Questcorp and Riverside's Drilling Success at LA Union: A Game Changer for Gold and Silver Exploration?

The junior mining sector has long been a high-risk, high-reward arena, where success hinges on the ability to de-risk exploration projects through strategic resource acquisition and disciplined technical execution. Questcorp Mining Inc. and its joint venture partner Riverside Resources Inc. are testing this paradigm at the La Union gold and silver project in Sonora, Mexico. With recent drilling results revealing exceptional grades-such as 59.4 g/t gold and 833 g/t silver from grab samples at the Famosa target, according to a Newsfile release-the project has sparked renewed interest in the potential for CRD-style mineralization to redefine regional exploration models.

Geological Potential and Strategic Acquisition

La Union's geology is a textbook example of a carbonate replacement deposit (CRD), a style of mineralization historically associated with high-grade, polymetallic deposits. The project sits within Neoproterozoic sedimentary rocks, including limestones and dolomites, which host structurally controlled mineralization along steeply dipping fault zones, as described in an Investing News article. This geological framework, combined with historical mining activity at the Union Mine, provides a critical advantage: a known mineralized system that Questcorp has expanded through modern exploration techniques.

The company's acquisition strategy is equally compelling. By securing a 100% interest in La Union via Questcorp's option agreement, Questcorp has positioned itself to capitalize on a project with both near-term drill-ready targets and long-term potential for porphyry-style copper-gold systems, as noted in a Stocktitan article. This dual focus-near-mine exploration and district-scale discovery-aligns with best practices in junior mining, where resource growth is often the key to unlocking value.

Drilling Progress and Risk Mitigation

As of October 2025, Questcorp and Riverside have completed seven drill holes across four of the project's five main targets, including the Union Mine, Famosa, North Union, and El Cobre areas, a Newsfile release reported. The Famosa target, in particular, has delivered standout results, with drilling intersecting the microconglomeratic carbonate unit historically linked to high-grade mineralization, as described in an Investing News article. Such outcomes validate the team's hypothesis that structural corridors-such as the steeply west-dipping fault at Famosa-act as conduits for mineralized fluids, a point emphasized in the Newsfile release.

The project's risk profile is further mitigated by a layered approach to exploration. Geophysical surveys, including induced polarization (IP) and drone magnetic imaging, are being used to refine drill targets and identify chargeability anomalies at depth, the Newsfile release added. These tools reduce the likelihood of "blind" drilling, a common pitfall in junior mining ventures. Additionally, the integration of historical data with modern stratigraphic and structural interpretations ensures that exploration is grounded in both empirical evidence and geological logic, as previously outlined by Investing News.

Systematic Execution and Future Outlook

What sets La Union apart is its methodical execution. The drilling program, now two-thirds complete, is progressing on budget while incorporating newly identified targets to the west of the main mineralization trend, according to the Newsfile release. This expansion into feeder zones along pre-mineral fault structures demonstrates a proactive approach to resource delineation. Furthermore, the use of Bureau Veritas Laboratories for assay processing-ensuring third-party credibility-adds another layer of investor confidence, a point noted in the Stocktitan article.

Looking ahead, the planned 1,500-metre drill program in Q3 2025 will test high-potential zones and assess the continuity of chimney- and manto-style mineralization, as described in the Investing News coverage. If successful, these efforts could transform La Union from a high-grade satellite project into a district-scale discovery, a rare but transformative outcome in junior mining.

Conclusion: A Model for Junior Mining Success

Questcorp and Riverside's work at La Union exemplifies how strategic resource acquisition and disciplined risk mitigation can create value in the junior mining sector. By leveraging advanced geophysical tools, integrating historical data, and systematically expanding known mineralization, the project has moved beyond speculative exploration into a phase of defined resource growth. For investors, the key takeaway is clear: projects that combine geological promise with operational rigor-like La Union-are the ones most likely to deliver outsized returns in a sector where exploration success is often elusive.