Salazar Resources Sees Valuation Surge as Ecuador Eases Mining Costs

The updated technical report for the Curipamba–El Domo project, released in July 2026, places the asset's after-tax net present value at US$573 million. This substantial increase reflects improved resource estimates and updated metal-price assumptions since the previous 2021 study. Salazar holds a 25% carried interest in the project, meaning the company retains economic exposure to the mine’s development without the burden of funding construction costs, which remain the responsibility of operator Silvercorp Metals. First commercial production is currently targeted for mid-2027.

Beyond the mine's revaluation, Ecuador’s mining regulator, ARCOM, has implemented a policy change that exempts exploration-stage projects from the Mining Oversight and Control Fee. This reform is expected to lower the financial barrier for companies like Salazar, which manage a portfolio of exploration projects across the country. By removing this levy, the government aims to increase the nation's competitive edge for international capital, directly benefiting Salazar’s long-term exploration strategy.