface and underground drilling. The surface program will prioritize historical artisanal mining areas, potentially revealing additional resource opportunities in a district characterized by significant geological potential. The underground drilling aims to extend known mineralized structures, leveraging existing infrastructure to minimize costs, which typically enhances the project’s financial feasibility.
Market sentiment surrounding silver mining shares can fluctuate based on metal prices, production forecasts, and broader economic conditions. Given the recent spike in silver demand—partly driven by its use in green technologies—Kuya Silver’s proactive exploration strategy comes at a fortuitous time. Target areas like Tito PH and Millococha have already demonstrated high silver grades, suggesting that the company's endeavors could lead to substantial resource upgrades.
Additionally, with the planned initial results expected in Q2 2026, potential positive updates could serve as catalysts for stock price appreciation. This presents a timely opportunity for investors to consider positions in Kuya Silver, especially if they believe in the long-term value of silver as an investment.
However, it’s essential to remain mindful of inherent risks. While the company is set on a path for resource growth, market fluctuations, operational challenges, and geopolitical factors in Peru could impact projections. Investors should conduct thorough due diligence before making investment decisions.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 17, 2026) - Kuya Silver Corporation (CSE: KUYA) (OTCQB: KUYAF) (FSE: 6MR1) (the "Company" or "Kuya Silver") is pleased to announce an expansion of its fully-funded 2026 drill program at the Bethania Silver Project in central Peru designed to unlock value by focusing on delineating mineralized silver vein systems which have been historically underexplored. The program, expected to total approximately 20,000 metres combined underground and surface diamond drilling, would represent the largest drill program ever at the Bethania project.
The surface drill program is planned for approximately 10,000 metres and will focus on priority targets associated with historical artisanal mining areas identified during the Company's recent regional exploration work, located outside the immediate Bethania mine area (Figure 1 below). These targets represent potential additions to the district-scale mineralized system and may also have potential for future production. Over the coming months Kuya Silver plans to conduct additional work to prioritize targets for the 2026 drill program which may include any of the six previously identified regional silver vein systems (e.g. Carmelitas, Tito PH, Millococha)
The Company also plans to expand on its previously announced underground drilling program to approximately 10,000 metres in 2026 (from 5,000 metres announced previously). Drilling will be conducted from established mine levels and is designed to test extensions of known mineralized structures that remain open along strike and at depth. This approach allows the Company to expand resources adjacent to current mine infrastructure while testing high-priority targets at relatively low cost and improving the geological continuity of the known vein system.
The combined surface and underground programs are expected to improve the geological understanding of the mineralized systems and support the Company's ongoing efforts to grow resources within the broader Bethania district. Initial results from the underground drilling campaign are expected in Q2 2026 and additional drill results from underground and initial surface drilling results are expected over the second half of 2026.
"Following encouraging surface exploration results across the Bethania property, we are excited to begin the next phase of drilling," stated Osbaldo Zamora, VP Exploration of Kuya Silver. "By combining surface drilling with underground drilling from existing workings, we are able to efficiently test both district-scale targets and near-mine extensions that could meaningfully expand the project's resource base."
David Stein, Kuya Silver's President and CEO also remarked, "The Company is excited to embark on a much larger drill campaign covering multiple targets across the Bethania district. Given our significant cash position in excess of USD $25 million and expected cash flow from the Bethania mine, this more aggressive exploration strategy should be fully funded from internal sources and can be maintained and expanded over the coming years as we grow our silver mining operations."
Figure 1: Bethania historical surface exploration results up to February 2026 showing all sample locations.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5945/288804_334c5f1d74e5d8bf_001full.jpg
Regional (Bethania District) Target Summary
Surface drilling is expected to commence in the coming months following final permitting and logistical preparations. Over the past five plus years, Kuya Silver has consolidated in excess of 4,500 ha surrounding the Bethania mine. Various surface prospecting campaigns over the past several years has identified six different silver vein systems characterized by historical evidence of artisanal mining and outcropping veins with silver-polymetallic mineralization which have been mapped and sampled by Kuya Silver's geologists. These additional vein systems can be subdivided into three areas located south (Tito PH), west (Carmelitas) and southwest (Millococha) of the Bethania silver mine.
Tito PH
Tito PH is a priority exploration target consisting of one main vein and at least seven additional subparallel veins (Figure 2 below). The main vein has been mapped over approximately 600 metres of strike and may extend up to 1,500 metres, although a 700 metres gap in surface exposure remains to be tested by drilling.
Minor artisanal workings, including two shallow adits and an open stope, occur along the vein cluster. A total of 55 grab samples collected by Kuya Silver geologists returned an arithmetic average grade of 285.7 g/t AgEq* and a maximum value of 2,114.7 g/t AgEq*. The interpreted strike length and high-grade surface samples suggest the system could be comparable in scale to the veins currently mined at Bethania.
Figure 2. Detailed map showing interpreted veins, grab sample locations, and assays at the Tito PH prospect.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5945/288804_334c5f1d74e5d8bf_002full.jpg
Millococha Oeste
Millococha Oeste is one of the most prospective targets identified within the Bethania land package due to the presence of more than 10 mapped veins with consistently high grades. A total of 40 grab samples collected by Kuya Silver geologists returned an arithmetic average grade of 690.4 g/t AgEq* and a maximum value of 2,652.7 g/t AgEq* (Figure 3 below).
Artisanal workings on Kuya Silver's claims represent the most significant historic activity outside the Santa Elena concession, but remain relatively shallow and poorly explored, highlighting the potential for additional mineralization at depth.
Figure 3. Detailed map showing interpreted veins, grab sample locations, and assays at the Millococha prospect.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5945/288804_334c5f1d74e5d8bf_003full.jpg
Carmelitas
The Carmelitas prospect includes three vein clusters within an area of approximately 800 metres, comprising the main Carmelitas artisanal mine as well as the Carmelitas Norte and Carmelitas Este showings (Figure 4 below). A total of 125 grab samples collected by Kuya Silver returned grades up to 1,771.5 g/t Ag and an arithmetic average of 145.2 g/t AgEq*.
Although vein density is lower than at other targets, the prospect remains attractive due to the presence of high-grade mineralization and potential structural connections between the three vein clusters.
*Silver Equivalency (AgEq) was calculated using silver ($85.74 USD/troy oz), gold ($5,177.70 USD/troy oz), copper ($12,815.48 USD/tonne), lead ($1,892.0 USD/tonne) and zinc ($3,286.76 USD/tonne) values, obtained on March 3, 2026 from Kitco, and do not consider metal recovery.
Figure 4. Detailed map showing interpreted veins, grab sample locations, and assays at the Carmelitas prospect.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5945/288804_334c5f1d74e5d8bf_004full.jpg
Quality Assurance and Quality Control
A total of 940 grab samples (plus QA/QC) were collected in different exploration campaigns from 2021 to 2026. Only 192 samples collected from 2024 to 2026 count with proper QA/QC assessment. The coordinates of the locations of each sample were measured by handheld GPS and the samples dispatched to the ALS Peru S.A. laboratory in Lima for geochemical analysis. The analyses were carried out using the following methods:
- ME-OG61a - Multi-acid digestion with ICP-AES detection for 33 elements
- Au-AA23 - Fire assay for gold
- Ag-OG62 - Four-acid digestion with ICP-AES detection for overlimit silver
All QA/QC standards were acceptable and within two standard deviations of certified values.
As these samples include a mix of early-stage grab, chip, and channel samples and do not include details on vein width, they are not fully representative of total vein mineralization.
National Instrument 43-101 Disclosure
The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Osbaldo Zamora, PhD., P.Geo., Vice President Exploration with Kuya Silver Corp. and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.
About Kuya Silver Corporation
Kuya Silver is a Canadian?based, growth-oriented mining company with a focus on silver. Kuya Silver operates the Bethania silver mine in Peru, while developing district-scale silver projects in mining-friendly jurisdictions including Peru and Canada.
For more information, please contact:
David Stein, President and Chief Executive Officer
Telephone: (604) 398?4493
info@kuyasilver.com
www.kuyasilver.com
Reader Advisory
This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking information," including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs, and current expectations of the Company, its directors, or its officers with respect to the future business activities of the Company. The words "may," "would," "could," "will," "intend," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "must," "next," "propose," "new," "potential," "prospective," "target," "future," "verge," "favorable," "implications," and "ongoing," and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking information. Investors are cautioned that statements including forward-looking information are not guarantees of future business activities and involve risks and uncertainties, and that the Company's future business activities may differ materially from those described in the forward-looking information as a result of various factors, including but not limited to fluctuations in market prices, successes of the operations of the Company, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market, and business conditions. There can be no assurances that such forward-looking information will prove accurate, and therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of the risks and uncertainties. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking information except as required under the applicable securities laws.
Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/288804
FAQ**
How does Kuya Silver Corporation KUYAF plan to utilize its existing $25 million cash position to maximize the potential of its 2026 drill program at the Bethania Silver Project in Toronto, Ontario?
What geological factors contribute to the anticipated success of Kuya Silver Corporation KUYAF's exploration strategy within the broader Bethania district?
In what ways does the expansion of drilling from both surface and underground locations improve the prospects for resource growth at Kuya Silver Corporation KUYAF's Bethania mine?
How will initial results from the drilling campaign influence Kuya Silver Corporation KUYAF's decision-making regarding further investments in the Bethania Silver Project?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Kuya Silver Corporation (CNQC: KUYA:CC).
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