The project is also strategically positioned around 100km from Chile’s ENAMI’s El Salado copper ore processing plant and just 40km north of Codelco’s Porterillos copper smelter, potentially opening up the opportunity to add value to any concentrate product the company may decide to produce.

Once the outcome of a current induced-polarisation (IP) survey is known it is hoped the findings might also unveil some deep oxide zones which could then be amenable to simple and cheap heap leaching mining techniques. If so, these areas will play a key role in the prioritising of drill targets next year.

Regardless of whether Pan Asia looks at a heap leach or a third-party processing route to market, the company’s forward planning appears to be focused on a phased exploration approach which would confirm a commitment to low-cost production.

Adding to the progress on the ground in Chile, a week ago the company also announced a four-year $35-million funding package with New York-based private equity firm Global Emerging Markets (GEM).

According to Pan Asia, the new funding facility is potentially sufficient to pay for resource and pre-feasibility studies at Rosario and its Tama Atacama lithium project.

The deal appears to be something of a coup and suggests there are others out there who share a similar view to Pan Asia that Rosario and its broader South American exploration efforts have significant legs.

Pan Asia is also preparing to change its name to Flagship Minerals, which it hopes will reduce some noted market confusion surrounding the company’s geographic position.

With significant progress on the ground at the Rosario project and with funding now in place, it appears Pan Asia is gearing up for a significant period of exploration drilling next year. In the meantime, any sniff of significant mineralisation at Rosario from the upcoming IP survey will surely get the attention of the market.

Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au